He helped lead the Magic to a Finals berth in 2009 by being a versatile scorer next to the dominant Howard. The top 10 players in the NBA according to ISH posters in August of 2000; Results 1 to 1 of 1 Thread: The top 10 players in the NBA according to ISH posters in August of 2000. We have seen a host of very talented yet underappreciated stars during the past 20 years. 2023 profootballspace. Cameron Smith will be the first Players Championship winner since Tiger Woods in 2014 to not defend his title at the Players . 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. 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. 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. That needs to begin to change after you read this piece. 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. , Owner: (Registered business address: Germany), processes personal data only to the extent strictly necessary for the operation of this website. During his time in the NBA, Rasheed Wallace received a bad reputation as its resident bad boy. He began a stretch of six straight seasons in which he averaged at least 21 points a game. Here is our list of 12 of the most underrated players in the NBA today. Potential only counts for so much. That should be considered common sense considering NBA players peak from 25-30 years old. 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. He peaked in 2007 when he averaged 26.7 PPG on 46.5% shooting. . During his time in the NBA, Rasheed Wallace received a bad reputation as its resident bad boy. Sacramento picked Pedrag Stojakovi at the 1996 NBA rookie draft while still playing in Greece. With the NBA season approaching fast, there are a few players who haven't gotten the credit they deserve. Enter Sam Cassell. 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. Well focus primarily on his most impactful seasons, from 2001-2004. Teams: Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics. He also set the record for most three-pointers made in a single quarter, with eight, before being overtaken when Klay Thompson made nine. Schrempf is often overlooked and considered one of the most underrated players in NBA history. Giannis and LeBron? Roy would begin to experience his downfall by 2011, just his 5th season in the league. Even Basketball-Reference.com doesnt give the man a prayer. The Rise of Paul George Can he bring a championship to LA. 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. 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. Players like Russell Westbrook, John Wall, and Kyle Kuzma each get the overrated label due to playoff failures, huge contracts, or just being talked up more than their games can back up. 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. Career Stats: 13.0 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.1 APG, 0.5 SPG, 1.6 BPG. Elton is perfect for this list. Not related to Shaquille O'Neal, Jermaine O'Neal was one of the best big men in the NBA during his time. That needs to begin to change after you read this piece. For the first few seasons of his career, Jermaine ONeal struggled to find a role with the Portland Trail Blazers. 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. A 2000 trade to the Pacers changed everything and almost immediately transformed ONeal into an MVP candidate. For his career, Redd shot 38.0% from three and 44.7% overall. He also has a rare 83-game season under his belt after being traded from Phoenix to Dallas early in his career. With his ability to both score and pass the ball, Miller was must-watch television whenever he was in town. 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. Actor | Like Mike. Required fields are marked *. 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. 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. He found the end zone in three different decades. 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. He became the first Russian player selected in the first round and made the all-rookie team in his first year. 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. Big Shot. Davis was an explosive point guard who was a blur on the floor in open space. Redd returned the following season but re-injured the same knee tearing the ACL again. 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. Career Stats: 12.5 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 6.5 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.2 BPG. 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. He was an entertaining player, scorer, and consistent all-star-level talent in the 90s. Thread Tools. He made the All-Star game and was selected to the All NBA-Third Team. In nine of his last ten NBA seasons, James has scored at least 2,000 points. Brand lasted two more seasons at an elite level with the Clippers before age and attrition took a toll on his body. Championships: 0. His best statistical season came in 2006-07, with a career-high 26.7 points per game. Jackson would have his best seasons with the Golden State Warriors averaging over 20 PPG for 3 straight seasons. Type above and press Enter to search. His 2000s were spent with the Utah Jazz, playing alongside Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer. 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. 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. 5y. As a member of the Indiana Pacers, O'Neal was a very gifted two-way big man. Personally, I believe it is a crime that Wallace is still not a basketball Hall Of Famer. The following season it came to fruition as Billups not only led the Pistons to a title but won Finals MVP in the process. That was the year Richardson became a solid 3-point shooter, as he nailed 38.4% of his threes. 11. League championships: 0. Get the latest sports news from SportsSite about soccer, football and tennis. To narrow down the list to 10 underrated players in the whole decade is about as tough as it gets. 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. 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. Basketball Time Machine 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 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. Agent 0 going into L.A. and dropping 60 on the Lakers. 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. 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. Well, that counts for something, right? He would have a few more All-Star seasons with Indiana but after the 2004 brawl in Detroit, the damage had been done to his stance within the league. He could put the ball on the floor and get by defenders relatively easily and it made him a true three-level threat. Tracy McGrady. McCollum voted most underrated player since 2000. 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. He was a nightmare for defenders to stop and an even bigger one to try and score on in the paint. He led the league in steals in 2004 with 2.4 SPG. 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. The Most Underrated NBA Player of the Early 2000s. 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. As of early May, James and . His best seasons come while playing for teams that arent popular or mainstream. 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. They say the best ability is availability, and Finley did just that. He played in just 18 games and then 10 more in 2010-11. Most Overrated NBA Players of All Time. 