most underrated nba players of the 2000s

1) Kareem Abdul Jabbar. Ilgauskas struggled with injury the first few seasons of his career, missing his rookie season and 4th season with foot issues. A lethal gunner from range, Stokakoi was one of the first NBA players to bomb away from range who hit a high percentage of their shots. 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. James demonstrated this when he surpassed Patrick Ewing for 20th place on the NBA's all-time scoring list. We dont even have to look at career averages or anything. Personally, I believe it is a crime that Wallace is still not a basketball Hall Of Famer. 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. 32786 posts. 1. In his best season in 2005/06 with Sacramento, Bibby helped the team make the playoffs, which is . As a two-way player and one of the best athletes to ever play the game, Richardson was a gem in his prime. Despite his demise over the latter course of his career, Redd still averaged 19.0 points per game for his career. He would improve his scoring over the next few seasons, boosting his scoring to a career-high 23.2 PPG during the 2006 season. The Rise of Paul George Can he bring a championship to LA. 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. Big Shot. O'Neal had a very slow start to his career, before blossoming into an All-Star in his 6th season. 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. 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. By the time his 4th season in 2004 came around, Redd was an All-Star and a consistent and efficient 20.0 PPG scorer. 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. For the first few seasons of his career, Jermaine O'Neal struggled to find a role with the Portland Trail Blazers. Elton Brand was one of the most underrated players of the 2000s. Doug Christie. Potential only counts for so much. He would lead the league in steals once more in 2007 with the Warriors with 2.1 SPG. 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. all of who are . Roy was destined to be a star from his first season in the NBA. 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. Our editorial content is not influenced by any commissions we receive. 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. James Lofton is one of many cases of players being in the Hall of Fame and nevertheless being vastly underrated when compared with others who played the position. Six seasons into his career in 2005, Lewis earned his first All-Star selection and first 20.0 PPG season. Thats why hes the first name on this list. 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. A 2000 trade to the Pacers changed everything and almost immediately transformed O'Neal into an MVP candidate. Nick Mac is an NBA Writer with over 5 years of experience in journalism. 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. In fact, I dont think I would have him on here if not for having the greatest NBA nickname of all time, Bad Porn.. 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. 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. 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. Championships: 0. 1. He had a sweet jumper and smooth release that he could knock down from anywhere in front of half-court. 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 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. We have seen a host of very talented yet underappreciated stars during the past 20 years. 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. He also has a rare 83-game season under his belt after being traded from Phoenix to Dallas early in his career. Your email address will not be published. #4 of 165. Tracy McGrady. With the impressive season he just had with the Raptors, people are bound to take notice soon. But for now, Lillard looks like the young PG with the most potential to grow into the best point guard of his era. 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. 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. Still, you dont hear much talk about the years the Clippers might have been the championship favorite. In an era littered with talented point guards, Baron Davis was among the most exciting to watch play. With the NBA season approaching fast, there are a few players who haven't gotten the credit they deserve. 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. 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. 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. Jackson is mainly known for his stints with the Indiana Pacers and the Golden State Warriors. He was never the same. Peja Stojakovi. From 2001-2007 ONeal made six straight All-Star games while averaging a stellar 20-10 with 2 blocks per game. This is the plight of DeMar DeRozanhes criminally underrated, and probably will be for his entire career. Milwaukee took Redd with the 43rd overall pick and the former Buckeye would go on to play 11 years with the franchise. In a season sandwiched between two non-playoff years, Elton Brand and the Clippers lost in seven games to the Phoenix Suns. 2008-09 Upper Deck MVP #206 Danilo Gallinari RC ($2.50) Gallinari has had multiple seasons with All-Star caliber production, with his best numbers coming during the 2018-19 season when he averaged . 