10 Most Underrated NBA Players of All-Time (Ranked)

The NBA world has long been dominated by some of the game’s greatest, with titles and MVPs being won by players who could absolutely consider themselves in the conversation to be named the best of all-time. From Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain’s historic battles to legendary epics between Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, to Michael Jordan and LeBron James showcasing why they are the GOAT, the NBA landscape has shifted considerably.

But amid all the fanfare and showering of love that comes their way, there are a select group of players throughout history who perhaps don’t get the appreciation they deserve. Whether it was simply being out of the national limelight, or being outshadowed by more famous teammates, some stars could do with more recognition.

So with that in mind, below is a ranking of the 10 most underrated players in NBA history.

Ranking Factors

• Can only have played three All-Star games or less to qualify (players who are commonly associated with being underrated like Chris Webber and Sidney Moncrief therefore don’t make the cut)
• Must not have won the MVP award
• How teammates, opposition players and fans viewed them
• Stats like points, rebounds, assists, blocks and steals

10

Tyson Chandler

The starting center for the Dallas Mavericks when they won their championship back in 2011, Tyson Chandler’s efforts during the playoffs were largely overshadowed by the sheer brilliance of Dirk Nowitzki. A monster rebounder and fearsome defensive presence who could control the paint, Chandler would receive his one and only All-Star nod in 2013 when he was a part of the New York Knicks.

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Indeed, it was with the Knicks that he would also be awarded the Defensive Player of the Year in 2012, and he would finish his playing career averaging almost a double-double with over eight points and nine rebounds per game to his name.

9

Shareef Abdur-Rahim

Capable of playing at the four or five, Shareef Abdur-Rahim was drafted third overall in 1996 by the Vancouver Grizzlies. He would make the All-Rookie first team in his debut season with the Grizzlies, having been the team’s leading scorer and setting a franchise record with his 18.7 points per game. The next four seasons would see him average over 20 PPG, and was ranked in the top 20 in 13 statistical categories – despite this, the Grizzlies would remain well outside of playoff contention.

A trade to the Atlanta Hawks would follow, and while the Hawks would finish the 2001/2002 season with a 33-49 record, Abdur-Rahim would get his one and only All-Star selection. Then in December 2002, he would become the sixth-youngest player in NBA history to reach 10,000 points. A consistent scorer over many years, Abdur-Rahim not playing for teams contending for titles or playoffs was a major reason as to why he doesn’t seem to get the recognition.

8

Steve Francis

The second overall pick of the 1999 NBA Draft, and the joint-winner of the Rookie of the Year award along with Elton Brand in his first season in the league, Steve Francis was as an athletic a point guard as you could find. Standing at 6 foot 3, Francis had an incredible vertical leap, and he was an absolute menace in transition with his speed, explosiveness and handles.

A three-time All-Star all with the Houston Rockets, Francis’ crossover was as good as anyone’s in the league at the time, and he would finish his career with over 10,000 points at an average of over 18 points per game. While his time with Yao Ming with the Rockets was short and sweet, he did enjoy some of his best moments there, including scoring a career-high 44 points against the Los Angeles Lakers in a televised game at home.

7

Brandon Roy

Given that he only had about six real seasons in the NBA, it is easy to forget that Brandon Roy was a real problem. Selected with the sixth pick by the Portland Trail Blazers in 2006, Roy would make an immediate impact, averaging almost 17 points per game in his debut season and winning the Rookie of the Year award in a near-unanimous vote.

Named to two All-NBA teams, Roy was an elite slasher, and his good shooting made him a real nightmare for opposition defenders. In fact, even Kobe Bryant didn’t hesitate when asked to name the toughest player he ever had to go up against.

Unfortunately for Roy and the NBA as a whole, a degenerative knee condition meant that he was forced to retire in 2011. A brief return with the Minnesota Timberwolves was short-lived a year later, but there can be no questioning that had Roy been in the league for a few more years and steered clear of injuries, he would be talked about as being one of the best shooting guards of his era.

