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

By the time his 4th season in 2004 came around, Redd was an All-Star and a consistent and efficient 20.0 PPG scorer. All the most overrated players in the NBA will be featured here to choose from. 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. That was the year Richardson became a solid 3-point shooter, as he nailed 38.4% of his threes. The players listed here may be relatively unknown, underappreciated, or underrated in terms of not making the elite lists of other football raters. 8 Most Expensive Kevin Garnett Basketball Cards, Title 15 Most Expensive Diamonds in the World. 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. Michael Redd is another interesting 2000s player. 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. In 2002, ONeal won the NBAs Most Improved Player award by averaging 17.2 PPG, 7.6 RPG, and 1.6 BPG. Agent 0 going into L.A. and dropping 60 on the Lakers. Right off the bat, you can tell Rashard Lewis is highly underrated simply by his lack of accolades to his name. 1. Redd fell behind Ray Allen on the depth chart and barely appeared during his rookie season but came on strong in his sophomore campaign. 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. 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. , Owner: (Registered business address: Germany), processes personal data only to the extent strictly necessary for the operation of this website. 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 Rise of Paul George Can he bring a championship to LA. 20. He finished 3rd in MVP voting and was arguably the best two-way player in basketball. The NBA has done an unfortunately great job of sweeping Jermaine ONeals career under the rug after his role in the infamous Malice At The Palace. During his time in the NBA, Rasheed Wallace received a bad reputation as its resident bad boy. 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. 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. I have never seen a Finals MVP and a more impactful point guard be overlooked in NBA history more than Chauncey Billups. With over a decade of writing articles for sports sites, Eddie Bitar has a unique writing voice that shines through in the latest collection of NBA-related content that captures trade rumors, power rankings, and team news. Michael Jordan and Karl Malone greet each other before Game 1 of the NBA Finals on June 1, 1997, at the United Center. He ended his career with a well-deserved championship with the 2011 Dallas Mavericks. 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. 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. The 2000s-era NBA was one of the more bizarre representations of basketball one could imagine. 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. Ronald Koeman - Barcelona. Looking at the 2000s specifically, many All-Star caliber players did not get the recognition they deserved. He was the baby Bryant from across the LA freeway. His best season came in 2002 after being traded to Atlanta. He averaged 21.2 points a game that season and would never be the same. 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. Miller was as good as it gets running an NBA offense and he was one heck of a playmaker. Oh, and Google his insane back tattoo. But how many of those players make their first all-star team at 34 years old? For years now, Jrue Holiday has been widely regarded as the most underrated player in NBA. Sports Mania Asia lists five underrated NBA players between the late 1990s and early 2000s. 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. This season encapsulates why Redd isnt any higher on this list. The little brother. With the trade of superstar Ray Allen, the Bucks fell off as one of the NBAs top teams, but the leading role was filled by Redd, who went on to average 21.7 points en route to his only All-Star appearance. His 2000s were spent with the Utah Jazz, playing alongside Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer. 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. 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. In every season in which he started over 60 games for one of his 9 NBA teams, he earned at least 6.0 APG. Type above and press Enter to search. He would lead the league in steals once more in 2007 with the Warriors with 2.1 SPG. 1 of 25. 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. My point is that after further analysis, it becomes apparent that the top five point guards, right now . Davis can be credited with sparking the We Believe Warriors to an upset win over the No. Landers mens soccer closes out the season with a penalty-kick loss to Florida Tech. He played in just 18 games and then 10 more in 2010-11. Yet, not all players who saw action at the NBA, the biggest basketball league in the world, are well-known Not all basketball players are well known, Sports Mania Asia lists the top five most underrated NBA players from the late 1990s to 2000s. Davis can be credited with sparking the We Believe Warriors to an upset win over the No. 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 . Redd became an even more prolific scorer in the seasons that followed. Roy was impossible to keep up with in isolation. Basketball Time Machine In an era littered with talented point guards, Baron Davis was among the most exciting to watch play. 25. A 2000 trade to the Pacers changed everything and almost immediately transformed ONeal into an MVP candidate. 