17.9 points, 2.9 RPG, and 1.9 APG. Richmond scored the 4th-most total points for the entire decade of the 90s , mainly with the Warriors and Kings. 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. 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. Lewis was one of the NBAs top shooters for years with 8 seasons ranked in the Top 20 for 3-pointers made. Not a chance. We present our all-time underrated teams, those great teams which don't receive their proper respect in the historical archive. Top 5 most underrated NBA players so far this season: PG - Malcolm Brogdon, Indiana Pacers. The following season in 2002-03, he was one of the best seasons of the decade for ANY player. His presence on the early 2000s Kings teams was a perfect fit that put them over the top as a contender at the time. He averaged 16.8 PPG, 4.4 RPG, and 4.0 APG on 45.6% shooting in just 57 games. Forgive and forget and put Jermaine ONeal in the Naismith Basketball Hall Of Fame. During his time in the NBA, Rasheed Wallace received a bad reputation as its resident bad boy. He averaged 22.8 PPG and led the league with 17.5 RPG, and 3.0 BPG. Dave McNally went 20-7, 24-9 and 21-5 from '60 to '71. With his ability to both score and pass the ball, Miller was must-watch television whenever he was in town. 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. Roy would begin to experience his downfall by 2011, just his 5th season in the league. By the time his 4th season in 2004 came around, Redd was an All-Star and a consistent and efficient 20.0 PPG scorer. Peja Stojakovic is one of the better perimeter scorers of the 2000s decade. Malcolm Brogdon might have the quietest 20/6/6 stat line in the NBA. In his first season in Los Angeles, he made his first All-Star Team. 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. Forget the role in the fight. O'Neal would average a double-double over the next 2 seasons in Indiana, and make 5 straight All-Star Teams. Corey Maggette was one of the most consistent scorers during the 2000s. Despite having the aura of a rugged workhorse, Kirilenko struggled with durability, usually finishing NBA seasons between 60-70 games played. 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. Richardson's ability to help teams defend the perimeter and also score when needed makes him an underrated player during the 2000s. I say yes. 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. Basketball Time Machine 1 / 32 OrlandoMagic.com ranks the best NBA point guards from 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. 11. That should be considered common sense considering NBA players peak from 25-30 years old. And . Bibby's best season came in 2006 where he averaged 21.1 PPG and 5.4 APG for the Kings squad that finished with a 44-38 record. 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. All details in the privacy policy. Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports. View Profile View Forum Posts Right off the bat, you can tell Rashard Lewis is highly underrated simply by his lack of accolades to his name. Read that sentence again. 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. 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. Here are the 10 most underrated NBA players of the entire 2000s. 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: 13.0 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.1 APG, 0.5 SPG, 1.6 BPG. 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. His best statistical season came in 2006-07, with a career-high 26.7 points per game. Career Stats: 19.0 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 2.1 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.1 BPG. 10. Again, ONeal might be remembered more for his last season with Golden State, just before the team ascended into the perennial dynasty. In an era littered with talented point guards, Baron Davis was among the most exciting to watch play. 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. We need to focus on exactly one year of Eltons career that solidifies his place on this list without a thought. 18 pick in the 2020 draft, there were high hopes for Richardson's career. By 2003, Ilgauskas was an All-Star and averaged 17.2 PPG and 7.5 RPG while adding 1.9 BPG. I have never seen a Finals MVP and a more impactful point guard be overlooked in NBA history more than Chauncey Billups. In the 2000 NBA draft, the Milwaukee Bucks got lucky when Ohio States Michael Redd fell all the way into the second round. 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. Anyways. 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. Most Overrated NBA Players of All Time. He had a smooth lefty jumper that was as good as anyones in the game when he was on point. 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. 50 Most Underrated NBA Players of All Time. The little brother. Sacramento picked Pedrag Stojakovi at the 1996 NBA rookie draft while still playing in Greece. Ilgauskas struggled with injury the first few seasons of his career, missing his rookie season and 4th season with foot issues. Billups name never comes up in Top 20 conversations as far as point guards go, let alone Top 10 lists. Billups name never comes up in Top 20 conversations as far as point guards go, let alone Top 10 lists. 