Ranking the NBA’s Most Overrated Players of the Last Decade

Posted on by Prathy Dey

Ranking the NBA’s Most Overrated Players of the Last Decade

The NBA is not immune to overrating players. Fans and analysts often shower praise on certain players, elevating their status beyond their true performance. This article delves into the most overrated players in the NBA over the past five years, ranking them in descending order based on factors like playing time, salary, and public sentiment.

1. Dillon Brooks

At the top of the list is Dillon Brooks, who recently secured a massive four-year, $86 million deal with the Houston Rockets. While Brooks has made headlines for his boldness and confidence on the court, his shooting efficiency leaves much to be desired. Over the last five years, he has ranked dead last in effective field-goal percentage among players with a significant number of shot attempts. With his accuracy lagging behind, his ambitious approach often results in missed opportunities for his team.

2. RJ Barrett

RJ Barrett has shown promise as a scorer, averaging a respectable 18.1 points per game at just 23 years old. However, his shooting struggles have hindered his overall impact on the court. Barrett’s three-point percentage falls below average, and his plus-minus ratings have been discouraging for the New York Knicks. As he is often held up as a potential franchise cornerstone, the pressure is on Barrett to improve his shooting and elevate his game.

3. De’Andre Hunter

Selected fourth overall in the 2019 draft, De’Andre Hunter was once considered an untouchable star for the Atlanta Hawks. However, despite his solid scoring average, Hunter’s ancillary contributions are underwhelming. He ranks low in assist, rebounding, steal, and block percentages among players with similar minutes played. As a core player for a team with playoff aspirations, Hunter must diversify his contributions to live up to the initial hype.

4. Luguentz Dort

Luguentz Dort is celebrated for his defensive prowess, an aspect of his game that undoubtedly merits recognition. However, his offensive limitations raise questions about his overall impact. While his defense places him in the 83rd percentile or better among catch-all metrics, Dort’s offensive statistics tell a different story. His effective field-goal percentage is significantly below the league average, indicating room for improvement in his scoring efficiency.

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5. Gabe Vincent

Gabe Vincent earned attention for his solid performance during the playoffs, where he started all 22 games for the Miami Heat. His impressive play led the Los Angeles Lakers to sign him to a three-year, $33 million contract, creating buzz among analysts. However, it is essential to take into account the relatively small sample size of his playoff run and his overall career numbers. As a 27-year-old guard, Vincent must maintain consistency over time to justify the enthusiasm surrounding his recent contract.