Most Underrated NBA Players
Carmelo Anthony isn't overrated, but these NBA players are.
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Sorry Melo, But These Guys Are Really Underrated - Carmelo Anthony told ESPN on Wednesday that he thinks he’s “the most underrated superstar” in the NBA. C’mon, ’Melo. The facts that you have seven All-Star appearances to your name and won the scoring title in the 2012-13 season doesn't make you an underrated superstar. However, if Anthony wants underrated, we’ll will give him a list of unsung players in the league.(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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Kyle Lowry - We begin with Kyle Lowry, a bulldog of a point guard for the Toronto Raptors. Don’t believe us? At just six feet, Lowry gave his competition that work last year, posting averages of 17.9 points, 7.4 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game. The kid’s thorough. He then upped his scoring average to just over 21 points per game during the playoffs. (Photo: Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
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Goran Dragic - Phoenix Suns guard Goran Dragic was a Top 20 scorer last season, putting up 20.3 points per game. What’s best about Dragic is the flair that he plays the game with; a perfect component in the Suns’ high-powered offense. Let’s see if he can help lead the Suns to a playoff spot this year. Underrated, but undeterred. (Photo: Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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Arron Affalo - Don’t’ sleep on Arron Afflalo. All the 6-foot-5, 215-pound shooting guard has done is improve his scoring in each and every season. Think about this…Afflalo went from averaging 3.7 points per game in limited action during his rookie year to posting a career-high 18.2 points per game last season with the Orlando Magic. Now back with the Denver Nuggets, just imagine what he has in store for 2014-15. (Photo: Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
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Paul Millsap - The stat line of 17.9 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game represent big-time numbers, so it’s amazing that Paul Millsap’s name doesn’t resonate amongst the best big men in the league. It should, though. (Photo: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
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Taj Gibson - The Chicago Bulls are so confident in Taj Gibson at the four-spot that they amnestied former power forward Carlos Boozer this past summer. Perhaps more than Boozer, Gibson is a bruiser. The Brooklynite is never afraid to mix it up in the paint and has a nice touch as evidenced by his 13 points per game last season. (Photo: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
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Zach Randolph - Be clear — Zach Randolph is an All-Star caliber player, having made the team twice in his 13-year NBA career. Yet, it’s a shame that he isn’t mentioned as flat out one of the best big men that the league has. Beside being a walking-breathing double-double — averages of 17.4 points and 10.1 rebounds per game last season are proof — Z-Bo has great hands and the shooter’s touch of a guard. Finesse, power and don’t forget about his toughness. Sleep on him if you want…but he’s going to put numbers on the board night in and night out. (Photo: Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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Al Jefferson - Al Jefferson isn’t going to be held out of the All-Star Game for much longer. The Charlotte Hornets center’s 21.8 points and 10.8 rebounds per game last season represent his grown-man game aptly. And he’s likely to feast even more next season with the Hornets addition of Lance Stephenson and working with Hall of Fame center Patrick Ewing. Underrated now, but not for long. (Photo: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
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DeAndre Jordan - Think the Los Angeles Clippers and Chris Paul or Blake Griffin come to mind first. Don’t forget about their 6-foot-11 anchor in the middle, DeAndre Jordan, who put numbers on the board (10.4 points, 13.6 rebounds and 2.5 blocks) like it was light work last season. All it will take is a string of All-Star appearances for DJ to permanently shed any thought of him still being underrated. (PhThearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)oto:
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Trevor Ariza - Trevor Ariza is one of those veteran role players who could be a cornerstone of a franchise if utilized right. That, and as a 6-foot-8, 220-pound shooting guard, Ariza is a matchup nightmare. He routinely punishes smaller guards, which most players at the position are, and has deceptive moves off the dribble. Nothing shabby about the 14.4 points per game he averaged last season for the Washington Wizards. Yeah, they’re going to miss that. The Houston Rockets are returning with a solid player. (Photo: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
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