Most underrated and overrated NBA players?

I think your "kobe fan mentality" is blinding you. Firstly, I'm not undervaluing his greatness. He's one of the best to ever play the game, a true scoring legend, and someone who has a lot of perseverance. Am I saying he's bad? No. Am I saying he isn't as good as everyone says he is? Yes. Of course he is a brilliant scorer, but there is a difference between prime Kobe and prime LeBron. Kobe plays iso ball, and forces a lot of shots to gain his points. LeBron doesn't, and he gains his points through proper gameplay without isolations. Kobe is one of the best shooters in the game, but he is not one of the best "players," that's why I don't think he can be the next "MJ." Kobe can put the ball in the basket, but there is a reason he is criticized for being a "ballhog." What separates LeBron from Kobe is that he does everything else, too. He can rebound, get assists, defend, etc. He's pretty much averaging a triple-double every game. He recently stated he could lead the league in scoring if he wanted to, and I believe that, just take a look at game 6 of the ECFs against the Celtics. That is what separates LeBron from Kobe, and why I think he'll be the GOAT at the end of his career. By the way, most of why his numbers are so high is because it is 20+ games into the season, he was doing really well in the beginning, but now he is shooting abysmally, he took 41 shots last game for crying out loud. Now, I have nothing against Kobe, I'm a fan of his, and he's a legend. I'm just saying he's not as good as people put him out to be.

 

Kobe haters are the uneducated basketball fans who jump from team to team in hope of a championship, AKA LeBron fans. [Congrats on LeBron for winning his first ring, well deserved, and no offense intended to you in anyway] Most NBA legends have said Kobe is one of the most talented players to every play in the league. Greatness personified, Larry Bird, to Magic Johnson, oh even the GOAT has said the kid deserves the comparison, so go figure. The level of ineptitude in the response is mind boggling. You're right, Kobe does play ISO ball, but that's his game. It's been his game for 17 years now, and best of all it has been effective. Kobe just last week solidified his absolute greatness by reaching the 30k point milestone. LeBron is a triple double waiting to happen, but that's what seperates Kobe and LeBron. Kobe is a scorer, so he doesn't have to worry about crashing the board and dropping dimes, but rather putting the ball into the hoop night in and night out, and I think Kobe has done that consistently. [30k pts] Although Kobe and LeBron's game play way different games, whereas Kobe's a more mid-range to 3pt range player whereas LeBron had more of a post to mid-range game. Kobe wishes he had the size of LeBron, and the ability to palm the ball with ease like His Airness or Dr. J, which was a huge advantage that Jordan had that Kobe did not. Jordan is still the GOAT, but Kobe is closer than anyone that I've seen, and yes even closer than LeBron himself. Jordan came into the league and was much maligned his first few years in the league for his score-first mentality and style of play, but eventually earned the respect from the media, critics and other naysayers before he got his first chip. Kobe, on the other hand, has always had to come the adversity of criticism and not being the media darling that Michael or LeBron became early and into the middle of their careers. His highlights and accomplishments are no where near close to being highly cherished and coveted the way MJ's are. The funny thing about that is, that most of Kobe's highlights are equally, or some even more spectacular than Michael's [other than MJ's dunk contest montage.] LeBron's career is nowhere near Kobe's or MJ's yet, although I do think he will be great one day. LeBron will be great, but never a GOAT or near Kobe's level.

 

Look, I'm not undervaluing his greatness, he's amazing. The thing is, I know scoring is his game, like you said, that's his playing style. But, playing isolations isn't the smartest way to play basketball, even though it can be effective, it is much more effective to play team ball. The thing is, I don't understand how you can still say Kobe is better than LeBron when you acknowledge he is a better all-around player. Kobe has one aspect of his game, LeBron does everything. LeBron even has the potential to pass Kobe's scoring record. Remember game 6? That shows LeBron can score from anywhere, it's just that it's not his role, like he said. Kobe's great, but the criticism from not bettering his game shows you something. Remember how KD got the same criticism last year? This year, he's beasting, he's a much better all-around player. That is the difference between the elite scorer Kobe, and Kevin Durant. Maybe Kobe should have done the same. Anyway, like I said, Kobe's awesome, just not as awesome as you put him out to be. Also, LeBron has the potential to be the GOAT.

