Teams: Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics. Designed by profootballspace. Vancouver Grizzlies (1997-98), Washington Wizards (1998-99), Miami Heat (1990-2000), Charlotte Hornets (2000-01) All-Star Games: 2001. This reputation caused many to forget just how imp[actful Wallace was on the basketball court. 4. Elton Brand led the way with 24-10 as the best player on a championship contender, the 2005-06 Clippers. Here are the 10 most underrated stars during the 2000s. League championships: 0. Defensively he was excellent, making an NBA All-Defensive Team three times. We have seen a host of very talented yet underappreciated stars during the past 20 years. Due to a knee condition that basically deteriorated his knee cartilage as time went on, we were only able to experience 3 real years of his peak. I have never seen a Finals MVP and a more impactful point guard be overlooked in NBA history more than Chauncey Billups. Teams: Nets . His only season above 50% from the floor was with the 2009-10 Miami Heat, which isnt anything to write home about for a 611 power forward. Sacramento picked Pedrag Stojakovi at the 1996 NBA rookie draft while still playing in Greece. He was selected only behind guards Kobe Bryant and Jason Kidd, which is the greatest single accomplishment in his career. 8. Giannis and LeBron? Malcolm Brogdon might have the quietest 20/6/6 stat line in the NBA. In the 2000 NBA draft, the Milwaukee Bucks got lucky when Ohio States Michael Redd fell all the way into the second round. Corey Maggette was the player version of the Los Angeles Lakers/Los Angeles Clippers relationship in that he was the Walmart version of Kobe Bryant. On offense, he was a great spot-up shooter and that's why he is mainly known for being a shooter during the Steve Nash era in Phoenix. Lewis was one of the NBAs top shooters for years with 8 seasons ranked in the Top 20 for 3-pointers made. 50 Most Underrated NBA Players of All Time. By 2003, Ilgauskas was an All-Star and averaged 17.2 PPG and 7.5 RPG while adding 1.9 BPG. Agent 0 going into L.A. and dropping 60 on the Lakers. And when it comes to the 2000s, well, there are plenty of guys who deserved more love. Thats why hes the first name on this list. He was so fast with his first step off of the dribble and even faster once he got headed toward the basket. During his time with the New Orleans Hornets for 3 seasons, he averaged 20.2 PPG, 8.1 APG, and 2.0 SPG. Even some players who did make it onto that stage, like Rashard Lewis and Richard Hamilton, arent remembered as reverently as they should be. As only the No.13 pick, Maggette is one of the most underrated players during his era due to his impact on the Clippers. DeMar DeRozan is having an incredible season. Unfortunately, his fantastic rookie campaign was lost in history behind a similar scoring guard in Allen Iverson, but it was easy to see the skill and talent Shareef possessed. CJ McCollum voted most underrated player since 2000. As one of the original stretch forwards in the game, Lewis used both his size and shooting ability to become a scoring machine. These players tend to make their presence felt different than your average superstar, whether . Six seasons into his career in 2005, Lewis earned his first All-Star selection and first 20.0 PPG season. Latrell Sprewell was a great player. Miller would go on to play 5 more seasons with Sacramento. He ended his career with a well-deserved championship with the 2011 Dallas Mavericks. Last time I did this series, 2 years ago, I had him as the most underrated SF in the league. In a season sandwiched between two non-playoff years, Elton Brand and the Clippers lost in seven games to the Phoenix Suns. He peaked in 2007 when he averaged 26.7 PPG on 46.5% shooting. O'Neal had a strong inside scoring game, was very active on the offensive boards, and was a capable shot-blocker. Redd blossomed as a scorer in his 4th season, averaging 21.7 PPG on 35.0% shooting from three. 1. That could not be further from the truth as Ilgauskas was a solid two-way big man who helped LeBron James adapt to the NBA. Mookie Blaylock. Billups name never comes up in Top 20 conversations as far as point guards go, let alone Top 10 lists. 5. Redd was consistently criticized for his lack of a complete game but his scoring was by far the best part of his game. For his career, Redd shot 38.0% from three and 44.7% overall. He would lead the league in steals once more in 2007 with the Warriors with 2.1 SPG. He scored 57 that same season, breaking the Bucks single-game scoring record held by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. He could put the ball on the floor and get by defenders relatively easily and it made him a true three-level threat. Oh, and Google his insane back tattoo. Andrei Kirilenko was a prototype of what the modern-day NBA landscape now values above all else; versatility. NFL NBA Megan Anderson Atlanta Hawks Los Angeles Lakers Boston Celtics Arsenal F.C. Here is our list of 12 of the most underrated players in the NBA today. Miller played 14 seasons in the NBA, mainly for the Kings and Bulls. He averaged a career-high of 26.7 points a game during the 2006-07 season. For the first few seasons of his NBA career, Billups bounced around until he found a home with the Detroit Pistons in 2003. Schrempf is often overlooked and considered one of the most underrated players in NBA history. DeRozan may be cementing his status as the best player in franchise history in front of our eyes, but say he belongs in the MVP conversation and most NBA fans will laugh at you. Richardson was drafted by the Clippers and had his best season in 2004 with the team averaging 17.2 PPG. Due to the emergence of other superstars like Allen Iverson, Vince Carter, LeBron James, and Tracy McGrady, many other solid players who had massive success in the decade have flown under the radar as time has gone on. Type above and press Enter to search. www.basketball-timemachine.com. LeBron James and Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers. 12. . 