Tracy McGrady was born on May 24, 1979 in Bartow, Florida, USA. You had a fashion that today would be laughed at, baggy jeans, shirts, shorts, and fabrics flying down the court. 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. The 11 Most Underrated NBA Players of the 2000s | Ventured Required fields are marked *. He was one of the top players in the league until Gerald Wallace injured him. He averaged 20.1 PPG and 10.0 RPG in his rookie season with the Chicago Bulls, making the All-Rookie Team. As one of the original stretch forwards in the game, Lewis used both his size and shooting ability to become a scoring machine. Bottom Line: Otis Thorpe. He was a scorer, plain and simple. He ended his career with a well-deserved championship with the 2011 Dallas Mavericks. Like many on this list, the 2003-04 season was the best of Rons career. 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. 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. 1 seed Mavericks in 2007 but his career was so much more than one season. 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. Lewis was one of the NBAs top shooters for years with 8 seasons ranked in the Top 20 for 3-pointers made. Finley played on two of the premier Western Conference powerhouses over the decade, starting with Dallas and moving to San Antonio after being waived. One last point on Cassell that bumps him higher on this list. The little brother. 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. Here is a look at the most underrated soccer players of all time. Milwaukee took Redd with the 43 rd overall pick and the former Buckeye would go on to play 11 years with the franchise. 1969-1971 . He finished with 11,972 points and 2,411 rebounds (3.8 per game). He helped lead the Magic to a Finals berth in 2009 by being a versatile scorer next to the dominant Howard. As the all-time and single-season leader in technical fouls, how could he not? He is an actor and writer, known for Like Mike (2002), Arli$$ (1996) and Adidas Originals: Superstar - Change Is a Team Sport (2020). But looking at his career as a whole, Jamison was an All-Star caliber talent. 17.9 points, 2.9 RPG, and 1.9 APG. Getting to the free throw line. The Best NBA Players Of The 2000s - Ranker He is an NBA History buff that details the game from the 1960s all the way up to today. The NBA's 2020-21 All-Underrated Team - HoopsHype He would average a double-double over the next 4 seasons, and by his third season, he was a member of the Los Angeles Clippers. The Most Underrated NBA Player of the Early 2000s With the impressive season he just had with the Raptors, people are bound to take notice soon. Image via Complex Original. At 34 years of age, Cassell had his best year averaging 19-3-7, helping the downtrodden Minnesota franchise propel itself to #1 in the Western Conference Standings. And . Forget the role in the fight. Davis began his career as a member of the Charlotte Hornets. Type above and press Enter to search. Mitch Richmond is one of the most electric yet underrated players of the 90s. Seth Curry . 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. Alex Novick, NBA.com Global Editions (): Quick, name the only player other than David Robinson and Hakeem Olajuwon to average at least two . Six seasons into his career in 2005, Lewis earned his first All-Star selection and first 20.0 PPG season. 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. Scotty Bags. Big Shot. Roy attempted a comeback in 2013 but lasted just 5 games before calling it quits for good. 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. Struggling with bone spurs, and ankle surgery, he left the NBA after the 2006-07 season. 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. Iverson took the fourth most shots per game in NBA history and is the worst-shooting volume chucker in the modern NBA. 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. Top underrated NBA players of the late 1990s-early 2000s 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. He was a 6'6" shooting guard who could also play the small forward position and had solid defensive skills. As a result, a number of quality players had their careers pass without ever getting exposure on the highest level. Tracy McGrady. Top 13 NBA Stars From the 90s (And 12 From the 2000s - TheSportster Elton Brand was one of the most underrated players of the 2000s. 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. As of early May, James and . The following season it came to fruition as Billups not only led the Pistons to a title but won Finals MVP in the process. With his accurate 3-point shot and ability to pass the ball effectively, Stojakovidc would be a nightmare for defenses in todays game. The sample size doesn't include the '87 playoffs because McHale was playing on a broken foot. He led the league in minutes played for three seasons of his career. He would lead the league in steals once more in 2007 with the Warriors with 2.1 SPG. From 2001-2007 ONeal made six straight All-Star games while averaging a stellar 20-10 with 2 blocks per game. Jackson's role in the Warriors upset over the #1 seed Dallas Mavericks will forever be remembered. 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. O'Neal had a strong inside scoring game, was very active on the offensive boards, and was a capable shot-blocker. Cleveland's superstar is regarded as one of the greatest offensive players in NBA history. Was he good enough that its a travesty that his name isnt among the great scorers in the history of 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. 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. 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. 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. You must be a great player to fit into a team named The Greatest Show on Court. He helped the Kings lead the league in wins in 2001-02, and while he didnt average too many pointsending his career with averages of 11-4-3he made his mark on defense. Gabriel Batistuta, Argentina. He played in just 18 games and then 10 more in 2010-11. Creighton's the favorite, Jay Wright's no longer at Nova, and three more huge coaching changes set up a competitive chase in the Big East But the sheer fact that Clipper Contenderswas uttered during the 2005-06 playoffs firmly earns Elton a spot on this list. 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. Billups name never comes up in Top 20 conversations as far as point guards go, let alone Top 10 lists. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The Top NBA Players Of All Time. 