 

Isolation game is the way to go if you're the best at it [Kobe]. I'd like to see anyone try to argue that he is not the best ISO player on this planet. I know where you're coming from b/c the NBA is becoming a more systematic league, where many teams run various offenses [triangles, flex, run n' gun etc.] that are starting to become really effective, but to be honest.. that really doesn't matter all too much to me as a Basketball/Laker/Kobe fan. Put a zone in front of him, your best defender, your best two defenders, your best three defenders, and Kobe will still bust their ass. Just b/c I acknowledged LeBron has a size advantage over Kobe doesn't necessarily mean that I'm acknowledging he's better.. LeBron can get you a triple double yes, but Kobe can get you a 30 pt game night in and night out, and more importantly a win/championship. Like I said, Kobe doesn't need to crash the boards anymore. General Manager Mitch Kupchak has done a great job his entire tenure putting guys around Kobe who can do that for him [Shaq, Malone, Gasol, Bynum, Howard]. I'll admit Kobe 24 doesn't have the legs of Kobe 8, but he's still a premiere jump shooter who can play defense (when he wants to nowadays). Kupchak has also done a fine job signing other players to put around his scorer. Metta World Peace can guard the other teams best player, Steve Nash although he's old, can take the workload off of Kobe by handling the ball, giving Kobe sometime to rest on the bench, and Dwight Howard by playing phenomenal interior defense and crashing boards. I actually remember watching game 6, LeBron scoring at will and still thinking WTF is Doc doing putting Rondo on LeBron or Paul Pierce [Really slow], but tell me... how many playoff games has Kobe had in his career where he led his team back, or destroyed the opposing team single handedly? Kobe will never be a LeBron or Durant [Height and Weight], but that never stopped Kobe, and I don't think it ever will. LeBron has the potential to be GOAT, but I think everyone has the potential to be a GOAT, even if Brian Scalabrine comes back to the NBA and drops 50 a game, or maybe if Kobe surpasses MJ point totals, and wins 1-2 more rings? Who knows?

 

Underrated.

1. Jrue Holiday
2. Damian Lillard
3. Roy Hibbert
4. Paul George
5. Darren Collison
6. Greivis Vasquez
7. Greg Monroe

cbf with overrated, every person i've listed are stat sheet stuffers yet get hardly any credit, damian lillard rookie of the year baby

 

The whole Kings team is underrated. Players like Marcus Thornton, Demarcus Cousins, Tyreke Evans, Jason Thompson, Isaiah Thomas , and Aaron Brooks.... Along with great players off the bench.... They just need a better coach. It really irks me to see my team do bad when it can easily be fixed if they played unselfish basketball.

But back to the topic,

Underrated:
Harden
Stephen Curry
Marcus Thornton
Rondo

Overrated:
Lebron
Dwight Howard
Pau Gasol
Derrick Rose

 

HARDEN IS OVERRATED U FUCKING RETARDS... MADE THE USA TEAM, WHICH HE SHOULDNT HAVE, INCONSISTENT AS FUCK. DO YOU NOT REMEMBER LAST YEARS FINALS, WITH THE WHOLE "FEAR THE BEARD" SHIT? JEEZ MAN WHAT THE FUCK IS OVERRATED IF IT IS NOT THAT.


BUT YOU ALSO HAVE LEBRON AS OVERRATED N RONDO AS UNDERRATED. SO IM TAKING THIS AS UR PERSONAL OPINION AND YOU JUST STARTED WATCHING BASKETBALL ON CHRISTMAS...

CAPS LOCK ISnt broke

 

@Inpherus: Damian Lillard is ROY if he keeps filling up the stat sheet, b/c Anthony Davis is back from injury and he's putting up monster numbers already! I like Jrue Holliday, and Paul George very underrated.

@Snapbackboy: The Kings have a very underrated team, but two major flaws. Demarcus Cousins and Tyreke Evans are very selfish when it comes to being the primary scorer on that team. Secondly, the coach and the system he runs in Sacramento isn't working. The bench has very nice players, and I would definitely like to see Jimmer Fredette getting more playing time, the kids a freak.

@Tree Vor: James Harden is not overrated, i'll just let his stats talk for him this year. =]

 

Wow, you're insanely biased towards Kobe Bryant and the Lakers. By the way, this is coming from a Knicks fan, who's favorite player isn't LeBron, although I do respect him. Like I said, isolation can work, but sometimes it won't work. Team basketball is consistently effective, while isolation isn't. Seriously, every "good" player has dealt with double/triple teams, and they can handle them effectively. LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant, etc. have all demolished them, but the thing is, they can go to isolations, but they go to team play, as well. Yes, but LeBron's athleticism with his body is unheard of, that trumps Kobe's. LeBron can consistently get you 30 points, but unlike Kobe, doesn't need 40 shots to do so. He consistently did that in Cleveland, but in Miami, they don't need him to do so. Like I said, he let out a statement saying he could lead the league in scoring if he wanted to, but that's not his role. That's the thing, LeBron always plays defense, and Kobe only gives it thought when he wants. Lol, don't get me started on that Lakers team, it's insanely overrated. I don't think you know much of LeBron's cleveland days. He has never had someone like Shaq, Gasol, Bynum, etc. he had to do everything by himself. He led that team full of fucking scrubs to the NBA finals, and he even made Mike Brown the Coach of the Year! When Kobe didn't have a good supporting cast, he has always failed in the playoffs, while LeBron has never been defeated in the first round. You want to see pure dominance?



