[JoeWolf1]

 I was reading some of the posts in the Lebron All-Time rank thread, and a poster called him the most versitle player ever.  I was thinking to myself, despite Lebron’s greatness, he’s not the most versitile player I’ve ever seen. That title goes to the ever changing Kevin Garnett, who in my opinion is a top 15 All-Time player. A guy who is never mentioned among All-Time greats, but a guy who won an MVP a title, played all 5 positions, Including point guard in the 2004 WC Finals. That same season, he avaraged 24 points 14 rebounds 5 assists 2.2 blocks and 1.5 steals.

Take a look at Garnett’s resume. It’s one of the most impressive I’ve ever seen when comparing players on an All-Time scale, yet he’s never even brought into the conversation. There is nothing more impressive about Sir Charles’ or Patrick Ewing’s All-Time resume.

6 Full Seasons averaging 21+ ppg 11+ rpg 5+ spg 1.2 +spg 1.4 + bpg

13 X All Star, 2004 MVP, 2008 NBA Champion, 2008 DPOY, 2003 ASG MVP

24,458 points ( 22nd All-Time ) could potentially climb 5 spots this season

13,406 rebounds (13th All-Time) could potentially climb 2 spots this season

5,087 assists (52nd All-Time ) could potentially climb 2 spots this season

1,673 steals (20th All-Time ) could potentially climb 3 spots this season

1,919 blocks ( 22nd All-Time ) could potentially climb 2 spots this season

12 X All-Defensive Team

9 X All-NBA Team

Garnett could potentially end his career top 20 in points top 10 in rebounds top 50 in assists and top 20 in blocks and steals. Only Moses Malone, Karl Malone and Artist Gilmore have hauled down more defensive rebounds, he’s 16th on the All-Time feild goals made list and he’s still playing at a high level at the center position.

Give him his props, he’s a top 15 player in my books.

[Lebron’s HairlineParticipant]

I don’t think he’s underrated at all as most basketball analysts and fans of the game regard him as the greatest all around power forward

[JoeWolf1]

 But how often is he ever mentioned around here when guys are comparing players on an All-Time scale? close to never.

[Lebron’s HairlineParticipant]

True. He is undervalued by casual fans even though he has been one of the best 2 way players in the last 20 years

[ProudGrandpaParticipant]

You wannatalk abount underrated among all-time greats?

McAdoo’s career statline:

22.1 PPG 9.4 RPG 1.5 BPG 1 SPG over a 14-year career

1-time MVP (for a 34-14-2 season)

2-time champ

5-time All-Star

3-time Scoring Champ

Those numbers are comprable to that of Barkley, Duncan, McHale (Much better than McHale’s, actually) and any semi-modern era power forward other than Karl Malone.

And yet he is ranked 54th (54th!!) on the ever-reliable BasketballReference.com Player Rater.

[ReekoParticipant]

Mcadoo was great no doubt. However, he is not in the same class as Tim Duncan or Mchale, who were both options either one or two on multiple championship teams.Bob served as a sixth man on those Laker teams where he won two championships, mostlly riding Kareem and Magic’s coattails. Again not saying he’s not an all time great, just not on the level of Duncan or Mchale.

Sam Jones is a guy that doesn’t get talked about enough, he won multiple rings with Russel and hit clutch shot after clutch shot.  To the point where he infuriated Wilt Chamberlain after he banked a shot in, and Wilt chased him all over the court, till Sam picked up a stool to defend himself lol.  A lot of guys from the 60’s and 70’s don’t get the recognition they deserve. For example rarely do I see Dave Cowens’ name mentioned as one of the all time great centers.

[ItsVictorOladipoParticipant]

Great post OP. The more I look back at KG’s career the more I agree that he might be a top 20 player all time.

IMO the most underrated great player is Rick Barry. Career averages of 24.8 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 4.9 APG, 2 SPG.

The best player on a championship team.

5 time All-NBA first team selection and 8 time all-star despite not being in the NBA for 5 years of his prime (he spent 1969-1972 dominating the ABA and in 1968 sat out the entire year).

He averaged 35.6 PPG as a 22 year old in 1967. His career season high in RPG was 10.6 and he averaged at least 6 APG in 5 different seasons.

Without the 5 year hiatus I think his career numbers and accomplishments would be even more impressive.

[goneParticipant]

We all know you don’t get recognition unless you were a transcendent player or you played for Lakers/Celtics. Duncan MJ and Big O are the only non LA Boston players in the top 10

[drk3351Participant]

 Malone?

[llperez]

i still have duncan, malone and barkley all ahead of KG at the pf position although KG was probably the best defender and most versatile of that group. But he couldnt carry a team like the others could.

[Author]

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