most underrated nba players of the 2000s

Mookie Blaylock. After being traded to the Sacramento Kings at the end of the 2000 season, he formed a potent shooting perimeter alongside Peja Stojakovi. He led the league in steals in 2004 with 2.4 SPG. By 2003, Ilgauskas was an All-Star and averaged 17.2 PPG and 7.5 RPG while adding 1.9 BPG. Injury replacements, lifetime achievement awards, and many players that might not entirely deserve it. League championships: 0. He had a smooth lefty jumper that was as good as anyones in the game when he was on point. Miller was as good as it gets running an NBA offense and he was one heck of a playmaker. Ronald Koeman of the Netherlands lines up before the UEFA Euro 88 Group 2 match between England and the Netherlands at the Rheinstadion on June 15, 1988 in Dsseldorf, West Germany. He blew past defenders and glided through the air and threw down rim-rocking dunks with brutal authority. He drove, he shot, and he played a little selfishly. The Most-Underrated NBA Players of All-Time. 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. These players tend to make their presence felt different than your average superstar, whether . I have never seen a Finals MVP and a more impactful point guard be overlooked in NBA history more than Chauncey Billups. COMPLEX participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means COMPLEX gets paid commissions on purchases made through our links to retailer sites. 32786 posts. 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. Bibby had a handle and jump shot that was among the best in his time, and he had tremendous success with Chris Webber in Sacramento. In nine of his last ten NBA seasons, James has scored at least 2,000 points. Including averaging 10 attempts at the line per game when he averaged 22 points per game in his 2004-05 season. Billups finished his career a 5x All-Star, 3x All-NBA Team selection, and a 3x All-Defensive Team selection. 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 . Struggling with bone spurs, and ankle surgery, he left the NBA after the 2006-07 season. re: Most Underrated NBA Players (Historically) Posted on 1/14/23 at 11:11 am to Gaggle. His only postseason trip was as a role player averaging 12-5 on the 2005-06 Sacramento Kings, who would lose in the first round to San Antonio. 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. Get the latest sports news from SportsSite about soccer, football and tennis. 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 averaged 22.8 PPG and led the league with 17.5 RPG, and 3.0 BPG. Jackson is mainly known for his stints with the Indiana Pacers and the Golden State Warriors. 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. Our editorial content is not influenced by any commissions we receive. All the most overrated players in the NBA will be featured here to choose from. 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. Redd fell behind Ray Allen on the depth chart and barely appeared during his rookie season but came on strong in his sophomore campaign. 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. The sample size doesn't include the '87 playoffs because McHale was playing on a broken foot. He also made the All-Star Team and the All-NBA Third Team after a strong season with the Milwaukee Bucks. 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. Peja Stojakovic is one of the better perimeter scorers of the 2000s decade. He was the baby Bryant from across the LA freeway. We dont even have to look at career averages or anything. Press Esc to cancel. He was one of the top players in the league until Gerald Wallace injured him. The Best Athletes Of All Time. 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. His mid-range game and three-ball were impeccable as well. Career: 1989-2002. 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. Averaging 16.0 PPG, he is one of the most recognizable offensive players for the Clippers over the last 20 years. Roy was a special talent on offense confirmed by some of the greats such as Tracy McGrady and Kobe Bryant. For the first few seasons of his NBA career, Billups bounced around until he found a home with the Detroit Pistons in 2003. The players listed here may be relatively unknown, underappreciated, or underrated in terms of not making the elite lists of other football raters. Getting to the free throw line. Even with Minnesota, Cassell also owns a space in a potential worst trade of all time discussion, being moved, along with a first-round pick, from Minnesota in 2005 to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Marko Jaric and Lionel Chalmers. 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. Still, you dont hear much talk about the years the Clippers might have been the championship favorite. Bibby made the All-Rookie Team in 1999, averaging 13.2 PPG and 6.5 APG for the Vancouver Grizzlies. This reputation caused many to forget just how imp[actful Wallace was on the basketball court. Redd was consistently criticized for his lack of a complete game but his scoring was by far the best part of his game. Milwaukee took Redd with the 43 rd overall pick and the former Buckeye would go on to play 11 years with the franchise. 3. 1 of 25. 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 won the Rookie of the Year award with the least games played in history to win the award. 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. He made 3 straight All-Star games from 2002 through 2004 and averaged 21.7 PPG on 48.1% shooting over that time. In a season sandwiched between two non-playoff years, Elton Brand and the Clippers lost in seven games to the Phoenix Suns. The Most Underrated NBA Player of the Early 2000s. From2004 through 2009, Redd battled injuries and bumps but still averaged at least 21.0 PPG every season. One year later with the Kings, Miller would have a career year averaging 14.1 PPG and 10.3 RPG while making his second straight All-Star Team. 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) . 4 pick in the 1998 draft, Jamison made the All-Rookie Team with the Warriors averaging 9.6 PPG and 6.4 RPG. 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. 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. As we entered the 2000s, NBA fans were left with the question of who was going to. CJ McCollum voted most underrated player since 2000. 