He lead the team full of scrubs to the NBA finals while averaging 41 MPG, shooting at .51, shooting three pointers at .33, making free throws (a little lackluster) at .75, averaging 9.1 rebounds, averaging 7.3 assists, and having a PPG of 35.3. THAT IS PURE DOMINANCE! By the way, LeBron averaging 35.3 is more than Kobe ever averaged in the playoffs, and he did this efficiently, and while averaging a damn near triple-double. That is what separates LeBron from Kobe, and why I think he'll be the GOAT.

 

I live in Los Angeles, grew up watching the Lakers, and my favorite player has always been Kobe Bryant, so yes, I am biased. You're a Knicks fan, but I'm sure LeBron is your favorite player, lol. It made me giggle when you said when Kobe didn't have a supporting cast and he failed? Duh. No one wins a championship by themselves. You can't sit here and fucking tell me that Jordan didn't have the best defensive player in Pippen, the best rebounder in Rodman, and the best shooters in Kukoc, and Kerr. The only reason LeBron left Cleveland was b/c he didn't have a supporting cast and management wasn't doing anything to help fix that. So what did he do? He "took his talents to South Beach" along with Chris Bosh to team up with Dwayne Wade. I'm pretty sure If LeBron was still in Cleveland he would be ring-less. No basketball player has done it all by himself, w/o a supporting cast, hence Dwight came to L.A. and Steve Nash as well. And if you think you can win it all by yourself, then you must have bigger balls than Brian Scalibrine. This is all so funny to me, b/c I think you're still angry Kobe dropped 61 at the Garden and you were at that game

Lakers are the best team in the NBA, come at me bro!

 

My favorite player is Carmelo Anthony. I'm a fan of both LeBron James, and Kobe Bryant, but I'm able to say who's the better player. I totally agree with you, without a great supporting cast, you won't go far. The thing is, LeBron, without a supporting cast still did very well, and even led his team to the NBA finals. Kobe Bryant, on the other hand, did not do very well. Lol, I'm not angry Kobe dropped 61 points, but I'm glad you brought that up. Do you remember LeBron dropping 52 points on us? Let's compare them, shall we?




The difference between Kobe Bryant and LeBron James strikes again!

Lol, the Lakers aren't the best team in the NBA, the elite teams right now are:

Clippers
Thunder
Spurs
Grizzlies
Heat
Knicks (Bias, but still not wrong)

Arguable:
Warriors
Hawks

A 15-15 team isn't the best team in the NBA.

 

I guess we all have our opinions. LeBron almost had a triple double at the garden, but like I've said so many times, Kobe is a scorer, not a triple double player. It's pretty much what separates LeBron and Kevin Durant. KD is a scorer, although he's crashing the boards harder now, and he's trying to dish out assists, but t/o's. Kobe +17, shooting 61% that night! Fire! LeBron shooting at 51% to get 52, but his other stats do make up for it. At the end of the day, Kobe holds that record, and I don't see it being broken anytime soon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPCB9YGyThc
2:33, I think you'll like it

I was just kidding when I said the Lakers are the best team in the NBA, lol. But in your arguables, why aren't the Bulls in there? When DRose comes back healthy, I'm sure LeBron, Carmelo, DWill, and Rondo will all shit their pants, respectively. How about the Pacers? They are starting to turn it around a lot more.

 

And that's what separates the two, even KD is a scorer, but he's having a much better all-around game this season.

I'm not even going to watch that, I don't need the opinion of Stephen A Smith and Skip Bayless of all people.

Lol, okay. The Bulls lost a lot of their depth in the off-season, they aren't the team who got 60/50+ wins anymore, I don't think Derrick Rose will automatically change the Bulls to contenders. He's coming off of a serious injury, we don't know how it'll effect him, everyone isn't Adrian Peterson. The Pacers looked great last year, they started off slow, but now are adapting to playing without Danny Granger, when he comes back, they'll be even better, they're a good team.

 

Skip Bayless is a legend. You didn't know?

How about dem' clippas on dat 2 loss streak doe? Best team in the NBA my left nut.

 

Underrated
1. Kevin Love
2. Kyrie Irving
3. Kevin Martin
4. Marc Gasol
5. Manu Ginobili & Spurs Co.

Overrated
1. Dwight Howard
2. Pau Gasol
3. Andrew Bynum
4. Blake Griffin
5. Dwayne Wade

 

I like how you put Pau Gasol as overrated and Marc Gasol as underrated, very true.

 

Pau Gasol and Ray Allen are too overrated in my opinion.
And Paul Love is way too underrated.

 

Care to explain how Ray Allen is overrated? And Chris Paul? I'm sure he gets his recognition as probably the best point guard in the NBA. And I agree, Kevin Love is very underrated.

 

I don't follow NBA too much but from what i've heard LeBron James is slightly overrated.