Trying to determine what qualifies a player as underrated in the NBA can be pretty tricky business. Like the awarding of the M.V.P. trophy, you won’t find any shortage of opinions on what basis the player should be judged upon. With no clear cut answer, I decided to try and simplify things, breaking everything down to one statement: Who doesn’t get enough credit for their play?

Looking back on Jose Calderon’s time in Toronto, you can’t help but be impressed and a little bit surprised that he would be in the position he now finds himself. His transformation from a nervous, timid, turnover prone rookie to one of the most respected and efficient point guards in the NBA is a story that should not be overlooked.

As a general rule of thumb in the NBA, the bigger the better. In a sport usually dominated by big men, D.J. Augustin is used to being the smallest player on the floor. He’s also used to being the exception to the rule.

Jerryd Bayless is not your prototypical pass first point guard. He’s a scorer first, playmaker second. He has the ability to light a team up on any given night, yet lacks some of the pure instincts needed in an elite floor general.

Strong and steady. It’s not flashy, and won’t get the fans jumping out of their seats, but that’s probably the best way to describe Brook Lopez’s playing style.
The 7′0″, 260-pound center out of Stanford, who projects as a lottery pick in this year’s upcoming NBA entry draft, has most of the qualities teams are looking for in a franchise big man. Scouts are enamoured with his great size, big frame, good hands and soft touch around the basket.
Lopez may not have the “Wow!” factor possessed by some of his counterparts, …

Take the shot blocking ability of Tayshaun Prince, the ball handling skills of Lamar Odom and the quickness and athleticism of Shawn Marion. You’ve got yourself a game changer. A three-four hybrid forward that can dominate in today’s high-paced, above the rim, up-tempo style NBA. Those are pretty big expectations to live up to but that’s exactly what scouts and GMs alike see when they look at young Anthony Randolph’s upside. Whether he can ever fulfill his seemingly endless potential is the real question.
So who exactly is Anthony Randolph? …

We’re now less than a month away from the 2008 NBA Draft and prospects from all over the world are preparing for the biggest night of their lives. The draft is one of those truly special nights that can make or break a GM’s career or change the complexion of a franchise for years to come. Ex-Toronto Raptors GM Rob Babcock paid the price for exposing Raptors fans to the truly unbearable Rafael Araujo era, while on the other hand, in Portland, Greg Oden and Brandon Roy have put an …