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. Davis can be credited with sparking the We Believe Warriors to an upset win over the No. Billups name never comes up in Top 20 conversations as far as point guards go, let alone Top 10 lists. 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. 25. Lofton was the first player in NFL history to accumulate 14,000 receiving yards. 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. That season he averaged 16.2 PPG and it was clear that the Pistons had their championship point guard. He has been married to Clarenda Harris since September 12, 2006. Underrated? 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. Aaron Mansfield, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Sport Management at Merrimack College. Like many on this list, the 2003-04 season was the best of Rons career. Maybe. 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. He was a nightmare for defenders to stop and an even bigger one to try and score on in the paint. 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. Date of birth: February 1, 1969. 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. This happened because other great players such as Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady, Tim Duncan, and Shaquille O'Neal were the faces of the NBA and grabbed all the headlines all the time. With the NBA season approaching fast, there are a few players who haven't gotten the credit they deserve. For his career, Redd shot 38.0% from three and 44.7% overall. 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. If the season ended today, he'd be second in the NBA in fantasy points per game, but few think of him . Redd became an even more prolific scorer in the seasons that followed. 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. Elton Brand led the way with 24-10 as the best player on a championship contender, the 2005-06 Clippers. 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. Actor | Like Mike. 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. People are bound to take notice of him soon after his impressive season with the Raptors. Vancouver selected Abdur-Rahim third overall, and he immediately became the teams leading scorer. He was an empty-calories kind of player who put up stats on losing teams and couldnt carry a team to any relevancy. The problem with most underrated NBA lists is too many of the players are, well, overrated. 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 . McCollum voted most underrated player since 2000. During his time in the NBA, Rasheed Wallace received a bad reputation as its resident bad boy. He would become an All-Star once more in 2005 averaging 16.9 PPG, 8.6 RPG, and 2.1 BPG. His most valuable skill? Only one year later, Jamison jumped his stats tremendously averaging 19.6 PPG and 8.3 RPG followed by a career-high in scoring at 24.9 PPG. Theres not much else to say about Maggatte. He epitomized, you dont know what youve got till its gone.. George Hill . 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. Obviously, we have to mention the Malice at the Palace incident that saw him miss the entirety of the 2004-05 season with Indiana. Expectations are high for every player in the league, and the overrated label . Elton is perfect for this list. He averaged 20.1 PPG and 10.0 RPG in his rookie season with the Chicago Bulls, making the All-Rookie Team. Roy attempted a comeback in 2013 but lasted just 5 games before calling it quits for good. Redd had led Ohio State to a Final Four as a . Wallaces presence propelled Detroit to an NBA championship where Wallace averaged 13.0 PPG and 7.8 RPG on the playoff run. One year later, he joined the Phoenix Suns where he averaged 14.9 PPG on 35.8% shooting from three. He averaged 20.1 PPG and 10.0 RPG in his rookie season with the Chicago Bulls, making the All-Rookie Team. He played in just 18 games and then 10 more in 2010-11. There are the 10 most underrated NBA players of the 2010s. Thread Tools. 17.9 points, 2.9 RPG, and 1.9 APG. Michael Redd is another interesting 2000s player. Here are the teams, odds and spread for Super Bowl 57 matchup, Super Bowl 2023 predictions and picks for each round of the NFL playoffs. Anyways. O'Neal would average a double-double over the next 2 seasons in Indiana, and make 5 straight All-Star Teams. 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. He would become an All-Star once more in 2005 averaging 16.9 PPG, 8.6 RPG, and 2.1 BPG. With his accurate 3-point shot and ability to pass the ball effectively, Stojakovidc would be a nightmare for defenses in todays game. Gabriel Batistuta, Argentina. Mitch Richmond, Detlef Schrempf, and Vin Baker are among the underrated players from the 90s. 1969-1971 . That season he averaged 16.2 PPG and it was clear that the Pistons had their championship point guard. You had a fashion that today would be laughed at, baggy jeans, shirts, shorts, and fabrics flying down the court. 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. His only other individual awards were a 2004 All-Star selection after averaging 16-8-3 with 2 steals and 3 blocks. Get ready to relive some of the best moments from the decade of the 2010s with the players who brought them to you. 4. His 2000s were spent with the Utah Jazz, playing alongside Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer. Agent 0 going into L.A. and dropping 60 on the Lakers. That's why he's the first name on this list. Mitch Richmond, Detlef Schrempf, and Vin Baker are among the underrated players from the '90s. Designed by profootballspace. Peja Stojakovic is one of the better perimeter scorers of the 2000s decade. 10 James Lofton. In 2002, ONeal won the NBAs Most Improved Player award by averaging 17.2 PPG, 7.6 RPG, and 1.6 BPG. 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. Jackson would have his best seasons with the Golden State Warriors averaging over 20 PPG for 3 straight seasons. 