15 Underrated Seasons from The Past 15 Years (2003-2004 to 2017-2018)

As NBA seasons come and go, some are made more memorable than others by notable extraordinary performances from the best of the best, or even some flash-in-the-pan who just happens to catch lightning in a bottle. (That 2015-2016 season by Stephen Curry and the 73-9 Warriors makes that season a tiny bit more memorable.) Most of the time, when a superstar goes supernova, this usually translates to wins, and usually translates to winning the highly coveted MVP award.

However, there are also times when someone goes all out, only for it to be overshadowed by an even better season from another player. There are seasons when even the most impressive stat-lines get overshadowed by a greater narrative, or a player with a more stellar reputation leaguewide, which can be seen in the 16-17 and 10-11 seasons, respectively. (I’m not saying that Derrick Rose didn’t deserve it, it’s just that someone else probably deserved it more.)

It’s time to get those players more recognition than they have gotten. It’s time to look back at some of the most incredible seasons from players who didn’t win the MVP award in that particular season. Some MVP snubs are more egregious than others, and some seasons are not really that underrated, but there are some stellar individual seasons that tend to fly under the radar just because the player didn’t win the MVP award.

Note: I only included one individual season per player and one from each season, spanning from the 2003-2004 season to the 2017-2018 iteration of the NBA.

As a four-year pro at the time, even greater things were expected out of CP3, especially after a season where he averaged 17.3 points, 8.9 assists, and 4.4 rebounds per game. However, the Hornets weren’t able to do much in the 06-07 season, finishing with a mediocre 39-43 record.

15. Baron Davis, Golden State Warriors, 2006-2007

Stats: 20.1 ppg, 8.1 apg, 2.1 spg

Finished tied for 15th in MVP voting.

In a season, where the MVP was truly clear-cut (Dirk Nowitzki, leading the Mavericks to a 67-win season), it was slightly more difficult to find an underrated season, but one who stands out is Baron Davis. Davis’ per-game stats don’t pop off the page, but his on-court impact did, especially in the playoffs. He was the engine behind the We Believe Warriors, he killed Andrei Kirilenko, and nearly led the Warriors to the Conference Finals as the 8-seed.

14. Joakim Noah, Chicago Bulls, 2013-2014

Stats: 12.6 ppg, 11.3 rpg, 5.4 apg, 1.5 bpg, 1.2 spg

Finished 3rd in MVP Voting, Won Defensive Player of The Year

The season of the highly anticipated Return of Derrick Rose, the 2011 MVP, The Return quickly proved to be anticlimactic, with Rose injuring his right knee, after just 10 games due to a Torn Meniscus. A rejuvenated Noah took it upon himself to pick up the playmaking slack due to Rose’s absence, and the result was the best year of his career to date, even picking up four triple-doubles in the process. (It’s highly unlikely for him to top this season, so I’m going to call this season his best ever.)

Led by the fiery Noah, an emerging Jimmy Butler, and coached by the ever-dependable (to that date) Tom Thibodeau, the Bulls won 48 games behind the 2nd-ranked defense in the league. Although the Wizards easily defeated them in the first round, Noah’s leadership, defensive tenacity, and underrated playmaking kept them afloat when they easily could have folded after that soul-crushing Rose injury.

13. Peja Stojakovic, Sacramento Kings, 2003-2004

Stats: 24.2 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 43% from 3

Finished 4th in MVP voting.

Stojakovic, all throughout his career, has been criminally underrated since his skillset just wasn’t as valued back then as it could have been now. He is a threat from everywhere on the court, and his shooting is Klay-esque. He was one of the original heat-check artists from deep, and it all came together during the 03-04 season, with Peja picking up some down-ballot MVP votes with those who voted for him understanding the impact of his efficient 24 point-per-game scoring.

12. Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs, 2012-2013

Stats: 20.3 ppg, 7.6 apg, 52% FG

Finished 6th in MVP voting.

After consecutive seasons of playoff heartbreak, the latest back then being the meltdown in six games against the rising Oklahoma City Thunder, the Spurs weren’t expected to be serious title contenders for the 12-13 season. However, Parker improved in his age-30 season, leading the Spurs to 58 wins.

