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

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.