He was also one of the better offensive rebounders in basketball and led the league in that stat in the 2004-05 season with 299 offensive rebounds. From there, he developed his offensive game and defensively got more aggressive. Magic Johnson. Me and other NBA analysts and NBA content creators have said it before and we will keep on saying it, Robert Covington is the DEFINITION of the NBA 3&D player. He was a two-way mastermind who had a knack for coming through in a games biggest moments that earned him the nickname Mr. 6. George Hill . He averaged 21.2 points a game that season and would never be the same. For his career, Redd shot 38.0% from three and 44.7% overall. He picked up three Second Team All-Defenses and one First Team All-Defense. 10. Finley played on two of the premier Western Conference powerhouses over the decade, starting with Dallas and moving to San Antonio after being waived. 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. That's why he's the first name on this list. Bibby made the All-Rookie Team in 1999, averaging 13.2 PPG and 6.5 APG for the Vancouver Grizzlies. Scotty Bags. As a member of the Indiana Pacers, O'Neal was a very gifted two-way big man. While Redd played amazingly, the team finished the season with a horrible record28-54. As we entered the 2000s, NBA fans were left with the question of who was going to take over the league after Michael Jordan left Chicago. The Most Underrated NBA Players Of The Early 2000s 15 Most Underrated NBA Players Right Now - (2022-23 Updates) From there, he developed his offensive game and defensively got more aggressive. The Top 17 Most-Underrated NBA Players of All-Time Poll of the Day: Who is the NBA's most underrated player since 2000 During his time with the New Orleans Hornets for 3 seasons, he averaged 20.2 PPG, 8.1 APG, and 2.0 SPG. He made 3 straight All-Star games from 2002 through 2004 and averaged 21.7 PPG on 48.1% shooting over that time. The following season it came to fruition as Billups not only led the Pistons to a title but won Finals MVP in the process. By his fourth season with the Bucks, Allen was gone and Redd was a starter. Image via Complex Original. . Mitch Richmond, Detlef Schrempf, and Vin Baker are among the underrated players from the '90s. Underrated? 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. Here are the 10 most underrated stars during the 2000s. 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. In 2002, ONeal won the NBAs Most Improved Player award by averaging 17.2 PPG, 7.6 RPG, and 1.6 BPG. Top 13 NBA Stars From the 90s (And 12 From the 2000s - TheSportster An elite scorer and underrated playmaker, Jason Terry spent the majority of the 2000s playing the role of starting guard for the Atlanta Hawks and Dallas Mavericks, and the last bit dominating off the bench for the latter franchise. He blew past defenders and glided through the air and threw down rim-rocking dunks with brutal authority. Here is our list of 12 of the most underrated players in the NBA today. NFL NBA Megan Anderson Atlanta Hawks Los Angeles Lakers Boston Celtics Arsenal F.C. Elton Brand was one of the most underrated players of the 2000s. Mainly known for his part with the Washington Wizards Big Three including Gilbert Arenas and Caron Butler, Jamison was a consistent scoring star in the NBA. Career Stats: 18.8 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.0 SPG, 1.3 BPG. He finished with 11,972 points and 2,411 rebounds (3.8 per game). 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. Expectations are high for every player in the league, and the overrated label . The Clippers have always been the runt of LA. Madden 23 ratings: Underrated players including Deebo Samuel - For The Win The Top 10 Most Underrated Football Players of All Time He is an NBA History buff that details the game from the 1960s all the way up to today. He played in just 18 games and then 10 more in 2010-11. Getting to the free throw line. With the NBA season approaching fast, there are a few players who haven't gotten the credit they deserve. 1) Kareem Abdul Jabbar. Redd had led Ohio State to a Final Four as a . 10. Six seasons into his career in 2005, Lewis earned his first All-Star selection and first 20.0 PPG season. Maggette had his best seasons during the 2004, 2005, and 2008 seasons. He was also a big reason the Cavaliers were able to make the 2007 NBA Finals, being LeBron James favorite option on offense. He ended his career with a well-deserved championship with the 2011 Dallas Mavericks. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. In his first season in Los Angeles, he made his first All-Star Team. Yet, not all players who saw action at the NBA, the biggest basketball league in the world, are well-known. Portland athletes have been underrated for a long time, sometimes due to geography, but also because of the early 2000s, which saw casual fans turned away from the NBA team after the ill-fated "Jail Blazers" era that was marred by a string of player arrests, untimely technical fouls, and disastrous playoff meltdowns. Latrell Sprewell was a great player. Wallace helped to revolutionize the power forward position forever with his ability to spread the floor and shoot the ball He could play any role that a team needed him to. By the time his 4th season in 2004 came around, Redd was an All-Star and a consistent and efficient 20.0 PPG scorer. 