by I did this type of article for the MLB where I highlighted 25 of the most underrated and overlooked seasons ever. It’s time to do it for the NBA now that we’re in the full swing of the season and things are heating up. These seasons can be underrated for a variety of reasons, and I want to shine light on players and seasons that rightfully deserve it and don’t get talked about as much as they should.
‘96-’97 Glen Rice, SF, Charlotte Hornets
Glen Rice is known as a sniper from three-point range, as he has a career percentage of 40% on the dot from downtown. Rice led Charlotte to a 54-28 record and a playoff appearance in 1997 and was by far their best player, and the most impressive part of this season was his efficiency, especially considering he was mainly a jump shooter.
Season Stats: 79 G, 26.8 Pts, 4.0 Reb, 2.0 Ast, 47.7% FG, 47.0% 3PT, 86.7% FT
Accolades: 3x All Star, 2x All-NBA, 1x NBA Champ
‘03-’04 Peja Stojakovic, SF, Sacramento Kings
Like Glen Rice, Peja is known as one of the greatest outside shooters the NBA has ever seen, and he exploded for a career year as he led the Kings to a 55-27 year. Peja was 4th in MVP voting this season, but interestingly made the All-NBA 2nd Team, either way, we rarely hear anyone talk about Peja in general, so this season needs to be highlighted.
Season Stats: 81 G, 24.2 Pts, 6.3 Reb, 2.1 Ast, 48.0% FG, 43.3% 3PT, 92.7% FT
Accolades: 3x All Star, 1x All-NBA, 1x NBA Champ
‘99-’00 Grant Hill, SF, Detroit Pistons
Grant Hill is in the Hall of Fame, but his prime was still derailed by injuries, and his career year in 2000, was the last of his prime before injuries took over. Hill was getting Superstar labels heavily by this point and was an all-around threat, as he was a good ball handler, a great finisher, a good defender, and a great playmaker for a forward.
Season Stats: 74 G, 25.8 Pts, 6.6 Reb, 5.2 Ast, 49.0% FG, 34.7% 3PT, 79.5% FT
Accolades: HOF, 7x All Star, 5x All-NBA, ‘94-’95 ROTY
‘05-’06 Elton Brand, PF, Los Angeles Clippers
Elton Brand led the Clippers in points, rebounds, and blocks in the ‘05-’06 season as they went 47-35 and even won a playoff series. Brand was a really underrated scorer, as he played mainly inside the arc and was very fundamentally sound. He was also a good rebounder and shot blocker, as this season tied his career best in blocks per game.
Season Stats: 79 G, 24.7 Pts, 10.0 Reb, 2.6 Ast, 2.5 Blk, 52.7% FG, 77.5% FT
Accolades: 2x All Star, 1x All-NBA, ‘99-’00 ROTY
‘18-’19 Blake Griffin, PF, Detroit Pistons
Blake Griffin is clearly known for his days with the “Lob City” Clippers, but when he went to Detroit, he had his best statistical season. He put up career highs in points per game and assists per game. Detroit finished 41-41 but still made the playoffs, and that was mainly due to Blake Griffin’s play, to me, this was the best basketball he ever played.
Season Stats: 75 G, 24.5 Pts, 7.5 Reb, 5.4 Ast, 46.2% FG, 36.2% 3PT, 75.3% FT
Accolades: 6x All Star, 5x All-NBA, ‘10-’11 ROTY
‘18-’19 Ben Simmons, PG, Philadelphia 76ers
I feel like Simmons’ recent injury problems, and bad play have taken over conversations about him to the point where people don’t talk about his good years. Simmons was a triple double threat every game while playing incredible defense. He was too fast for big men, and too tall for guards. He was never a shooter but he didn’t have to be, and I hope we can see Ben Simmons play well again at some point.
