most underrated nba players of the 2000s most underrated nba players of the 2000s

In 2002, ONeal won the NBAs Most Improved Player award by averaging 17.2 PPG, 7.6 RPG, and 1.6 BPG. Get the latest sports news from SportsSite about soccer, football and tennis. 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. 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. Schrempf is often overlooked and considered one of the most underrated players in NBA history. With the trade of superstar Ray Allen, the Bucks fell off as one of the NBAs top teams, but the leading role was filled by Redd, who went on to average 21.7 points en route to his only All-Star appearance. Was it worth it? They say the best ability is availability, and Finley did just that. 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 . His presence on the early 2000s Kings teams was a perfect fit that put them over the top as a contender at the time. Iverson took the fourth most shots per game in NBA history and is the worst-shooting volume chucker in the modern NBA. 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. His best season, 2003-04, when he averaged 20-10 and 2.6 blocks, earned him 3rd place in the MVP race. Pac-12 Mens Football Player of the Week 14 November 2022, Meet the Oregon High School Boys Soccer Stars This Week (November 7-13), College Roundup Monday: SMCC loses Womens Soccer Championship game, Indiana mens soccer wins national seed for ninth straight year The Bloomingtonian, The 3 Big 12 Freshmen in the Recent NBA Mock Draft, Reporter names surprising contender for NBA expansion franchise, MikeCheck: Jackson Jr. thrilled to be back as Grizzlies All-NBA defender looks to debut this season, NBA Players Association could file complaint against Nets Kyrie Irving, Jon Jones predicts hell say and again, Ciryl Gane aims to be the baddest man on the planet after UFC 285 final stare, Jon Jones and Ciryl Gane face off in the final showdown, Caesars Super Bowl 57 promo code gets you up to $1,250 in betting credits, Who is in Super Bowl 2023? Career Stats: 13.0 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.1 APG, 0.5 SPG, 1.6 BPG. Fat Lever (#14) was Russell Westbrook before Westbrook. He peaked in 2007 when he averaged 26.7 PPG on 46.5% shooting. Roy attempted a comeback in 2013 but lasted just 5 games before calling it quits for good. Mitch Richmond is one of the most electric yet underrated players of the 90s. With the NBA season approaching fast, there are a few players who haven't gotten the credit they deserve. 7 min read. Elton Brand led the way with 24-10 as the best player on a championship contender, the 2005-06 Clippers. Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports. 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 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. If the season ended today, he'd be second in the NBA in fantasy points per game, but few think of him . 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. Yet, not all players who saw action at the NBA, the biggest basketball league in the world, are well-known. 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 The little brother. Was he good enough that its a travesty that his name isnt among the great scorers in the history of the NBA? Redd returned the following season but re-injured the same knee tearing the ACL again. Teams: Charlotte Hornets (1998-2000), Miami Heat (2000-01), Cleveland Cavaliers (2001-03), Boston Celtics (2003-06), Minnesota Timberwolves (2006-07), Miami Heat . 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. Arguably the coolest aspect of Kirinlenkoss career is his nickname, AK-47, referencing his Russian heritage and jersey number. 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. NBA underrated performers are one of the more challenging lists to rank. By 2003, Ilgauskas was an All-Star and averaged 17.2 PPG and 7.5 RPG while adding 1.9 BPG. For the first few seasons of his career, Jermaine ONeal struggled to find a role with the Portland Trail Blazers. That's why he's the first name on this list. Agent 0 going into L.A. and dropping 60 on the Lakers. Michael Redd is another interesting 2000s player. One year later, he joined the Phoenix Suns where he averaged 14.9 PPG on 35.8% shooting from three. Show Printable Version; Today, 04:33 PM #1. From2004 through 2009, Redd battled injuries and bumps but still averaged at least 21.0 PPG every season. 4 pick in the 1998 draft, Jamison made the All-Rookie Team with the Warriors averaging 9.6 PPG and 6.4 RPG. 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. During his early days in Seattle, Lewis took a bit to develop into the shooter and scorer he went down as. Lofton was the first player in NFL history to accumulate 14,000 receiving yards. He averaged 16.8 PPG, 4.4 RPG, and 4.0 APG on 45.6% shooting in just 57 games. All details in the privacy policy. Elton deserves this spot. 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. Yes, but just barely scratching this list. 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 . Aaron Mansfield, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Sport Management at Merrimack College. Shaquille O'Neal. Just 3 seasons later, he would become a 20.0 PPG scorer and an automatic 40.0% shooter from deep. You would have expected Peja to become a lethal off-the-bench shooter, but from 2008 until he retired, he never seemed to get more than 60 games played. 4. Richardson's ability to help teams defend the perimeter and also score when needed makes him an underrated player during the 2000s. 