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. Still, ONeal was a franchise centerpiece to a team that consistently made the postseason, so he deserves his spot on this list. O'Neal had a strong inside scoring game, was very active on the offensive boards, and was a capable shot-blocker. He had a ton of athleticism and scoring prowess in his 6'6" frame, and played the majority of his career with the Los Angeles Clippers. His only other individual awards were a 2004 All-Star selection after averaging 16-8-3 with 2 steals and 3 blocks. 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. I will say it here and now. For the first few seasons of his career, Jermaine O'Neal struggled to find a role with the Portland Trail Blazers. LeBron James and Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers. Oh, and Google his insane back tattoo. Roy was destined to be a star from his first season in the NBA. Forget the role in the fight. Andrei Kirilenko was a prototype of what the modern-day NBA landscape now values above all else; versatility. 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. Miller had solid shooting numbers for a big man at that time, finishing with career averages of 80.4% from the line and 48.0% from the field. 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. Jackson is mainly known for his stints with the Indiana Pacers and the Golden State Warriors. The Most Underrated NBA Player of the Early 2000s, Your email address will not be published. Arguably the coolest aspect of Kirinlenkoss career is his nickname, AK-47, referencing his Russian heritage and jersey number. 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. For some reason, ONeal was vilified relentlessly for his role in the brawl and his reputation has taken years to recover. Career Stats: 18.8 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.0 SPG, 1.3 BPG. 10. He helped lead the Magic to a Finals berth in 2009 by being a versatile scorer next to the dominant Howard. Career Stats: 15.2 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 5.4 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.2 BPG, Career Achievements: 1x Finals MVP, 5x All-Star, 3x All-NBA Team Selection, 3x All-Defensive Team Selection. Press Esc to cancel. He is an NBA History buff that details the game from the 1960s all the way up to today. 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. (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) The most underrated scene in 'The Last Dance' was ___. With the impressive season he just had with the Raptors, people are bound to take notice soon. Seth Curry - Brooklyn Nets. Sports Mania Asia lists five underrated NBA players between the late 1990s and early 2000s. 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. Miller would go on to play 5 more seasons with Sacramento. Looking at the 2000s specifically, many All-Star caliber players did not get the recognition they deserved. Complex Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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. If the season ended today, he'd be second in the NBA in fantasy points per game, but few think of him . Career Stats: 18.8 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.0 SPG, 1.3 BPG. Philadelphia 76ers Premier League UFC Television The Real Housewives of Atlanta The Bachelor Sister Wives 90 Day Fiance Wife Swap The Amazing Race Australia Married at First Sight The Real Housewives of Dallas My 600-lb Life Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Elton deserves this spot. 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. Just 3 seasons later, he would become a 20.0 PPG scorer and an automatic 40.0% shooter from deep. Other Underrated NBA Players for 2021-22. 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. Aaron Mansfield, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Sport Management at Merrimack College. With his accurate 3-point shot and ability to pass the ball effectively, Stojakovidc would be a nightmare for defenses in todays game. 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. #6 of 290. 10. When coming into the league, there were no expectations for Michael Redd having been the 43rd pick of the 2000 NBA Draft. He epitomized, you dont know what youve got till its gone.. Michael Jordan and Karl Malone greet each other before Game 1 of the NBA Finals on June 1, 1997, at the United Center. This season encapsulates why Redd isnt any higher on this list. George Hill . Photo: Paul Popper. Davis began his career as a member of the Charlotte Hornets. He peaked in 2007 when he averaged 26.7 PPG on 46.5% shooting. 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. In the 2000 NBA draft, the Milwaukee Bucks got lucky when Ohio States Michael Redd fell all the way into the second round. During his time with the New Orleans Hornets for 3 seasons, he averaged 20.2 PPG, 8.1 APG, and 2.0 SPG. A small core of teams dominated the league in that era. Gilbert Arenas. 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. In the Finals against the Lakers, Billups averaged 21.0 PPG, 5.2 APG, and 3.2 RPG in the 5-game series to win the championship. But how many of those players make their first all-star team at 34 years old? Brandon Roy is one of the biggest what-ifs in NBA history and the little we did get to see of his career left us as NBA fans wanting so much more. Elton Brand was one of the most underrated players of the 2000s. Forget the role in the fight. Milwaukee took Redd with the 43rd overall pick and the former Buckeye would go on to play 11 years with the franchise. He was a scorer, plain and simple. He had a smooth lefty jumper that was as good as anyones in the game when he was on point. As the all-time and single-season leader in technical fouls, how could he not? Career best stat line: 19.6 points, 9.1 assists, 41% 3PT (1989-90) The Cavs always had their hearts broken when running into Jordan, in the late '80s and early '90s, but Price was also one of . One of the most outspoken NBA analysts in the media, Stephen Jackson was a player that his teammates absolutely loved. 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. And when you peak to the point, you can be compared to the greatest power forward of all time. 20. We present our all-time underrated teams, those great teams which don't receive their proper respect in the historical archive. I say yes. Your email address will not be published. Peja Stojakovic is one of the better perimeter scorers of the 2000s decade. The most underrated player in fantasy basketball this season has to be Gilgeous-Alexander. His presence on the early 2000s Kings teams was a perfect fit that put them over the top as a contender at the time. After taking 2 years to play overseas in Greece, Peja made his NBA debut in the 1998-99 season. Six seasons into his career in 2005, Lewis earned his first All-Star selection and first 20.0 PPG season. This is the plight of DeMar DeRozanhes criminally underrated, and probably will be for his entire career. Shaq and Chuck don't have the defense, although O'Neal did finish 3rd in the 2000 DPOY. 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. There are the 10 most underrated NBA players of the 2010s. He consistently made a significant impact early on with the Vancouver Grizzlies and was the leading point guard on some really good Sacramento Kings lineups in the early 2000s. Roy was a special talent on offense confirmed by some of the greats such as Tracy McGrady and Kobe Bryant. Billups name never comes up in Top 20 conversations as far as point guards go, let alone Top 10 lists. Wallaces presence propelled Detroit to an NBA championship where Wallace averaged 13.0 PPG and 7.8 RPG on the playoff run. Doug Christie. 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. Elton averaged 30-10-4 with 3 blocks per game that series. 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.