The most underrated Player for each NBA team all time (Mostly Historic) with Jayden S.
Side note: The ones were I couldn’t think of a historic player for that team I put underrated current players.
Atlanta Hawks: Dennis Schroder a 6'1 German PG for the Atlanta Hawks. He was drafted in 2013. He came into the league as a backup for Jeff Teague. The minute Jeff Teague left for the Pacers, Dennis Schroder hopped into the starting lineup and actually averaged 18 points per game and 6 assists.
Boston Celtics: Dennis Johnson PG for the Boston Celtics back in the Larry Bird, Kevin Mchale and Robert Parish era. He was often overlooked by those 3 all time greats. The 2 rings Boston got with him at the helm was pure evidence of his importance. He was a great defensive player and his years in Boston he couldn’t always have the ball in his hands and so he always had a great number of assists.
Brooklyn Nets: Charles Williams aka Buck Williams. Was arguably the greatest Nets player of all time. Leading them in 2 pt. field goals made, defensive rebounds, defensive win shares, free throws made, total rebounds, win shares, rebounds per game and offensive rebounds. Enough said.
Charlotte Hornets: Muggsy Bogues the shortest player of all time is what he is mainly known for. He was drafted in 1987 with the 12th pick in the draft. The Bullets were super risky for drafting the 5'3 PG when they could’ve went with a less risky pick in Mark Jackson. Muggsy only played his rookie season with the Bullets. Then played 9 seasons with the Charlotte Hornets. Muggsy only averaged 10 points or more 3 times. But when your most likely the only player under 6'0 on the court all the time, it’s gotta be hard to score. Muggsy is one of the best passers in NBA history and was also a defensive presence.
Chicago Bulls: Horace Grant was apart the Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen Bulls team. He made the All-NBA Defensive team 4 times. Often when you think of the Bulls rings in the 90’s you think of Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman. But 3 of those 6 rings were with Horace Grant and not Dennis Rodman. During his prime he never averaged under 8 rebounds per game.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Brad Daugherty was the #1 pick so every one had high expectations for him and that is why I think he is underrated. He was the #1 pick so everyone expected him to be a great all time great. But he wasn’t an amazing player and he wasn’t a bust. Even though he retired at the age of 28 he made 5 all star games and averaged 20 points or more 3 times and never averaged less than 8 rebounds.
Dallas Mavericks: Mark Aguirre when he was drafted #1 overall he was on top of the world. He didn’t win ROTY but by his 3rd NBA season he was averaging 30 points per game. But the thing that makes him underrated is that he has 2 rings that no one talks about. Although he never averaged more than 4 assists. I still believe his underrated.
Denver Nuggets: Alex English honestly is the best 2nd round pick of all time. Alex English is leading the Nuggets in 2 pt. Field Goals, Points Per Game, Field Goals Made, Assists, Value Over Replacement Player, Offensive Rebounds, Points, Win Shares. He played 11 seasons in Denver and in 8 seasons he averaged 25 points or more. But most people say he is underrated.
Detroit Pistons: Ben Wallace some would say is one of the meanest players of all time. Ben Wallace is easily the greatest Defensive Player of all time. He won 4x All Star, 2004 NBA Champ, 5x All-NBA, 6x All-Defensive, 4x Def. POY. If Ben Wallace worked on scoring earlier in his career he would’ve won MVP in 2002–2003. I think people under appreciate Ben Wallace’s greatness because had no offensive skills but rebounding. Unfortunately he never averaged more than 10 points.
Golden State Warriors: Klay Thompson has always been a great player but he is often overlooked by the other stars on his team. He is easily a top 10 3 point shooter of all time. The thing about Klay is that he will always be overlooked. His team has always had someone better than him on it. His draft class is arguably the greatest of all time and there is a few players in that draft class better than him. Klay is just another underrated and unfortunate star.
Houston Rockets: Steve Francis more known as Stevie Franchise. Battling his career with a lot injuries. In his last 3 seasons he only played 78 games and retired early at the age 30. He made the 3x All Star, 1999–00 All-Rookie and won 1999–00 ROY with Elton Brand. If it wasn’t for injuries he could’ve lasted like 7 more years. As a rookie he averaged 18 points and 7 assists. That is amazing and he kept getting better each year.
Indiana Pacers: Jermaine O’neal was drafted into the NBA by the Portland Trail Blazers. In his first 4 seasons he never stood out. When he came to Indiana though you could tell that is where he belonged. In 2003–2004 he finished 3rd place in MVP voting but had more 1st place votes then Tim Duncan who was in 2nd place. Another player that was apart of the Malice at the Palace. He has a few accolades including 6x All Star, 3x All-NBA and 2001–02 Most Improved.
