Who Are The Most Overrated Players In The NBA?
There are players in the league that the NBA community has a general good sense on. We know who is great, good, and average. But sometimes people seem to think that a player is a lot better than they actually are. They overrate these players with no real reason or facts to prove their point. Today I will be listing some names I got from my Instagram poll, and seeing if I agree or disagree with their decision to call that player overrated.
Russell Westbrook
This was the name on the poll that I got the most, and it’s pretty justified. Westbrook is a talented player who puts up numbers each year, but we know what he is. Westbrook’s style isn’t well fit for the modern NBA, and he isn’t a #1 option on a title team. Westbrook’s style doesn’t allow him to play off-ball a lot, which is a problem. He is inefficient and sloppy, and he just hasn’t changed his ways.
People always argue that Westbrook averages this that or the other, and yeah he does because the ball is always in his hands. But he’s not a threat. You saw how the Lakers guarded him in the postseason in the bubble. Just gave him 10 feet of space, and he was rendered useless.
I doubt that Westbrook will be a top tier player and win a title, but it’s nothing about his personality that I hate. People always seem to bring a player’s attitude/off the court things into this debate which is pretty stupid. Westbrook can averaged 27,8, and 7 every year, but that’s not changing my mind. It’s pretty easy to guard him because he can’t play off-ball or shooting past 15 feet. He is very inefficient and sloppy. Talented? Yes. Effective? Not really.
Verdict: Overrated
Jamal Murray
After getting a big extension during the 2019 offseason, people expected big things from Murray. And he disappointed during the regular season, averaging the same numbers as the year prior. We saw the potential in Murray during the bubble. Murray exploded with big games left right and center, and the Nuggets made it to the Western Conference Finals. Because of this, I think that he’s overrated.
This is a prime example of recency bias. Just because of one playoff run, everybody likes Murray now. We all need to put on the brakes. Murray didn’t change much in his game. All he did was shoot more 3’s, and make them. He didn’t grow into this completely new player, he just shot more 3’s.
And I also say that he’s overrated for now because he hasn’t done it for an entire regular season. If Murray averages like 22-23 points this season, then I’ll admit that he’s the real deal. But just because of a 19-game playoff run I’m not going to call Jamal Murray a god. He needs to prove to me that he can keep this up on a consistent basis, and then we’ll talk.
Verdict: Overrated (Recency Bias)
Zach Lavine
While the Bulls haven’t been a playoff team the last few years, Zach Lavine has been quietly leading this team in scoring. Most people don’t even know what Lavine has been averaging during his tenures with Chicago. Everybody thinks of flashy dunks with Lavine, but he is a very talented offensive player. He can score from all 3 levels, and he is an explosive athlete. I don’t view him as overrated.
I don’t think he’s a superstar, but he would be an All-Star with his averages. Last season, Lavine averaged 25.5 points while shooting 45% from the field and 38% from 3. Lavine is a bucket-getter, and I don’t get where this overrated title is coming from.
Lavine is a guy that most people don’t get to see because Chicago isn’t primetime TV anymore, but I love his playstyle. He’s very smooth and always in control. He’s going to be the Bulls best player this season, and I expect Chicago to surprise some people and be border-line playoff team. Lavine might be a All-Star if people recognize his talents, but I don’t view him as overrated.
Verdict: Not Overrated (Overlooked)
James Harden
James Harden is easily one of the most hated players in the league, and it’s mainly because of the way he plays. People don’t like all the isolation and how he draws his fouls. I agree it’s annoying, but people don’t give Harden the respect he deserves. Harden is one of the greatest offensive talents ever, and people overlook that just because his playstyle is annoying.
Harden averaged 34 points this past season, along with 7 rebounds and 8 assists. He shot 44% from the field and 36% from 3. The 36% from 3 is very, very impressive because Harden always takes tough step-back threes. He doesn’t get many catch-and-shoot opportunities, and if he got more his percentages would be higher.
I get that Harden doesn’t perform as well in the playoffs because of his offensive style, but don’t disrespect the man. Harden is one of the greatest offensive players in the league, and while that may never get him a ring, he’s still going to be one of the all-time greats. Instead of just looking at his “annoying” playstyle, look at his numbers and how he accomplishes that. Some people are missing out on the show that James Harden has been putting on for the past few years, just because of a bad narrative.
Verdict: Not Overrated (Overhated)
I think that overrated is a term that is too loosely thrown around the NBA community. It takes a lot for somebody to actually be overrated, and it needs to take a lot of things into account. Jamal Murray is getting overhyped because of recency bias, and players like Zach Lavine are quietly doing great things. James Harden’s great offense talent is often overlooked by his limited playoff success and “annoying” playstyle. I think that the most overrated player in the league right now is Jamal Murray just because of all the recency bias, but this is something that changes often. So make sure you have your facts right before calling somebody overrated.
Are There Any Other Players Who Are Overrated, Or Are They Not Overrated? Leave A Comment Down Below!
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