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. Unfortunately, but very reasonably, he will also be remembered for one incident above any other when he choked his coach P.J Carlesimo.Sprewell was suspended from the NBA for an entire season after playing for the Golden State Warriors for 14 games. Miller was as good as it gets running an NBA offense and he was one heck of a playmaker. Of course, we couldnt account for everyone who deserves to be on this list, but below are the most underrated NBA players of the early 2000s. He would lead the league in steals once more in 2007 with the Warriors with 2.1 SPG. Jason Terry: 1066.71 TPA. Ilgauskas deserves so much more respect than modern-day fans give him. Mitch Richmond, Detlef Schrempf, and Vin Baker are among the underrated players from the '90s. His true moment in the spotlight happened near the tail end of his career. For the first few seasons of his career, Jermaine ONeal struggled to find a role with the Portland Trail Blazers. While Redd played amazingly, the team finished the season with a horrible record28-54. 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. During his time with the New Orleans Hornets for 3 seasons, he averaged 20.2 PPG, 8.1 APG, and 2.0 SPG. 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. McCollum voted most underrated player since 2000. Right off the bat, you can tell Rashard Lewis is highly underrated simply by his lack of accolades to his name. Besides the obvious suspension from the Malice incident, Jermaine didnt reach a higher level because of a lack of real playoff success and a subpar field goal percentage for a big man. He began a stretch of six straight seasons in which he averaged at least 21 points a game. To narrow down the list to 10 underrated players in the whole decade is about as tough as it gets. I have never seen a Finals MVP and a more impactful point guard be overlooked in NBA history more than Chauncey Billups. And while many fans will remember the Clippers for continuously being one of the dumpster fires of NBA teams, alongside Sacramento, Minnesota, and others, those other teams have had moments in the spotlight that are remembered fondly. Nine seasons into his career, the former USC Trojan has finally found his stride and established himself as one of the NBAs top guards. 50 Most Underrated NBA Players of All Time. From there, he developed his offensive game and defensively got more aggressive. 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. Big Shot. COMPLEX participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means COMPLEX gets paid commissions on purchases made through our links to retailer sites. 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. A 2000 trade to the Pacers changed everything and almost immediately transformed ONeal into an MVP candidate. 2023 profootballspace. Your email address will not be published. Elton is perfect for this list. 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. Struggling with bone spurs, and ankle surgery, he left the NBA after the 2006-07 season. Elton Brand was one of the most underrated players of the 2000s. He spent 3 seasons with the team and helped them transition to the City of New Orleans. In a season sandwiched between two non-playoff years, Elton Brand and the Clippers lost in seven games to the Phoenix Suns. 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. Elton averaged 30-10-4 with 3 blocks per game that series. A 2000 trade to the Pacers changed everything and almost immediately transformed O'Neal into an MVP candidate. Career Stats: 18.8 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.0 SPG, 1.3 BPG. 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. Three others that could be argued at a higher level (they do get plenty of respect, but perhaps not enough) are Vuc, Brogdon, and Jrue. And make it not as a lifetime achievement award or an injury replacement, but during what would be a 2nd Team All-NBA season? Career Achievements: 1x All-Star, 1x All-NBA Team Selection. Michael Jordan and Karl Malone greet each other before Game 1 of the NBA Finals on June 1, 1997, at the United Center. His 2000s were spent with the Utah Jazz, playing alongside Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer. Wallaces impact was truly measured when he was acquired by the Detroit Pistons midway through the 2004 season. Career Stats: 14.9 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.5 BPG. 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. He was an entertaining player, scorer, and consistent all-star-level talent in the 90s. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. In fact, he was voted 4th overall in the 2003-04 MVP race, beating out the aforementioned shooting guard on the Lakers. 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. 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. Ilgauskas struggled with injury the first few seasons of his career, missing his rookie season and 4th season with foot issues. Roy was destined to be a star from his first season in the NBA. Mitch Richmond, Detlef Schrempf, and Vin Baker are among the underrated players from the 90s. Dating back to his time with the Pelicans, he was an All-Star level . 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. You have Kevin Garnetts MVP and Western Conference Finals season with the Wolves. He made 3 straight All-Star games from 2002 through 2004 and averaged 21.7 PPG on 48.1% shooting over that time. He led the league in steals in 2004 with 2.4 SPG. 