Los Angeles Clippers: Danny Manning wasn’t known for his late career success. But he was known for playing for many NBA teams such as Clippers, Suns, Jazz, Bucks, Mavericks, Hawks and Pistons. Most successfully with the Clippers. Averaging high teens and low 20’s in points for all of his Clippers career. Only made 2 all star games but won Sixth man of the Year in 1997–1998 averaging 14 points and 6 rebounds.
Los Angeles Lakers: Andrew Bynum the 18 year older drafted with the 10th pick in 2005. He was looking like a bust only averaging 1.6 points in 46 games. As most of the people on this list he retired early at the age of 26. When you think of the Lakers in the 2000’s you think of Kobe but most of that team’s success is from the pieces around him such as Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol, Ron Artest, Derek Fisher and Lamar Odom. No shade thrown to Kobe but he always had help. In 2012–2013 Andrew Bynum broke his knee and missed the whole season from bowling.
Memphis Grizzlies: Shareef Abdur-Rahim was the 3rd player drafted in Vancouver Grizzlies history. The best player drafted by them of all time but for some reason was never recognized as an amazing player. He was drafted in 1996 which was one of the best draft classes of all time and suprisingly he made the 1996–97 All-Rookie. Another player who’s career was ended early at the age of 31. In his last season he only played 6 games. In 7 of his 13 seasons he averaged 20 points or more.
Miami Heat: Udonis Haslem one of the most loyal NBA players of all time. Udonis Haslem the 3x NBA Champ and 2003-04 All-Rookie. In his first 8 seasons he basically averaged a double double. I hate when people call him just another ring chaser. He was just a super loyal player who actually was a big help to his championship teams. The Miami Heat won rings in 2006, 2012 and 2013. In 2006 Udonis Haslem averaged 10.7 points and 8.3 rebounds. Unfortunately his career was ruined by Chris Bosh. Once the super team formed in Miami, Udonis Haslem was mostly a bench player and after 2011–2012 never averaged more than 4.3 points per game.
Milwaukee Bucks: Sidney Moncrief one of the best defensive guards today’s game has seen ever. He was never a good 3 point shooter but still had a very successful underrated career with accolades such as 5x All Star, 5x All-NBA, 5x All-Defensive, 2x Def. POY. When we bring great defenders his name has to be in the conversation. He played for the Bucks 10 of his 11 seasons in the NBA. In the seasons 1981–1982, 1982–1983, 1983–1984, 1984–1985 and 1985–1986 he averaged over 20 points per game without even averaging more than 1 3 pointer each season.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Al Jefferson at the age of 32 he found a new home in Indiana but is having his worst season since his rookie year. Nobody thinks about Al Jefferson’s Timberwolves years. He once averaged 23.1 points and 11 rebounds. He doesn’t have a lot of accolades but the few that he has are 2014 All-NBA, 2004–05 All-Rookie. Al Jefferson was apart of the last Charlotte Bobcats team with other star Kemba Walker. That year Al Jefferson averaged 21.8 points and 10.8 rebounds.
New Orleans Pelicans: David West the 2017 NBA champion was brought into New Orleans to help out Chris Paul. In his first 2 seasons with the Hornets he didn’t start and never averaged more than 7 points. But the next season averaged 17.1 points and 7.4 rebounds. Since that 3rd year he had a great career with the Hornets keeping it consistent. But then with the Pacers he had a little downfall but still great years. Now he has just been championship riding, playing one season with the Spurs and didn’t win a ring, then went to the Warriors and won his first ring.
New York Knicks: David Lee mainly known as a ring chaser in his later years. Basically averaged a double double for 8 straight years. Mainly known as a starter for the Knicks and Warriors. David Lee has a few accolades himself including 2x All Star and 2015 NBA Champ. Didn’t earn a starting spot until his 4th year in the league.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Detlef Schrempf was amazing off the bench for the Pacers. Winning 2x Sixth Man and also 3x All Star and 1995 All-NBA. When we talk about the best bench players of all time Detlef Schrempf’s name has to be included with Jamal Crawford and Manu Ginobili. Off the bench in 1992–1993 he averaged 17.3 points and 9.6 rebounds.