6

Rod Strickland

With almost 15,000 points to his name, Rod Strickland is certainly a familiar name to most NBA fans during the 1990s and 2000s, but because of the sheer number of quality point guards on show during that era, he doesn’t quite seem to stand out. A highly-skilled ball-handler with exceptional passing vision and IQ, Strickland would lead the league in assists, and even named to the All-NBA Second Team – this despite him never making an All-Star game.

Former NBA point guard Maurice Cheeks admitted that Strickland’s talents made him the kind of player who opposition stars didn’t relish taking on.

5

Dennis Rodman

Playing in a team that included Michael Jordan and Scortie Pippen, it was always going to be a tall order for Dennis Rodman to get his flowers. Then, when you factor in his eccentricities and lavish and exuberant lifestyle away from the court, it somewhat detracted from the kind of monstrous player when he was on it. But that doesn’t mean his teammate didn’t recognise what he contributed to the team.

Speaking on The Last Dance documentary, Jordan said:

Despite being a five-time NBA champion, Rodman was only named to the All-Star team twice. He did, however, get named to the All-NBA Third Team on two occasions, was named the Defensive Player of the Year a couple of times, and was the leading rebounder in the league across seven consecutive seasons. He is no doubt one of the all-time great defenders in NBA history.

4

Manu Ginobili

A four-time NBA champion and with his no.20 jersey retired by the San Antonio Spurs, it might be strange to say that Manu Ginobili can be considered one of the most underrated players of his era. But his talents and IQ were off-the-charts, and his ability to slot in seamlessly alongside the likes of Tony Parker, Tim Duncan and Kawhi Leonard made him the perfect teammate – even if it were to his detriment of filling up the stats sheet himself.

A two-time All-Star and twice voted into the All-NBA Third Team, Ginobili could hit the big shot when needed, and he did exactly that during Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Miami Heat back in 2013. After watching him step up and deliver one of his best games in years, Parker declared:

3

Vlade Divac

A true pioneer for European players, Vlade Divac was a big man who was primarily known for his passing skills, and is one of just seven NBA stars to register a total of 13,000 points, 9,000 rebounds, 3,000 assists and 1,500 blocks – the others being Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal, Hakeem Olajuwon, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett and Pau Gasol.

A key part of the Sacramento Kings franchise that starred fan favourites like Chris Webber and Mike Bibby among others, Divac’s enormous talents were recognised by his teammates, not least Doug Christie who said:

2

Marc Gasol

A huge part of the grit and grind era of the Memphis Grizzlies, Marc Gasol – along with point guard Mike Conley – epitomised the franchise with their hard work and skill. The younger brother of Pau, Marc would win the Defensive Player of the Year award with the team in 2013, and would remain in Memphis until being traded to the Toronto Raptors six years later.

Gasol would emerge as a vital part of the Raptors’ championship-winning run, offering elite passing skills and a three-point shot that expanded the team’s game from the center spot. In his first ever NBA Finals game, the Spaniard would rack up 20 points and seven rebounds. Over the course of his career, Gasol would earn three All-Star appearances and two All-NBA selections, including one to the First Team back in 2015.

1

Andre Iguodala

When you’re in a team filled with talent like Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Kevin Durant, it’s easy to feel somewhat overshadowed. But while Andre Iguodala may not have been the first, second or even the third-choice option for the Golden State Warriors to get a bucket during their dynasty period, he was certainly a massive part of their success.

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A versatile forward who could guard multiple positions and come up with clutch plays, Iguodala’s evolution from one of the most athletic and explosive players in the league to someone who could rely on his IQ and basketball smarts to keep himself relevant and important was impressive to say the least. His NBA Finals MVP in 2015 was just reward for some stellar performances against the Cleveland Cavaliers, and his involvement in the ‘Death Lineup’ in which the Warriors played small-ball was integral to that.