Who do u guys think is the most underated defensive player in the L? Being a Raptor fan I would have to say Mo Pete, he'll take 2 offensive fouls a game and he doesn't flop, he draws the fouls and doesn't even have to fall down to get the call. He is very good at moving his feet and is agressive. Not as talented, long or athletic as a young Scottie Pippen but very similar mindset on the defensive side of the ball. I remember him getting into it with many players because of his consistent D, Kobe Bryant, Al Harrington a few seasons ago when KO was the coach and, this season with Shaq and Wade.
Top 5 most underrated defenders: 1. Josh Howard-This guy is Tayshaun Prince lite. He's athletic, can defend multiple positions, hustles. He's already a great defender and he's getting better. He's the type of guy you need to win a championship. Bruce Bowen with more offensive upside. Mark my words. 2. Cuttino Mobley-His offense is what got him paid, but Mobley is also a very tough defender. 3. Earl Watson-Great on the ball defender, gets his steals, can play D on anyone. 4. Desmond Mason-Not really a homer pick, I don't hear about him all that much but he plays hard all the time and is one of the few Bucks who even cares about D. 5. Shane Battier-Yes, he gets recognition, but not enough. He's outstanding.
Joe Johnson is definetly an underrated defensive player. Everyone thinks he sucks but he is actually VERY good.
At this point it's Josh Howard of Dallas. He shut down several of the league's best shooting guards and small forwards. There was alot of rotation in the Dallas D, but Howard always got the best scorer and uses a combination of long arms, big hands and endurance to chase and harrass his man when he doesn't have the ball. He was effective against Steve Francis, Tracey McGrady (who had to take 25 shots to score near his average), Manu Ginobli (who had such a miserable night he later said he was hurt), Quentin Richardson and Joe Johnson (although Nash forced open looks for them at times), and even made the league's most feared gun, Kobe Bryant, run like mad to get his shot off. Sure, not every game was a defensive gem; and early foul trouble was a point of criticism by the coaching staff. But even perennials like Bruce Bowen get burnt badly and he can't rebound and score and finish like the new deputy in Dallas.
Josh Howard. He hustles, he'll go out and cover the other team's best player and like Schaddy said he is the type of guy that you need to win a championship. His offense is underrated as well, so I guess you can call Josh Howard an all-around underrated player.
Josh Howard is underated along but I'm going to have to go with Andre Igoudala. Iggy was the shut down defender for the Sixers last year and gets little credit in that area of his game. Josh Howard gets some credit as a good defender where as Iggy is just looked at as a dunker. Howard may be the better defender but Iggy is good and gets close to no respect.
I find J Rich to be quite underated. I've some mixes where he just goes up and packs guys nasty. Iv'e seen him get some steals and run a fast break so I don't think he gets credit for that. Also, Eddie Jones is a great defender, I watched him all year in Miami and he shut down guys like VC, Carmelo, and Larry Hughes. He shuts down a lot of opponents.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting ArizonaSportsFan22:</div><div class="quote_post">Joe Johnson is definetly an underrated defensive player. Everyone thinks he sucks but he is actually VERY good.</div> Actually I have seen people regard him as Phoenix's best defende so I don't know what your talking aobut, Every1 thinks Q Rich sucks at D because he does.
Loren Woods. He hustles every play, he's very lanky but despite his weight seems to get a bunch of rebounds, and imo he's not going to back down from a bigger player. He does all the little things on the court.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting playmaker31:</div><div class="quote_post">Udonis Haslem is also very underated.</div> Good call. He's undersized but plays tough D on bigger players, and though he's not an athletic freak he does enough to stop his man when they drag him out on the perimeter.
If everyones just going name off a player from their favorite team than Ill do the same.Its got to be Peja Stojakovic.Hes been labeled as one of the worst defenders in the league.In reality hes about average.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting emannen:</div><div class="quote_post">A new Phoenix Sun......Raja Bell who Manu has already claimed to hate playing aganist! </div> You're right, Bell is a terrific defender. That's what he's known for, though, and I think a lot of people recognize him as being very good. That's why I hadn't included him. He certainly shouldn't be overlooked, though; he's a great perimeter defender.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting playmaker31:</div><div class="quote_post">Actually I have seen people regard him as Phoenix's best defende so I don't know what your talking aobut, Every1 thinks Q Rich sucks at D because he does.</div> Yes, Q does suck. Everyone I talk to on forums thinks JJ can't play defense.
