We Need a New Word For Underrated

The term underrated is used far too often.

Once a legitimate assessment, it has now become the trendy statement reduced to a dull void cliché. It's come to the point where being underrated is no longer a slight, but a sought-after title.

Relatively speaking, every player wants to be underrated. If Kobe Bryant is considered the best player in the game and a major media outlet like ESPN begins calling him underrated, then the feeling becomes that the "best in the game" title is not enough — more praise, more recognition is needed. Thus, underrated has become a cheap way for players and teams to get a little more pub, a little more ink, and a little more public praise thrown their way.

That's what irks me. The sentiment the term was originally meant to stand for still has its place. Many players can still justly say they don't get the recognition they deserve, that's what prompted me to write this article. But not long after my digits hit the keyboard, I realized the subject I was attempting to write about had lost its meaning. Not everyone who claims to be underrated has truly been slighted, most are just bitching. And the media uses to the term so liberally it's like hearing someone call themselves a Christian, so many people say it that it really doesn't mean much anymore, at least not like it used to.

So who really is underrated? Well, I'd be happy to tell you. What follows is a list of 10 players who I've found to get less attention, pub, and love then they deserve. Keep in mind that the list is not based on how good a player is or how well known a player is, but on how well his game is recognized and if that recognition is at the level it should be. Also, underrated-overrated discussions can be some of the deepest around, so I expect the comments to come forth abundantly.

10) Michael Redd (SG), Milwaukee Bucks: 25.1 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 3.1 apg, .386 3pt FG%

Redd has been an all-star and is one of the league's leading scorers, yes, but he still deserves to be on this list. At 25 points a game, Redd is one of the most consistent scorers in the NBA and one of its best pure shooters, yet he is constantly overlooked in favor of flashier guards who sit just a few notches up on the scoring leaders list. He isn't as much of a lost gem as he used to be, but he still doesn't get as much attention as other guards of his caliber.

9) Jamaal Magloire (C), Milwaukee Bucks: 10.1 ppg, 10.1 rpg

What can I say, no one pays attention to Milwaukee. Another Buck makes the list at number nine in Jamaal Magloire. Magloire also has an all-star appearance to his credit, but most wrongly doubted that he even deserved it. Jamaal isn't exactly exciting, but he is a consistent double-double on a nightly basis and legit center. Those two things in one package are hard to find in today's NBA and they shouldn't be overlooked here.

8) Chris Kaman (C), Los Angeles Clippers: 11.7 pps, 9.5 rpg, .522 FG%

I must admit, I wasn't always a Chris Kaman fan. I think it was the hair. His game, however, was enough to win me over. Kaman is an excellent rebounder and his offense game has developed from nearly non-existent to pretty damn serviceable. He shoots good percentages and finishes well around the basket. Kaman is a great compliment to Elton Brand and is a key piece for the Clippers.

7) Bruce Bowen (G/F), San Antonio Spurs: 7.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg, .449 3pt FG%

If it wasn't for his selection to the U.S. National Team, Bowen may have ended up higher on this list. He's been a regular on the NBA All-Defense team and gets annual talk for Defensive Player of the Year, but even so, I don't think many people understand the effect he has on games. I consider him the defensive equivalent to Kobe Bryant. Bowen makes defensive plays at will like Kobe does on offense. Bowen makes more of an impact defensively than any other player in the league, period.

6) Mike Bibby (PG), Sacramento Kings: 20.6 ppg, 5.6 apg, .371 3pt FG%

Bibby gained his initial fame in the 2002 playoffs, posting big numbers and nailing bigger shots. Since then, however, the Kings have declined and apparently Bibby's short-lived fame did with them. Of course, Bibby isn't as good as he was in that '02 playoff run — he's better. Bibby is a consistent 20-point scorer and the best playmaker on a team poised to seize a playoff spot despite an ugly start to the season. Bibby is the catalyst for his team and a top-five point guard in this league.

5) Mike James (G), Toronto Raptors: 18.9 ppg, 5.6 apg, .427 3pt FG%

Mike James might be one of the most overlooked guards in the NBA. His numbers are near all-star status and his game is right on pace, as well. James has got a quick first step for great penetration and a deadly shot from deep. When he's in rhythm, he's one of the toughest covers in the league. The obvious knock would be that he gets his numbers on a bad team, but as I like to say, either you got game or you don't — Mike James got game.

4) Josh Howard (G/F), Dallas Mavericks: 15.5 ppg, 6.4 rpg, .412 3pt FG%

Injury has slowed him down of late, but when he's healthy, he's as good a player the Mavericks have. If anything is underestimated about Howard, it's his importance to the Mavs. Josh Howard is nearly as valuable, if not as valuable, as Dirk Nowitzki is to the Mavericks, that's why it's imperative he gets healthy before the playoffs. His perimeter shooting is vastly improved from his first two seasons and he's athletic enough to finish at the rim regularly.

3) David West (F), Oklahoma City/New Orleans Hornets: 16.9 ppg, 7.4 rpg, .514 FG%

As a third-year player, West is the leading scorer and rebounder on a young Hornets team that has surprised a lot of people and is contending for a playoff spot. What West has done speaks for itself, he's stepped up his game immensely since his second year and, along with Chris Paul, is the key to this success for this Hornets team.

2) Boris Diaw (N/A), Phoenix Suns: 13.2 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 5.9 apg - .520 FG%

As I'm sure you noticed, I did not list Boris Diaw's position. I couldn't. Diaw isn't a guard or a forward, he's just a basketball player and a damn good one at that. Steve Nash has helped his scoring output, certainly, but Diaw's rebounding and playmaking ability can be attributed only to himself. Diaw is truly one of the most versatile players in the League and is the most important player on this Suns team after Steve Nash. Diaw is the reason why Amare Stoudemire can sit out the rest of the year and the Suns can still make a deep playoff run.

1) Andrei Kirilenko (F), Utah Jazz: 14.9 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 4.1 apg, 1.56 spg, 2.90 bpg

Kirilenko has been an all-star, led the league in blocks, and been named to All-Defense teams, and despite that, I still don't think people get it. Kirilenko tops this list not because he isn't recognized as a good player, but because he isn't recognized as a great player. Kirilenko has freakish length and all-world skill. He is a superstar without question. He won't be getting named to any All-NBA teams due to the sub-par record of the Utah Jazz , but on skills alone, Kirilenko is a top-10 player.

Honorable mention: Troy Murphy (GS), Mehmet Okur (UTA), Nenad Krstic (NJ), Luke Ridnour (SEA), Samuel Dalembert (PHI), Gerald Wallace (CHA)