Orlando Magic: Tracy Mcgrady at the age of 23 he almost won the MVP award averaging 32.1 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists. On my article top 10 players at each postion (https://medium.com/the-foul-shot/top-10-players-of-all-time-at-each-position-23f4606723b4) I have him ranked as the #10 Shooting Guard of all time. If Tracy Mcgrady could’ve stayed healthy he could make a case for top 7 shooting guard of all time. For having to retire at the age 32 his accolades are freaking amazing such as Hall of Fame, 7x All Star, 7x All-NBA, 2000–01 Most Improved. After just averaging 15.4 points and 6.3 rebounds the next year scored 26.8 points and 7.5 rebounds.
Philadelphia 76ers: Charles Barkley is an all-time great with these accolades Hall of Fame, 11x All Star, 11x All-NBA, 1984–85 All-Rookie, 1990–91 AS MVP, 1992–93 MVP and also as a 6'6 undersized Power Forward who led the league in rebounding. Although he is in the Hall of Fame. Charles doesn’t get as much attention as needed. I know exactly why people don’t bring up his name in there all time top 10. He never won a ring. This is definitely the boldest statement I’ve ever made but if Barkley won one ring he would be a top 10 player of all time.
Pheonix Suns: Amar’e Stoudemire the 9th pick in 2002 is mainly known as a Pheonix Suns legend. But the reason I think he is underrated is from New York Knick years. In 2010–2011 he averaged 25.3 points and 8.2 rebounds. Also like most people on this list he never won a championship but does have many accolades such as 6x All Star, 5x All-NBA, 2002–03 All-Rookie and 2002–03 ROY. In his 3rd season in the NBA he scored 2080 points total. His last season in the NBA was with the Miami Heat. He retired on a one-day with the New York Knicks. He plays in Israel now.
Portland Trail Blazers: Brandon Roy a player known for being injured a whole lot. He was injured for most of the 2010–2011 season and then he retired because of injuries in 2011–2012. He made a comeback in 2012–2013 but was injured in the first 4 games and never played basketball again. But his first few years in the NBA he was an amazing player getting accolades such as 3x All Star, 2x All-NBA, 2006–07 All-Rookie and 2006–07 ROY. What if he stayed healthy. The Trail Blazers wouldn’t have Damian Lillard or C.J. McCollum.
Sacremento Kings: Chris Webber the #1 pick from Michigan who everyone expected to be great right next to Shaquill O’neal down low. But then the Orlando Magic traded him for Penny Hardaway. He played his rookie year in a Golden State Warriors uniform winning 5x All Star, 5x All-NBA, 1993–94 All-Rookie and 1993–94 ROY. Chris Webber was unfortunately one of the Sacramento Kings player who was robbed of a championship because the NBA is rigged.
San Antonio Spurs: Manu Ginobili was a great player but all these great stats and awards 2x All Star, 4x NBA Champ, 2x All-NBA, 2002–03 All-Rookie, 2007–08 Sixth Man. Being one of the best 2nd round picks of all time. But everyone says Manu couldn’t of done any of it without Tim Duncan and Tony Parker. That bench was ran by Manu and without Manu the Spurs wouldn’t be nearly as good. Oh and not to mention https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iloN1RPs4n0.
Toronto Raptors: Jose Calderon isn’t the most consistent NBA player. He actually never averaged more then 12.8 points in his entire career. So the reason he is on this list is because of his passing. In his years with the Raptors combined he averaged 10 points per game and 7.2 assists. I know what your saying right now but 7.2 assists isn’t even that good. Well he was undrafted. He wasn’t the best undrafted player of all time. But to almost average a double double 4 seasons in your career and 30 teams passed on you. That is pretty good.
Utah Jazz: Adrian Dantley one of the few Hall of Famers on this list. Here are his accolades Hall of Fame, 6x All Star, 2x All-NBA, 1976–77 All-Rookie, 1976–77 ROY. In his rookie year he averaged 20.6 points and 7.6 rebounds. But wait here is something I doubt you knew he averaged 30 or more points for 4 straight years. Michael Jordan averaged 30 or more points for 7 straight years. I’m not saying compare him to the greats but he is easily a top 5 Jazz player and you know it.
Washington Wizards: Gilbert Arenas had a 10 year career that was ended because he was banned from the NBA. Long story short Gilbert Arenas brought a gun into the locker room. That is only why people know him. Unless you were an NBA fan from 2004–2007. He averaged 29.3 points and 6.1 assists in 2005–2006. In all have Wizards seasons packed together he averaged 25 points, 5.7 assists and 1.8 steals. His accolades include 3x All Star, 3x All-NBA, 2002–03 Most Improved. In his rookie year he averaged 10.9 points and 3.7 assists. The next season when he won most improved player he averaged 18.3 points and 6.3 assists.
