He tore the ACL and MCL in his left knee after playing just 33 games. 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. 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. 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. He blew past defenders and glided through the air and threw down rim-rocking dunks with brutal authority. The Most-Underrated NBA Players of All-Time. A look at those who were ranked too high and too low in the preseason Coaches Poll released Tuesday He was named an NBA All-Star in 2004 after averaging 21.7 points and a career-best 5.0 rebounds a game. James demonstrated this when he surpassed Patrick Ewing for 20th place on the NBA's all-time scoring list. 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. Seth Curry - Brooklyn Nets. People are bound to take notice of him soon after his impressive season with the Raptors. He could put the ball on the floor and get by defenders relatively easily and it made him a true three-level threat. Averaging 16.0 PPG, he is one of the most recognizable offensive players for the Clippers over the last 20 years. Photo: Paul Popper. From there, he developed his offensive game and defensively got more aggressive. Alex Novick, NBA.com Global Editions (): Quick, name the only player other than David Robinson and Hakeem Olajuwon to average at least two . His jump shooting was his strongest attribute but unfortunately, his career took a dip after suffering injuries that never made him the same player after the 2009 season. Gabriel Batistuta, Argentina. He was a menace on the defensive side of the ball as well, never shying away from a tough matchup or assignments. 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. Sports Mania Asia lists five underrated NBA players between the late 1990s and early 2000s. 25. Redd became an even more prolific scorer in the seasons that followed. Peja Stojakovi. He finished with 11,972 points and 2,411 rebounds (3.8 per game). 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. 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. His best statistical season came in 2006-07, with a career-high 26.7 points per game. 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. Your email address will not be published. You have the heartbreaking series between the Sacramento Kings and the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2002 Western Conference Finals series. A team dwarfed by the sheer size, glamor, and continued excellence in the shared city. Tracy McGrady. Like many on this list, the 2003-04 season was the best of Rons career. 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. 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. You can reach him via email:aaroncmansfield@gmail.com. Career Stats: 13.2 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 1.4 APG, 0.4 SPG, 1.7 BPG, Career Achievements: 1x Most Improved Player, 6x All-Star, 3x All-NBA Team Selection. His three years stretch from 2001-04 saw him average 22-6-2, make the All-Star team every year, and even get him a spot on the 2nd Team All-NBA squad. Miller would go on to play 5 more seasons with Sacramento. 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. O'Neal had a very slow start to his career, before blossoming into an All-Star in his 6th season. This honestly swayed an NBA championship, costing the Minnesota Timberwolves in their series against the Lakers, in which they were the better team. One of the best dunkers in NBA history, Richardson's athleticism often took eyes away from his all-around game. Redd shot a career 38.0% from three and his 6 straight years of scoring prowess rank him 3rd on this list. Jason Terry: 1066.71 TPA. Redd had led Ohio State to a Final Four as a sophomore and was known as a proven scorer averaging 21.9, 19.5, and 17.5 points per game in his three seasons in Columbus. Davis was an explosive point guard who was a blur on the floor in open space. 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).. He made the All-Star game and was selected to the All NBA-Third Team. He made 3 straight All-Star games from 2002 through 2004 and averaged 21.7 PPG on 48.1% shooting over that time. Thats not that tough. Height: 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) Playing position: Striker. Vancouver Grizzlies (1997-98), Washington Wizards (1998-99), Miami Heat (1990-2000), Charlotte Hornets (2000-01) All-Star Games: 2001. That needs to begin to change after you read this piece. That season he averaged 16.2 PPG and it was clear that the Pistons had their championship point guard. Think about Dennis Johnson of the 1980sthe dude was a five-time All-Star and a Finals MVP. While you probably wouldnt be able to get away with that nickname in the NBA today, it still earns him an easy placement on this list. He won the Rookie of the Year award with the least games played in history to win the award. He would improve his scoring over the next few seasons, boosting his scoring to a career-high 23.2 PPG during the 2006 season. Obviously, we have to mention the Malice at the Palace incident that saw him miss the entirety of the 2004-05 season with Indiana. As the all-time and single-season leader in technical fouls, how could he not? 12. With only one more high-scoring season under his belt, 22.7 points per game, Redd would suffer a torn ACL and MCL injury that would significantly impact the rest of his career. Getting to the free throw line. Miller played 14 seasons in the NBA, mainly for the Kings and Bulls. How many other players in NBA history have an argument for being both the best paint scorer and overall defender at the same time? He averaged 20.1 PPG and 10.0 RPG in his rookie season with the Chicago Bulls, making the All-Rookie Team. Not related to Shaquille O'Neal, Jermaine O'Neal was one of the best big men in the NBA during his time. Still, ONeal was a franchise centerpiece to a team that consistently made the postseason, so he deserves his spot on this list. He had a sweet jumper and smooth release that he could knock down from anywhere in front of half-court. He spent 3 seasons with the team and helped them transition to the City of New Orleans. Wallaces presence propelled Detroit to an NBA championship where Wallace averaged 13.0 PPG and 7.8 RPG on the playoff run. Mehmet Okur - Career Stats : 13.5 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 1.7 apg - Best season (2005-06) : 18.0 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 2.4 apg - Achievements : NBA Champion (2004), NBA All-Star (2007) - Best years were with the Jazz He found the end zone in three different decades. Roy was impossible to keep up with in isolation. He finished 3rd in MVP voting and was arguably the best two-way player in basketball. 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. During his time in the NBA, Rasheed Wallace received a bad reputation as its resident bad boy. By his fourth season with the Bucks, Allen was gone and Redd was a starter. He became the first Russian player selected in the first round and made the all-rookie team in his first year. . Personally, I believe it is a crime that Wallace is still not a basketball Hall Of Famer. He was a nightmare for defenders to stop and an even bigger one to try and score on in the paint. With his ability to both score and pass the ball, Miller was must-watch television whenever he was in town. The Top 10 Most Underrated NBA Players Of The 2000s, Valentina Shevchenko doesnt lose a step just because she fought for a split decision: I really dont care what people say, UFC 285 start time, TV schedule for Jon Jones vs. Ciryl Gane, Texans divorce from QB Deshaun Watson could affect CJ Strouds court, Texans finish 32nd in Touchdown Wire NFL power rankings, Houston finishes No. 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. Career Stats: 14.9 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.5 BPG. Ilgauskas struggled with injury the first few seasons of his career, missing his rookie season and 4th season with foot issues. In nine of his last ten NBA seasons, James has scored at least 2,000 points. Drafted with the No. The assessment was based on how players performed during this decade and this decade ONLY (2000-2009). He spent 3 seasons with the team and helped them transition to the City of New Orleans. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. Six seasons into his career in 2005, Lewis earned his first All-Star selection and first 20.0 PPG season. One last point on Cassell that bumps him higher on this list. As only the No.13 pick, Maggette is one of the most underrated players during his era due to his impact on the Clippers. In his first season in Los Angeles, he made his first All-Star Team. Career Stats: 14.9 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.5 BPG. His mid-range game and three-ball were impeccable as well. 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. 32786 posts. The 2000s were filled with incredible defenders, lights-out shooters, amazing ball handlers, solid secondary stars, and bench players who were elite at their jobs. Not only did he start playing precisely at the starting point of the decade after being selected 1st overall by the Chicago Bulls in the 1999 draft, but he proceeded to be one of the most under-the-radar players during his career. 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.
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