The NBA’s underrated list

Most Underrated Eastern Conference Player

Kyle Lowry

20.7 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 7.7 APG, 1.5 SPG, FG% 45.1%, 3P% 34.8%
ORating 120, DRating 106, TS% 56.4%, WS/48 .234, VORP 6.3, RPM 6.41, PER 24.4

As people we don’t like admitting when we are wrong or having to change our mind or belief about something. It is generally a slow process and is clearly evident in the NBA perceptions. Kyle Lowry is a perfect example of the lag effect in the NBA where there is a material time gap between a players changing performance and related public perception of his skills and abilities.

Lowry had already spent nine mostly useful seasons in the NBA prior to last season leading the Toronto Raptors to a three-seed in the Eastern Conference. Despite ranking in the stratosphere of not only of point guards, but the entire NBA in Win Shares (eighth), in Box Plus / Minus and VORP (sixth) he was egregiously snubbed from the All-Star game. The lag effect.

Lowry is the unquestioned leader and best player on the 24-8 Eastern Conference leading Toronto Raptors and will finally make the All-Star team this year. He currently sits fourth in All-Star voting for Eastern Conference guards which indicates that he has started to resonate more with fans but even that lofty perch significantly understates his impact.

Lowry’s advanced stats are comfortably superior to all Eastern Conference guards and significantly better than John Wall, Dwyane Wade and Kyrie Irving who sit above him in All-Star voting. Lowry has the fourth best VORP in the entire NBA, fifth in RPM, seventh in Win Shares and 11th in PER.

The fact that Lowry sits fourth among Eastern guards highlights that the tough as nails Raptors point guard remains appreciably underrated outside of Canada; but with only four nationally televised games I guess it is hard to truly appreciate someone when you don’t get to watch them play.

Next: Most Underrated Western Conference Player