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

Career Stats: 14.9 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.5 BPG. Elton Brand was one of the most underrated players of the 2000s. Like many on this list, the 2003-04 season was the best of Rons career. Miller was as good as it gets running an NBA offense and he was one heck of a playmaker. His best season, 2003-04, when he averaged 20-10 and 2.6 blocks, earned him 3rd place in the MVP race. 5y. 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. Seth Curry . He epitomized, you dont know what youve got till its gone.. Here are the 10 most underrated stars during the 2000s. 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. Top 5 most underrated NBA players so far this season: PG - Malcolm Brogdon, Indiana Pacers. He was the first NBA player to bring in the big balls dance celebration, injuring his groin, The 12 Most Underrated NBA Players of the 2010s, This Millennial Transformed One Rental Property Into A Multi-Million Dollar Empire, 10 Entrepreneurs Share Their Best Beauty Business Tips And Secrets. One last point on Cassell that bumps him higher on this list. You can't go wrong by picking Ariza here, mainly because actual NBA players back it up.Trevor Ariza possessed such a valuable skillset that even as late as the 2021-22 season with the Lakers, fans were claiming he was the missing piece that would allow them to ascend to playoff contention. In every season in which he started over 60 games for one of his 9 NBA teams, he earned at least 6.0 APG. He was the first NBA player to bring in the big balls dance celebration, injuring his groin. Maggette had his best seasons during the 2004, 2005, and 2008 seasons. Career Stats: 13.0 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.1 APG, 0.5 SPG, 1.6 BPG. 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. Image via Complex Original. That season he averaged 16.2 PPG and it was clear that the Pistons had their championship point guard. Six seasons into his career in 2005, Lewis earned his first All-Star selection and first 20.0 PPG season. He had a smooth lefty jumper that was as good as anyones in the game when he was on point. His 2000s were spent with the Utah Jazz, playing alongside Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer. But how many of those players make their first all-star team at 34 years old? As the all-time and single-season leader in technical fouls, how could he not? He scored 57 that same season, breaking the Bucks single-game scoring record held by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. His best season came in 2002 after being traded to Atlanta. 1. 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. George Hill . NFL NBA Megan Anderson Atlanta Hawks Los Angeles Lakers Boston Celtics Arsenal F.C. The Bucks were dealt a huge blow during the 2008-09 season when Redd went down with a knee injury. 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. He was named an NBA All-Star in 2004 after averaging 21.7 points and a career-best 5.0 rebounds a game. Finley played on two of the premier Western Conference powerhouses over the decade, starting with Dallas and moving to San Antonio after being waived. Personally, I believe it is a crime that Wallace is still not a basketball Hall Of Famer. 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. This is the plight of DeMar DeRozanhes criminally underrated, and probably will be for his entire career. He was a nightmare for defenders to stop and an even bigger one to try and score on in the paint. He averaged 20.1 PPG and 10.0 RPG in his rookie season with the Chicago Bulls, making the All-Rookie Team. When coming into the league, there were no expectations for Michael Redd having been the 43rd pick of the 2000 NBA Draft. 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. Shaq and Chuck don't have the defense, although O'Neal did finish 3rd in the 2000 DPOY. Gabriel Batistuta, Argentina. 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. In 2002, O'Neal won the NBA's Most Improved Player award by averaging 17.2 PPG, 7.6 RPG, and 1.6 BPG. He finished with 11,972 points and 2,411 rebounds (3.8 per game). Billups finished his career a 5x All-Star, 3x All-NBA Team selection, and a 3x All-Defensive Team selection. He was a tough forward who played hard-nosed defense and never backed down from any challenge. 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. 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. Throughout the NBA 's history, there have been many overlooked and underrated players. Giannis and LeBron? Roy would begin to experience his downfall by 2011, just his 5th season in the league. His mid-range game and three-ball were impeccable as well. We present our all-time underrated teams, those great teams which don't receive their proper respect in the historical archive. 19. The following season in 2002-03, he was one of the best seasons of the decade for ANY player. With the NBA season approaching fast, there are a few players who haven't gotten the credit they deserve. 