Season Stats: 79 G, 17.0 Pts, 8.8 Reb, 7.7 Ast, 56.3% FG, 60.0% FT
Accolades: 3x All Star, 1x All-NBA, 2x All-Defense, 1x STL Leader, ‘17-’18 ROTY
‘18-’19 Paul George, SF, Oklahoma City Thunder
Paul George played the best basketball of his career by far in the ‘18-’19 season as he finished 3rd in MVP voting, made 1st Team All-NBA, and 1st Team All-Defense. George put up a career high in points per game, rebounds per game, and steals per game, he also led the entire NBA in steals per game. This season may be the main reason Paul George will be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Season Stats: 77 G, 28.0 Pts, 8.2 Reb, 4.1 Ast, 2.2 Stl, 43.8% FG, 38.6% 3PT, 84.0% FT
Accolades: 8x All Star, 6x All-NBA, 4x All-Defense, 1x STL Leader
‘13-’14 Joakim Noah, C, Chicago Bulls
At first glance, this season may not be the most statistically pleasing, but Joakim Noah was as impactful as anyone, especially defensively. Noah took home the Defensive Player of the Year Award this year as well as putting up career highs in points per game, rebounds per game, and assists per game. Noah also added great intensity and competitiveness to the game.
Season Stats: 80 G, 12.6 Pts, 11.3 Reb, 5.4 Ast, 1.2 Stl, 1.5 Blk, 47.5% FG, 73.7% FT
Accolades: 2x All Star, 1x All-NBA, 1x DPOY, 3x All-Defense
‘13-’14 Al Jefferson, C, Charlotte Bobcats
Big Al Jefferson was one of the more underrated players in general of his time, he was a good scorer as he was physical down low, using his 6’10, 290 pound frame to bully his way down low. Jefferson led the Bobcats in scoring and rebounding as they went 43-39 and made the playoffs, despite getting swept in the first round by the Miami Heat.
Season Stats: 73 G, 21.8 Pts, 10.8 Reb, 2.1 Ast, 51.0% FG, 69.0% FT
Accolades: 1x All-NBA
‘14-’15 Paul Millsap, PF, Atlanta Hawks
The ‘14-’15 Atlanta Hawks went 60-22 and got the number 1 seed in the playoffs. They sent 4 players to the All Star game this year and one of them was Paul Millsap as he led the team in scoring, rebounding, and steals. Millsap was a fantastic defender, often guarding opposing teams’ best player and was a nice all-around player on offense.
Season Stats: 73 G, 16.7 Pts, 7.8 Reb, 3.1 Ast, 1.8 Stl, 47.6% FG, 35.6% 3PT, 75.7% FT
Accolades: 4x All Star, 1x All-Defense
‘16-’17 John Wall, PG, Washington Wizards
The Wizards went 49-33 in the ‘16-’17 season largely due to John Wall and Bradley Beal emerging as a dangerous duo in D.C. Wall was one of the best two-way guards in the NBA, and this season he put up career highs in points per game, assists per game, and steals per game. Wall was one of the best passers of his era and was a fearless scorer.
Season Stats: 78 G, 23.1 Pts, 4.2 Reb, 10.7 Ast, 2.0 Stl, 45.1% FG, 32.7% 3PT, 80.1% FT
Accolades: 5x All Star, 1x All-NBA, 1x All-Defense
‘85-’86 Alvin Robertson, SG, San Antonio Spurs
Alvin Robertson is one of the greatest guard defenders ever, and had an unreal year in ‘85-’86. Despite the Spurs missing the playoffs, Robertson won the Defensive Player of the Year Award, the Most Improved Player Award, and was selected to an All-NBA team. He also led the entire NBA in steals per game, and even recorded a quadruple-double this season, he’s one of three players to ever do this.
