most underrated nba players of the 2000s most underrated nba players of the 2000s

Jermaine does that by propelling himself to All-Star status with Indiana. Photo: Paul Popper. 10. He consistently made a significant impact early on with the Vancouver Grizzlies and was the leading point guard on some really good Sacramento Kings lineups in the early 2000s. During his early days in Seattle, Lewis took a bit to develop into the shooter and scorer he went down as. Giannis and LeBron? With the NBA season approaching fast, there are a few players who haven't gotten the credit they deserve. Wallaces impact was truly measured when he was acquired by the Detroit Pistons midway through the 2004 season. 2023 profootballspace. An . Jabbar was from the very beginning of his career being named the 1969-1970 rookie year, Abdul-Jabbar was a 5x MVP, 9x All-Star, 9x All-NBA, and 8x All-Defensive selection in the 1970s with the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers; moreover, he averaged 28+ points, 14+ rebounds, and 5+ assists per game and led the Bucks to their first NBA title, winning Finals MVP in . While you probably wouldnt be able to get away with that nickname in the NBA today, it still earns him an easy placement on this list. Andre Miller was never an MVP candidate or even an All-Star but he was quietly one of the better point guards during the 2000s. Career Stats: 19.0 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 2.1 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.1 BPG, Career Achievements: 1x All-Star, 1x All-NBA Team Selection. He could put the ball on the floor and get by defenders relatively easily and it made him a true three-level threat. Few players have taken the NBA by storm or altered the way teams play the game the way Curry has . He ended his career with a well-deserved championship with the 2011 Dallas Mavericks. As a two-way player and one of the best athletes to ever play the game, Richardson was a gem in his prime. all of who are . The little brother. Read that sentence again. By the time his 4th season in 2004 came around, Redd was an All-Star and a consistent and efficient 20.0 PPG scorer. A team dwarfed by the sheer size, glamor, and continued excellence in the shared city. Nick Mac is an NBA Writer with over 5 years of experience in journalism. Jason Terry: 1066.71 TPA. Get the latest sports news from SportsSite about soccer, football and tennis. The Top 10 Most Underrated NBA Players Of The 2000s, Valentina Shevchenko doesnt lose a step just because she fought for a split decision: I really dont care what people say, UFC 285 start time, TV schedule for Jon Jones vs. Ciryl Gane, Texans divorce from QB Deshaun Watson could affect CJ Strouds court, Texans finish 32nd in Touchdown Wire NFL power rankings, Houston finishes No. Miller was as good as it gets running an NBA offense and he was one heck of a playmaker. Milwaukee took Redd with the 43 rd overall pick and the former Buckeye would go on to play 11 years with the franchise. Your email address will not be published. Roy was a special talent on offense confirmed by some of the greats such as Tracy McGrady and Kobe Bryant. For those of us that remember ONeal at his peak, we remember an undersized two-way beast for the Indiana Pacers who helped them nearly capture a championship in his heyday. Career Stats: 12.5 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 6.5 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.2 BPG. Davis was an explosive point guard who was a blur on the floor in open space. His most valuable skill? Miller also had an All-Star season with the Pacers in 2003 where he averaged 13.1 PPG and 8.3 RPG. The Most UNDERRATED NBA Players Of The 2000s..Welcome back to Sports Savvy. Looking at the 2000s specifically, many All-Star caliber players did not get the recognition they deserved. With his accurate 3-point shot and ability to pass the ball effectively, Stojakovidc would be a nightmare for defenses in todays game. He ended his career with a well-deserved championship with the 2011 Dallas Mavericks. Three others that could be argued at a higher level (they do get plenty of respect, but perhaps not enough) are Vuc, Brogdon, and Jrue. Fat Lever (#14) was Russell Westbrook before Westbrook. Six seasons into his career in 2005, Lewis earned his first All-Star selection and first 20.0 PPG season. Image via Complex Original. 