15 NBA Players Who Are Not As Bad As Everyone Thinks

By Chipper Murphy

15 NBA Players Who Are Not As Bad As Everyone Thinks

Roy Hibbert Los Angeles Lakers — The NBA is filled with players who are overlooked and underrated. We tend to look at some players and judge them based on anonymity or prior play. As important as statistics are to success, some contributions go beyond what happens on the court. These are the 15 NBA players who are not as bad as everyone thinks.

15. Udonis Haslem

Udonis Haslem Miami Heat

15. Udonis Haslem

Udonis Haslem Miami Heat — Udonis Haslem is in his 13th season, all with the Miami Heat, and is a leader in that locker room. He has been a part of three different championship teams. Despite his recently declining stats, he still remains a focal point for the Miami franchise.

14. Shelvin Mack

Shelvin Mack Atlanta Hawks

14. Shelvin Mack

Shelvin Mack Atlanta Hawks — When it comes to a third-string point guards, there are far worse options than Shelvin Mack. While he struggles with his three-point shot, he is a great asset for his high energy and his playmaking ability.

13. DeJuan Blair

DeJuan Blair Washington Wizards

13. DeJuan Blair

DeJuan Blair Washington Wizards — During his run with the Dallas Mavericks DeJuan Blair gave Rick Carlisle's team great minutes off the bench. When he was called upon to do the same for the Washington Wizards, he proved he was capable asset on the defensive end.

12. Seth Curry

Seth Curry Sacramento Kings

12. Seth Curry

Seth Curry Sacramento Kings — When a brother who's the best player in the NBA, Seth has a lot of pressure on him to succeed. Still, he worked very hard to break a rotation, and now in Sacramento he is showing off his shooting stroke.

11. Joe Ingles

Joe Ingles Utah Jazz

11. Joe Ingles

Joe Ingles Utah Jazz — Joe Ingles is one of the most underrated passers in the NBA and does all the little things for the Utah Jazz, like setting screens. He is shooting 46 percent from three-point range in his limited minutes on the court.

10. Raul Neto

Raul Neto Utah Jazz

10. Raul Neto

Raul Neto Utah Jazz — Raul Neto is the starting point guard for the Utah Jazz, replacing Trey Burke. Neto has tremendous potential as a defensive player and continues to improve as a shooter.

9. Lance Thomas

Lance Thomas New York Knicks

9. Lance Thomas

Lance Thomas New York Knicks — Before this season Lance Thomas had only attempted 23 three-point shots in his entire career. Over the New York Knicks' first 24 games, he is 14-47 from downtown, good for 36.2 percent. It's opened a new facet to Thomas' game and earned him more playing time.

8. Shane Larkin

Shane Larkin Brooklyn Nets

8. Shane Larkin

Shane Larkin Brooklyn Nets — The Nets don't have a lot to be happy about this season, but Shane Larkin's contract turned out to be a steal. He is having the best season of his career, shooting over 48 percent from both the field and three-point range.

7. Lavoy Allen

Lavoy Allen Indiana Pacers

7. Lavoy Allen

Lavoy Allen Indiana Pacers — Lavoy Allen is a leader for the Pacers, but he has also stepped up as a reliable mid-range shooter in Indiana's new pace-and-space offense.

6. P.J. Hairston

P.J. Hairston Charlotte Hornets

6. P.J. Hairston

P.J. Hairston Charlotte Hornets — Hairston has been bad offensively this season and many have called for him to be benched in favor of Jeremy Lamb. However his defense has been so good that he has remained in the starting lineup.

5. Andre Roberson

Andre Roberson Oklahoma City Thunder

5. Andre Roberson

Andre Roberson Oklahoma City Thunder — Andre Roberson is one of the most underrated defenders in the league. In fact, he is a great defensive player. The other aspects of his game... Well that's another story.

4. John Jenkins

John Jenkins Dallas Mavericks

4. John Jenkins

John Jenkins Dallas Mavericks — John Jenkins' three-point numbers may be down right now, but he has the potential to be one of the best bench players in the league if he can pick up his defense.

3. Langston Galloway

Langston Galloway New York Knicks

3. Langston Galloway

Langston Galloway New York Knicks — Langston Galloway has become a fan favorite in New York for his explosive style of play and his vastly improved three-point shooting. Expected to see a minutes reduction this season, instead he is leading the team in bench minutes.

2. Dwight Powell

Dwight Powell Dallas Mavericks

2. Dwight Powell

Dwight Powell Dallas Mavericks — Dwight Powell has been one of this season's breakout stars — with an offensive rating of 114 and a 52.1 FG percentage — and looks like he could be the future in Dallas.

1. Roy Hibbert

Roy Hibbert Los Angeles Lakers

1. Roy Hibbert

Roy Hibbert Los Angeles Lakers — The myth of Roy Hibbert being an All-Star is just that, a myth. However he is still one of the league's best rim protectors and shot blockers.

Chipper Murphy is a Beat Writer for the New York Knicks on www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @ChipperMurphy or Google. “Like” him on Facebook.

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