What is so underrated about this season is just how spry Parker looked throughout the season, looking as if he was just 20 again. Look at these moves in the Finals against the Heat. He was the motor that powered the Spurs offense, and was so good (x4) that he had the Heat throw LeBron at him to try and stymie his drives.

11. Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs, 2015-2016

Stats: 21.2 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 1.8 spg

Finished 2nd in MVP voting.

Even with Tim Duncan nearing the end of the road, and with newest addition LaMarcus Aldridge, the Spurs were expected to be the best team in the league due to the expected progression of Kawhi, a two-way beast who can anchor a lineup on both ends. In the 2014-2015 season, Leonard averaged 16.5 points on 48% shooting and 34% from deep, far from being an offensive centerpiece. His efficiency skyrocketed, averaging 21 points on 50% from the field and 40% from three-point land, while being his usual dependable self on defense.

Kawhi was the string that tied two new eras of Spurs Basketball. After rising to national prominence with a great showing in the 2014 finals, he was the constant through the continuous churn, starting with Aldridge’s addition and Duncan’s retirement into this new era spearheaded by trade return DeMar DeRozan following Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker’s departures.

10. Amar’e Stoudemire, Phoenix Suns, 2004-2005

Stats: 26.0 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 1.6 bpg

Finished 9th in MVP voting.

Almost always on the receiving end of those gorgeous dishes from Steve Nash, Stoudemire helped anchor the “Seven Seconds or Less” iteration of the Suns, providing a superstar-caliber rim-runner before rim-running became a necessity around the league.

His teammate, Nash, overshadowed him just because of how the Suns became better with Nash at the point. Nash’s gravity and court control enabled Mike D’Antoni’s offensive vision to work, resulting in a 62-win season. Without Amar’e, they still won 54 games the following season due to Boris Diaw’s emergence, but they were not as potent in the playoffs as they were with Amar’e. Stoudemire’s presence dictated just how far the Suns team went, and without him, that version of the Suns wouldn’t have been as dangerous.

9. Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans, 2014-2015

Stats: 24.4 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 2.9 bpg

Finished 5th in MVP voting.

Many great things have been expected from AD ever since the Hornets (now the Pelicans) took him first overall in 2012. After two mediocre seasons from the AD-led Hornets/Pelicans, The Brow stepped up his game even more in his third year, leading the league in blocks en route to leading the Pelicans to the playoffs, a death-sentence against the 67-win Warriors team. The shot AD hit to virtually send the Pelicans to the playoffs still remains as crazy as it was before.

While the Pelicans were swept in the Playoffs by the Warriors buzzsaw, Davis dominated once playing under the playoff spotlight, averaging 31.5 ppg, 11.0 rpg, and 3.0 bpg in 4 games. Davis stepped up in a big way in the 14-15 season, leading them in the playoffs as a 21-year old.

8. Kevin Love, Minnesota Timberwolves, 2011-2012

Stats: 26.0 ppg, 13.3 rpg, 2.0 apg

Finished 6th in MVP voting.

Love definitely peaked in the 2013-2014 season, but his 11-12 season closely approximates his impact both with his scoring and rebounding. He is the only player in NBA history to average at least 25 points, 13 rebounds, along with providing stellar spacing (shooting at least better than 35% from deep). His offensive impact is off the charts, but his defense cramps his overall ceiling. His lateral mobility and presence on the defensive glass is underrated, but his rim protection has been mediocre all throughout his career, which limits the minutes he can be played at the 5. But during this lockout-shortened season, Love showed one of the reasons why Minnesota Love exists.

7. Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic, 2010-2011

Stats: 22.9 ppg, 14.1 rpg, 2.4 bpg

Finished 2nd in MVP voting.

Once upon a time, before the Dwightmare and stints with the Lakers, Rockets, Hawks, Hornets, Nets, and this upcoming season with the Wizards, Howard was a legitimate MVP-caliber superstar. Averaging a dominant 23-14 along with playing his usual dominant brand of defense, Howard was a highly coveted piece around the league, with his best season coming in the 2010-2011 season.

A nightly 20-20 threat, Howard never quite reached these levels again, being held down by back issues as his career progressed. This season is not quite remembered by the typical NBA fan due to his damaged reputation around the league.

6. Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat, 2008-2009

Stats: 30.2 ppg, 7.5 apg, 5.0 rpg

Finished 3rd in MVP voting.