50 Most Underrated NBA Players of All Time. Gabriel Batistuta, Argentina. Yes, but just barely scratching this list. Due to a knee condition that basically deteriorated his knee cartilage as time went on, we were only able to experience 3 real years of his peak. He spent 3 seasons with the team and helped them transition to the City of New Orleans. Career: 1989-2002. Anyways. He played one final season in Phoenix in 2011-12 before retiring. Unfortunately for Christie, what should have been a fruitful career as a spot-up shooter quickly ended due to a litany of injuries. Shareef solidified his role as a scoring power forward and was selected as an All-Star in the 2002 season, the lone career selection. By his fourth season with the Bucks, Allen was gone and Redd was a starter. Here were some of . He was the first NBA player to bring in the big balls dance celebration, injuring his groin. Personally, I believe it is a crime that Wallace is still not a basketball Hall Of Famer. Lewis retired with the Miami Heat in 2014, one year after adding an NBA championship to his already impressive resume. He would have a few more All-Star seasons with Indiana but after the 2004 brawl in Detroit, the damage had been done to his stance within the league. League championships: 0. His presence on the early 2000s Kings teams was a perfect fit that put them over the top as a contender at the time. Roy was impossible to keep up with in isolation. Peja Stojakovic is one of the better perimeter scorers of the 2000s decade. He had a smooth lefty jumper that was as good as anyones in the game when he was on point. Wallace helped to revolutionize the power forward position forever with his ability to spread the floor and shoot the ball He could play any role that a team needed him to. 10. After being traded to the Sacramento Kings at the end of the 2000 season, he formed a potent shooting perimeter alongside Peja Stojakovi. At his peak, he had an argument for the best big man in basketball at a time when Tim Duncan and Shaq were still in the league. Only one year later, Jamison jumped his stats tremendously averaging 19.6 PPG and 8.3 RPG followed by a career-high in scoring at 24.9 PPG. Trevor Ariza. And when you peak to the point, you can be compared to the greatest power forward of all time. The Rise of Paul George Can he bring a championship to LA. Would the Clippers have been able to dispatch the Mavericks in the next round? Career Stats: 17.0 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 1.8 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.1 BPG, Career Achievements: 3x All-Star, 1x All-NBA Team Selection. 2008-09 Upper Deck MVP #206 Danilo Gallinari RC ($2.50) Gallinari has had multiple seasons with All-Star caliber production, with his best numbers coming during the 2018-19 season when he averaged . When coming into the league, there were no expectations for Michael Redd having been the 43rd pick of the 2000 NBA Draft. 1. He had three All-NBA team selections, two thirds, and a second cap off his individual awards. Big Shot. But despite this, you should know that Jermaine ONeal was a beast. For his career, Redd shot 38.0% from three and 44.7% overall. From 2001-2007 ONeal made six straight All-Star games while averaging a stellar 20-10 with 2 blocks per game. He won the Rookie of the Year award with the least games played in history to win the award. I have never seen a Finals MVP and a more impactful point guard be overlooked in NBA history more than Chauncey Billups. Thats right; were talking top player in the league status. 8. Now, I could go up to as many as 25 maybe 30 players that are forgotten stars from the 2000's but i'm only going to focus on 12, enjoy. Maggette had his best seasons during the 2004, 2005, and 2008 seasons. He was so fast with his first step off of the dribble and even faster once he got headed toward the basket. The NBA has done an unfortunately great job of sweeping Jermaine ONeals career under the rug after his role in the infamous Malice At The Palace. George Hill . In 2002, ONeal won the NBAs Most Improved Player award by averaging 17.2 PPG, 7.6 RPG, and 1.6 BPG. The Top 10 Most Underrated NBA Players Of The 1960s, The Top 10 Most Underrated NBA Players Of The 1970s, The Top 10 Most Underrated NBA Players Of The 1980s, The Top 10 Most Underrated NBA Players Of The 1990s, The Best NBA Player From Every Team In The 2010s. 12. View Profile View Forum Posts 4 pick in the 1998 draft, Jamison made the All-Rookie Team with the Warriors averaging 9.6 PPG and 6.4 RPG. Seth Curry . Gary Trent Jr. is easily one of the most exciting and underrated players in the NBA today, starting with a Toronto Raptor and ending with one. As a result, a number of quality players had their careers pass without ever getting exposure on the highest level. He became the first Russian player selected in the first round and made the all-rookie team in his first year. 20. Me and other NBA analysts and NBA content creators have said it before and we will keep on saying it, Robert Covington is the DEFINITION of the NBA 3&D player. Even in his later years when his