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 . Get the latest sports news from SportsSite about soccer, football and tennis. Type above and press Enter to search. He was the spiritual successor to Dennis Rodman, released music featured in NBA 2K, and is infamous for his antics on-and-off court. 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. Redd fell behind Ray Allen on the depth chart and barely appeared during his rookie season but came on strong in his sophomore campaign. For the first few seasons of his career, Jermaine ONeal struggled to find a role with the Portland Trail Blazers. He was a menace on the defensive side of the ball as well, never shying away from a tough matchup or assignments. He was also a big reason the Cavaliers were able to make the 2007 NBA Finals, being LeBron James favorite option on offense. 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. His presence on the early 2000s Kings teams was a perfect fit that put them over the top as a contender at the time. Glen Rice was a three-time All-Star and won an NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2000. . He was a 6'6" shooting guard who could also play the small forward position and had solid defensive skills. 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. . The players listed here may be relatively unknown, underappreciated, or underrated in terms of not making the elite lists of other football raters. 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. Bottom Line: Otis Thorpe. 10. Brand lasted two more seasons at an elite level with the Clippers before age and attrition took a toll on his body. But today, we arent talking about Tim, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille ONeal, or Dwyane Wade. 3. 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. 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. And when you peak to the point, you can be compared to the greatest power forward of all time. His best season came in 2002 after being traded to Atlanta. 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 won the Rookie of the Year award with the least games played in history to win the award. When coming into the league, there were no expectations for Michael Redd having been the 43rd pick of the 2000 NBA Draft. The 5 most overrated players in Madden NFL 23, including the Eagles' Darius Slay Jr. View 5 items Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Not related to Shaquille O'Neal, Jermaine O'Neal was one of the best big men in the NBA during his time. He played in just 18 games and then 10 more in 2010-11. Shaq and Chuck don't have the defense, although O'Neal did finish 3rd in the 2000 DPOY. For his career, Redd shot 38.0% from three and 44.7% overall. 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. 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. They say the best ability is availability, and Finley did just that. How many other players in NBA history have an argument for being both the best paint scorer and overall defender at the same time? 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. Arguably the coolest aspect of Kirinlenkoss career is his nickname, AK-47, referencing his Russian heritage and jersey number. Unfortunately, his fantastic rookie campaign was lost in history behind a similar scoring guard in Allen Iverson, but it was easy to see the skill and talent Shareef possessed. re: Most Underrated NBA Players (Historically) Posted on 1/14/23 at 11:11 am to Gaggle. He averaged 20.1 PPG and 10.0 RPG in his rookie season with the Chicago Bulls, making the All-Rookie Team. The problem with most underrated NBA lists is too many of the players are, well, overrated. He was a two-way mastermind who had a knack for coming through in a games biggest moments that earned him the nickname Mr. Fat Lever (#14) was Russell Westbrook before Westbrook. 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. 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. Teams: Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics. As we entered the 2000s, NBA fans were left with the question of who was going to. He finished 3rd in MVP voting and was arguably the best two-way player in basketball. NFL NBA Megan Anderson Atlanta Hawks Los Angeles Lakers Boston Celtics Arsenal F.C. He was so fast with his first step off of the dribble and even faster once he got headed toward the basket. The following season in 2002-03, he was one of the best seasons of the decade for ANY player. Elton Brand was a special big man on offense and on the boards, and he was one of the most underappreciated players during his time. Despite sharing the court with Ray Allen early on, Redd carved his own path and should be revered for his unbelievable scoring at his peak. He drove, he shot, and he played a little selfishly. Required fields are marked *. That season he averaged 16.2 PPG and it was clear that the Pistons had their championship point guard. He epitomized, you dont know what youve got till its gone.. 