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. From2004 through 2009, Redd battled injuries and bumps but still averaged at least 21.0 PPG every season. 11. The little brother. Redd had led Ohio State to a Final Four as a . 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. 12. Wallaces presence propelled Detroit to an NBA championship where Wallace averaged 13.0 PPG and 7.8 RPG on the playoff run. 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. He could put the ball on the floor and get by defenders relatively easily and it made him a true three-level threat. Elton averaged 30-10-4 with 3 blocks per game that series. He also set the record for most three-pointers made in a single quarter, with eight, before being overtaken when Klay Thompson made nine. 8. And when it comes to the 2000s, well, there are plenty of guys who deserved more love. 1) Kareem Abdul Jabbar. With his accurate 3-point shot and ability to pass the ball effectively, Stojakovidc would be a nightmare for defenses in todays game. Big Shot. Billups name never comes up in Top 20 conversations as far as point guards go, let alone Top 10 lists. Mitch Richmond, Detlef Schrempf, and Vin Baker are among the underrated players from the 90s. That needs to begin to change after you read this piece. 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. 4 pick in the 1998 draft, Jamison made the All-Rookie Team with the Warriors averaging 9.6 PPG and 6.4 RPG. Schrempf is often overlooked and considered one of the most underrated players in NBA history. Lewis retired with the Miami Heat in 2014, one year after adding an NBA championship to his already impressive resume. He finished 3rd in MVP voting and was arguably the best two-way player in basketball. 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. He would have 5 more dominant scoring seasons for Milwaukee by averaging 23.0 PPG, 25.4 PPG, 26.7 PPG, 22.7 PPG, and 21.2 PPG. 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. 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. Actor | Like Mike. He spent 3 seasons with the team and helped them transition to the City of New Orleans. He led the league in steals in 2004 with 2.4 SPG. #NBA #NBATwitter #BYL #NBAPicks #Goats #Underrated. In fact, Kirilenko was born in Izhevsk, where the weapon was first manufactured. 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, Your email address will not be published. An . The Clippers have always been the runt of LA. 1 seed Mavericks in 2007 but his career was so much more than one season. 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. Just 3 seasons later, he would become a 20.0 PPG scorer and an automatic 40.0% shooter from deep. In every season in which he started over 60 games for one of his 9 NBA teams, he earned at least 6.0 APG. 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. In fact, he was voted 4th overall in the 2003-04 MVP race, beating out the aforementioned shooting guard on the Lakers. During his early days in Seattle, Lewis took a bit to develop into the shooter and scorer he went down as. Looking at the 2000s specifically, many All-Star caliber players did not get the recognition they deserved. 1 seed Mavericks in 2007 but his career was so much more than one season. 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. Peja Stojakovi. Forget the role in the fight. A small core of teams dominated the league in that era. He would lead the league in steals once more in 2007 with the Warriors with 2.1 SPG. You can reach him via email:aaroncmansfield@gmail.com. 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. Davis was an explosive point guard who was a blur on the floor in open space. 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. For his career, Redd shot 38.0% from three and 44.7% overall. Here are the 10 most underrated NBA players of the entire 2000s. Other Underrated NBA Players for 2021-22. He had a smooth lefty jumper that was as good as anyones in the game when he was on point. 8 Most Expensive Kevin Garnett Basketball Cards, Title 15 Most Expensive Diamonds in the World. 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 was a two-way mastermind who had a knack for coming through in a games biggest moments that earned him the nickname Mr. To narrow down the list to 10 underrated players in the whole decade is about as tough as it gets. Richardson was drafted by the Clippers and had his best season in 2004 with the team averaging 17.2 PPG. 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 had a sweet jumper and smooth release that he could knock down from anywhere in front of half-court. He was selected only behind guards Kobe Bryant and Jason Kidd, which is the greatest single accomplishment in his career. 