scoring dropped, there was little drop-off in Kidd's assist or steal numbers. Championships: 0. Beginning with a Toronto Raptor, and ending with one, Gary Trent Jr. is easily one of the most exciting and most underrated players in the NBA today. For years now, Jrue Holiday has been widely regarded as the most underrated player in NBA. Shaq and Chuck don't have the defense, although O'Neal did finish 3rd in the 2000 DPOY. 1 / 32 OrlandoMagic.com ranks the best NBA point guards from the 2000s. Of course, there was Tim Duncan and the Spurs who captured 3 championships of their own in the 2000s after winning one in 1999 the year after MJ left the NBA. This is the plight of DeMar DeRozanhes criminally underrated, and probably will be for his entire career. Davis began his career as a member of the Charlotte Hornets. Expectations are high for every player in the league, and the overrated label . Mitch Richmond is one of the most electric yet underrated players of the 90s. From2004 through 2009, Redd battled injuries and bumps but still averaged at least 21.0 PPG every season. For some reason, as time has gone on, fans refer to Zydrunas Ilgauskas as one of those garbage players that LeBron James dragged to the NBA Finals early in his career. Ronald Koeman of the Netherlands lines up before the UEFA Euro 88 Group 2 match between England and the Netherlands at the Rheinstadion on June 15, 1988 in Dsseldorf, West Germany. Miller had solid shooting numbers for a big man at that time, finishing with career averages of 80.4% from the line and 48.0% from the field. Thread Tools. #4 of 165. Alex Novick, NBA.com Global Editions (): Quick, name the only player other than David Robinson and Hakeem Olajuwon to average at least two . One year later, he joined the Phoenix Suns where he averaged 14.9 PPG on 35.8% shooting from three. 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In an era littered with talented point guards, Baron Davis was among the most exciting to watch play. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); My name is Hayden, and I'm a digital marketing consultant. He tore the ACL and MCL in his left knee after playing just 33 games. He averaged 20.1 PPG and 10.0 RPG in his rookie season with the Chicago Bulls, making the All-Rookie Team. 19. Davis can be credited with sparking the We Believe Warriors to an upset win over the No. Sacramento picked Pedrag Stojakovi at the 1996 NBA rookie draft while still playing in Greece. He led the league in steals in 2004 with 2.4 SPG. And while many fans will remember the Clippers for continuously being one of the dumpster fires of NBA teams, alongside Sacramento, Minnesota, and others, those other teams have had moments in the spotlight that are remembered fondly. Miller was as good as it gets running an NBA offense and he was one heck of a playmaker. Drafted with the No. He made 3 straight All-Star games from 2002 through 2004 and averaged 21.7 PPG on 48.1% shooting over that time. Here are the teams, odds and spread for Super Bowl 57 matchup, Super Bowl 2023 predictions and picks for each round of the NFL playoffs. Maybe. Lewis is considered one of the best second options ever for his time with both the Seattle SuperSonics next to Ray Allen and in Orlando with Dwight Howard. He helped lead the Magic to a Finals berth in 2009 by being a versatile scorer next to the dominant Howard. That could not be further from the truth as Ilgauskas was a solid two-way big man who helped LeBron James adapt to the NBA. Redd had led Ohio State to a Final Four as a . COMPLEX participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means COMPLEX gets paid commissions on purchases made through our links to retailer sites. We dont even have to look at career averages or anything. They say the best ability is availability, and Finley did just that. The players listed here may be relatively unknown, underappreciated, or underrated in terms of not making the elite lists of other football raters. But how many of those players make their first all-star team at 34 years old? These players tend to make their presence felt different than your average superstar, whether . And Pascal Siakam continues to have one of the league's more underrated individual campaigns (perhaps because Toronto had . There are the 10 most underrated NBA players of the 2010s. For the first few seasons of his NBA career, Billups bounced around until he found a home with the Detroit Pistons in 2003. Career Stats: 18.8 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.0 SPG, 1.3 BPG. Ilgauskas struggled with injury the first few seasons of his career, missing his rookie season and 4th season with foot issues. He blew past defenders and glided through the air and threw down rim-rocking dunks with brutal authority. Neither made an impact, with Lionel Chalmers never playing another NBA game. Underrated? This season encapsulates why Redd isnt any higher on this list. After taking 2 years to play overseas in Greece, Peja made his NBA debut in the 1998-99 season. A look at those who were ranked too high and too low in the preseason Coaches Poll released Tuesday Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports. Even though he never made an All-Star Team, Bibby certainly played like one and he was a major reason the Kings were a problem in the West. One of the most outspoken NBA analysts in the media, Stephen Jackson was a player that his teammates absolutely loved. 