7 min read. Andre Miller was never an MVP candidate or even an All-Star but he was quietly one of the better point guards during the 2000s. 10. In fact, he was voted 4th overall in the 2003-04 MVP race, beating out the aforementioned shooting guard on the Lakers. Ron Artest, Metta World Peace, or his now legal name Metta Sandiford-Artest may surprise some on this list. Many superstars surfaced at this time but perhaps none bigger than Shaquille ONeal and Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers who led them to 3 straight titles at the beginning of the decade. Fat Lever (#14) was Russell Westbrook before Westbrook. 1 of 25. Even though he never made an All-Star Team, Bibby certainly played like one and he was a major reason the Kings were a problem in the West. Redd was also a member of the 2008 U.S. mens Olympic basketball team that won a gold medal at the Summer Olympics in Beijing. He averaged 22.8 PPG and led the league with 17.5 RPG, and 3.0 BPG. He averaged 22.8 PPG and led the league with 17.5 RPG, and 3.0 BPG. Richardson was a solid scorer throughout his career and was a very capable defender. He was the first NBA player to bring in the big balls dance celebration, injuring his groin. From there, he developed his offensive game and defensively got more aggressive. Of course, there was Tim Duncan and the Spurs who captured 3 championships of their own in the 2000s after winning one in 1999 the year after MJ left the NBA. This season encapsulates why Redd isnt any higher on this list. They say the best ability is availability, and Finley did just that. Lewis retired with the Miami Heat in 2014, one year after adding an NBA championship to his already impressive resume. 1 seed Mavericks in 2007 but his career was so much more than one season. He was an entertaining player, scorer, and consistent all-star-level talent in the 90s. He finished with 11,972 points and 2,411 rebounds (3.8 per game). Press Esc to cancel. He averaged 20.7 PPG, 22.2 PPG, and 22.1 PPG during those years while missing out on All-Star Teams despite his scoring. Ilgauskas struggled with injury the first few seasons of his career, missing his rookie season and 4th season with foot issues. Ilgauskas wasnt the strongest in the post but he made up for it with a beautiful 6to 8-foot jumper that he had a beautiful touch on and was nearly automatic. Brand's best year came in 2006 as an MVP candidate averaging 24.7 points and 10 rebounds while leading the Los Angeles Clippers back into the playoffs. Roy was impossible to keep up with in isolation. He made 3 straight All-Star games from 2002 through 2004 and averaged 21.7 PPG on 48.1% shooting over that time. One of the most valuable roleplayers in the early part of the decade, Doug Christie, was a deadeye shooter that brought it at an all-defensive level on the other end. With over a decade of writing articles for sports sites, Eddie Bitar has a unique writing voice that shines through in the latest collection of NBA-related content that captures trade rumors, power rankings, and team news. Jackson is mainly known for his stints with the Indiana Pacers and the Golden State Warriors. At his peak, he became one of the most prolific scorers in the league and ignited the spirit of the game back in the City Of Milwaukee. This honestly swayed an NBA championship, costing the Minnesota Timberwolves in their series against the Lakers, in which they were the better team. Ronald Koeman - Barcelona. With the NBA season approaching fast, there are a few players who haven't gotten the credit they deserve. The following season it came to fruition as Billups not only led the Pistons to a title but won Finals MVP in the process. He would average 20.0 PPG or more for the next 3 seasons and shot near or better than 40.0% from three during that time. It is borderline insanity that Miller was never even honored with an All-Star selection and for that, he is the 3rd most underrated player of the 200s decade. He is incredibly well known; hes played beside Kobe on the Championship Lakers, delivered us with one of the best post-championship press conferences ever, and been a member of the infamous Malice and the Palace. He's got some recognition since then, but he still isn't as respected as he should. In nine of his last ten NBA seasons, James has scored at least 2,000 points. Corey Maggette was one of the most consistent scorers during the 2000s. Many superstars surfaced at this time but perhaps none bigger than Shaquille ONeal and Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers who led them to 3 straight titles at the beginning of the decade. Gabriel Batistuta, Argentina. A lethal gunner from range, Stokakoi was one of the first NBA players to bomb away from range who hit a high percentage of their shots. The draw of Finley was his consistency and availability. Roy was impossible to keep up with in isolation. Career Stats: 17.0 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 1.8 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.1 BPG, Career Achievements: 3x All-Star, 1x All-NBA Team Selection. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. He was a menace on the defensive side of the ball as well, never shying away from a tough matchup or assignments. He also has a rare 83-game season under his belt after being traded from Phoenix to Dallas early in his career. He had three All-NBA team selections, two thirds, and a second cap off his individual awards. He was also a big reason the Cavaliers were able to make the 2007 NBA Finals, being LeBron James favorite option on offense. Required fields are marked *. Seth Curry . He was a tough forward who played hard-nosed defense and never backed down from any challenge. Richardson made the All-Rookie Team in 2001 by averaging 14.4 PPG and 4.3 RPG for the Golden State Warriors. His mid-range game and three-ball were impeccable as well. Brad Miller was a rare center in the 2000s because he had a consistent mid-range jump shot. Shareef could never take that next step up to consistent superstardom, and despite forming a talented trio alongside Glenn Robinson and Jason Terry, the Hawks never sniffed the playoffs. He averaged 20.1 PPG and 10.0 RPG in his rookie season with the Chicago Bulls, making the All-Rookie Team. He was an empty-calories kind of player who put up stats on losing teams and couldnt carry a team to any relevancy. Career Stats: 19.0 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 2.1 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.1 BPG. He could rebound the ball well at 610 tall and his passing and court vision were a perfect recipe for success with how much those Kings teams liked to run. He helped lead the Magic to a Finals berth in 2009 by being a versatile scorer next to the dominant Howard. The 2000s was an awe-inspiring time to grow up as an NBA fan and witness these real-life superheroes hit the court every single night. During his 3rd season in the NBA with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miller led the NBA in assists with 10.9 APG to go with 16.5 PPG and 1.6 SPG. #513 of 1,316. Nick Mac is an NBA Writer with over 5 years of experience in journalism. Landers mens soccer closes out the season with a penalty-kick loss to Florida Tech. Due to a knee condition that basically deteriorated his knee cartilage as time went on, we were only able to experience 3 real years of his peak. Averaging 16.0 PPG, he is one of the most recognizable offensive players for the Clippers over the last 20 years. At his peak, Billups was a serious threat as a scorer, passer, and defender who was the perfect point guard to lead the Detroit Pistons to the 2004 NBA championship. While Redd played amazingly, the team finished the season with a horrible record28-54. Jermaine does that by propelling himself to All-Star status with Indiana. Over NY's past three games, Mitchell Robinson is 16-for-16 from the floor & averaging 11.3 points and 12.0 rebounds Per @bball_ref, he is the first player in NBA history to record a double . At 34 years of age, Cassell had his best year averaging 19-3-7, helping the downtrodden Minnesota franchise propel itself to #1 in the Western Conference Standings. Elton Brand is the most underrated star of the 2000s because he managed to have 2 All-Star Seasons after being drafted No.1 in the 1999 Draft. Injuries were a concern throughout Pejas career, especially in the second half of his NBA lifespan. Despite his demise over the latter course of his career, Redd still averaged 19.0 points per game for his career. He would lead the league in steals once more in 2007 with the Warriors with 2.1 SPG. At his peak, he had an argument for the best big man in basketball at a time when Tim Duncan and Shaq were still in the league. In 2009, he earned the 2nd All-Star selection of his career when he averaged 17.7 PPG and helped lead Orlando to the NBA Finals. However, when we look at this year, we can see that it was Rons best statistical start to an NBA season. Usually millions of dollars. For some reason, ONeal was vilified relentlessly for his role in the brawl and his reputation has taken years to recover. But looking at his career as a whole, Jamison was an All-Star caliber talent. Most Overrated NBA Players of All Time. Beginning with a Toronto Raptor, and ending with one, Gary Trent Jr. is easily one of the most exciting and most underrated players in the NBA today. Answer (1 of 3): Dirk Nowitzki. Well, that counts for something, right? He was the spiritual successor to Dennis Rodman, released music featured in NBA 2K, and is infamous for his antics on-and-off court. Gilbert Arenas. Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports, Career Stats: 18.8 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 4.7 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.2 BPG, Career Achievements: 1x Rookie of the Year, 3x All-Star, 2x All-NBA Team Selection. Thats not that tough. George Hill . Davis was an explosive point guard who was a blur on the floor in open space. Due to the emergence of other superstars like Allen Iverson, Vince Carter, LeBron James, and Tracy McGrady, many other solid players who had massive success in the decade have flown under the radar as time has gone on. These are the most overrated players in NBA history. Finally, as with fellow Pacer Ron Artest, ONeal was heavily involved in the Malice at the Palace punishments and suspensions, so the NBA isnt jumping at the opportunity to push Jermaine into the mainstream hivemind. Alex Novick, NBA.com Global Editions (): Quick, name the only player other than David Robinson and Hakeem Olajuwon to average at least two blocks . He was a scorer, plain and simple. Nine seasons into his career, the former USC Trojan has finally found his stride and established himself as one of the NBAs top guards. Despite sharing the court with Ray Allen early on, Redd carved his own path and should be revered for his unbelievable scoring at his peak. The following season in 2002-03, he was one of the best seasons of the decade for ANY player. A 2000 trade to the Pacers changed everything and almost immediately transformed O'Neal into an MVP candidate. He drove, he shot, and he played a little selfishly. During his early days in Seattle, Lewis took a bit to develop into the shooter and scorer he went down as. His only other individual awards were a 2004 All-Star selection after averaging 16-8-3 with 2 steals and 3 blocks. He was a menace on the defensive side of the ball as well, never shying away from a tough matchup or assignments. When coming into the league, there were no expectations for Michael Redd having been the 43rd pick of the 2000 NBA Draft. Lewis retired with the Miami Heat in 2014, one year after adding an NBA championship to his already impressive resume. Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports, Career Stats: 18.8 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 4.7 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.2 BPG, Career Achievements: 1x Rookie of the Year, 3x All-Star, 2x All-NBA Team Selection. At his peak, he had an argument for the best big man in basketball at a time when Tim Duncan and Shaq were still in the league. One of the most outspoken NBA analysts in the media, Stephen Jackson was a player that his teammates absolutely loved. Career Stats: 13.0 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.1 APG, 0.5 SPG, 1.6 BPG. During his All-Star seasons with Portland, Wallace was a double-digit scorer and rebounder while being a force to be reckoned with on defense. Zum ndern Ihrer Datenschutzeinstellung, z.B. Wallaces presence propelled Detroit to an NBA championship where Wallace averaged 13.0 PPG and 7.8 RPG on the playoff run. With Indiana, Jackson was part of a tough crew featuring Ron Artest and Jermaine O'Neal that was also involved in the Malice at the Palace. Show Printable Version; Today, 04:33 PM #1. Looking at the 2000s specifically, many All-Star caliber players did not get the recognition they deserved. After being traded to the Sacramento Kings at the end of the 2000 season, he formed a potent shooting perimeter alongside Peja Stojakovi. 1) Jrue Holiday, Milwaukee Bucks. As one of the best big men in Clippers history, Brand had a superstar season in 2006 averaging 24.7 PPG, 10.0 RPG, and 2.5 BPG. Ilgauskas wasnt the strongest in the post but he made up for it with a beautiful 6to 8-foot jumper that he had a beautiful touch on and was nearly automatic. Just 3 seasons later, he would become a 20.0 PPG scorer and an automatic 40.0% shooter from deep. In an era littered with talented point guards, Baron Davis was among the most exciting to watch play. For those of us that remember ONeal at his peak, we remember an undersized two-way beast for the Indiana Pacers who helped them nearly capture a championship in his heyday. 4 pick in the 1998 draft, Jamison made the All-Rookie Team with the Warriors averaging 9.6 PPG and 6.4 RPG. The Most Underrated NBA Player of the Early 2000s, Your email address will not be published. He would average 20.0 PPG or more for the next 3 seasons and shot near or better than 40.0% from three during that time. Neither made an impact, with Lionel Chalmers never playing another NBA game. He spent 3 seasons with the team and helped them transition to the City of New Orleans. Sports Mania Asia lists five underrated NBA players between the late 1990s and early 2000s. Im Still Ballin. Playing for a middling Milwaukee Bucks squad throughout the 2000s, he led the team and was a fantastic all-around scorer. He would become an All-Star once more in 2005 averaging 16.9 PPG, 8.6 RPG, and 2.1 BPG. We'll focus primarily on his most impactful seasons, from 2001-2004. The 5 most overrated players in Madden NFL 23, including the Eagles' Darius Slay Jr. View 5 items Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. He could dominate the game on both sides from the low block, he possessed a turnaround jumper that was as unblockable as DIrks fadeaway, and he was a defensive nightmare for opponents nightly. From2004 through 2009, Redd battled injuries and bumps but still averaged at least 21.0 PPG every season. Despite sharing the court with Ray Allen early on, Redd carved his own path and should be revered for his unbelievable scoring at his peak. Redd had led Ohio State to a Final Four as a . James Harden is the only player in NBA history with 21-game . Roy attempted a comeback in 2013 but lasted just 5 games before calling it quits for good. Davis can be credited with sparking the We Believe Warriors to an upset win over the No.