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. But for now, Lillard looks like the young PG with the most potential to grow into the best point guard of his era. He was an empty-calories kind of player who put up stats on losing teams and couldnt carry a team to any relevancy. . James Harden is the only player in NBA history with 21-game . O'Neal had a very slow start to his career, before blossoming into an All-Star in his 6th season. His stint with the Kings started in 2002 where he averaged 17.6 PPG and 5.4 APG over 7 seasons with the franchise. Of course, this was never true with the likes of Shaquille ONeal and Tim Duncan hanging around, but the conversation wasnt an insane one to have. Scotty Bags. 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. 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. Lofton was the first player in NFL history to accumulate 14,000 receiving yards. He was the baby Bryant from across the LA freeway. 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. The 2000s-era NBA was one of the more bizarre representations of basketball one could imagine. 5. With his ability to both score and pass the ball, Miller was must-watch television whenever he was in town. 4. 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 most underrated player in fantasy basketball this season has to be Gilgeous-Alexander. Show Printable Version; Today, 04:33 PM #1. Oh, and Google his insane back tattoo. Peja is one player that would have been awesome to watch in the current NBA era. Lewis retired with the Miami Heat in 2014, one year after adding an NBA championship to his already impressive resume. 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. Was he better than he is remembered? Teams: Charlotte Hornets (1998-2000), Miami Heat (2000-01), Cleveland Cavaliers (2001-03), Boston Celtics (2003-06), Minnesota Timberwolves (2006-07), Miami Heat . Teams: Nets . 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. Photo: Paul Popper. As the No. We dont even have to look at career averages or anything. 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. But looking at his career as a whole, Jamison was an All-Star caliber talent. Read that sentence again. 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. He was so good that Pacers fans couldrealistically argue that he was the best big man in the league. As of early May, James and . Roy was a special talent on offense confirmed by some of the greats such as Tracy McGrady and Kobe Bryant. Jamison would then form part of a consistent team with the Wizards, making 2 All-Star Teams during his tenure there and solidifying himself as one of the best power forwards in the NBA during his time. Even Basketball-Reference.com doesnt give the man a prayer. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); My name is Hayden, and I'm a digital marketing consultant. O'Neal's strongest season came in 2005 by averaging 24.3 PPG, 8.8 RPG, and 2.0 BPG. Cassell would then lead the way to another franchise turnaround, bringing the Clippersthat featured two players on this listto their then-most successful season in franchise history. 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. Davis began his career as a member of the Charlotte Hornets. 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. 1. Cameron Smith will be the first Players Championship winner since Tiger Woods in 2014 to not defend his title at the Players . 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 . He found the end zone in three different decades. After being traded to the Sacramento Kings at the end of the 2000 season, he formed a potent shooting perimeter alongside Peja Stojakovi. Press Esc to cancel. Basketball Time Machine Not related to Shaquille O'Neal, Jermaine O'Neal was one of the best big men in the NBA during his time. Gilbert Arenas. 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. Alex Novick, NBA.com Global Editions (): Quick, name the only player other than David Robinson and Hakeem Olajuwon to average at least two . 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. Milwaukee took Redd with the 43 rd overall pick and the former Buckeye would go on to play 11 years with the franchise. He averaged 16.8 PPG, 4.4 RPG, and 4.0 APG on 45.6% shooting in just 57 games. Ronald Koeman - Barcelona. He was an entertaining player, scorer, and consistent all-star-level talent in the 90s. 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. Your email address will not be published. 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. The play at power forward saw him have a couple of All-Star seasons. For the first few seasons of his career, Jermaine ONeal struggled to find a role with the Portland Trail Blazers. Wallaces presence propelled Detroit to an NBA championship where Wallace averaged 13.0 PPG and 7.8 RPG on the playoff run. He averaged 16.8 PPG, 4.4 RPG, and 4.0 APG on 45.6% shooting in just 57 games. Miller was as good as it gets running an NBA offense and he was one heck of a playmaker. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Roy attempted a comeback in 2013 but lasted just 5 games before calling it quits for good. 