Season Stats: 82 G, 17.0 Pts, 6.3 Reb, 5.5 Ast, 3.7 Stl, 51.4% FG, 27.6% 3PT, 79.5% FT
Accolades: 4x All Star, 1x All-NBA, 1x DPOY, 6x All-Defense, 3x STL Leader
‘88-’89 Dale Ellis, SG, Seattle SuperSonics
Dale Ellis was selected to his lone All Star Team and his lone All-NBA Team in the ‘88-’89 season and led Seattle to a 47-35 record and a first round playoff win. Ellis was an absolute sharpshooter, and put up unbelievably efficient shooting percentages on a career high in points per game. Another note, Ellis also did all of this while playing all 82 games, which was much more common back then.
Season Stats: 82 G, 27.5 Pts, 4.2 Reb, 2.0 Ast, 50.1% FG, 47.8% 3PT, 81.6% FT
Accolades: 1x All Star, 1x All-NBA
‘88-’89 Fat Lever, SG, Denver Nuggets
Fat Lever was a fantastic all-around player and was always a triple-double threat, on top of that he was a member of the All-Defensive Team the year prior to this one. Lever led the Nuggets to a playoff appearance and he led the team in assists, steals, and even led the team in rebounding as the two guard. Lever also put up career highs in points per game, rebounds per game, and steals per game.
Season Stats: 71 G, 19.8 Pts, 9.3 Reb, 8.0 Ast, 2.7 Stl, 45.7% FG, 34.8% 3PT, 78.5% FT
Accolades: 2x All Star, 1x All-NBA, 1x All-Defense
‘08-’09 Danny Granger, SF, Indiana Pacers
Danny Granger had about a 3 or 4 year prime, but in that short time he was an excellent scorer from all 3 levels. In ‘08-’09, Granger put up career highs in points per game and assists per game, although that’s not saying much because he wasn’t much of a passer. Indiana missed the playoffs but Granger was the main reason they were somewhat competent.
Season Stats: 67 G, 25.8 Pts, 5.1 Reb, 2.7 Ast, 44.7% FG, 40.4% 3PT, 87.8% FT
Accolades: 1x All Star
‘01-’02 Andre Miller, PG, Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavaliers were terrible this season as they lost over 50 games as a team, but Andre Miller was one of the few bright spots. Miller is known for being a good passer and defender, and he did both of those things well in the ‘01-’02 season. Miller led the entire NBA in assists per game this year and it was also Miller’s career high in assists per game.
Season Stats: 81 G, 16.5 Pts, 4.7 Reb, 11.0 Ast, 45.4% FG, 25.3% 3PT, 81.7% FT
Accolades: 1x AST Leader
‘91-’92 Chris Mullin, SF, Golden State Warriors
Chris Mullin was a great all-around player and in my opinion, one of the most underrated players in NBA history. Mullin was a great jump shooter as he featured a lethal mid range game and developed an elite three-point jump shot later in his career. Mullin led Golden State to a 55-27 record and led the team in scoring, it’s a shame a lot of young kids don’t know Chris Mullin.
Season Stats: 81 G, 25.6 Pts, 5.6 Reb, 3.5 Ast, 2.1 Stl, 52.4% FG, 36.6% 3PT, 83.3% FT
Accolades: HOF, 5x All Star, 4x All-NBA
‘83-’84 Mark Aguirre, SF, Dallas Mavericks
Mark Aguirre was one of the best scorers of his era and in the ‘83-’84 season, he led the Mavericks to a 43-39 record and they won their first round playoff series. Aguirre was one half of a great scoring duo with another multiple time All Star in Rolando Blackman, and they were feared by defenses night in and night out. Aguirre’s whole career is seemingly underrated, not just this season.
Season Stats: 79 G, 29.5 Pts, 6.0 Reb, 4.5 Ast, 52.4% FG, 26.8% 3PT, 75.0% FT
Accolades: 3x All Star, 2x NBA Champ
‘94-’95 Detlef Schrempf, SF, Seattle SuperSonics
This season by Detlef Schrempf was unbelievable because of his shooting numbers, as he put up 50/50/80 splits, which is incredible efficiency. He played all 82 games while being one of the main pieces of the 57-25 SuperSonics although they lost to the Lakers in the first round. Schrempf put up a career high in points per game this year and was second in three-point percentage.
