5 most underrated players in the upcoming NBA season

Danilo Galinari

When would you call a player underrated?A player fits the MO of an under-rated player when his contribution to the team’s performance on the court is overlooked time and again. However, at the same time the team cannot win on a consistent basis without him. Obviously being named to more than one All-Star Game or All-NBA team, it would be hard to say that the player was being overlooked.For over 5 years running Josh Smith was at the top spot of this list but this time around he isn’t even in the top 5. This past season with the Denver Nuggets was a complete disaster for Smith. It was more of a roster selection mistake made by the team management and Smith rather than the latter’s game going on the decline. With two big men in Andre Drummond and Greg Monroe, Smith had to play the Small Forward position in the starting position, a spot on the floor he is not accustomed to playing.With the new season just about five weeks away and the training camp a week, here are the five most underrated players heading to the coming season:

#5 Danilo Gallinari

Danilo Galinari

An established European baller Danilo Gallinari’s true potential was utilised once he was forced to switch cities from New York to Denver being part of a blockbuster three-team trade deal involving the Minnesota Timberwolves which eventually brought Chauncey Billups and Carmelo Anthony to the Big Apple.

Although the Nuggets had lost Anthony midway through the season of 2010-11, they still registered an incredible regular season next year recording 50 wins in an offense system that centered around Gallinari’s game. He is an incredible perimeter shooter for a player of his height nonetheless it isn’t very surprising given his European background.

Returning from an ACL injury this season he might take a while to find his groove but his contribution and importance to the Nuggets is invaluable. It is almost a given that he will be a major part of the franchise’s future plans.

#4 Jeff Green

Jeff Green

Once part of the young team built by the Oklahoma City Thunder along with superstars like Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, Jeff Green had a breakthrough season this past year with the Boston Celtics since it was his first full season being fit after recovering from aortic aneurysm which he was diagonsed in 2011.

Averaging 16.9 points in 34 minutes per game, Green could well be on the road to an All-Star selection this season if he continues to play like he did last year. Seen as the replacement to the Celtics legend Paul Pierce, he has handled pressure well and has been a true leader on a young Boston team going through a rebuild phase.

Although the All-Star point guard of the team Rajon Rondo’s place on the team is termed questionable after numerous trade rumors, Green is most certainly to have a roster spot booked for him next season.

#3 Draymond Green

Draymond Green

Through two regular seasons with the Golden State Warriors there was nothing very special that Draymonfd Green brought to the team and to many that wasn’t a surprise given that he was picked 35th overall in the second round of the 2012 NBA Draft. Having said that, he certainly stepped up in the first round of the 2014 Playoffs against the Los Angeles Clippers with the team’s starting center Andrew Bogut ruled out with an injury.

Listed at 6 foot 7 inches many mistook Green for a big man with the way he defended Blake Griffin all through the series. He fit perfectly into the team’s three point shooting small line-up where he played the power forward spot on the floor.

A mediocre ball handler for his height and capable of knocking the three pretty efficiently himself, Green is certain to see more minutes than he did past couple of seasons.

#2 Tony Allen

Tony Allen

There are very few role players in the league who can turn the game on its head with their defense. If there was ever a list among the active role players to do so, Tony Allen would be at the top of the list with a huge margin to the player in second.

Listed at 6 foot 4 inches, Allen gave league MVP Kevin Durant, who is half a foot taller a hard time in all seven games of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs. While his defensive skills have been known throughout the league, his offensive game has been on the constant improvement.

He hasn’t been setting career highs in points since better and more efficient scorers of his team receive more opportunities nevertheless his efficiency has the improved by more than a notch. His perimeter defense plus Marc Gasol presence in the paint are the two leaders of the Grizzlies’ grinding defensive system.

#1 Kenneth Faried

Kenneth Faried

If this list was made at the beginning of this month, Allen would have probably taken the spot. Still in light of recent events such as the FIBA World Cup there is a new addition to the list and he makes it straight to the top. That’s right none other than the Manimal- Kenneth Faried.

Other than being named the NBA Rising Stars Challenge Game MVP during the 2013 NBA All-Star Weekend, Faried was known for his knack of grabbing rebounds especially on the offensive board. Alas, he was not able to make an impact on the Nuggets team all by himself.

His most recent excellent form from the World Cup establishes the need for good guard play to surround him in order for Faried to make a devastating impact on the game. Brian Shaw, the head coach of the Nuggets has played under Phil Jackson and also been an assistant coach under him and is sure to put Faried’s outstanding athletic skills to good use.

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Edited by Staff Editor