5 Most Underrated and Forgotten NBA Legends

The NBA has had its fair share of incredible players in its history. Many superstars have made fans fall in love with the game of basketball with their impeccable and inspiring performances. Every legend played an important role in the league’s development. However, not every legend is given the credit they are due. Even though they have etched their names in the history of the NBA winning major accolades, some players are underrated and even forgotten. Let’s take a look at some of the most undervalued legends ever.

#5 Alex English

Alex English is one of the most talented scorers the league has ever seen. But his name is very rarely mentioned and a lot of fans are unaware of his impressive career. However, it wasn’t always easy for the forward in the NBA. In 1976, the Milwaukee Bucks selected him as the 23rd overall pick. English struggled to find his feet in his first two years. He then joined the Indiana Pacers where he showed flashes of brilliance and started averaging double figures. After two years in Indiana, the Denver Nuggets acquired English in 1979 where he became a legend.

In his first season with the Nuggets, English averaged over 20 points for the first time in his career. He continued his rise in the league and became the scoring leader of the 1982-83 season over superstars like Larry Bird, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and so forth. The Hall of Famer spent ten years in Denver and still leads the team in multiple categories even though he has been retired for over three decades.

He is the franchise leader in points (21,645), games (837), offensive rebounds (2038), points per game (25.9), etc. Furthermore, he is 2nd in assists (3679), 3rd in steals (854), 5th in blocks (624), etc. The Nuggets have retired his #2 jersey for his impressive career with the team. Also, he made eight All-Star appearances and made the All-NBA Second Team thrice. He has also been an assistant coach with four different teams from 2002 to 2013. However, English did not win a championship during his time in the NBA which could be a huge reason he is not given enough credit.

#4 Dave Bing

Dave Bing, yes, the former mayor of Detroit, Michigan. Another great offensive player who is almost forgotten for his performances on the hardwood. The NBA legend was a man of many talents from basketball to business and politics. However, he does not get the recognition he deserves from fans for his incredible basketball career. The Detroit Pistons selected Bing as the second overall pick In the 1966 NBA draft. He hit the ground running for the Pistons and averaged 20 points per game to win the Rookie of the Year award.

In the next season, he averaged over 27 points and shocked the league. In just his sophomore season, he won the scoring title over legendary names like Elgin Baylor, Wilt Chamberlain, Oscar Robertson, and others. The 6’3″ former point guard spent most of his basketball career in Detroit which explains his affiliation with the place as a politician. Having played nine years for the Pistons, he is 4th in points (15,235), 3rd in assists (4330), 2nd in free throws, 4th in field goals, 5th in minutes played, etc for the franchise.

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After leaving Detroit in 1975, Bing played for the Washington Bullets for two years and the Boston Celtics for one season before retiring. The Hall of Famer did not win a title during his career. The former mayor appeared in seven All-Star games and won the All-Star game MVP in 1976. He has also made the All-NBA First Team twice and the All-NBA Second Team once. For his accomplishments, he was named in the NBA 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams.

#3 Dave Cowens

Dave Cowens is another legend who is almost forgotten by many. The Hall of Famer was one of the best well-rounded centers in an era where centers dominated the league. Reigning champions Boston Celtics selected him as the 4th overall pick in the 1970 NBA draft. He was brought in as the replacement for the legendary Bill Russell who retired the previous year winning his 11th and final ring as a player. Even though everyone knew it was not possible to replace the legendary center, there was still a huge pressure on Cowens.

However, he did not crumble under pressure and clinched the ROY award despite being shorter than most centers at 6’9″. He continued his ascension in the league and helped the Celtics back to winning ways. In 1973, Cowens won the NBA MVP award averaging 20.5 points, 16.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game. However, second-placed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar would have felt he deserved the award more with 30.2 points, 16.1 rebounds, and 5 assists per game. In the next season, the two centers locked horns in the ultimate stage as the Celtics faced the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA Finals.

Abdul-Jabbar had an impressive series and outscored Cowens in five out of two games in the Finals. However, Cowens came up big in game 7 on both ends of the court to help the Celtics win the championship. He closely followed Finals MVP, John Havlicek, as the second-best player for the C’s. One year later, Cowens and the Celtics once again reached the Finals, this time against the Phoenix Suns. The Hall of Famer played brilliantly and led his team to another title. However, he would have felt embittered to not clinch the Finals MVP with 20.5 points, 16.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game. The award went to Jo Jo White who averaged 21.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 5.8 assists.

After 10 seasons in Boston, Cowens announced his retirement. Interestingly, he came back two years later at 34 and played one season with the Bucks before finishing his career. He then served as assistant and head coach for various teams as well. In just 11 years in the league, along with his two titles and one MVP, Cowens made eight All-Star appearances and won the All-Star MVP award once. He has also been named to one All-Defensive Team, two All-Defensive Second Teams, and three All-NBA Second Team. Cowens was selected for both the NBA 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams for his illustrious career.

#2 George Gervin

George Gervin is one of the best players ever to never win a championship during his NBA career. The former star was an offensive juggernaut who was unstoppable in his prime. Gervin joined the San Antonio Spurs in 1974 when the franchise was still with the ABA. He arguably laid the foundation for the organization’s success in the NBA. In his first season, Gervin averaged over 19 points and made the All-Star team.?

Gervin soon became one of the best players in the league and won three straight scoring titles from 1978 to 1980 averaging 27.2, 29.6, and 33.1 points respectively. Notably, he won the title in 1978 by .07 of a point by scoring 63 points in the season finale as per NBA. He again became the scoring champion in 1982 as well while scoring 32.3 points per game. He dominated the offensive game against legends like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Julius Erving, and so forth.

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Despite his impressive scoring prowess and winning scoring titles for fun, Gervin came close but never won the NBA MVP award. He led the Spurs to the Conference Finals thrice and lost the series on all three occasions. In his ten seasons in the NBA, he made the All-Star Team for nine straight seasons, the only exception being his 10th and final year for the Chicago Bulls in 1986. He won the All-Star MVP in 1980. The Ice Man was also selected to five All-NBA First Teams and two All-NBA Second Teams. He was also a part of the NBA 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams.

#1 Moses Malone

NBA legend Moses Malone is not forgotten. However, he is arguably the most underrated basketball star ever. He won the NBA MVP award thrice (two straight) over other superstars like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and so forth. While some believe Malone was undeserving of those awards, one does not simply win the MVP award thrice accidentally. With his powerful performances, Malone established himself as one of the best centers the league has ever seen. He was one of the best rebounders ever as well.

Despite his incredible individual performances, Malone did not have great team success. In his 19 years in the NBA, the Hall of Famer won one championship during his time with the Philadelphia 76ers. Notably, the former center played for seven different teams during his time in the league. During his time with the Sixers, he formed a crucial partnership with the legendary Julius Erving to help the team win the title in 1983. In the Finals, Malone dominated Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and the 76ers swept the Los Angeles Lakers. For his impressive performances, Malone clinched the Finals MVP award averaging 25.8 points, 18 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game.

Malone is still 10th in the All-Time scoring leaders list (27,409) and 5th in the All-Time rebound leaders list 16,212. Over the course of his career, he made 12 straight NBA All-Star game appearances. He also made four All-NBA First Teams and four All-NBA Second Teams. Malone was a six-time rebounding leader and made the All-Defensive First Team and All-Defensive Second Team once. For his illustrious career, he was named in the NBA 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams.

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