6,418 votes. Bottom Line: Otis Thorpe. NBA: The 23 most underrated players from the 90s to present day The Most Underrated NBA Player of the Early 2000s Roy was a special talent on offense confirmed by some of the greats such as Tracy McGrady and Kobe Bryant. Most Underrated NBA Players Going into the 2021-22 Season - Gambling Sites You have Kevin Garnetts MVP and Western Conference Finals season with the Wolves. He was a nightmare for defenders to stop and an even bigger one to try and score on in the paint. Wilt Chamberlain. He was a tough forward who played hard-nosed defense and never backed down from any challenge. Wallaces presence propelled Detroit to an NBA championship where Wallace averaged 13.0 PPG and 7.8 RPG on the playoff run. One of the most outspoken NBA analysts in the media, Stephen Jackson was a player that his teammates absolutely loved. He made the All-Star game and was selected to the All NBA-Third Team. Teams: Nets . Kevin McHale over 176 games from '86 playoffs to '88 playoffs: 24.6/9. Lewis is considered one of the best second options ever for his time with both the Seattle SuperSonics next to Ray Allen and in Orlando with Dwight Howard. Brad Miller was a rare center in the 2000s because he had a consistent mid-range jump shot. He has been married to Clarenda Harris since September 12, 2006. 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. O'Neal had a strong inside scoring game, was very active on the offensive boards, and was a capable shot-blocker. He found the end zone in three different decades. COMPLEX participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means COMPLEX gets paid commissions on purchases made through our links to retailer sites. The problem with most underrated NBA lists is too many of the players are, well, overrated. Shaq and Chuck don't have the defense, although O'Neal did finish 3rd in the 2000 DPOY. Elton is perfect for this list. His presence on the early 2000s Kings teams was a perfect fit that put them over the top as a contender at the time. He was the baby Bryant from across the LA freeway. View Profile View Forum Posts For the first few seasons of his NBA career, Billups bounced around until he found a home with the Detroit Pistons in 2003. The play at power forward saw him have a couple of All-Star seasons. Redd was consistently criticized for his lack of a complete game but his scoring was by far the best part of his game. He doubled as the leagues premier perimeter defenderwinning the Defensive Player of the Year Awardhaving a rare combination of strength, size, and speed that allowed him to keep up with quicker, smaller guards; and be a physical presence to stop bigger small-forward bruiser type scorers. 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. Davis recorded 3 different seasons with at least 20.0 PPG and 2.0 SPG as one of the more dynamic point guards in basketball. Today, we honor the stars whose legacies have become underappreciated as time has gone on and we get further and further away from their playing days. 32 in Touchdown Wire list, Big Ten 2023 Football Power Rankings Too Soon, ASU Footballs Kenny Dillingham hopes QB room structure will push players, Oregon Football Recruitment: Nyckoles Harbor and Ducks Update, Big 12 Conference Tees 2023 Schedule Release, Know the Foe: Virginia Tech Footballs 2023 Away Opponents, Denver Broncos meet again with Michigan Footballs Jim Harbaugh. In the 2000 NBA draft, the Milwaukee Bucks got lucky when Ohio States Michael Redd fell all the way into the second round. O'Neal's strongest season came in 2005 by averaging 24.3 PPG, 8.8 RPG, and 2.0 BPG. A 2000 trade to the Pacers changed everything and almost immediately transformed ONeal into an MVP candidate. Injuries were a concern throughout Pejas career, especially in the second half of his NBA lifespan. 10 James Lofton. Still, ONeal was a franchise centerpiece to a team that consistently made the postseason, so he deserves his spot on this list. Out of all the players on this list, O'Neal was the most talented big man and also one of the most underrated players during his time. Elton Brand was a special big man on offense and on the boards, and he was one of the most underappreciated players during his time. We need to focus on exactly one year of Eltons career that solidifies his place on this list without a thought. We'll focus primarily on his most impactful seasons, from 2001-2004. Was he good enough that its a travesty that his name isnt among the great scorers in the history of the NBA? 