Sam Cassell Darvin Ham Danny Fortson Shareef Abdur-Rahim David Wesley Theo Ratliff Bonzi Wells Rod Strickland All-Time:Hakeem Olajuwon I think if Dream had more of a personality that appealed to the fans (other than Houston)he might of got the respect he deserves.Not that he doesnt get any respect but he is always left out when people name off the best players of all time and he should be among the 1st named IMO. ------------------
Finley, Ratliff, Cassell, Jerome Williams, Nowitzki, ------------------ "You look a team that's been to the mountaintop like the Houston Rockets, I'm going to put pressure on myself to be the best possible player that I can be. With the pieces they already have in place and myself, we can do some amazing things next season." Maurice Taylor
Currently: Shareef Abdur-Rahim He has the skills, but gets no coverage. Olympics should help him get some recognition. All-time: Charles Barkley One of the best all time power forwards, the best ambassador of the game of basketball, and always put down 'cause he got no ring. ------------------ I'm sticking with Charlotte. I can't flip because I don't want to be confused with Peter Vecsey. -- Charles Barkley
Agreed. I just look at the number of people that think Odom is a better player and that just reinforces exactly how underrated he is. You have got to be kidding! Barkley?! Underrated?! I suppose guys like Nike and all the jersey companies have been losing money on sales of his merchandise for years! Heck, Hakeem is more underrated than Barkley! Go anywhere in the nation, heck in the world, and ask who the average "fan" thinks was a better player Dream or Sir Charles and you'll be shocked at the answers you get. ------------------
I don't think guys like Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Ray Allen, and Jerome Williams are underrated anymore, and although Bonzi Wells is certainly a promising young player, if anything he's overrated by now. The guys who strike me as underrated are the ones who contribute to their teams winning but are thought of league-wide as being average at best -- more along the lines of the Tyrone Hill and Shandon arguments above (and Charlie Ward, although I disagree in his case). My two nominees are as follows: Erick Dampier--even a lot of Warriors followers think he's a bust, but his injuries were the main reason GS won only 19 games last year instead of 33-35. As I posted a while back, the difference in opponents' FG% when he plays is huge. Steve Nash--again, someone whose name draws either quizzical looks or even snickering among most fans . . . but did you know that the Mavs' record last year was 31-25 in games he played, and 9-17 in games he didn't? Or that he averaged more that 40 minutes/game during the Mavs' season-ending 11-2 run? ------------------
Steve Nash.......good pick. Nice stats. I sort of thought he sucked. Perhaps he truly is underrated. ------------------
I found it curious that for last season on a per-minute basis, Chris Gatling ranked in the Top 50 in points (18th), rebs (20th), made field goals (23rd) and made free throws (10th). He is substantially less known than virtually anyone mentioned here. John Amechi also made the Top 50 in points and made field goals and made free throws. Jermaine O'Neall was in for rebs and blocks. I have a hard time buying Abdur-Rahim as underrated. How do you under rate a teams "go to" player who is also an Olympian? He is a respected and known commodity. ------------------ GATER
Launch Pad, I did not say people did not know Sir Charles was good, only that they underrated him. He is 6'4" and is one of three players with 23,000 points, 12,000 boards, and 4,000 assists. The other two, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Wilt the Stilt. ------------------ I'm sticking with Charlotte. I can't flip because I don't want to be confused with Peter Vecsey. -- Charles Barkley
I still don't see how you actually think he was underrated. The man probably had more fans than anyone since MJ and every announcer on NBC, TBS, TNT, whatever always commented what a fantastic player he was. That doesn't sound underrated to me! ------------------
I never knew this guy was any good 'til NBAtalk called him the Cavs go-to guy - Lamond Murray - that qualifies as underrated! an ex-Clipper no less. Looking at his and Rodney Rogers' performance after leaving the Clips makes me excited about Mo coming to Houston!! ------------------
Fadeaway.....did you say Nick Van Exel????? HE IS THE MOST OVER RATED PLAYER I'VE EVER SEEN BESIDES MUTOMBO. HE SUCKS SO BAD!!!! ARE YOU CRAZY???? ------------------
Ray Allen! This guy has the sweetest fade away jumper since MJ. Sam Cassell is overrated, that is why he keeps getting moved. ------------------ <A HREF="http://www2.southwind.net/~vic/clinton96.html">What a slam dunk!!</a> [This message has been edited by TB3 (edited October 05, 2000).]
..did you say Nick Van Exel????? HE IS THE MOST OVER RATED PLAYER I'VE EVER SEEN BESIDES MUTOMBO. HE SUCKS SO BAD!!!! ARE YOU CRAZY???? Didn't Van Exel have the best assist to turnover rating last season, or did I dream that up? ------------------ My dream job is to be a Houston Rockets towel-boy.
Just when I thought we could be friends, TB3. ET spent 3 productive seasons for the Rockets, and was traded for Charles Barkley. Phoenix never intended to keep the players they got from Houston, and traded him for Jason Kidd. Dallas was just a dumb move - they decided that Shawn Bradley was their next franchise player (think they'd like to have that trade back?). Jersey was a short stay, for a year-and-a-half, where Sam had a great season. But he was part of a blockbuster deal, for Marbury and Brandon (three way deal). Now Sammy's a key cog for Milwaukee (going on his third season), using his alien powers up north. Should have made the all-star team last year. Basically Sam has played well everywhere he's stayed for a full season or more. And every time he's been traded (except by those idiot Mavs) its been for a superstar. He's moved around because of Barkley, Kidd, and Marbury - not because he wore out his welcome. ------------------
Brandon and Allen are teammates? Brandon was on the cover of SI with the title: Best Point Guard in the NBA? so I don't think you can consider him underrated anymore.
Here's my list- Finley RAy allen Elton Brand Mitch Richmond Rasheed WAllace Andre Miller Terrel Brandon Derrick Coleman Tony Kukoc Walt Williams Chris Carr Robert Pack ------------------ "There are two rules for success... 1) Never tell everything you know."
Now I know oilepere is really Popeye. I recall Popeye was a big fan of Mr. Nesby, and here he pops up in one of oil's posts. Suspicion confirmed. One seriously underrated ex-Rocket: KEVIN WILLIS - he got no respect. Nobody even realized we signed him when we got Barkley despite Willis' being one of the top PF's in the league. He then rocked as a Rocket and is still seriously productive for the Raps while approaching 40. Man, he was awesome..... ------------------
The Real "Team Worth*" Comparison 1. Underrated Team Players Tyrone Nesby Michael Dickerson Moochie Norris Bryon Russell Steve Nash Shandon Anderson 2. Overrated Team Players Antoine Walker Reggie Miller Derrick Coleman Rod Strickland David Robinson Allen Iverson * denotes the effect to his team if he left that team, as having greater impact than is presently perceived(underrated) or having less impact than is presently perceived(overrated).
Speaking of Terrell Brandon, he is way underrated. He is a complete point guard that can score when needed, passes the ball, plays decent defense and gives 110% every night on the court. His teammate Ray Allen is also underrated, but I think he will start getting the credit he is due once he helps guide the Bucks to the playoffs. Then there is our own Cuttino Mobley. He is definitely underrated. We are constantly hearing how Iverson has his wicked crossover and about the athleticism of Kobe Bryant, but Mobes has the quickest first step in the league. I don't think there is one player that he can't beat off the dribble. ------------------ Too often, we lose sight of life's simple pleasures. Remember, when someone annoys you it takes 42 muscles in your face to frown, but it only takes 4 muscles to extend your arm and pimp-slap the mother****** upside the head!
