NBA: Compiling All-Underrated teams from the last 20 years
First-Team All-Underrated (frontcourt)
Small forward: Shawn Marion (1999-2015): 15.2 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 1.9 APG, 48.4 FG% – Phoenix Suns, Miami Heat, Toronto Raptors, Dallas Mavericks, Cleveland Cavaliers
Achievements: Four-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA, 2000 All-Rookie, 2011 NBA Champion
Steve Nash revolutionized the NBA, Amar’e Stoudemire was great to watch, and Charles Barkley nearly brought them to a championship in the 1990s, but Shawn Marion was the greatest Phoenix Suns player of all time. For a 6-foot-7 small forward, Marion was constantly battling on the boards while running fast-breaks with ease. He knew his role and was willing to be just an excellent role player throughout his entire career which was rewarded when he won his only ring with the Dallas Mavericks.
Power forward: Elton Brand (1999-2016): 15.9 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 2.1 APG, 50.0 FG% – Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, Dallas Mavericks, Atlanta Hawks
Achievements: Two-time All-Star, one-time All-NBA, 2000 All-Rookie, 2000 Rookie of the Year
Kevin Garnett, Chris Webber, and Tim Duncan are all names of great power forwards who took over the NBA in the early 2000s. If not for the Clippers being a mediocre team, Elton Brand would have been on that list. Coming out of Duke, Brand was excellent and maintained a high level of play for over a decade before becoming a sought after locker room guy in the twilight of his career.
Center: Jermaine O’Neal (1996-2014): 13.2 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 1.4 APG, 46.7 FG% – Portland Trailblazers, Indiana Pacers, Toronto Raptors, Miami Heat, Boston Celtics, Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors
Achievements: Six-time All-Star, three-time All-NBA
The second greatest O’Neal of all time, Jermaine O’Neal was not just a back-to-the-basket big man. His ability to run up the court and defend multiple positions allowed him to thrive on both ends of the floor. His time with the Pacers was the pinnacle of his career, but he could never advance past the Detroit Pistons for Eastern Conference dominance.