NBA Power Rankings: The 10 Most Underrated NBA Players Of The Last 30 Years

Over the past 30 years, NBA fans have been treated to a myriad of great players. Yet for all the great names that instantly spring to mind, there are a dozen or so that remain hidden in the depths of the record books.

While sifting through an old basketball almanac, I was struck by how many names I came across that I had forgotten about.

For every Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, there are countless players that were crucial to the development of the league in their own way. And while these players are likely never going to be remembered the same way as those mentioned, they are certainly deserving of some sort of praise for their contribution to the game.

10. Dale Ellis

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LOS ANGELES - 1988: Dale Ellis #3 of the Seattle Supersonics shoots a jump shot over Tony Campbell #19 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the 1988-1989 NBA season game at the Great Western Forum in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Ima

During the 1980's, few players could match Dale Ellis' three point shooting prowess.

For four straight years in the late 80's, Ellis averaged over 23 points per game while knocking down 40% of his three point attempts during his career.

Ellis made only one All Star team, but was arguably the most feared shooter in the Western Conference in the 1980's.

9. Walter Davis

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INGLEWOOD, CA - 1988: Walter Davis #6 of the Phoenix Suns shoots against the Los Angeles Lakers during the game at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Mike Powell/Getty Images)

Despite playing nearly his entire career with very sub par Phoenix Suns teams, few players were better scorers than the 6'6" Walter Davis.

After a storybook career at North Carolina, Davis took his talents to the NBA and was an instant success with the Suns. Davis won Rookie of the Year in 1978 by averaging 24 points per game.

For his career, Davis averaged over 20 points per game in six of his seasons and averaged 19 points per game for his career.

Davis was a six time all star, and made the All NBA second team twice. Like many of the people on this list, Davis was unable to win a title. However, he did leave his mark on the game as a scorer that few defenders could shut down.

8. Sidney Moncrief

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SAN ANTONIO - MAY 21: (L-R) Assistant coach Sidney Moncrief, Nick Van Exel #31, Raef LaFrentz #45, Raja Bell #1, Shawn Bradley #44, Antoine Rigaudeau #17, Popeye Jones #54 and Evan Eschmeyer #42 of the Dallas Mavericks watch the action from the bench in

For younger fans, they may be wondering "Sidney who?".

But for those that remember, Sidney Moncrief was one of the league's top defenders during the 1980's.

Moncrief was the Defensive Player of the Year two straight years, made the All NBA first or second team five times, the All Defensive first or second team five times. Additionally, he averaged 20 or more points per game five times. Furthermore, he made the All Star team five times.

Sadly, Moncrief's career was cut short by knee injuries. However, to those that played against him, few players were more hard to score on.

7. Buck Williams

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24 Feb 1995: Forward Buck Williams of the Portland Trail Blazers goes up for two during a game against the Utah Jazz at the Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon. The Blazers won the game, 114-101. Mandatory Credit: Otto Greule /Allsport Mandatory Credit: Ot

Buck Williams was arguably one of the toughest players of the 1980's. Despite being only 6'8", he routinely guarded opposing centers and usually out-rebounded them to boot.

Williams averaged over 10 rebounds per game in eight different seasons, averaging a double-double in seven of those seasons and just missing out on it in three other seasons.

In addition, Williams was a top flight defender, making the league's all defensive first or second teams four times. Also, he made the All NBA second team once, made three all star teams and was the league's rookie of the year in 1982.

Though his best days were with New Jersey, he still ranks among the all time leaders in Portland history in rebounds, games played and blocks.

6. Bill Laimbeer

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22 Apr 1993: Bill Laimbeer of the Detroit Pistons moves the ball during a game against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport

Bill Laimbeer is perhaps one of the most hated players in NBA history. For Pistons fans, this was music to our ears.

While most NBA fans remember Laimbeer for his petulant, sometimes whiny style as well as his flopping, what becomes most forgotten is just how talented the former center was.

Before the Bad Boys days of the late 1980's and early 1990's, Laimbeer gained a reputation as one of the best defensive rebounders in the league. Laimbeer averaged a double-double in six straight seasons and just missing out with 9.6 rebounds in two other seasons.

In addition to his rebounding prowess, Laimbeer was also a deadly perimeter shooter, post defender and one of the best outlet passers in NBA history.

Laimbeer, a four time all star, played with a mean streak and helped Detroit win two NBA titles.

5. Tom Chambers

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1988: Forward Tom Chambers of the Seattle SuperSonics looks to shoot the ball during a game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /Allsport

It may be hard for some of the younger NBA fans out there, but one of the greatest high-flyers of the last 30 years is a 6'10" white guy from Utah.