Following an awful season marred by injuries in his knee and shoulder with the Heat winning a mere 15 games, Wade came out with a vengeance, posting his best season across the board. He won the NBA scoring title, and led the Heat to the playoffs, but we rarely hear this season when mentioning some of the greatest individual seasons of all time.

5. James Harden, Houston Rockets, 2016-2017

Stats: 29.1 ppg, 11.2 apg, 8.1 rpg

Finished 2nd in MVP voting.

Apologies to Kawhi Leonard, a 2016-2017 snub, but Harden and Russ were, no-doubt, the two leaders of that 2017 MVP Race, with Harden losing due to, once again, the narrative surrounding Russ’ triple-double record chase and KD’s departure. Harden spearheaded a Rockets squad led by the resurgent Mike D’Antoni, seizing control of the offense as the point guard, setting a personal single season-high in assists per game in the process, leading the Rockets to 55-wins. However, the lasting memories of Harden for this season will definitely not be good.

4. Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets, 2007-08

Stats: 21.1 ppg, 11.6 apg, 4.0 rpg, 2.7 spg

Finished 2nd in MVP voting.

But with a vastly improving core led by Paul, David West, and Tyson Chandler, the Hornets improved by a lot, increasing their win total by 17, winning 56 games and finishing 2nd in the ever-competitive West. It’s not even a question as to whether Paul would have been a deserving winner. The narrative in favor of Kobe Bryant was just too strong that year.

3. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder, 2009-2010

Stats: 30.1 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 2.8 apg

Finished 2nd in MVP voting.

We all have our jokes regarding Kevin Durant nowadays, but before being seen as a snake by just about everyone, as a 21-year old, he was putting up superstar-caliber numbers. Only Durant and the King himself, LeBron James, averaged 30 points during (or before) their age-21 season. It’s amazing how unpublicized this season of his is, when it stands out as one of the all-time great seasons for a 21-year old.

In fact, when sorted by the first three seasons of a career, Durant joins the likes of James, Kareem-Abdul Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, Michael Jordan, Oscar Robertson, Jerry West, Elgin Barry, Bob McAdoo, Tiny Archibald, and Walt Bellamy, an extremely star-studded group of names, in scoring 30 or more points within their first three seasons. Suffice to say, Durant was on an extreme upward trajectory from the beginning of his career.

2. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers, 2017-2018

Stats: 27.5 ppg, 9.1 apg, 8.6 rpg

Finished 2nd in MVP voting.

LeBron, putting up arguably his best statline in his age-33 season and it not being shocking is the most surprising thing about LeBron James. LeBron has aged so well for a player who relies so much on his athletic prowess.

Tasked with his greatest offensive load since the 2009-2010 season, his last before bolting for the Miami Heat, LeBron became a better offensive engine as the season went by, crushing Toronto in the process, and he even looked like he was going to defeat the Warriors on his own, but JR happened, spoiling his 51-point game.

All things considered, this is a season wherein when people look back, they would just wonder how LeBron didn’t win the MVP. (He didn’t win because Harden was stellar and the Rockets won 65 games, but knowing the load LeBron carried, he is a worthy winner.)

1. Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers, 2005-2006

Stats: 35.4 ppg, 4.5 apg, 5.3 rpg

Finished 4th(!) in MVP voting.

81 points. Nearly single-handedly pushing the highly-regarded Suns to brink of elimination. In what is undoubtedly one of the most awesome individual seasons of all time, Kobe’s 05-06 season will never fly under the radar. There are still many who are claiming that he is the true MVP of that season, especially after comparing his stats with Steve Nash’s, the MVP of that season. Some even go as far as diminishing Nash’s accomplishments, which is unfair. (Along with the unheralded Shawn Marion, Nash led the Suns to 54 wins after losing Amar’e to injury)

But when you look at the grand scheme of things, what Kobe did in his three midlife seasons (that down time between the Shaq trade and the Pau Gasol acquisition) was remarkable, peaking in 2005-2006. He would take the challenge of facing double teams (except in his 81-point game, if you can believe that) night-in night-out, with only Lamar Odom as his truly reliable teammate in terms of creating offense. The responsibility he carried every game was so heavy, but he responded by averaging almost 36 points per game while being guarded by the opponent’s best defender every single game. If that’s not underrated, then I don’t know what is.

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