1. A 2000 trade to the Pacers changed everything and almost immediately transformed O'Neal into an MVP candidate. COMPLEX participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means COMPLEX gets paid commissions on purchases made through our links to retailer sites. LeBron James and Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers. 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. Ilgauskas struggled with injury the first few seasons of his career, missing his rookie season and 4th season with foot issues. Six seasons into his career in 2005, Lewis earned his first All-Star selection and first 20.0 PPG season. Including averaging 10 attempts at the line per game when he averaged 22 points per game in his 2004-05 season. Who are the 25 Most Charitable Athletes in the World? He drove, he shot, and he played a little selfishly. 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. To narrow down the list to 10 underrated players in the whole decade is about as tough as it gets. In 2009, he earned the 2nd All-Star selection of his career when he averaged 17.7 PPG and helped lead Orlando to the NBA Finals. 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. 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. 6,418 votes. The Most Underrated NBA Player of the Early 2000s. As the all-time and single-season leader in technical fouls, how could he not? Aaron Mansfield, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Sport Management at Merrimack College. 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 . 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 Shareef solidified his role as a scoring power forward and was selected as an All-Star in the 2002 season, the lone career selection. 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. Maybe. 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. 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. In every season in which he started over 60 games for one of his 9 NBA teams, he earned at least 6.0 APG. With the NBA season approaching fast, there are a few players who haven't gotten the credit they deserve. 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. For his career, Redd shot 38.0% from three and 44.7% overall. This reputation caused many to forget just how imp[actful Wallace was on the basketball court. 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. Roy was impossible to keep up with in isolation. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. 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. Tracy McGrady. But the sheer fact that Clipper Contenderswas uttered during the 2005-06 playoffs firmly earns Elton a spot on this list. 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. The 2000s-era NBA was one of the more bizarre representations of basketball one could imagine. Still, you dont hear much talk about the years the Clippers might have been the championship favorite. 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. 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. He played in just 18 games and then 10 more in 2010-11. Personally, I believe it is a crime that Wallace is still not a basketball Hall Of Famer. He was a two-way mastermind who had a knack for coming through in a games biggest moments that earned him the nickname Mr. Injuries were a concern throughout Pejas career, especially in the second half of his NBA lifespan. You had a fashion that today would be laughed at, baggy jeans, shirts, shorts, and fabrics flying down the court. 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. Peja Stojakovic is one of the better perimeter scorers of the 2000s decade. 25. One year later, he joined the Phoenix Suns where he averaged 14.9 PPG on 35.8% shooting from three. Drafted with the No. 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. Billups finished his career a 5x All-Star, 3x All-NBA Team selection, and a 3x All-Defensive Team selection. In 2002, ONeal won the NBAs Most Improved Player award by averaging 17.2 PPG, 7.6 RPG, and 1.6 BPG. He is an actor and writer, known for Like Mike (2002), Arli$$ (1996) and Adidas Originals: Superstar - Change Is a Team Sport (2020). He also made the All-Star Team and the All-NBA Third Team after a strong season with the Milwaukee Bucks. 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. He scored 57 that same season, breaking the Bucks single-game scoring record held by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. He was an entertaining player, scorer, and consistent all-star-level talent in the 90s. Shaquille O'Neal. He made 3 straight All-Star games from 2002 through 2004 and averaged 21.7 PPG on 48.1% shooting over that time. As one of the original stretch forwards in the game, Lewis used both his size and shooting ability to become a scoring machine. 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. Billups name never comes up in Top 20 conversations as far as point guards go, let alone Top 10 lists. Miller would go on to play 5 more seasons with Sacramento. My point is that after further analysis, it becomes apparent that the top five point guards, right now . During his early days in Seattle, Lewis took a bit to develop into the shooter and scorer he went down as. During his time in the NBA, Rasheed Wallace received a bad reputation as its resident bad boy. In an era littered with talented point guards, Baron Davis was among the most exciting to watch play. All the most overrated players in the NBA will be featured here to choose from. Teams: Nets . 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. The Most-Underrated NBA Players of All-Time. Miller was as good as it gets running an NBA offense and he was one heck of a playmaker. Struggling with bone spurs, and ankle surgery, he left the NBA after the 2006-07 season. 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 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. Sacramento picked Pedrag Stojakovi at the 1996 NBA rookie draft while still playing in Greece. As the all-time and single-season leader in technical fouls, how could he not? He was also a big reason the Cavaliers were able to make the 2007 NBA Finals, being LeBron James favorite option on offense. 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 . Corey Maggette was one of the most consistent scorers during the 2000s. Personally, I believe it is a crime that Wallace is still not a basketball Hall Of Famer. He was a two-way mastermind who had a knack for coming through in a games biggest moments that earned him the nickname Mr. 17.9 points, 2.9 RPG, and 1.9 APG. 