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. The most underrated scene in 'The Last Dance' was ___. Your email address will not be published. But today, we arent talking about Tim, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille ONeal, or Dwyane Wade. Elton deserves this spot. And when it comes to the 2000s, well, there are plenty of guys who deserved more love. 19. Shareef solidified his role as a scoring power forward and was selected as an All-Star in the 2002 season, the lone career selection. This reputation caused many to forget just how imp[actful Wallace was on the basketball court. The Most Underrated NBA Player of the Early 2000s, Your email address will not be published. Roy was destined to be a star from his first season in the NBA. Mitch Richmond is one of the most electric yet underrated players of the 90s. Ron Artest, Metta World Peace, or his now legal name Metta Sandiford-Artest may surprise some on this list. 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. The Rise of Paul George Can he bring a championship to LA. In fact, Kirilenko was born in Izhevsk, where the weapon was first manufactured. 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. Ilgauskas deserves so much more respect than modern-day fans give him. 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He finished with 11,972 points and 2,411 rebounds (3.8 per game). Championships: 0. Roy would begin to experience his downfall by 2011, just his 5th season in the league. He was never the same. 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. He was the first NBA player to bring in the big balls dance celebration, injuring his groin. 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. Complex Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Iverson took the fourth most shots per game in NBA history and is the worst-shooting volume chucker in the modern NBA. In his first season in Los Angeles, he made his first All-Star Team. He also has a rare 83-game season under his belt after being traded from Phoenix to Dallas early in his career. A look at those who were ranked too high and too low in the preseason Coaches Poll released Tuesday ONeal is an excellent example of the circumstances most players on these lists go through during their careers. Career Stats: 13.0 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.1 APG, 0.5 SPG, 1.6 BPG. He would be forced to retire from the game at 27 years old. 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 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. Richardson's ability to help teams defend the perimeter and also score when needed makes him an underrated player during the 2000s. 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. Drafted with the No. 10. Landers mens soccer closes out the season with a penalty-kick loss to Florida Tech. #513 of 1,316. Big Shot. My point is that after further analysis, it becomes apparent that the top five point guards, right now . They say the best ability is availability, and Finley did just that. 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. But if the languid laziness of a typical baseball game was overrated by the purists who want to keep the three-and-a-half-hour games, it was underrated by the people who forgot just how much the . Just 3 seasons later, he would become a 20.0 PPG scorer and an automatic 40.0% shooter from deep. #4 of 165. Career Achievements: 1x All-Star, 1x All-NBA Team Selection. Career Stats: 18.8 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.0 SPG, 1.3 BPG. 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. Bottom Line: Otis Thorpe. Oh, and Google his insane back tattoo. As a two-way player and one of the best athletes to ever play the game, Richardson was a gem in his prime. When coming into the league, there were no expectations for Michael Redd having been the 43rd pick of the 2000 NBA Draft. 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. Career Stats: 12.5 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 6.5 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.2 BPG. I say yes. Redd returned the following season but re-injured the same knee tearing the ACL again. 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. He made his mark from deep and, with an increase in playing time, averaged 11.4 points per game while shooting 44% from beyond the arc. 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. 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. Basketball Time Machine Glen Rice was a three-time All-Star and won an NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2000. . He is an NBA History buff that details the game from the 1960s all the way up to today. Right off the bat, you can tell Rashard Lewis is highly underrated simply by his lack of accolades to his name. Jackson's role in the Warriors upset over the #1 seed Dallas Mavericks will forever be remembered. He was so good that Pacers fans couldrealistically argue that he was the best big man in the league. 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. Think about Dennis Johnson of the 1980sthe dude was a five-time All-Star and a Finals MVP. His stint with the Kings started in 2002 where he averaged 17.6 PPG and 5.4 APG over 7 seasons with the franchise. 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. 6. Davis was an explosive point guard who was a blur on the floor in open space. 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 would lead the league in steals once more in 2007 with the Warriors with 2.1 SPG. This is the plight of DeMar DeRozanhes criminally underrated, and probably will be for his entire career. In an era littered with talented point guards, Baron Davis was among the most exciting to watch play. Im Still Ballin. His mid-range game and three-ball were impeccable as well. 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. 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. Elton Brand was one of the most underrated players of the 2000s. As a result, a number of quality players had their careers pass without ever getting exposure on the highest level. Billups finished his career a 5x All-Star, 3x All-NBA Team selection, and a 3x All-Defensive Team selection. 5y. He blew past defenders and glided through the air and threw down rim-rocking dunks with brutal authority. You have Kevin Garnetts MVP and Western Conference Finals season with the Wolves. 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. Most Overrated NBA Players of All Time. Not a chance. He was a menace on the defensive side of the ball as well, never shying away from a tough matchup or assignments.

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