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. Underrated? After taking 2 years to play overseas in Greece, Peja made his NBA debut in the 1998-99 season. Neither made an impact, with Lionel Chalmers never playing another NBA game. Elton Brand led the way with 24-10 as the best player on a championship contender, the 2005-06 Clippers. 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. Struggling with bone spurs, and ankle surgery, he left the NBA after the 2006-07 season. 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. Ron Artest, Metta World Peace, or his now legal name Metta Sandiford-Artest may surprise some on this list. Even Basketball-Reference.com doesnt give the man a prayer. Scotty Bags. Can you name any other player who only made the all-star game once in his career? Theres not much else to say about Maggatte. 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. 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. As a member of the Indiana Pacers, O'Neal was a very gifted two-way big man. Redd was also awarded a 3rd-Team All-NBA spot, giving Milwaukee hope that the young guard could take on the role open with Ray Allens departure. Career Stats: 12.5 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 6.5 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.2 BPG. The most underrated scene in 'The Last Dance' was ___. Career Stats: 13.0 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.1 APG, 0.5 SPG, 1.6 BPG. Six seasons into his career in 2005, Lewis earned his first All-Star selection and first 20.0 PPG season. As the No. To narrow down the list to 10 underrated players in the whole decade is about as tough as it gets. Expectations are high for every player in the league, and the overrated label . From2004 through 2009, Redd battled injuries and bumps but still averaged at least 21.0 PPG every season. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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 peaked in 2007 when he averaged 26.7 PPG on 46.5% shooting. LeBron James and Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers. Career Achievements: 1x All-Star, 1x All-NBA Team Selection. Lewis retired with the Miami Heat in 2014, one year after adding an NBA championship to his already impressive resume. He was one of many roleplayers that was able to fit seamlessly into talented teams throughout his career. 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. During his early days in Seattle, Lewis took a bit to develop into the shooter and scorer he went down as. Here is a look at the most underrated soccer players of all time. Zum ndern Ihrer Datenschutzeinstellung, z.B. A 2000 trade to the Pacers changed everything and almost immediately transformed ONeal into an MVP candidate. Trevor Ariza. During the 2000s, at various times, he was up against the likes of 15 time all-star Tim Duncan, 15 time all-star Kevin Garnett, 14 time all-star Dirk Nowitzki, 10 time all-star Carmelo Anthony, 6 time all-star Pau Gasol, 6 time all-star Amar'e Stoudemire (yes, he got the nod as a forward), 5 time all-star Chris Webber. 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. For his career, Redd shot 38.0% from three and 44.7% overall. You would have expected Peja to become a lethal off-the-bench shooter, but from 2008 until he retired, he never seemed to get more than 60 games played. There are dozens of underrated players most folks forget. I have never seen a Finals MVP and a more impactful point guard be overlooked in NBA history more than Chauncey Billups. McCollum voted most underrated player since 2000. A look at those who were ranked too high and too low in the preseason Coaches Poll released Tuesday 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. Career Stats: 14.9 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.5 BPG. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. CJ McCollum voted most underrated player since 2000. 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. Looking at the 2000s specifically, many All-Star caliber players did not get the recognition they deserved. For years now, Jrue Holiday has been widely regarded as the most underrated player in NBA. Injury replacements, lifetime achievement awards, and many players that might not entirely deserve it. Here's a ranking of the NBA's top teammate duos throughout league history. Thats right; were talking top player in the league status. George Hill . One of the best dunkers in NBA history, Richardson's athleticism often took eyes away from his all-around game. 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 . You have Kevin Garnetts MVP and Western Conference Finals season with the Wolves. The Most UNDERRATED NBA Players Of The 2000s..Welcome back to Sports Savvy. Even some players who did make it onto that stage, like Rashard Lewis and Richard Hamilton, arent remembered as reverently as they should be. He helped lead the Magic to a Finals berth in 2009 by being a versatile scorer next to the dominant Howard. 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. 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. Throughout the NBA 's history, there have been many overlooked and underrated players. In his next season, he averaged 22 points per game to go with 7 rebounds. He scored 57 that same season, breaking the Bucks single-game scoring record held by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.