1. Here's a ranking of the NBA's top teammate duos throughout league history. Davis was an explosive point guard who was a blur on the floor in open space. People are bound to take notice of him soon after his impressive season with the Raptors. He would average 20.0 PPG or more for the next 3 seasons and shot near or better than 40.0% from three during that time. He was named an NBA All-Star in 2004 after averaging 21.7 points and a career-best 5.0 rebounds a game. . As one of the original stretch forwards in the game, Lewis used both his size and shooting ability to become a scoring machine. Like many on this list, the 2003-04 season was the best of Rons career. Roy would begin to experience his downfall by 2011, just his 5th season in the league. As the all-time and single-season leader in technical fouls, how could he not? Here are the 10 most underrated NBA players of the entire 2000s. Here is our list of 12 of the most underrated players in the NBA today. He was never the same. Career Stats: 15.2 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 5.4 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.2 BPG, Career Achievements: 1x Finals MVP, 5x All-Star, 3x All-NBA Team Selection, 3x All-Defensive Team Selection. Mike Bibby is one of the most underrated basketball players of all time. He was a 6'6" shooting guard who could also play the small forward position and had solid defensive skills. He could dominate the game on both sides from the low block, he possessed a turnaround jumper that was as unblockable as DIrks fadeaway, and he was a defensive nightmare for opponents nightly. He was so good that Pacers fans couldrealistically argue that he was the best big man in the league. His scoring jumped from 12.9 PPG to 19.0 PPG, and he made his first All-Star Team in 2002 for the Pacers. For the first few seasons of his career, Jermaine ONeal struggled to find a role with the Portland Trail Blazers. The following season in 2002-03, he was one of the best seasons of the decade for ANY player. For some reason, as time has gone on, fans refer to Zydrunas Ilgauskas as one of those garbage players that LeBron James dragged to the NBA Finals early in his career. In every season in which he started over 60 games for one of his 9 NBA teams, he earned at least 6.0 APG. He would become an All-Star once more in 2005 averaging 16.9 PPG, 8.6 RPG, and 2.1 BPG. He also has a rare 83-game season under his belt after being traded from Phoenix to Dallas early in his career. Nine seasons into his career, the former USC Trojan has finally found his stride and established himself as one of the NBAs top guards. He doubled as the leagues premier perimeter defenderwinning the Defensive Player of the Year Awardhaving a rare combination of strength, size, and speed that allowed him to keep up with quicker, smaller guards; and be a physical presence to stop bigger small-forward bruiser type scorers. For his career, Redd shot 38.0% from three and 44.7% overall. He would average a double-double over the next 4 seasons, and by his third season, he was a member of the Los Angeles Clippers. Injuries were a concern throughout Pejas career, especially in the second half of his NBA lifespan. Peja is one player that would have been awesome to watch in the current NBA era. By looking at individual statistics, team impact, and skills during their era; we have compiled a ranked list of the best stars who went underappreciated during their time. 17.9 points, 2.9 RPG, and 1.9 APG. On offense, he was a great spot-up shooter and that's why he is mainly known for being a shooter during the Steve Nash era in Phoenix. Including averaging 10 attempts at the line per game when he averaged 22 points per game in his 2004-05 season. Forgive and forget and put Jermaine ONeal in the Naismith Basketball Hall Of Fame. He would have a few more All-Star seasons with Indiana but after the 2004 brawl in Detroit, the damage had been done to his stance within the league. Enter Sam Cassell. He was a nightmare for defenders to stop and an even bigger one to try and score on in the