4 Most Under-Rated Players in the NBA

Many players in the NBA today are overlooked. It sometimes seems as if ESPN only talks about the “All-Stars” of the league, without analyzing how great other players are when given time to play. These are the type of players that succeed when given a consistent amount of playing time but get no recognition when they do not.

Here is a list of the four most under-rated players in the NBA today.

Spencer Hawes (C, SAC)- Hawes is in his second NBA season and kicked this season off with a surprise. He filled in the starting Center position in the beginning of the season for the injured Brad Miller.

Hawes proved to be a consistent shooter, re-bounder, and shot blocker when given the time to play. Spencer has serious upside at the young age of 20, and doesn’t get any publicity in the league. He has the potential to average a double-double with the ability to shoot threes and block shots consistently on an every-night basis.

Once Hawes becomes the starting Center for the Sacramento Kings, Yao better watch out in the All-Star voting contest! Spencer has super-stardom written all over him, end of discussion.

Paul Millsap (PF, UTA)- Paul Millsap has gotten a chance to prove what he can do with an injured Carlos Boozer sidelined for a week. In Millsap’s last four games he has averaged 35 MPG with 19 PPG, 11.75 RPG, and nearly a block per game.

He is clearly a gifted Power Forward that deserves a boat load more of playing time even when Boozer returns. Millsap is an extremely under-rated player that deserves to be recognized in the NBA.

If Millsap doesn’t get a starting job in Utah before his rookie contract expires, he will be signed by a team in need of a Power Forward immediately. Millsap has the potential to put up HUGE numbers when given time to play.

Hakim Warrick (PF/MEM)- When Pau Gasol was shipped to L.A, Hakim Warrick experienced a huge boost in playing time. He proved to be a consistent player that could re-bound and score. His projections for this season were nearly 18 PPG with close to 7 RPG.

Warrick now plays a back-up role on the Grizzlies' squad with new rookies (Marc Gasol, Darrel Arthur) in town. Hakim is an athletic player with a great physique standing 6′9″ and weighing close to 220 pounds.

He is another under-rated player that doesn’t get a consistent amount of playing time to show what he is all about.

George Hill (PG, SA)- Hill scored in double-figures in every game that he played 23 minutes or more in, with Tony Parker out for a month. Being a rookie behind the popular Derrick Rose and O.J. Mayo, Hill doesn’t get a lot of publicity. To make his situation worse, he is a back-up point-guard to Tony Parker!

George is a great under-rated player that won’t get a chance to play consistent minutes until years from now. You have to feel bad for the guy, if he was on any other team in need of a point-guard, he would be one of the top rookie candidates for rookie of the year.

So now my question is, what do YOU think? Do you think these guys are the most under-rated players in the game today? Comment back with your response and check out www.LayupDrill.com for more daily NBA information, news updates, and fantasy tips!