Not underrated careerwise, but his overall skillset might be. Quickest dropstep for his size ever (no doubt). I've seen him get around Jordan, Pippen, Grant, and Rodman w/ that baseline spin. GREAT post skills. Not totally unknown, but you'll often hear how great McHale's were (and they were), but you don't hear about James' as much. Fast and quick - anticipating passes near the arc was a signature play of his. Big game player and lived up to the nickname. Rodman says he was as hard to D as MJ.
Furthermore, it's not mentioned that Magic had a great post game as well, better than that of many forwards. He was a 20 ppg career scorer and that is completely overshadowed by his passing. It's weird how some things are keyed on and others are completely ignored. Otoh, you will hear all this hyperbole about how he played "no" defense, which is false. He wasn't the best defender, but he tried hard enough to finish 2nd on steals list by 91. You don't hear the same knock on Bird, who knows why.
No offense to Amar'e, but I doubt he'd have been a handful for 7 games even against the defense of the Bad Boy Pistons. James as a non-superstar was good enough that no one ever brought up that the Lakers could've taken Nique instead.
One of the best of all times, unfortunately very underrated
Not underrated careerwise, but his overall skillset might be. Quickest dropstep for his size ever (no doubt). I've seen him get around Jordan, Pippen, Grant, and Rodman w/ that baseline spin. GREAT post skills. Not totally unknown, but you'll often hear how great McHale's were (and they were), but you don't hear about James' as much. Fast and quick - anticipating passes near the arc was a signature play of his. Big game player and lived up to the nickname. Rodman says he was as hard to D as MJ.
Great soundtrack for this video!
Worthy is Showtime
Big game James we love you!!!
Huge talent!!
Underrated
Don't know why, but Amare Stoudemire reminds me of him.
I think Amare has more power to his game, though.
Worthy was more finesse
Furthermore, it's not mentioned that Magic had a great post game as well, better than that of many forwards. He was a 20 ppg career scorer and that is completely overshadowed by his passing. It's weird how some things are keyed on and others are completely ignored. Otoh, you will hear all this hyperbole about how he played "no" defense, which is false. He wasn't the best defender, but he tried hard enough to finish 2nd on steals list by 91. You don't hear the same knock on Bird, who knows why.
Back then there seems like there was more finesse to the game
You mean fundamentals.
No offense to Amar'e, but I doubt he'd have been a handful for 7 games even against the defense of the Bad Boy Pistons. James as a non-superstar was good enough that no one ever brought up that the Lakers could've taken Nique instead.
not the same approach to the game at all James were something like Julius and Connie Hawkins