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. Despite having the aura of a rugged workhorse, Kirilenko struggled with durability, usually finishing NBA seasons between 60-70 games played. Gilbert Arenas. He was never the same. He averaged 16.8 PPG, 4.4 RPG, and 4.0 APG on 45.6% shooting in just 57 games. From2004 through 2009, Redd battled injuries and bumps but still averaged at least 21.0 PPG every season. Roy would be named an All-Star the following 3 seasons and averaged 21.1 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 5.2 APG, and 1.1 SPG over that time. Miller played 14 seasons in the NBA, mainly for the Kings and Bulls. Tim Duncan: Most underrated athlete in sports history? Personally, I believe it is a crime that Wallace is still not a basketball Hall Of Famer. Andrei Kirilenko was a prototype of what the modern-day NBA landscape now values above all else; versatility. For some reason, ONeal was vilified relentlessly for his role in the brawl and his reputation has taken years to recover. He led the league in steals in 2004 with 2.4 SPG. 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. Show Printable Version; Today, 04:33 PM #1. Career Stats: 14.9 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.5 BPG. His 2000s were spent with the Utah Jazz, playing alongside Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer. The draw of Finley was his consistency and availability. 8. Even some players who did make it onto that stage, like Rashard Lewis and Richard Hamilton, arent remembered as reverently as they should be. Career Stats: 19.0 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 2.1 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.1 BPG. Jackson is mainly known for his stints with the Indiana Pacers and the Golden State Warriors. In a season sandwiched between two non-playoff years, Elton Brand and the Clippers lost in seven games to the Phoenix Suns. He ended his career with a well-deserved championship with the 2011 Dallas Mavericks. Today, we honor the stars whose legacies have become underappreciated as time has gone on and we get further and further away from their playing days. Mitch Richmond is one of the most electric yet underrated players of the 90s. We started the decade with Lakers championships and ended with Lakers championships, and yet you can rightfully argue that Tim Duncan was the most important player of the ten years. #NBA #NBATwitter #BYL #NBAPicks #Goats #Underrated. Others, like Vince Carter and Joe Johnson, are still kicking around the league, but young fans are probably unaware of just how dominant they used to be. 50 Most Underrated NBA Players of All Time. When coming into the league, there were no expectations for Michael Redd having been the 43rd pick of the 2000 NBA Draft. As the all-time and single-season leader in technical fouls, how could he not? The Top 10 Most Underrated NBA Players Of The 2000s He was so fast with his first step off of the dribble and even faster once he got headed toward the basket. Career Stats: 16.1 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 7.2 APG, 1.8 SPG, 0.4 BPG, Career Achievements: 2x All-Star, 1x All-NBA Team Selection. He had a smooth lefty jumper that was as good as anyones in the game when he was on point. Trevor Ariza. In fact, I dont think I would have him on here if not for having the greatest NBA nickname of all time, Bad Porn.. We present our all-time underrated teams, those great teams which don't receive their proper respect in the historical archive. One of the best dunkers in NBA history, Richardson's athleticism often took eyes away from his all-around game. The 20 Best Point Guards of the Last 20 Years | Complex With his accurate 3-point shot and ability to pass the ball effectively, Stojakovidc would be a nightmare for defenses in todays game. Wallaces impact was truly measured when he was acquired by the Detroit Pistons midway through the 2004 season. 1 / 32 OrlandoMagic.com ranks the best NBA point guards from the 2000s. Ilgauskas deserves so much more respect than modern-day fans give him. 10. That needs to begin to change after you read this piece. He had a sweet jumper and smooth release that he could knock down from anywhere in front of half-court. 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. After two more seasons, he would win 6th Man of the Year with the Dallas Mavericks in 2004. Jabbar was from the very beginning of his career being named the 1969-1970 rookie year, Abdul-Jabbar was a 5x MVP, 9x All-Star, 9x All-NBA, and 8x All-Defensive selection in the 1970s with the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers; moreover, he averaged 28+ points, 14+ rebounds, and 5+ assists per game and led the Bucks to their first NBA title, winning Finals MVP in . 12 Forgotten/Underrated Players of the 2000's | Hardwood Amino The NBA has done an unfortunately great job of sweeping Jermaine ONeals career under the rug after his role in the infamous Malice At The Palace. His mid-range game and three-ball were impeccable as well. 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. Type above and press Enter to search. Theres not much else to say about Maggatte. My point is that after further analysis, it becomes apparent that the top five point guards, right now . His best season came in 2002 after being traded to Atlanta. