The Six Most Underrated NBA Players

A month after the NBA All-Star Game, and before the playoffs, it's time to take stock of the underappreciated player. Who is unsung or overshadowed, either by playing in a smaller market, with highly publicized teammates, or due to the little things he does? Let's take a look:

Kevin Martin, G, Sacramento Kings — Key stat: 23.7 points per game

Talk about small market. I love Sactown, and fantasy players value Martin, but few others know of him. One would think it difficult to remain under the radar in the league with a 23.7 scoring average. That's more than Dirk Nowitzki or Michael Redd put up in 2008! Yet being the King of the Kings holds no glory from an NBA standpoint. The 45% shooter managed his average while playing 36 minutes a night.

Tyson Chandler, C, New Orleans Hornets: Key stat: 7.7 defensive rebounds a game

It's all well and good that Chris Paul is outstanding at pushing the ball on the fast break — but you gotta have the ball first. Chandler's tenacity on the defensive boards helps trigger those breaks, and contributed largely to making the Bees the surprise team they were last season. Chandler's rebound-per-40 minute average is an impressive 16 per contest. He also finished second in the league with a .626 shooting percentage.

Caron Butler, F, Washington Wizards — Key stat: 2.2 steals per game

On a team that was built around the oft-injured and much-ballyhooed Gilbert Arenas, Butler's ability to score, defend, and finish the break are undervalued. In addition to his defensive prowess, he netted 20.3 points per game, and the club often ran more like a unit without the one dimensional Arenas. Butler is an excellent complement to versatile PF Antawn Jamison — unselfish and willing to share in some of the dirty work.

Samuel Dalembert, C, Philadelphia 76ers — Key stat: 2.3 blocks per game

Elton Brand must love teaming with this guy in the frontcourt! Dalembert provides defensive energy, his 10.4 rebounds per game came in only 33-odd minutes per contest — meaning he could average over 14 if he played more. Night in and night out, he gives his all against big men with bigger names than his. He's also a finisher, though Andre Iguodala makes all the highlight reels.

Jose Calderon, G, Toronto Raptors — Key stat: 8.3 assists per game

That's a higher clip last year than either Baron Davis or Raymond Felton. This FIBA veteran is the spark-plug of a team that welcomes Shawn Marion to its roster. Add his .519 shooting percentage (lifetime .500) and you see that Calderon is just a heady ballplayer. Raptors coach Sam Mitchell likes his team to get up a lot of shots, and Calderon is a playmaker who assures that most of the attempts are high percentage.

Andre Miller, G, Philadelphia 76ers — Key stat: 17 points per game

The man who was once traded for Allen Iverson is a prototypical point guard. His assist average was down last season (6.9 a night with a horrible club), but he scored 17 points a game because offensive punch was needed from him. None of that excessive dribbling for Miller, he keeps the basketball in the middle of the floor in transition and doesn't indecisively pick up his dribble. He's yet to play with a real winner, and there are GM's who could certainly put his gifts to use. His career assist average is 7.5 a game.

Those are a half dozen guys to keep an eye on. In a game of big men, the numbers, even those cited above, never tell the entire story. It's the little things that count.