The National Basketball Association (NBA) has seen some of the greatest players in the history of the sport, but there are also those who have been overlooked and underrated. As the NBA approaches its 75th anniversary, it is time to take a look back at some of the most underrated players in the history of the league. From big men to shooters, these are ten of the most underrated NBA players of all time.
1. Kevin Johnson – A three-time All-Star and five-time All-NBA selection, Johnson was one of the most consistent point guards of his era. He was also a great leader and one of the best clutch players of his time. Johnson averaged 17.9 points, 9.1 assists and 1.5 steals in 12 seasons with the Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers and the Sacramento Kings. Despite his impressive stats, Johnson is often overlooked when discussing the best point guards of all time.
2. Brad Daugherty – Drafted first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1986, Daugherty put up impressive numbers during his eight-year career. He averaged 19.0 points, 9.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.1 blocks per game. He was an All-Star in five of his eight seasons and was selected to the All-NBA Third Team twice. Daugherty was also an important part of the Cavaliers’ playoff runs in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Despite his impressive career, Daugherty is often forgotten when discussing the greatest big men in NBA history.
3. Mark Price – Price is often remembered as one of the best shooters of his era, but he was much more than that. He was a four-time All-Star and four-time All-NBA selection. He was also an excellent playmaker, averaging 8.0 assists per game in his career. He was the leader of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 1980s and 1990s and was instrumental in the team’s success. Despite his impressive career, Price is often overlooked when discussing the best point guards in NBA history.
4. Clifford Robinson – Robinson was an underrated player for most of his career. He was an All-Star in 1994 and was selected to the All-NBA Third Team twice. He was also a great defender, averaging 1.4 blocks per game in his career. He was an important part of the Portland Trail Blazers’ success in the late 1990s. Despite his impressive career, Robinson is often forgotten when discussing the best power forwards in NBA history.
5. John Stockton – Stockton is one of the greatest point guards of all time, but he is often overlooked when discussing the best players in NBA history. He was an All-Star in 10 of his 19 seasons and was selected to the All-NBA First Team nine times. He was also an excellent playmaker, averaging 11.2 assists per game in his career. He was the leader of the Utah Jazz in the 1980s and 1990s and was instrumental in the team’s success. Despite his impressive career, Stockton is often forgotten when discussing the greatest players in NBA history.
6. Dennis Johnson – Johnson was an underrated player for most of his career. He was an All-Star in five of his 14 seasons and was selected to the All-NBA Second Team three times. He was also a great defender, averaging 1.2 steals per game in his career. He was an important part of the Seattle SuperSonics’ success in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Despite his impressive career, Johnson is often forgotten when discussing the greatest guards in NBA history.
7. Gus Williams – Williams was an underrated player for most of his career. He was an All-Star in three of his 11 seasons and was selected to the All-NBA Second Team twice. He was also a great scorer, averaging 17.1 points per game in his career. He was an important part of the Seattle SuperSonics’ success in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Despite his impressive career, Williams is often forgotten when discussing the best guards in NBA history.
8. Bobby Jones – Jones was one of the most underrated players of his era. He was an All-Star in four of his 11 seasons and was selected to the All-NBA Second Team twice. He was also an excellent defender, averaging 1.6 steals per game in his career. He was an important part of the Philadelphia 76ers’ success in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Despite his impressive career, Jones is often forgotten when discussing the best forwards in NBA history.
9. World B. Free – Free was an underrated player for most of his career. He was an All-Star in two of his 14 seasons and was selected to the All-NBA Second Team once. He was also a great scorer, averaging 20.3 points per game in his career. He was an important part of the Philadelphia 76ers’ success in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Despite his impressive career, Free is often forgotten when discussing the best guards in NBA history.
10. Sam Perkins – Perkins was an underrated player for most of his career. He was an All-Star in four of his 16 seasons and was selected to the All-NBA Third Team twice. He was also an excellent shooter, averaging 37.9% from three-point range in his career. He was an important part of the Dallas Mavericks’ success in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Despite his impressive career, Perkins is often forgotten when discussing the best power forwards in NBA history.
These are just a few of the many underrated players in the history of the NBA. While they may not be remembered as some of the greatest players of all time, they should be remembered for their contributions to the game. These players are proof that great players don’t always get the recognition they deserve.