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. Billups name never comes up in Top 20 conversations as far as point guards go, let alone Top 10 lists. Lewis was one of the NBAs top shooters for years with 8 seasons ranked in the Top 20 for 3-pointers made. 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. Malcolm Brogdon might have the quietest 20/6/6 stat line in the NBA. All the most overrated players in the NBA will be featured here to choose from. The Top 10 Most Underrated NBA Players Of The 1960s, The Top 10 Most Underrated NBA Players Of The 1970s, The Top 10 Most Underrated NBA Players Of The 1980s, The Top 10 Most Underrated NBA Players Of The 1990s, The Best NBA Player From Every Team In The 2010s. 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. 3. In 2002, ONeal won the NBAs Most Improved Player award by averaging 17.2 PPG, 7.6 RPG, and 1.6 BPG. 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 . He made the All-Star game and was selected to the All NBA-Third Team. He could force his way into the paint like a running back hitting the hole in the NFL and either finish at the rim easily or find the open man for an easier opportunity. The following season it came to fruition as Billups not only led the Pistons to a title but won Finals MVP in the process. Cleveland's superstar is regarded as one of the greatest offensive players in NBA history. For the first few seasons of his career, Jermaine O'Neal struggled to find a role with the Portland Trail Blazers. He tore the ACL and MCL in his left knee after playing just 33 games. Like many on this list, the 2003-04 season was the best of Rons career. With the NBA season approaching fast, there are a few players who haven't gotten the credit they deserve. An . Brand lasted two more seasons at an elite level with the Clippers before age and attrition took a toll on his body. 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. There are the 10 most underrated NBA players of the 2010s. 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. Center from Newark, New Jersey, United States of America. Peja Stojakovic is one of the better perimeter scorers of the 2000s decade. As the No. 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. 1 / 32 OrlandoMagic.com ranks the best NBA point guards from the 2000s. That was the year Richardson became a solid 3-point shooter, as he nailed 38.4% of his threes. Im Still Ballin. The most underrated player in fantasy basketball this season has to be Gilgeous-Alexander. I will say it here and now. These are the most overrated players in NBA history. Underrated? James Lofton is one of many cases of players being in the Hall of Fame and nevertheless being vastly underrated when compared with others who played the position. Before this career year, Cassell bounced around as a competent floor general, never finding a true home with a team and playing for eight franchises over a nineteen-year career. People are bound to take notice of him soon after his impressive season with the Raptors. Lewis was one of the NBAs top shooters for years with 8 seasons ranked in the Top 20 for 3-pointers made. The Most Underrated NBA Player of the Early 2000s. Luckily for this list, his two all-star appearances occurred within the decade when he made the cut in both the 1999-2000 and 2000-2001 seasons. He was the spiritual successor to Dennis Rodman, released music featured in NBA 2K, and is infamous for his antics on-and-off court. With his accurate 3-point shot and ability to pass the ball effectively, Stojakovidc would be a nightmare for defenses in todays game. 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. 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. Big Shot. Was he better than he is remembered? He was never the same. 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. He was the baby Bryant from across the LA freeway. 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. Seth Curry - Brooklyn Nets. He averaged a career-high of 26.7 points a game during the 2006-07 season. Unfortunately for Rahim, he will be remembered for being the centerpiece of this lopsided trade that sent Pau Gasol to Memphis, where he would quickly *not*become one of the most underrated players of the 2000s. Jermaine does that by propelling himself to All-Star status with Indiana. 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. Still, ONeal was a franchise centerpiece to a team that consistently made the postseason, so he deserves his spot on this list. Again, ONeal might be remembered more for his last season with Golden State, just before the team ascended into the perennial dynasty. This is the plight of DeMar DeRozanhes criminally underrated, and probably will be for his entire career. By looking at individual statistics, team impact, and skills during their era; we have compiled a ranked list of the best stars who went underappreciated during their time. His best statistical season came in 2006-07, with a career-high 26.7 points per game. Career Stats: 13.0 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.1 APG, 0.5 SPG, 1.6 BPG. Press Esc to cancel. He averaged 22.8 PPG and led the league with 17.5 RPG, and 3.0 BPG. The Best Athletes Of All Time. Neither made an impact, with Lionel Chalmers never playing another NBA game. He also has a rare 83-game season under his belt after being traded from Phoenix to Dallas early in his career. Brad Miller was a rare center in the 2000s because he had a consistent mid-range jump shot. re: Most Underrated NBA Players (Historically) Posted on 1/14/23 at 11:11 am to Gaggle. He was a two-way mastermind who had a knack for coming through in a games biggest moments that earned him the nickname Mr. That needs to begin to change after you read this piece. Career highlights and awards * NBA champion (2011) * NBA Finals MVP (2011) * NBA Most Valuable Player (2007) * 14 NBA All-Star (2002-2012, 2014, 2015, 2019) * 4 All-NBA First Team (2005-2007, 2009) * 5 All-NBA Second Team (2002, 2003, 2008, 2010, 2011) . . As only the No.13 pick, Maggette is one of the most underrated players during his era due to his impact on the Clippers. His best seasons come while playing for teams that arent popular or mainstream. 