1. In the 2000 NBA draft, the Milwaukee Bucks got lucky when Ohio State's Michael Redd fell all the way into the second round. Career Stats: 12.5 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 6.5 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.2 BPG. . He helped lead the Magic to a Finals berth in 2009 by being a versatile scorer next to the dominant Howard. 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 2000s were filled with incredible defenders, lights-out shooters, amazing ball handlers, solid secondary stars, and bench players who were elite at their jobs. 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. 15.9 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 2.1 APG, 0.9 SPG, 1.7 BPG. This honestly swayed an NBA championship, costing the Minnesota Timberwolves in their series against the Lakers, in which they were the better team. 17.9 points, 2.9 RPG, and 1.9 APG. Billups finished his career a 5x All-Star, 3x All-NBA Team selection, and a 3x All-Defensive Team selection. Richardson made the All-Rookie Team in 2001 by averaging 14.4 PPG and 4.3 RPG for the Golden State Warriors. Here is our list of 12 of the most underrated players in the NBA today. He was a tough forward who played hard-nosed defense and never backed down from any challenge. Averaging 16.0 PPG, he is one of the most recognizable offensive players for the Clippers over the last 20 years. Jackson would have his best seasons with the Golden State Warriors averaging over 20 PPG for 3 straight seasons. He had a smooth lefty jumper that was as good as anyones in the game when he was on point. 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. These players tend to make their presence felt different than your average superstar, whether . 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. In 2002, ONeal won the NBAs Most Improved Player award by averaging 17.2 PPG, 7.6 RPG, and 1.6 BPG. Center from Newark, New Jersey, United States of America. Career Stats: 12.5 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 6.5 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.2 BPG. Think about Dennis Johnson of the 1980sthe dude was a five-time All-Star and a Finals MVP. 5y. In fact, he was voted 4th overall in the 2003-04 MVP race, beating out the aforementioned shooting guard on the Lakers. He would be forced to retire from the game at 27 years old. He also made the All-Star Team and the All-NBA Third Team after a strong season with the Milwaukee Bucks. 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. 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. The following season in 2002-03, he was one of the best seasons of the decade for ANY player. He made 3 straight All-Star games from 2002 through 2004 and averaged 21.7 PPG on 48.1% shooting over that time. With the NBA season approaching fast, there are a few players who haven't gotten the credit they deserve. Getting to the free throw line. 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. Sacramento picked Pedrag Stojakovi at the 1996 NBA rookie draft while still playing in Greece. Cleveland's superstar is regarded as one of the greatest offensive players in NBA history. He finished his career averaging 5.5 three-point attempts per game in an era that was just startingto see the actual value of the deep ball. He was the first NBA player to bring in the big balls dance celebration, injuring his groin. Gabriel Batistuta, Argentina. Mookie Blaylock. 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. 4. For some reason, as time has gone on, fans refer to Zydrunas Ilgauskas as one of those garbage players that LeBron James dragged to the NBA Finals early in his career. 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. One of the most outspoken NBA analysts in the media, Stephen Jackson was a player that his teammates absolutely loved. 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. Injuries were a concern throughout Pejas career, especially in the second half of his NBA lifespan. When coming into the league, there were no expectations for Michael Redd having been the 43rd pick of the 2000 NBA Draft. Yet, not all players who saw action at the NBA, the biggest basketball league in the world, are well-known. He played one final season in Phoenix in 2011-12 before retiring. Forget the role in the fight. You have the heartbreaking series between the Sacramento Kings and the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2002 Western Conference Finals series. 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. LeBron James and Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers. 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. 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. Height: 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) Playing position: Striker. Potential only counts for so much. That needs to begin to change after you read this piece. He led the league in steals in 2004 with 2.4 SPG. Arteta to make 1 change, 'underrated' ace to be benched: Arsenal predicted line-up vs Bournemouth,After Arsenal made things look easy in their 4-0 thrashing of Everton, we have tried to call their predicted lineup against Bournemouth. Six seasons into his career in 2005, Lewis earned his first All-Star selection and first 20.0 PPG season. You had a fashion that today would be laughed at, baggy jeans, shirts, shorts, and fabrics flying down the court. 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. 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. For the first few seasons of his career, Jermaine O'Neal struggled to find a role with the Portland Trail Blazers. Doug Christie. Championships: 0. He spent 3 seasons with the team and helped them transition to the City of New Orleans.