NBA: 10 Most Underrated/Overrated Stars

Mar 26, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) controls the ball against Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) during the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The New York Knicks defeated the Sacramento Kings 107-99. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

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May 2, 2014; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) reacts after hitting the game winning shot against the Houston Rockets during the fourth quarter in game six of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Damian Lillard:

Why he’s underrated: Lillard was one of nine players in the NBA to average at least 20 points and five assists per game. He finished third in made three-pointers for the season, trailing only the Super Splash Brothers of the Golden State Warriors. He gets to the line a ton, was the 16th highest scorer in the league and his ability to pull up from anywhere makes him a tough player to defend.

The clutch gene is often oversold, but Lillard has definitely got it. Even before his clutch buzzer beater against the Houston Rockets in the playoffs last season, Lillard was quickly developing into a player who should be trusted with the ball in his hands with the game on the line. And that series-winning three against Houston? It helped him join Michael Jordan, Ralph Sampson and John Stockton as the only players in NBA history to win a playoff series on a game-winning shot.

Why he’s overrated: Whenever the “elite point guards” conversation comes up and someone throws Damian Lillard’s name out there, it’s hard not to laugh. Lillard isn’t a bad point guard by any means; he’s already one of the better players at his position after only two seasons in the NBA. But it seems a lot of NBA fans — particularly in the Portland area — seem to have confused streaky shooting, a lot of three-pointers and a clutch gene for being elite.

Lillard’s series-winning three to send the Rockets packing last year was magnificent, but it may have overshadowed the fact that he still hasn’t shot over 43 percent from the field in two seasons. His efficiency from three-point range is impressive, but he’s incapable of finishing at the rim, as shown by his 46.9 field goal percentage on such attempts last season. Lillard’s shabby defense also needs work, making him something of a one-trick pony to this point.

Final Ruling: Overrated

Lillard is only 24 years old and there’s no reason to think we’ve already seen the best from him. But when you consider how much further he has to develop to catch up to stars his age like Kyrie Irving, Stephen Curry and Russell Westbrook, it’s hard not to roll your eyes at all the hype and wait for him to improve a lot of different areas of his game.

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