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 a two-way mastermind who had a knack for coming through in a games biggest moments that earned him the nickname Mr. I will say it here and now. Your email address will not be published. COMPLEX participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means COMPLEX gets paid commissions on purchases made through our links to retailer sites. Teams: Charlotte Hornets (1998-2000), Miami Heat (2000-01), Cleveland Cavaliers (2001-03), Boston Celtics (2003-06), Minnesota Timberwolves (2006-07), Miami Heat . We dont even have to look at career averages or anything. The Top 10 Most Underrated Football Players of All Time Career Achievements: 1x All-Star, 1x All-NBA Team Selection. That should be considered common sense considering NBA players peak from 25-30 years old. A team dwarfed by the sheer size, glamor, and continued excellence in the shared city. 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. These are the most overrated players in NBA history. 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. Nick Mac is an NBA Writer with over 5 years of experience in journalism. Wallaces impact was truly measured when he was acquired by the Detroit Pistons midway through the 2004 season. You can reach him via email:aaroncmansfield@gmail.com. 10 NBA Players You Forgot Played For The Los Angeles Lakers 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. Still, ONeal was a franchise centerpiece to a team that consistently made the postseason, so he deserves his spot on this list. Well focus primarily on his most impactful seasons, from 2001-2004. He was so fast with his first step off of the dribble and even faster once he got headed toward the basket. Billups name never comes up in Top 20 conversations as far as point guards go, let alone Top 10 lists. The 2005-06 campaign. 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. 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. 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. #6 of 290. Forget the role in the fight. 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. He had three All-NBA team selections, two thirds, and a second cap off his individual awards. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. He had a smooth lefty jumper that was as good as anyones in the game when he was on point. 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. Defensive teamsala the Championship Detroit Pistonsthat dominated to the point the NBA had to change the rules to speed up the game, which helped a dopey-haired small, white Canadian point guard pick up back-to-back MVPs. Basketball is one of the most loved sports worldwide. We need to focus on exactly one year of Eltons career that solidifies his place on this list without a thought. From there, he developed his offensive game and defensively got more aggressive. 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 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. 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. Wallaces impact was truly measured when he was acquired by the Detroit Pistons midway through the 2004 season. He averaged 21.2 points a game that season and would never be the same. Show Printable Version; Today, 04:33 PM #1. The Most Underrated Players In The NBA Today - TheSportster By the time his 4th season in 2004 came around, Redd was an All-Star and a consistent and efficient 20.0 PPG scorer. Bibby made the All-Rookie Team in 1999, averaging 13.2 PPG and 6.5 APG for the Vancouver Grizzlies. Just 3 seasons later, he would become a 20.0 PPG scorer and an automatic 40.0% shooter from deep. Career Stats: 14.9 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.5 BPG. By 2003, Ilgauskas was an All-Star and averaged 17.2 PPG and 7.5 RPG while adding 1.9 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. All the most overrated players in the NBA will be featured here to choose from. Gilbert Arenas. Career Stats: 13.0 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.1 APG, 0.5 SPG, 1.6 BPG. He became the first Russian player selected in the first round and made the all-rookie team in his first year. 20. He spent 3 seasons with the team and helped them transition to the City of New Orleans. Arguably the coolest aspect of Kirinlenkoss career is his nickname, AK-47, referencing his Russian heritage and jersey number. 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. #NBA #NBATwitter #BYL #NBAPicks #Goats #Underrated. 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. Billups finished his career a 5x All-Star, 3x All-NBA Team selection, and a 3x All-Defensive Team selection. And when it comes to the 2000s, well, there are plenty of guys who deserved more love. His scoring jumped from 12.9 PPG to 19.0 PPG, and he made his first All-Star Team in 2002 for the Pacers. Photo: Paul Popper. 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. 25. 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. His mid-range game and three-ball were impeccable as well. He helped lead the Magic to a Finals berth in 2009 by being a versatile scorer next to the dominant Howard. He blew past defenders and glided through the air and threw down rim-rocking dunks with brutal authority. 50 Most Underrated NBA Players in History - Bleacher Report 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. Billups finished his career a 5x All-Star, 3x All-NBA Team selection, and a 3x All-Defensive Team selection. Ranking the Point Guards of the 2000s by NBA Math's Total Points Added During his early days in Seattle, Lewis took a bit to develop into the shooter and scorer he went down as. Averaging 16.0 PPG, he is one of the most recognizable offensive players for the Clippers over the last 20 years. Roy would begin to experience his downfall by 2011, just his 5th season in the league. In fact, Kirilenko was born in Izhevsk, where the weapon was first manufactured. O'Neal would average a double-double over the next 2 seasons in Indiana, and make 5 straight All-Star Teams. 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. ONeal is an excellent example of the circumstances most players on these lists go through during their careers. Just 3 seasons later, he would become a 20.0 PPG scorer and an automatic 40.0% shooter from deep. Elton Brand led the way with 24-10 as the best player on a championship contender, the 2005-06 Clippers. Ilgauskas struggled with injury the first few seasons of his career, missing his rookie season and 4th season with foot issues. Teams: Nets . The Golden Age of Point Guards - Medium Davis was an explosive point guard who was a blur on the floor in open space. What NBA players have been the most underrated since the year 2000 1 / 32 OrlandoMagic.com ranks the best NBA point guards from the 2000s. 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. He averaged 20.1 PPG and 10.0 RPG in his rookie season with the Chicago Bulls, making the All-Rookie Team. As a two-way player and one of the best athletes to ever play the game, Richardson was a gem in his prime. 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. 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. He was also a big reason the Cavaliers were able to make the 2007 NBA Finals, being LeBron James favorite option on offense. 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. Most Common Last Names In Georgia Country, Can I Bring A Backpack To Jury Duty, Articles M
…