The Top 10 Most Overrated NBA Players

The Top 10 Most Overrated NBA Players

Step right up to behold the emperors with no clothes—the media darlings of the NBA whose gaudy fame far outweighs their actual talent playing basketball. Yes, in a star-driven league, many shine brighter in the public eye than their pedestrian game deserves.

Dominating headlines and airtime despite putting up empty stats or disappearing when it matters most, these standouts stand out for all the wrong reasons when it comes to basketball. Join me on a myth-busting mission seeking truth amidst hype as I unveil the NBA’s most dubious stars—the underperforming giants overvalued and overcovered by fans and media alike.

You may want to brace for outrage from their devotees because we’re tipping some sacred cows today to reveal the NBA’s most glaringly overrated talents.

1. Dillon Brooks

Dillion Brooks photo by ESPN

Dillon Brooks is overrated as his woeful offensive efficiency negates his touted defensive grit. Despite his reputation as a two-way threat, Brooks owns the worst true shooting percentage among high-volume shooters, sinking his teams with ill-advised shots.

His 49% true shooting coupled with 21% usage cripples spacing and ball movement. Moreover, his defensive metrics are mediocre despite full effort, suggesting lapses in discipline. For all the tough shot-making attempts, Brooks lacks sufficient scoring polish or defensive discipline to warrant 30 minutes a night on a contender.

Unless he improves his shot selection and decision-making drastically on both ends, Brooks is better suited as an energy bench piece rather than a relied-on starter. His raw stats and fiery narrative oversell his actual winning impact and room for growth.

2. Domantas Sabonis

Augustas Didžgalvis, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Domantas Sabonis received a maximum contract extension from the Kings, but his performance in high-stakes playoff matchups has prompted scepticism regarding his ability to serve as the frontcourt centrepiece of a championship contender.

Specifically, when facing elite teams who exploit his lack of shooting range, limited ball-handling skills, and defensive vulnerabilities through savvy game-planning, Sabonis struggles considerably. During regular season contests, opposing teams rarely expose these shortcomings.

However, Sacramento is paying the Gonzaga alumnus over $200 million to produce at a star level come playoff time. Yet his conspicuous offensive limitations and defensive lapses against the NBA’s best raise doubts about his capacity to justify elite salary demands and “star” status when it matters most.

For the Kings’ massive investment in him to reap rewards, Sabonis must expand his versatility to become a more dynamic shooter, ball-handler, and rim protector.

Until he proves he can elevate his play against playoff-calibre teams and address his weaknesses, scepticism will persist regarding Sabonis’ ability to serve as the frontline anchor for a championship franchise.

3. Derrick Rose

SusanLesch, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Though once an electric MVP, lingering sentimentality over Derrick Rose’s peak years causes many to still overrate him. Major knee injuries sapped much of his otherworldy athleticism, leaving glaring holes in his game exposed.

Even when healthy, Rose was a shoot-first, one-dimensional scorer ill-suited to run an offence long-term. For his career, he averages less than 4 assists a night with a wayward 31% mark from deep.

While flashes of his former brilliance appear sporadically, his inability to adapt his style towards efficiency, playmaking or defence makes it hard to trust him with major minutes or roles. Though fan affection for the Chicago native endures, his health and stylistic limitations have passed his usefulness as a centrepiece by.

Outsized opportunity based on past success rather than current ability contributes to his overrated status.

4. Jonas Valanciunas

Augustas Didžgalvis, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Jonas Valanciunas is a Lithuanian professional basketball player who is often criticized for being overrated. Critics argue that he is a limited offensive player who lacks the athleticism and skill to be a dominant force in the NBA.

Additionally, they point to his defensive limitations, particularly his ability to guard in space and switch on pick-and-rolls. As a result of these perceived weaknesses, some believe that Valanciunas is not worth the large contract that he signed with the New Orleans-based New Orleans Pelicans in 2021.

5. Derek Fisher

Stephanie Young Merzel, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

While Derek Fisher enjoyed a long career and won 5 NBA championships with the talent-rich Lakers, his contribution is overstated. He averaged just 8 points, 3 assists and 1 steal for his career – hardly the stat line of an elite player warranting accolades.

Rather, Fisher’s reputation stems from hitting a few memorable clutch shots and benefiting from the play of legends like Kobe and Shaq as role players along for the ride.

His leadership and intangibles are valued, but skill-wise he lacked the passing vision, shooting prowess or defensive quickness expected of a championship-calibre starting point guard.