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. Magic Johnson. During his time in the NBA, Rasheed Wallace received a bad reputation as its resident bad boy. 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. Jackson is mainly known for his stints with the Indiana Pacers and the Golden State Warriors. Thread Tools. By his fourth season with the Bucks, Allen was gone and Redd was a starter. Actor | Like Mike. 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. Billups finished his career a 5x All-Star, 3x All-NBA Team selection, and a 3x All-Defensive Team selection. For years now, Jrue Holiday has been widely regarded as the most underrated player in NBA. Last time I did this series, 2 years ago, I had him as the most underrated SF in the league. And . He would be forced to retire from the game at 27 years old. 10. 12. 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. 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 was a nightmare for defenders to stop and an even bigger one to try and score on in the paint. He averaged 24-6-3 on a Pacers team that was seen as among the top teams in the NBA and potentially a future NBA champion. For the first 12 seasons of his career, Miller was a consistent 15.0 to 17.0 PPG scorer but he really made his impact as a passer. Tracy McGrady was born on May 24, 1979 in Bartow, Florida, USA. Even in his later years when his scoring dropped, there was little drop-off in Kidd's assist or steal numbers. Peja Stojakovic is one of the better perimeter scorers of the 2000s decade. The play at power forward saw him have a couple of All-Star seasons. Finley was a no-nonsense small forward that was the perfect complement beside Dirk Nowitzki, had multiple seasons averaging above 20-5-5 per game, and capped his career off with a championship on the 2007 San Antonio Spurs. Gary Trent Jr. is easily one of the most exciting and underrated players in the NBA today, starting with a Toronto Raptor and ending with one. 5y. He was also a big reason the Cavaliers were able to make the 2007 NBA Finals, being LeBron James favorite option on offense. But today, we arent talking about Tim, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille ONeal, or Dwyane Wade. Lewis retired with the Miami Heat in 2014, one year after adding an NBA championship to his already impressive resume. 15.9 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 2.1 APG, 0.9 SPG, 1.7 BPG. 11. The 2000s were a period in the NBA that featured the rise of some of the greatest players to ever play the game, including LeBron James , Kobe Bryant , Dwyane Wade , Kevin Garnett , Tim Duncan and . He played one final season in Phoenix in 2011-12 before retiring. When coming into the league, there were no expectations for Michael Redd having been the 43rd pick of the 2000 NBA Draft. Miller was as good as it gets running an NBA offense and he was one heck of a playmaker. 8. 5 pick in the 2001 draft, Richardson was expected to be one of the most impactful shooting guards in the NBA and he was certainly underappreciated in his time. He was a tough forward who played hard-nosed defense and never backed down from any challenge. CJ McCollum voted most underrated player since 2000. In every season in which he started over 60 games for one of his 9 NBA teams, he earned at least 6.0 APG. Wilt Chamberlain. Image via Complex Original. In an era littered with talented point guards, Baron Davis was among the most exciting to watch play. Cameron Smith will be the first Players Championship winner since Tiger Woods in 2014 to not defend his title at the Players . Not a chance. 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. The Top NBA Players Of All Time. . His only other individual awards were a 2004 All-Star selection after averaging 16-8-3 with 2 steals and 3 blocks. He finished with 11,972 points and 2,411 rebounds (3.8 per game). Injury replacements, lifetime achievement awards, and many players that might not entirely deserve it. 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. That season he averaged 16.2 PPG and it was clear that the Pistons had their championship point guard. A small core of teams dominated the league in that era. 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. Davis can be credited with sparking the We Believe Warriors to an upset win over the No. 1. Over time, Kidd improved as a shooter and scorer, so by the year 2000, he was arguably the most well-rounded point guard in the NBA. 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. You had a fashion that today would be laughed at, baggy jeans, shirts, shorts, and fabrics flying down the court. He also set the record for most three-pointers made in a single quarter, with eight, before being overtaken when Klay Thompson made nine. He ended his career with a well-deserved championship with the 2011 Dallas Mavericks. Tracy McGrady.