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: 19.0 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 2.1 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.1 BPG. Ilgauskas struggled with injury the first few seasons of his career, missing his rookie season and 4th season with foot issues. However, when we look at this year, we can see that it was Rons best statistical start to an NBA season. 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. Here were some of . 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. Jackson is mainly known for his stints with the Indiana Pacers and the Golden State Warriors. With talk of which NBA players are the most underrated right making the rounds on social media this week, we thought it would be a good time to come up with our own All-Underrated Team for the . For the first few seasons of his career, Jermaine O'Neal struggled to find a role with the Portland Trail Blazers. But today, we arent talking about Tim, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille ONeal, or Dwyane Wade. Forgive and forget and put Jermaine ONeal in the Naismith Basketball Hall Of Fame. After two more seasons, he would win 6th Man of the Year with the Dallas Mavericks in 2004. In his best season in 2005/06 with Sacramento, Bibby helped the team make the playoffs, which is . 10. Were discussing the most underrated NBA players of the 2000s. Six seasons into his career in 2005, Lewis earned his first All-Star selection and first 20.0 PPG season. These players tend to make their presence felt different than your average superstar, whether . These are the most overrated players in NBA history. 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. Elton Brand led the way with 24-10 as the best player on a championship contender, the 2005-06 Clippers. He was a scorer, plain and simple. 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. Our editorial content is not influenced by any commissions we receive. Here is our list of 12 of the most underrated players in the NBA today. Jackson would have his best seasons with the Golden State Warriors averaging over 20 PPG for 3 straight seasons. , Owner: (Registered business address: Germany), processes personal data only to the extent strictly necessary for the operation of this website. Latrell Sprewell was a great player. Vancouver Grizzlies (1997-98), Washington Wizards (1998-99), Miami Heat (1990-2000), Charlotte Hornets (2000-01) All-Star Games: 2001. Elton is perfect for this list. #6 of 290. Career: 1989-2002. His presence on the early 2000s Kings teams was a perfect fit that put them over the top as a contender at the time. Redd blossomed as a scorer in his 4th season, averaging 21.7 PPG on 35.0% shooting from three. 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. 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 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. 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. In his first season in Los Angeles, he made his first All-Star Team. For the first few seasons of his career, Jermaine ONeal struggled to find a role with the Portland Trail Blazers. 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. A 2000 trade to the Pacers changed everything and almost immediately transformed ONeal into an MVP candidate. Well, that counts for something, right? 6,418 votes. Playing for a middling Milwaukee Bucks squad throughout the 2000s, he led the team and was a fantastic all-around scorer. 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 averaged 21.2 points a game that season and would never be the same. 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 Miller played 14 seasons in the NBA, mainly for the Kings and Bulls. Here is a look at the most underrated soccer players of all time. 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. He spent 3 seasons with the team and helped them transition to the City of New Orleans. 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. Who are the 25 Most Charitable Athletes in the World? Brad Miller was a rare center in the 2000s because he had a consistent mid-range jump shot. Your email address will not be published. Well focus primarily on his most impactful seasons, from 2001-2004. As one of the original stretch forwards in the game, Lewis used both his size and shooting ability to become a scoring machine. 25. From2004 through 2009, Redd battled injuries and bumps but still averaged at least 21.0 PPG every season. All details in the privacy policy. 15.9 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 2.1 APG, 0.9 SPG, 1.7 BPG. The assessment was based on how players performed during this decade and this decade ONLY (2000-2009). In an era littered with talented point guards, Baron Davis was among the most exciting to watch play. That should be considered common sense considering NBA players peak from 25-30 years old. He made 3 straight All-Star games from 2002 through 2004 and averaged 21.7 PPG on 48.1% shooting over that time.