Top 10 Unknown Legends of The NBA Who Deserve To Be Recognized.

The history of the NBA has always favored the existence of great athletes - the likes of Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, among others, who have been able to reach the global population and earn a stake as the top players in history. However, not all receive the limelight, and many very elegant and talented players manage to remain unappreciated. let’s not forget these athletes – they possess skill, impact, and achievements that should have placed them above their peers in publicity. In this article, we will discuss the top ten players in the history of the NBA that can be referred to as underrated – these are names that may not come up in most of the ‘best athletes ever’ metropolitan debates but they sure deserve your ears.

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1. Dennis Johnson

We should not tackle Dennis Johnson and leave his contributions to the game of basketball unrecognised. He remains one of the most over-looked and underrated guards in the history of the National Basketball Association. Johnson was known as a very reliable player particularly during the games where he had to perform under pressure and he was a very good defender as well. Owing to this, he played for two of the most successful teams: the Boston Celtics and the Seattle Supersonics.

Key Achievements: 3x NBA Champion, NBA Finals MVP (1979), 9-time NBA All-Defense First Team

Impact: Johnson was a great defensive player and a player who could be relied upon to perform in very clutch situations making him take the most difficult defensive assignments. He was an integral part of the Celtics dynasty in the 1980s with back court mate Danny Ainge.

Why He’s Underrated: Very few can understand how Johnson was at a time very successful yet his history was not so much in the ‘Dunkers’ club’ dominated by other legends such as Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. Suffice to say, Boston’s championship runs would have looked very different without him contributing. Know his more achievement 

2. Sidney Moncrief

While Sidney Moncrief may not be remembered by many today, the truth remains that he was one of the best defenders and an elite guard in all aspects the game back in the 1980s. As a member of the Milwaukee Bucks, Moncrief was the pillar of a franchise that made the playoffs every year.

Related Events: 2x NBA Defensive Player of the Year, 5x All-Star Rookie

Influence: His two-way contemporaries were most famous. Moncrief shined on both sides of the court. He was also awarded the title of the first NBA defensive player of the year in 1983 and 1984.

What makes him unnoticed: Moncrief’s accomplishments are well known. But even among the best players, he is not discussed much, when that topic involves the best guards to have played in the NBA. Perhaps it is due to playing in a small market and in the shadow of his peers, greats like Magic and Michael. 

3. Chauncey Billups

Covered with the moniker “Mr Big Shot”, and rightly so for his clutch finishing ability, Chauncey Billups was a fundamental element of the 2004 NBA Championship winning Detroit Pistons. He had always been praised for his leadership and calmness and was expected to deliver when it mattered the most.

Key Achievements: All Star Game MVP, NBA Champion (2004), 5 time wAllstar

Impact: Billups was the heart of the team and the spirit of the Team’s emphasis on defence rather than individual attacks. In 2004, the Team defeated the star-studded Los Angeles Lakers, with Billups’ and Chief’s shooting taking center stage.

Why He’s Underrated: Billups was never included in the elite anywhere near the level of point guards like Steve Nash or Allen Iverson. However, how consistent he was, and how he could lead by example made him one of the best point guards of that time. Click for more detail!

4. Chris Mullin

Chris Mullin, whose achievements include being a member of the Dream Team, was a scorer’s gunner. A majority of his career has been spent at the Golden State California, Mullin has a reputation of smooth shooting ball and a high basketball IQ.

Key Achievements: 5x All-Star, Hall of Fame debutant

Impact: Toward the end of hot summers, Mullin’s scoring average rose over 25 points per game, making him a dominant scorer during the eras’ seasons. In addition, he was a very team-oriented player who contributed to the growth of the Warriors in the late 80s and early 90s and was a good passer.

Why He’s Underrated: Chris Mullin, who was also on the original Dream Team and enjoyed an impressive NBA career, however, does not seem to be regarded as one of the greatest three-point shooters, especially when the likes of Reggie Miller and Ray Allen are in the picture.

5. Joe Dumars

Joe Dumars played a pivotal role during the height of the Detroit Pistons including their “Bad Boys” era winning two championships and became known as one of the best two-way guards in the league. Throughout the years, Dumars was the team’s quiet performer, a professional who delivered in times of need.

Key Achievements: 2x NBA Champion, Finals MVP (1989), 6x All-Star, 5x All-Defensive Team

Impact: Dumars is known for being a defensive player who drew the best offensive player on the other for instance Michael Jordan, and that was Michael Dumars. He was also good on the offensive side as he was a good range shooter and a very able scorer when he was needed.

