I'm definitely saying Bob Lanier. The man was a beast, he was a 20-10 guy early in the leagues history. Not too many people know about him, but he is in the Hall, and he has his jersey retired by the Pistons. He was overshadowed by Chamberlain and Russell, but he was still amazing.
I'm not a huge student of basketball history, so I won't say of ALL-TIME, but right now I'd have to say Jeff Foster strikes me as underrated. He's something of a beast on the court. Almost literally...
Walt Bellamy- He averaged 20 and 14. Enough said.Artis Gilmore- 17 points per game on 60% shooting for his career.Nate Thurmond- He was a better scorer than what his 15 points per game show, He is one of the best rebounders in history. He is one of only 4 people to achieve a triple double.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (SunnyD @ Dec 11 2006, 05:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I'm definitely saying Bob Lanier. The man was a beast, he was a 20-10 guy early in the leagues history. Not too many people know about him, but he is in the Hall, and he has his jersey retired by the Pistons. He was overshadowed by Chamberlain and Russell, but he was still amazing.</div>Who hasn't heard of Bob Lanier?Bob Lanier isn't underrated just because some youth haven't heard of him. Everybody who isn't a superstar or a champion is forgotten thirty years later.I'll say Paul Arizin as most underrated big man ever. He was a ten time allstar and a champion, four time all nba first team, led the league in points, rebounds, FG%, etc. And while he was only 6'4, the only reason he didn't man the center position was because he twice had the most statistically dominant center in the game as a teammate (johnston and then wilt)Neil Johnston would be another one. Champion. led the league in ppg three seasons in a row. Led the league in rpg. Led the league in FG% three times. Top ten in FT% (and got the most FTA in the league 3 times, and most FTM 3 times). 6 allstar teams. 4 all nba first teams, one second team. #2 PER at worst for five seasons straight. #7 PER in NBA history. (not the end all be all stat but a nice one)
I think Luc Longley was underrated a few times. I remember he played his role really well and never really got much credit as far as I remember.
Wes Unseld, he threw the best outlet passes in history. He didn't take any sh*t, was as powerful as a f*cking locomotive and had that cool fro. He was the only dude ever to have a successful back-to-the basket game against Wilt. He was a beast to say the least.
How about Elvin Hayes, he scored over 27,000 points in his career. He averaged 21 and 13 over a 16 year career. In 1971 he averaged 29 and 17, he was also a great shotblocker over his career as well.
