Sir Charles in Charge
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NBA: The 10 Most Underrated Players Of 2016-17

By Evan Dyal

Feb 10, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) moves against Golden State Warriors guard Andre Iguodala (9) in the first half at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 10, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) moves against Golden State Warriors guard Andre Iguodala (9) in the first half at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 26, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Phoenix Suns head coach Earl Watson (L) talks to Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (2) during the first half against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 127-120. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 26, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Phoenix Suns head coach Earl Watson (L) talks to Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (2) during the first half against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 127-120. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Eric Bledsoe, Phoenix Suns 

Our first player on the list who has no chance of making the playoffs. Even though Eric Bledsoe plays on the lottery bound Phoenix Suns; don’t blame him. Bledsoe has played at a border line all-star level this year. Beside Devin Booker, this team literally has no weapons, so Bledose has to do most of the heavy lifting, and he has risen to the challenge. Averaging a career high 21.2 points, to go along with 6.1 assists and 5 rebounds a game; he is a complete point guard.

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Bledsoe is still not a great shooter from three, but he makes up for it by relentlessly driving to the basket. Think of mini Westbrook, when you think of Bledsoe. He is ridiculously strong and super athletic. His strength is pushing the ball in transition and finishing around the basket. Not only will he finish with contact, he will straight up dunk on you. The paint is where Bledsoe lives, averaging a career high 6.9 FTA a game, and he shoots 84 percent from the stripe.

Bledsoe is also learning the little things of the game, he know defenders will go under screens because he’s not a great shooter. He has adjusted, by having his defender re screen, and then using his quickness to get a full head of steam towards the rim. This is where he can use his strength, athleticism and touch to put immense pressure on a defense.

On defense he is a bull-dog, he has the strength to guard 1’s and 2’s. He is great on ball defender, who is capable of suffocating other ball handlers without fouling or gambling for a steal. Bledsoe has become a complete player averaging a career high 21.09 PER. Phoenix is one of the worst teams in the league, so its right that Bledsoe didn’t make the all-star team, but that doesn’t mean he’s not playing like an all-star.

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