That's right, before there was Dwight Howard, there was Tom Chambers.

Chambers was an offensive force for Seattle and then later Phoenix and Utah. He averaged 20 points per game or more five times, including 27 per game in 1990. Though injuries eventually robbed him of his athleticism, he developed a vast array of offensive moves that served him well deep into his 30's.

A four time all star, he was actually the MVP of the game in 1987 when he scored 34 points for the West. He also was a two time All NBA second team member and finished his career with 18 points per game.

Although Chambers never won a title, he came very close with Phoenix in 1993.

4. Jack Sikma

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1989: Jack Sikma of the Milwaukee Bucks fights for position during a game against the Denver Nuggets at the McNichols Sports Arena in Denver, Colorado. Mandatory Credit: Tim de Frisco /Allsport

Before looking at this slide, could you have guessed the Seattle Supersonics center that averaged a double-double in seven consecutive seasons?

That's right, big Jack Sikma was an absolute beast during the late 1970's and early 1980's. Known for a soft touch near the hoop and gritty play during his 20's, Sikma moved on to Milwaukee and developed a very good three point shot with the Bucks.

And while he was the starting center on Seattle's title team of 1979, made seven consecutive all star teams and finished in the top five in the league in rebounding five times, Sikma is often forgotten when the top centers of the past 30 years are mentioned.

For his career, Sikma averaged nearly 16 points and 10 rebounds per game.

3. Alex English

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1989-1990: Guard Alex English of the Denver Nuggets moves the ball during a game versus the Portland Trailblazers at the McNichols Sports Arena in Denver, Colorado. Mandatory Credit: Tim DeFrisco /Allsport Mandatory Credit: Tim DeFrisco /Allsport

Quick, name the NBA player with the most points during the 1980's? Need a hint? It isn't a member of the Lakers, Celtics or Bulls.

That's right, none other than Alex English of the Denver Nuggets.

A sweet scorer with the uncanny ability to get to the hoop, English scored 20 points per game in nine consecutive seasons, including winning the scoring title in 1983.

Early in his career English was also an underrated rebounder and defender, but once he landed in Denver his attention turned to scoring almost exclusively.

English made eight consecutive all star teams and made the All NBA second team three times.

However, due to the fact that English never came close to winning a title, he will always be a footnote in NBA history.

2. Chris Mullin

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15 Jan 2001: A close up of Chris Mullin #17 of the Golden State Warriors as he gets ready to shoot a free throw during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Arena in Oakland in Oakland, California. The Cavaliers defeated the Warriors 107-101.

While some might argue that placing a member of the original Dream Team on a list of underrated players is a contradiction of sorts, Chris Mullin's name is routinely left out of the conversation of great players of the last 30 years.

But the numbers don't lie. Though a notorious party magnet early on, he gave up the sauce and really dedicated himself to the game. Mullin was a five time All Star, a member of the All NBA first, second or third teams four times and perhaps the best shooter of his time.

Despite his offensive prowess (six straight seasons with 20 or more points per game), Mullin was also known for his quick hands on defense and his underrated athleticism.

Mullin ended his career shooting over 50% from the field and 38% from behind the three point line.

1. Adrian Dantley

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1988-1989: Adrian Dantley of the Detroit Pistons moves the ball during a game. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport

Of all the players on this list, Adrian Dantley is the only one that I made smile.

It was in the late 1980's, Dantley was signing autographs at the opening of Holland's Westshore Mall. I begged my mom to take me and after a long wait, I had my chance to talk to the former great.

Of all the things I could have asked the six time all star, the only thing I could think of was "what is it like playing with Isiah?"

Years later I would realize why Dantley had such a cat-that-ate-the-canary look on his face. Isiah Thomas had constantly clashed with Dantley and ultimately led to his exodus from the team before he was able to win a title with Detroit.

Instead Dantley, the consumate professional, signed my autograph, smiled and shrugged off my question with "great, kid".

Dantley is the type of player that the league will never see again. Although he was only 6'5" tall and only 205 pounds, he managed to play almost exclusively in the post. Despite being guarded by guys easily five to seven inches taller and giving away up to 100lbs, Dantley was able to flourish in his role.

Dantley led the league in scoring twice, scored more than 20 points per game 11 times and more than 30 points per game four times. He was named to the All NBA second team twice and was NBA rookie of the year in 1977.

Though he never was much of a rebounder or defender, his knack for scoring eventually got him into the Hall of Fame.

That being said, Dantley is routinely forgotten when some of the top players of the 1980's are mentioned.