paint. But when we focus on his game, we can see that he was overlooked for his talent, with many casual fans not understanding that at points in the 2000s, Ron Artest was seen as one of the top NBA players in the league. Jackson would have his best seasons with the Golden State Warriors averaging over 20 PPG for 3 straight seasons. Redd was also a member of the 2008 U.S. mens Olympic basketball team that won a gold medal at the Summer Olympics in Beijing. That was the year Richardson became a solid 3-point shooter, as he nailed 38.4% of his threes. Mehmet Okur - Career Stats : 13.5 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 1.7 apg - Best season (2005-06) : 18.0 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 2.4 apg - Achievements : NBA Champion (2004), NBA All-Star (2007) - Best years were with the Jazz The 2000s-era NBA was one of the more bizarre representations of basketball one could imagine. Career Stats: 12.5 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 6.5 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.2 BPG. Unfortunately for Rahim, he will be remembered for being the centerpiece of this lopsided trade that sent Pau Gasol to Memphis, where he would quickly *not*become one of the most underrated players of the 2000s. For the first few seasons of his NBA career, Billups bounced around until he found a home with the Detroit Pistons in 2003. Big Shot. With the trade of superstar Ray Allen, the Bucks fell off as one of the NBAs top teams, but the leading role was filled by Redd, who went on to average 21.7 points en route to his only All-Star appearance. Thats not that tough. During his 3rd season in the NBA with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miller led the NBA in assists with 10.9 APG to go with 16.5 PPG and 1.6 SPG. Career Achievements: 1x All-Star, 1x All-NBA Team Selection. But for now, Lillard looks like the young PG with the most potential to grow into the best point guard of his era. He was a nightmare for defenders to stop and an even bigger one to try and score on in the paint. Of course, there was Tim Duncan and the Spurs who captured 3 championships of their own in the 2000s after winning one in 1999 the year after MJ left the NBA. During his All-Star seasons with Portland, Wallace was a double-digit scorer and rebounder while being a force to be reckoned with on defense. But the sheer fact that Clipper Contenderswas uttered during the 2005-06 playoffs firmly earns Elton a spot on this list. Theres been a lot of former all-stars. Press Esc to cancel. That needs to begin to change after you read this piece. The 5 most overrated players in Madden NFL 23, including the Eagles' Darius Slay Jr. View 5 items Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Wilt Chamberlain. #513 of 1,316. Not a chance. Obviously, we have to mention the Malice at the Palace incident that saw him miss the entirety of the 2004-05 season with Indiana. Top 5 most underrated NBA players so far this season: PG - Malcolm Brogdon, Indiana Pacers. His best statistical season came in 2006-07, with a career-high 26.7 points per game. Career Stats: 14.9 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.5 BPG. He was the first NBA player to bring in the big balls dance celebration, injuring his groin, The 12 Most Underrated NBA Players of the 2010s, This Millennial Transformed One Rental Property Into A Multi-Million Dollar Empire, 10 Entrepreneurs Share Their Best Beauty Business Tips And Secrets. Well focus primarily on his most impactful seasons, from 2001-2004. With the NBA season approaching fast, there are a few players who haven't gotten the credit they deserve. Shaquille O'Neal. For the first few seasons of his career, Jermaine ONeal struggled to find a role with the Portland Trail Blazers. Ron Artest, Metta World Peace, or his now legal name Metta Sandiford-Artest may surprise some on this list. He was one of the top players in the league until Gerald Wallace injured him. He drove, he shot, and he played a little selfishly. Potential only counts for so much. The problem with most underrated NBA lists is too many of the players are, well, overrated. Wallaces presence propelled Detroit to an NBA championship where Wallace averaged 13.0 PPG and 7.8 RPG on the playoff run. Redd was consistently criticized for his lack of a complete game but his scoring was by far the best part of his game. It is borderline insanity that Miller was never even honored with an All-Star selection and for that, he is the 3rd most underrated player of the 200s decade. A small core of teams dominated the league in that era. Height: 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) Playing position: Striker. He had a sweet jumper and smooth release that he could knock down