Welcome to my 3 part series of “All-NBA Underrated Teams”. This week we are taking a look at my top underrated team. Stats are in PPG/RPG/APG and FG%/3pt%/FT% format.
PG: De’Aaron Fox
Stats: 20/4/7 on 48/31/70 with 1.4 SPG playing 32 MPG
When De’Aaron Fox was drafted, I publicly came out and said that he would be the best player from that draft class in 5 years. Well, it’s been close to 5 years, and Fox has actually become one of the most underrated players in the entire league.
Playing for a subpar, small-market team like Sacramento does not help his national exposure, either.
SG: Jrue Holiday
Stats: 20/5/7 on 45/36/70 with 1.7 SPG playing 35 MPG
Jrue has analytically been one of the league’s most underrated players for years now! His impact when he’s on the court is very crucial to the Pelicans’ success. Holiday is also a borderline Top 25 player today.
SF: Khris Middleton
Stats: 21/6/4 on 50/42/91 playing 31 MPG
Middleton is not only a key #2 scoring option to Giannis in Milwaukee, but he’s also a championship-caliber second option who’s one of the best two-way players in the entire NBA. Many believe Middleton is a Top 25 NBA player, too!
PF: John Collins
Stats: 22/10/2 on 58/40/80 with 1.6 BPG playing 33 MPG
Collins is the only player ever to average 20 PPG and 10 RPG with 55/40/80 shooting splits. Collins is a truly efficient, young big man on a young team full of potential in Atlanta. Collins has the ability to improve defensively, and I think he will in the coming years as he develops.
Reports say he wants a max contract that Atlanta is not willing to pay. This is a situation worth keeping an eye on!
C: Nikola Vucevic
Stats: 20/11/4 on 47/33/78 playing 33 MPG
Nikola Jokic isn’t the only Nikola in the NBA that’s capable of being a good player. Over the years, Vucevic has not only improved statistically, but he’s added a respectable 3-point shot. Vucevic does play on an always struggling Magic team and is thus often overlooked. He also averages under 1 steal and 1 block per game, so defensively he has much more room to grow.
However, I believe that Vucevic is capable of playing on a championship team as a 3rd scoring option!
That’s edition 1 of my All-NBA underrated teams! Stay tuned for teams 2 and 3 coming soon, where we take a look at players such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jonathan Isaac, Jaren Jackson Jr, and many more!
Image: Steve Dykes/USA TODAY Sports