Why He’s Underrated: While sharing the court with the likes of Isiah Thomas and Bill Laimbeer, Dumars was mostly ignored. He, however, played a pivotal role in the team winning the ultimate prize, especially when the games were on the line most well-rounded players during his era. Here more detail about Joe! 

6. Mark Price

Mark Posey , the Oberversely excellent player of NBA from time beyond all the kinds of basketball centers players is fancied in awaiting basketball players. Posey was one of the best point guards to have ever played basketball in the then basketball franchise Cleveland Cavaliers.

Key Advancements: 4x All Star, belongs to 50 40 90 club. 

Impact: He always put everyone on alert because of the two elements that would always feature in his game, shooters touch, and specifically point guard play. He is one of those guards who on the average would shoot over 90% from the foul stripe, let alone being a willing passer.

Why He’s Underrated: All these shooting abilities make him forgettable in such conversations about the best point guards of the late eighties early nineties, especially when most of these discussions involve prominent figures like John Stockton and Magic Johnson.

7. Bernard King

Much like how Mark Price was remembered cutting down stereotypes of guards, Bernard King, indeed, will be remembered as a volume as well as an efficient scorer. Any basket dropped by king which helped fetched his team affected the crowd positively. Even towards the tail end of his career, when injuries did little help, law even the beset king played some of his best basketball.

Key Achievements: 4x All-Star, Scoring Champion (1985)

Impact: There was no stopping King when it came to him scoring. Even at his best, all of these were still surpassed by some playoff performances, most especially when he averaged 44 points in a playoff series against Detroit, back in 1984.

Why He’s Underrated: Apart from King’s age, encumbering his career and achievements with injuries have made his accomplishments not readily available for the most part. Hence the lack of credits for him as one of the greatest scorers. See his more scrores!

8. Alvin Robertson

Alvin Robertson was a terror for opposing teams, known for his tenacity on defense, steals, and breaking offensive plays. Robertson was a two-way player who could score, get rebounds, and pass making him one of the most adaptable players in the league.

Key Achievements: Unanimous Defensive Player of the Year and 6x All Defensive Frank, 4x All-Star, recorded a quadruple double as one of four players.

Impact: This was a player whose defence was impressive and who also had an impact on the other half of the court. The fact that he was able to do a lot of things on the court, like being one of the few to record a quadruple double, proves his impact.

Why He’s Underrated: There is an argument to be made about his defensive capabilities, but the man has stayed out of the limelight primarily due to off court matters and the lack of team success. Tap for know more!

9. Rasheed Wallace

Rasheed Wallace very much belonged to the era of versatile big men who could shoot the d, occupy the trenches, and defend any position. He was a key player in the Detroit Pistons team that won the championship in 2004.

Key Achievements: NBA champion (2004), All-Star 4 times

Impact: Wallace stretched the defense with a perimeter threat without sacrificing defense and rebounding. This quality along with many of his other skills changed the perception and playing style of a power forward. 

Why He’s Underrated: An exaggerated version of Wallace, his hot-headed personality and numerous technical fouls managed to hide his brilliance on the court, but the impact he made while playing for the Pistons was quite significant.

10. Tim Hardaway

Tim Hardaway is remembered as one of the most, if not the most, skilled ball handlers and offensive amenities of his generation with the most famous crossover dribble, the UTEP two-step, made popular by niego or him when he wished to score or distribute the basketball at will.

Key Achievements: 5x All-Star, 2x All-NBA First Team

Impact: Hardaway was a special point guard capable of scoring, passing, and even crossing over defenders. His impact on the subsequent generation of point guards can be felt.

Why He’s Underrated: Even though he possessed offensive talents and played for a longer period, Hardaway tends to play in the shadow of other points guards especially of his age such as John Stockton and Gary Payton.

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Conclusion

Most of these ten players won’t grab the headlines nor will they be the first names which come to mention in the discussions on the greatest NBA players ever, yet their impact to the game was significant. They were great in various aspects – defense, scoring, leadership, and are often the people who kept their teams together. Superstars have been the focal point of the NBA league, however, there are these supporting actors who also contributed in the making of the game as beautiful as it is today.

In your opinion, who do you consider to be the most underrated player in the history of the NBA? Do let us know in the comments!