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The five most overrated and underrated NBA players

Being a prolific scorer hasn't helped Anthony win big since his days at Syracuse, and he certainly isn't on the brink of anything special this season.

Being a prolific scorer hasn’t helped Anthony win big since his days at Syracuse, and he certainly isn’t on the brink of anything special this season.   (Maddie Meyer / Getty Images)

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There are nearly 3,600 active players in the four major pro sports leagues in the U.S. Our columnists have sorted through the rosters of the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL and come up with their lists of the most overrated and underrated players in each sport.

Overrated: Rudy Gay, SF, Sacramento Kings

The high-volume, low-percentage shooter keeps getting traded because he just isn’t worth all the fuss, not to mention the $17.9 million he’s making this season.   (Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)

Overrated: Kevin Garnett, PF, Brooklyn Nets

It may seem strange to consider a future Hall of Famer overrated, but that’s exactly what Garnett has been this season. He’s averaging single digits in points for the first time in his career while making less than 40% of his shots.  (Maddie Meyer / Getty Images)

Overrated: Kendrick Perkins, C, Oklahoma City Thunder

The only double-doubles Perkins is posting these days are games in which he gets two points and two rebounds. It’s hard to fathom why the Thunder didn’t use the amnesty provision on its biggest underachiever, saving the roughly $19 million he¿s owed over the final two seasons of his contract.   (Barry Gutierrez / AP)

Overrated: Josh Smith, SF, Detroit Pistons

Smith has hardly lived up to the $54-milllion contract he signed with the Pistons, averaging fewer points than he has since his second NBA season. He’s also 0-2 against Atlanta, the team that must be feeling better every day about parting ways with its native son.   (Michael Conroy / AP)

Underrated: Chris Andersen, PF, Miami Heat

The Illustrated Man brings a lot more to the Heat than a body covered with tattoos. His hustle, rebounding and occasional scoring have energized a frontcourt that was woefully thin in those departments beyond starting center Chris Bosh.   (J Pat Carter / AP)

Underrated: Wesley Matthews, SG, Portland Trail Blazers

Matthews is Portland’s best three-point shooter and is the third-leading scorer on the league’s biggest surprise.   (Don Ryan / AP)

Underrated: Jodie Meeks, SG, Lakers

Long pigeonholed as a three-point specialist, Meeks has spread his wings as someone who contributes in a variety of ways. He’s obliterating his previous career highs in scoring, rebounding and field-goal percentage while also showing the ability to defend.   (Ross D. Franklin / AP)

Underrated: Chandler Parsons, SF, Houston Rockets

He can shoot, rebound, defend, pass, handle the ball ... wait, how was this guy a second-round draft pick again? He can play both forward positions and provides a stabilizing presence that counterbalances the outsized personalities of Dwight Howard and James Harden.   (Bob Levey / AP)

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