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 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. 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. During his time with the New Orleans Hornets for 3 seasons, he averaged 20.2 PPG, 8.1 APG, and 2.0 SPG. Bottom Line: Otis Thorpe. Basketball is one of the most loved sports worldwide. 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. 50 Most Underrated NBA Players of All Time. His best season came in 2003-04, Peja averaged a career-high 24.2 PPG on 48.0% shooting overall and 43.3% from three. 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. This is the plight of DeMar DeRozanhes criminally underrated, and probably will be for his entire career. During his early days in Seattle, Lewis took a bit to develop into the shooter and scorer he went down as. Enter Sam Cassell. CJ McCollum voted most underrated player since 2000. He won the Rookie of the Year award with the least games played in history to win the award. He is an NBA History buff that details the game from the 1960s all the way up to today. He would be forced to retire from the game at 27 years old. One of the best dunkers in NBA history, Richardson's athleticism often took eyes away from his all-around game. Looking at the 2000s specifically, many All-Star caliber players did not get the recognition they deserved. I will say it here and now. 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. 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. But looking at his career as a whole, Jamison was an All-Star caliber talent. Answer (1 of 3): Dirk Nowitzki. Miller was as good as it gets running an NBA offense and he was one heck of a playmaker. He would improve his scoring over the next few seasons, boosting his scoring to a career-high 23.2 PPG during the 2006 season. 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. A 2000 trade to the Pacers changed everything and almost immediately transformed ONeal into an MVP candidate. There are dozens of underrated players most folks forget. 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. #4 of 165. With his accurate 3-point shot and ability to pass the ball effectively, Stojakovidc would be a nightmare for defenses in todays game. Roy was a special talent on offense confirmed by some of the greats such as Tracy McGrady and Kobe Bryant. Ilgauskas deserves so much more respect than modern-day fans give him. McCollum voted most underrated player since 2000. Mike Bibby is one of the most underrated basketball 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. Ronald Koeman - Barcelona. But when we focus on his game, we can see that he was overlooked for his talent, with many casual fans not understanding that at points in the 2000s, Ron Artest was seen as one of the top NBA players in the league. NBA underrated performers are one of the more challenging lists to rank. 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. Jermaine does that by propelling himself to All-Star status with Indiana. Tracy McGrady was born on May 24, 1979 in Bartow, Florida, USA. Roy was a special talent on offense confirmed by some of the greats such as Tracy McGrady and Kobe Bryant. Complex Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. His mid-range game and three-ball were impeccable as well. For years now, Jrue Holiday has been widely regarded as the most underrated player in NBA. He could put the ball on the floor and get by defenders relatively easily and it made him a true three-level threat. 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. 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 was a scorer, plain and simple. Another is that many of these players are often misremembered for their time and play late in their careers when theyre past their prime, bouncing around to teams and being fitted for jerseys that will probably struggle to sell ten total copies. Gilbert Arenas. One of the most outspoken NBA analysts in the media, Stephen Jackson was a player that his teammates absolutely loved. Not related to Shaquille O'Neal, Jermaine O'Neal was one of the best big men in the NBA during his time. That was the year Richardson became a solid 3-point shooter, as he nailed 38.4% of his threes. He finished 3rd in MVP voting and was arguably the best two-way player in basketball. 1 of 25. Throughout the NBA 's history, there have been many overlooked and underrated players. Again, ONeal might be remembered more for his last season with Golden State, just before the team ascended into the perennial dynasty. www.basketball-timemachine.com. Teams: Charlotte Hornets (1998-2000), Miami Heat (2000-01), Cleveland Cavaliers (2001-03), Boston Celtics (2003-06), Minnesota Timberwolves (2006-07), Miami Heat . He's got some recognition since then, but he still isn't as respected as he should. Required fields are marked *. That season he averaged 16.2 PPG and it was clear that the Pistons had their championship point guard. As a two-way player and one of the best athletes to ever play the game, Richardson was a gem in his prime. 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. The Rise of Paul George Can he bring a championship to LA. 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. 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. 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. For his career, Redd shot 38.0% from three and 44.7% overall. Schrempf is often overlooked and considered one of the most underrated players in NBA history. 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. Oh, and Google his insane back tattoo. Im Still Ballin. Big Shot. Your email address will not be published. O'Neal also won the Most Improved Player of the Year Award that same year. Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports. 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. Latrell Sprewell was a great player. He didnt have the chance to display his scoring prowess during his first season in Milwaukee since he was playing behind the great Ray Allen. Gabriel Batistuta, Argentina. Here is our list of 12 of the most underrated players in the NBA today. James Harden is the only player in NBA history with 21-game . He averaged 20.1 PPG and 10.0 RPG in his rookie season with the Chicago Bulls, making the All-Rookie Team. In his next season, he averaged 22 points per game to go with 7 rebounds. He had a smooth lefty jumper that was as good as anyones in the game when he was on point. We'll focus primarily on his most impactful seasons, from 2001-2004. He was a menace on the defensive side of the ball as well, never shying away from a tough matchup or assignments. He spent 3 seasons with the team and helped them transition to the City of New Orleans. 