from anywhere in front of half-court. Billups name never comes up in Top 20 conversations as far as point guards go, let alone Top 10 lists. Schrempf is often overlooked and considered one of the most underrated players in NBA history. As we entered the 2000s, NBA fans were left with the question of who was going to take over the league after Michael Jordan left Chicago. Career Stats: 16.1 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 7.2 APG, 1.8 SPG, 0.4 BPG, Career Achievements: 2x All-Star, 1x All-NBA Team Selection. As the No. Wallaces impact was truly measured when he was acquired by the Detroit Pistons midway through the 2004 season. I will say it here and now. We have seen a host of very talented yet underappreciated stars during the past 20 years. Six seasons into his career in 2005, Lewis earned his first All-Star selection and first 20.0 PPG season. He could dominate the game on both sides from the low block, he possessed a turnaround jumper that was as unblockable as DIrks fadeaway, and he was a defensive nightmare for opponents nightly. He finished 3rd in MVP voting and was arguably the best two-way player in basketball. His three hasn't been falling . Brand's best year came in 2006 as an MVP candidate averaging 24.7 points and 10 rebounds while leading the Los Angeles Clippers back into the playoffs. He could rebound the ball well at 610 tall and his passing and court vision were a perfect recipe for success with how much those Kings teams liked to run. Despite sharing the court with Ray Allen early on, Redd carved his own path and should be revered for his unbelievable scoring at his peak. From there, he developed his offensive game and defensively got more aggressive. Another is that many of these players are often misremembered for their time and play late in their careers when theyre past their prime, bouncing around to teams and being fitted for jerseys that will probably struggle to sell ten total copies. Designed by profootballspace. Career Stats: 13.0 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.1 APG, 0.5 SPG, 1.6 BPG. Oh, and Google his insane back tattoo. Teams: Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics. Milwaukee took Redd with the 43rd overall pick and the former Buckeye would go on to play 11 years with the franchise. He began a stretch of six straight seasons in which he averaged at least 21 points a game. He would be forced to retire from the game at 27 years old. Bottom Line: Otis Thorpe. Others, like Vince Carter and Joe Johnson, are still kicking around the league, but young fans are probably unaware of just how dominant they used to be. All the most overrated players in the NBA will be featured here to choose from. Brad Miller was a rare center in the 2000s because he had a consistent mid-range jump shot. The 2000s was an awe-inspiring time to grow up as an NBA fan and witness these real-life superheroes hit the court every single night. Andre Miller was never an MVP candidate or even an All-Star but he was quietly one of the better point guards during the 2000s. He played in just 18 games and then 10 more in 2010-11. 6,418 votes. Here is a look at the most underrated soccer players of all time. Of course, we couldnt account for everyone who deserves to be on this list, but below are the most underrated NBA players of the early 2000s. At his peak, Billups was a serious threat as a scorer, passer, and defender who was the perfect point guard to lead the Detroit Pistons to the 2004 NBA championship. Theres not much else to say about Maggatte. One year later with the Kings, Miller would have a career year averaging 14.1 PPG and 10.3 RPG while making his second straight All-Star Team. He made his mark from deep and, with an increase in playing time, averaged 11.4 points per game while shooting 44% from beyond the arc. Bibby had a handle and jump shot that was among the best in his time, and he had tremendous success with Chris Webber in Sacramento. Arguably the coolest aspect of Kirinlenkoss career is his nickname, AK-47, referencing his Russian heritage and jersey number. The 2000s was an awe-inspiring time to grow up as an NBA fan and witness these real-life superheroes hit the court every single night. For the first 12 seasons of his career, Miller was a consistent 15.0 to 17.0 PPG scorer but he really made his impact as a passer. Portland athletes have been underrated for a long time, sometimes due to geography, but also because of the early 2000s, which saw casual fans turned away from the NBA team after the ill-fated "Jail Blazers" era that was marred by a string of player arrests, untimely technical fouls, and disastrous playoff meltdowns. Sure. He would lead the league in steals once more in 2007 with the Warriors with 2.1 SPG.