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The following season in 2002-03, he was one of the best seasons of the decade for ANY player. Scottie Pippen is #15 on this list and would have been much higher a decade ago, but recent lists have been very kind to Pippen and have listed the versatile defensive small forward in the top twenty of all-time (which we believe is way too high for a player with his numbers).. As a result, a number of quality players had their careers pass without ever getting exposure on the highest level. However, when we look at this year, we can see that it was Rons best statistical start to an NBA season. For the first few seasons of his career, Jermaine ONeal struggled to find a role with the Portland Trail Blazers. Lewis was one of the NBAs top shooters for years with 8 seasons ranked in the Top 20 for 3-pointers made. Sports Mania Asia lists five underrated NBA players between the late 1990s and early 2000s. Right off the bat, you can tell Rashard Lewis is highly underrated simply by his lack of accolades to his name. Here are the 10 most underrated NBA players of the entire 2000s. Davis began his career as a member of the Charlotte Hornets. Alex Novick, NBA.com Global Editions (): Quick, name the only player other than David Robinson and Hakeem Olajuwon to average at least two . Just 3 seasons later, he would become a 20.0 PPG scorer and an automatic 40.0% shooter from deep. Thats right; were talking top player in the league status. Jackson's role in the Warriors upset over the #1 seed Dallas Mavericks will forever be remembered. 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. 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. 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. all of who are . Vancouver Grizzlies (1997-98), Washington Wizards (1998-99), Miami Heat (1990-2000), Charlotte Hornets (2000-01) All-Star Games: 2001. 18 pick in the 2020 draft, there were high hopes for Richardson's career. As we entered the 2000s, NBA fans were left with the question of who was going to. Brand lasted two more seasons at an elite level with the Clippers before age and attrition took a toll on his body. A look at those who were ranked too high and too low in the preseason Coaches Poll released Tuesday He's got some recognition since then, but he still isn't as respected as he should. Davis recorded 3 different seasons with at least 20.0 PPG and 2.0 SPG as one of the more dynamic point guards in basketball. He was a nightmare for defenders to stop and an even bigger one to try and score on in the paint. Mookie Blaylock. 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. Can you name any other player who only made the all-star game once in his career? Thread Tools. Including averaging 10 attempts at the line per game when he averaged 22 points per game in his 2004-05 season. Miller was as good as it gets running an NBA offense and he was one heck of a playmaker. The Most Underrated NBA Players of the Late 90's Early 00's Basketball Time Machine Doug Christie. For some reason, as time has gone on, fans refer to Zydrunas Ilgauskas as one of those garbage players that LeBron James dragged to the NBA Finals early in his career. Neither made an impact, with Lionel Chalmers never playing another NBA game. (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) This season encapsulates why Redd isnt any higher on this list. Was he better than he is remembered? He helped lead the Magic to a Finals berth in 2009 by being a versatile scorer next to the dominant Howard. Top underrated NBA players of the late 1990s-early 2000s His best season, 2003-04, when he averaged 20-10 and 2.6 blocks, earned him 3rd place in the MVP race. You must be a great player to fit into a team named The Greatest Show on Court. He helped the Kings lead the league in wins in 2001-02, and while he didnt average too many pointsending his career with averages of 11-4-3he made his mark on defense. 8 Most Expensive Kevin Garnett Basketball Cards, Title 15 Most Expensive Diamonds in the World. 1 seed Mavericks in 2007 but his career was so much more than one season. Career Stats: 13.0 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.1 APG, 0.5 SPG, 1.6 BPG. The following season in 2002-03, he was one of the best seasons of the decade for ANY player. Teams: Charlotte Hornets (1998-2000), Miami Heat (2000-01), Cleveland Cavaliers (2001-03), Boston Celtics (2003-06), Minnesota Timberwolves (2006-07), Miami Heat . Injuries took away superstar potential from Michael Redd, but he was an offensive machine when he was healthy. He was an entertaining player, scorer, and consistent all-star-level talent in the 90s. He peaked in 2007 when he averaged 26.7 PPG on 46.5% shooting. He was a 6'6" shooting guard who could also play the small forward position and had solid defensive skills. Now, I could go up to as many as 25 maybe 30 players that are forgotten stars from the 2000's but i'm only going to focus on 12, enjoy. Career Stats: 19.0 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 2.1 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.1 BPG, Career Achievements: 1x All-Star, 1x All-NBA Team Selection. Ilgauskas struggled with injury the first few seasons of his career, missing his rookie season and 4th season with foot issues. These are the most overrated players in NBA history. 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