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. He was one of the top players in the league until Gerald Wallace injured him. 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. 8. Here's a ranking of the NBA's top teammate duos throughout league history. 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. Not a chance. He also has a rare 83-game season under his belt after being traded from Phoenix to Dallas early in his career. If the season ended today, he'd be second in the NBA in fantasy points per game, but few think of him . This honestly swayed an NBA championship, costing the Minnesota Timberwolves in their series against the Lakers, in which they were the better team. 6. Thats not that tough. He had a sweet jumper and smooth release that he could knock down from anywhere in front of half-court. Mitch Richmond, Detlef Schrempf, and Vin Baker are among the underrated players from the 90s. Theres been a lot of former all-stars. 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. Michael Jordan and Karl Malone greet each other before Game 1 of the NBA Finals on June 1, 1997, at the United Center. 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. The 2005-06 campaign. 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. The draw of Finley was his consistency and availability. He led the league in minutes played for three seasons of his career. Fat Lever (#14) was Russell Westbrook before Westbrook. 1. Career Stats: 12.5 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 6.5 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.2 BPG. 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. Here are the 10 most underrated NBA players of the entire 2000s. Honestly, call him the Russian Lebron James. ONeal is an excellent example of the circumstances most players on these lists go through during their careers. By 2003, Ilgauskas was an All-Star and averaged 17.2 PPG and 7.5 RPG while adding 1.9 BPG. 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. 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. Vancouver Grizzlies (1997-98), Washington Wizards (1998-99), Miami Heat (1990-2000), Charlotte Hornets (2000-01) All-Star Games: 2001. Milwaukee took Redd with the 43 rd overall pick and the former Buckeye would go on to play 11 years with the franchise. You have the heartbreaking series between the Sacramento Kings and the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2002 Western Conference Finals series. Brad Miller was a rare center in the 2000s because he had a consistent mid-range jump shot. 10. When coming into the league, there were no expectations for Michael Redd having been the 43rd pick of the 2000 NBA Draft. By the time his 4th season in 2004 came around, Redd was an All-Star and a consistent and efficient 20.0 PPG scorer. Elton Brand was one of the most underrated players of the 2000s. 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. 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. Other Underrated NBA Players for 2021-22. He was a nightmare for defenders to stop and an even bigger one to try and score on in the paint. 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. Miller also had an All-Star season with the Pacers in 2003 where he averaged 13.1 PPG and 8.3 RPG. 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) . Cameron Smith will be the first Players Championship winner since Tiger Woods in 2014 to not defend his title at the Players . 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. 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. 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. Would the Clippers have been able to dispatch the Mavericks in the next round? When coming into the league, there were no expectations for Michael Redd having been the 43rd pick of the 2000 NBA Draft. Forget the role in the fight. A 2000 trade to the Pacers changed everything and almost immediately transformed ONeal into an MVP candidate. Wallaces presence propelled Detroit to an NBA championship where Wallace averaged 13.0 PPG and 7.8 RPG on the playoff run. Anyways. You can reach him via email:aaroncmansfield@gmail.com. The following season it came to fruition as Billups not only led the Pistons to a title but won Finals MVP in the process. All details in the privacy policy. In an era littered with talented point guards, Baron Davis was among the most exciting to watch play. From there, he developed his offensive game and defensively got more aggressive. 32786 posts. The Bucks were dealt a huge blow during the 2008-09 season when Redd went down with a knee injury. Milwaukee took Redd with the 43rd overall pick and the former Buckeye would go on to play 11 years with the franchise. Finally, as with fellow Pacer Ron Artest, ONeal was heavily involved in the Malice at the Palace punishments and suspensions, so the NBA isnt jumping at the opportunity to push Jermaine into the mainstream hivemind. His presence on the early 2000s Kings teams was a perfect fit that put them over the top as a contender at the time. Usually millions of dollars. Jackson would have his best seasons with the Golden State Warriors averaging over 20 PPG for 3 straight seasons. 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. 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. He was a nightmare for defenders to stop and an even bigger one to try and score on in the paint. His presence on the early 2000s Kings teams was a perfect fit that put them over the top as a contender at the time. Thats why hes the first name on this list. Just 3 seasons later, he would become a 20.0 PPG scorer and an automatic 40.0% shooter from deep. 2023 profootballspace. He made the All-Star game and was selected to the All NBA-Third Team. 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. Davis can be credited with sparking the We Believe Warriors to an upset win over the No. Peja Stojakovi. Height: 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) Playing position: Striker. The Most UNDERRATED NBA Players Of The 2000s..Welcome back to Sports Savvy. Here are the 10 most underrated NBA players of the entire 2000s. Still, with his peak year coinciding with his healthiesthe appeared in 78 gameshe led the Utah Jazz in total points, points per game, total rebounds, rebounds per game, blocks, blocks per game, steals, steals per game, free throws made, free throws attempted, three pointers made, and three-pointers attempted.