NBA Player Poll: Most Underrated

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Feb 5, 2010

NBA Player Poll: Most Underrated

Joe Johnson

He may be a four-time All-Star, but according to Johnson's colleagues, he's vastly underappreciated. The Hawks' shooting guard, who leads his team in scoring and assists this season, garnered 8.9 percent in a recent SI poll of the most underrated players in the league (the survey of 190 players was conducted in late 2009).<br><br>Here are some other players who, apparently, don't receive enough love in the NBA. (All stats are through Feb. 3.)

John Salmons

The 26th pick in the 2002 draft, Salmons averaged a career-high 18.3 points last season while splitting time between the Kings and Bulls. Salmons, who lost his starting job in Chicago in December, got 5.5 percent of the vote.

Lamar Odom

The versatile Odom came off the bench during the Lakers' championship run last season to average 12.3 points, 9.1 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in the playoffs. After signing a lucrative deal to stay in L.A. last summer, Odom's numbers have a slipped a little, but he still received 4.1 percent of the vote in this poll.

Gerald Wallace

Only 6-foot-7, Wallace (4.7 percent in poll) has the body of a shooting guard but is averaging double-digit rebounds. In fact, of the top 35 rebounders in the league, he is the only one under 6-9. The nine-year veteran was named to his first All-Star team this season.

David Lee

Far and away the Knicks' most productive player, Lee is averaging 19.7 points and 11.5 boards. He made a strong case for the All-Star team but wasn't selected as an Eastern Conference reserve by the coaches. However, he did receive 3.4 percent in the poll.

Trevor Ariza

Ariza, who finished sixth in the poll at 2.7 percent, played a key role during the Lakers' championship run last season. He's struggled with his shooting since signing a big free-agent contract with the Rockets, but he's started every game, averaged 15.6 points and given Houston solid defense on the perimeter.

Pau Gasol

The three-time All-Star defies his 7-foot, 250-pound frame with quickness and a varied shot selection. Though he's dealt with a few injuries this season, Gasol has undeniably been a force for the Lakers inside. In the SI poll, 2.7 percent of voters said he's underappreciated.

Andre Miller

In his first season with the Trail Blazers, Miller made headlines this year when he scored a career-high 52 points in an overtime win against the Mavericks on Jan. 30. He's never made the All-Star team despite career averages of 14.5 points and 7.3 assists -- numbers good enough to earn 2.7 percent in the underrated poll.