Season Stats: 82 G, 19.2 Pts, 6.2 Reb, 3.8 Ast, 52.3% FG, 51.4% 3PT, 84.0% FT
Accolades: 3x All Star, 1x All-NBA, 2x 6MOY
‘89-’90 Tom Chambers, PF, Phoenix Suns
Tom Chambers was the leading scorer on the Phoenix Suns in the ‘89-’90 season and the team made the Western Conference Finals before losing to the Portland Trail Blazers. Chambers was super athletic and was a great scorer on the inside, and held his own on the defensive end. I don’t hear anything about Chambers in the NBA community, and I think he should be mentioned much more.
Season Stats: 81 G, 27.2 Pts, 7.0 Reb, 2.3 Ast, 50.1% FG, 28.0% 3PT, 86.1% FT
Accolades: 4x All Star, 2x All-NBA
‘06-’07 Michael Redd, SG, Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks were at a very rough point in ‘06-’07, but Michael Redd was their star player even though he played just 53 games, and was one of the only bright spots of the team. He was a fantastic scorer even with his unorthodox left handed jump shot and would go bucket for bucket with any other star player in the entire NBA. Redd put up a career high in points per game this year.
Season Stats: 53 G, 26.7 Pts, 3.7 Reb, 2.3 Ast, 46.5% FG, 38.2% 3PT, 83.0% FT
Accolades: 1x All Star, 1x All-NBA
‘08-’09 Brandon Roy, SG, Portland Trail Blazers
Whenever NBA fans hear Brandon Roy, they immediately think of injuries because they derailed his career. Roy only played 5 seasons but was an amazing offensive player during his short prime. Portland went 54-28 this year and Roy led the team in scoring and assists. He was a great scorer with a smooth jumper and was an above average athlete.
Season Stats: 78 G, 22.6 Pts, 4.7 Reb, 5.1 Ast, 48.0% FG, 37.7% 3PT, 82.4% FT
Accolades: 3x All Star, 2x All-NBA, ‘06-’07 ROTY
‘03-’04 Andrei Kirilenko, PF, Utah Jazz
Andrei Kirilenko is one of the best all-around defenders in NBA history as he always stuffed the stat sheet with blocks and steals. Utah finished 42-40 mainly because of Kirilenko, he led the team in scoring, rebounding, steals, and blocks while making the All Star Team and also was selected to the All-Defensive 2nd Team.
Season Stats: 78 G, 16.5 Pts, 8.1 Reb, 3.1 Ast, 2.0 Stl, 2.8 Blk, 44.3% FG, 33.8% 3PT, 79.0% FT
Accolades: 1x All Star, 3x All-Defense, 1x BLK Leader
‘05-’06 Shawn Marion, PF, Phoenix Suns
Shawn Marion had to elevate his play in the ‘05-’06 season because of the injury to Amar’e Stoudemire that kept him out most of the year. Marion and Steve Nash still incredibly led the Phoenix Suns to the Western Conference Finals in which they lost. Marion was an athletic scorer, great rebounder and defender as well.
Season Stats: 81 G, 21.8 Pts, 11.8 Reb, 2.0 Stl, 1.7 Blk, 52.5% FG, 33.1% 3PT, 81.0% FT
Accolades: 4x All Star, 2x All-NBA, 1x NBA Champ
‘91-’92 Jeff Hornacek, SG, Phoenix Suns
The ‘91-’92 Phoenix Suns had a great year in which they had a record of 53-29 and made it to the second round of the playoffs. Jeff Hornacek led the team in scoring on fantastic efficiency and that’s not a surprise. Anyone who knows who Jeff Hornacek is, knows he was a great shooter and scorer in general, and his Suns years go overlooked because of his great years with the Stockton and Malone Jazz.
Season Stats: 81 G, 20.1 Pts, 5.0 Reb, 5.1 Ast, 51.2% FG, 44.0% 3PT, 88.6% FT
Accolades: 1x All Star