Fisher is the quintessential “right place, right time” player who maximized a limited talent set. However, those glamorizing him as an all-time Laker great on par with the legitimate superstars he supported are overrating his specific on-court impact.

6. Kawhi Leonard

Chensiyuan, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Kawhi Leonard’s reputation as a top-tier superstar is overstated given his persistent and devastating injury history. Despite undeniable talent, he has not played more than 60 games in a season since 2016-17.

More significantly, the California native last two playoff runs have ended prematurely due to major knee injuries requiring surgery. Availability is a critical ability for franchise players, and Kawhi’s unreliable health makes it difficult to build around him long-term or depend on him as a championship cornerstone.

Two titles and two Finals MVPs cement his brilliance, but his declining games played and unreliable playoff availability raise fair questions about whether he can still consistently perform at that pinnacle superstar level.

For a player earning maximum contract money, his persistent injury absences undermine his value and overinflate his standing among the league’s elite.

7. Russell Westbrook

Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Russell Westbrook is an overrated superstar because of his severe inefficiency and high turnover rate, even if he has impressive stat lines. In addition to leading the league in turnovers per game, he continues to have the lowest career 3-point shooting among players with substantial usage.

Even when he played with Kevin Durant in Oklahoma City, Westbrook has never finished a season with a field goal percentage greater than 46%. His prolific shooting ruins offences with bad passes and misses.

His poor shooting becomes even worse during the playoffs as opposing teams zero in on his erratic scoring, which falls below 45% overall and 35% on threes. Westbrook’s ball-dominant approach is also said to irritate teammates, raising concerns about his coachability and compatibility with other elite players. 

Despite all the flashy stats, Westbrook has not yet proven that his ineffective pound-the-rock style of play, which stifles team creativity and offensive efficiency, can win big in the modern game.

His box score stuffing does not translate into meaningful winning basketball, at least not until he shows differently.

8. Ben Simmons

Leaf8613, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Ben Simmons’ allergy to shooting and scoring severely caps his ceiling and makes him overrated as a star talent. For all his playmaking gifts, he is gun-shy taking open shots and averages less than 16 points a game for his career.

His refusal to be aggressive going to the basket and tentativeness in shooting free throws neutralizes his transition opportunities. Moreover, the Australian shrinks from the spotlight in big games, averaging under 10 PPG in the playoffs on dismal free throws and field goal numbers.

For a max contract guard who can’t shoot, score reliably, or raise his game when it matters most, Simmons flat-out fails to positively impact winning at a level his reputation would suggest.

Unless he develops some semblance of a jumper and takes responsibility in crunch time, his flashy regular-season assists ring hollow.

9. DeMar DeRozan

Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Despite undeniable regular season scoring prowess, DeMar DeRozan’s one-dimensional offensive game and porous defence make him overrated as a franchise cornerstone.

While talented at mid-range shooting and drawing fouls, he lacks a reliable three-point shot or commitment on defence. Come the postseason, his scoring dips against elite defences who force him into tough two-point looks.

Ultimately, DeRozan’s inability to space the floor, move the ball, or provide positive value defensively in the playoffs undermines his value with the Bulls. For all his aesthetically pleasing moves, he has yet to prove he can be the best player on a championship contender given limited playmaking or defensive versatility.

Unless he expands his game by shooting more efficiently and trying harder on defence, DeRozan’s eye-popping regular season numbers may continue to disappoint in the postseason.

10. Austin Rivers

All-Pro Reels from District of Columbia, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Austin Rivers is overrated due to the unwarranted opportunities granted simply under being Doc Rivers’ son.  He currently plays for the Minnesota-based  Minnesota Timberwolves. Despite mediocre career averages of 9 points and 2 assists on 42% shooting, he has started 165 games and played nearly 25 minutes a night.

On merit alone,  Austin likely tops out as an end-of-bench spark plug rather than a routine rotation piece. His poor shooting percentages, lack of playmaking, and subpar defence leave much to be desired.

Yet speculated favouritism from his coach’s father vaulted Rivers into roles exceeding his talent level. For a high-usage, low-efficiency guard who thrives mostly in garbage time, Rivers has been gifted chances better players rarely see. Unless he substantially improves, his overinflated role and standing stem more from favours than on-court contributions. 

While flashy plays and gaudy stats might mask their true value for a time, their facade eventually fractures. As rising talents emerge and these players advance in age, the mental shortcuts giving them excess credit dissolve away.

But as we learned, stars in their eyes can blind even professional assessors of talent. With this list now unveiled, hopefully, when gazes turn to these players again, eyes will see truth over legend.