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Who are the most underrated/overrated teams in the NBA? 11 experts weigh in!

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Hello NBA fans! With the 2017-2018 season under way, I have asked 11 NBA experts the following two simple questions:  

- Who is the most underrated team in the NBA?  

- Who is the most overrated team in the NBA?  

Hopefully, their answers will help you with your sports bets early in the season, where some teams tend to surprise or disappoint us. Let’s pay close attention to these experts’ opinions to try to find undervalued/overvalued teams.

Enjoy the read!  

ALEX BERNSTEIN (FansTakeSports)

Underrated: Milwaukee Bucks  

If they can stay healthy (big if) they already have one of the most talented starting fives in the league and Giannis is poised for a major breakout year with a legitimate MVP ceiling. Although the Celtics and Cavs are the favorites in the east they most likely will struggle with chemistry issues for the first half of the year.  

Overrated: Cleveland Cavaliers  

I truly believe in the regular season the Cavs are the most overrated team. By losing Kyrie, Kevin Love becomes their de-facto number two option until Isaiah comes back. That's a major step back for them. They also have 3 good defenders on the entire team (LeBron, Crowder, Shump) and almost no three point shooting. They're also going to be relying on a lot of players with injury history (Wade, Rose, Love, Isaiah). While by the post season they should be the top team in the east talent wise, I believe they will under achieve in the regular season.  

STEVE ALEXANDER (Rotoworld's Senior NBA Editor)

Underrated: New Orleans Pelicans

Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins are going to dominate the paint for the Pelicans this season and despite last year's failures, they've had an entire offseason and preseason to figure out how to play together. Jrue Holiday should be able to stay healthy and fully return to form this season. Rajon Rondo's hernia surgery hurts, as does the lack of a name small forward in New Orleans, but I like E'Twaun Moore coming off the bench and filling in the hole left by Rondo. The Pelicans and Anthony Davis have consistently underperformed over the years, but 2017-18 should be different.

Overrated: San Antonio Spurs

Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili are basically NBA senior citizens, LaMarcus Aldridge simply doesn't look like a good fit despite re-signing recently, and now Kawhi Leonard has a quad injury that no one can seem to figure out. While it's very clear the Spurs' system appears to be player proof, meaning whoever Gregg Popovich throws out there usually succeeds, the fact remains teams like the Nuggets, Timberwolves and Blazers are all getting better in the West. Maybe the Spurs will bring something out of Rudy Gay that no one else has been able to and maybe they'll be a top seed in the Western playoffs, as usual. But I think they might struggle just to make it to the postseason this year. Especially if Leonard's injury turns out to be serious. 
 
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REINIS LACIS (Writer at BBallBreakdown and "At The Hive")

Underrated: San Antonio Spurs  

There are age related reasons here for the Spurs to take a step back. Pau Gasol projects as their starting center at the age of 37, while their bigs really lack athleticism now with Dewayne Dedmon gone. Orlando Magic's acquisition Jonathon Simmons was probably their most outstanding athlete on the perimeter where Tony Parker will return from a ruptured quadriceps tendon and 40-year-old Manu Ginobili will play. However, that doesn't seem enough for the 61-win San Antonio team (Basketball-Reference has their expected W-L for 2016-17 at 60-22) to become six or seven games worse. Kawhi Leonard is right in his prime -- his injury being more serious would obviously be the monkey wrench --, the addition of Rudy happy makes you believe that they are finally ready to ditch some of those two big man lineup minutes and there are young guys in Dejounte Murray and Davis Bertans who could improve. That's not to mention that by making this choice one believes in the Spurs magic and Gregg Popovich revitalizing LaMarcus Aldridge.  

Overrated: Philadelphia 76ers  

Though I believe that their line was originally 41.5, I'll still go with the Philadelphia 76ers. The excitement about their young core is reasonable and covered well enough previously. This collection of talent will certainly produce some very fun transition basketball. Yet each of those young prospects have their flaws which could keep them from making that big of a leap this season. The obvious problem is Joel Embiid's health. When he played, he could keep a bad 76ers team in the positive. Without him -- Embiid reaching something like 60 games would be a great result -- the team should be bad enough on defense not to get to .500. Ben Simmons is a monster in transition and a great passer, yet his own offensive game is questionable. Markelle Fultz still seems like the real deal, yet the inexplicable change of his free throw stroke is an unexpected and somewhat concerning event. There's plenty to questions in regards to guys like Dario Saric and Jahlil Okafor as well. The bottom line is that there are a lot of shortcomings for these young guys and the team itself to overcome. Betting against that seems like the safer choice.  

THOMAS DUFFY (Sports editor for Cycle.Media)

Underrated: Brooklyn Nets  

They won't make the playoffs, but they're well worth the over on 27.5 wins. It's cliche, but they're young and play super hard under Atkinson. Hard to take much away from the preseason, but it's clear they're going to flirt with 30 wins.  

Overrated: Philadelphia 76ers  

Their best players have barely played in the NBA. That 39-win number is too high, IMO. At least for now. Don't think they're close to .500.  

 

JASON PATT (Content manager at FanRag Sports NBA and contributor at BlogABull.com)

Underrated: Utah Jazz  

Even after losing Gordon Hayward, still think they make the playoffs in the West thanks to Rudy Gobert and their stout defense.  

Overrated: Philadelphia 76ers  

They should be fun and better, but I don't totally buy them yet because they're still so young and Joel Embiid's health remains a huge question mark.  
 
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SCOTT AGNES (Pacers reporter at VigilantSports)

Underrated: Boston Celtics  

They finished atop the East last year and got even better in the offseason. While they made substantial moves, essentially gutting their roster, they beefed up their core and that’s what matters. Chemistry will take time, but they are led by Brad Stevens. They’ll figure it out. They can compete now, but their future (with a combination of seasoned vets and young pups) is even brighter.  

Overrated: Milwaukee Bucks  

They just don’t scare you. They’ll be good enough for a middle-of-the-road playoff spot in the East, but they don’t have enough firepower to compete with the likes of Cleveland and Boston. They have an intriguing trio of players, led by Antetokounmpo, but it’ll be interesting to see how this roster comes together.  

 

JOSHUA BROOM (Assistant editor at BadLeftHook and at 16WinsARing)

Underrated: Brooklyn Nets  

I feel the Brooklyn Nets are an underrated Eastern Conference lottery team which can earn 30-35 wins. A healthy Jeremy Lin, combined with offseason additions D'Angelo Russell, Allen Crabbe, and DeMarre Carroll will surpass many expectations and shock many opponents this year.  

Overrated: San Antonio Spurs  

I chose San Antonio because though they are perennially written off, this season must be the one in which their time at the top concludes. I base this decision on three simple factors: advanced age, cumulative injuries, and lack of depth. Simply, I do not believe San Antonio's past-prime and injury-prone lineup can excel during another taxing 82-game run.  

 

DANNY EMERMAN (Celtics beat writer at 16WinsARing.com)

Underrated: Denver Nuggets  

I've always thought Paul Millsap is an underrated player. His impact on both sides of the floor this year will be evident in Denver. On paper, the pairing of him and Nikola Jokic should be terrific—Millsap fills in the holes defensively, they can play off each other offensively. Denver is a well coached team and they should be able to hit the over, even in a brutal Western Conference.  

Overrated: Philadelphia 76ers  

The Sixers' over/under line is 100% generated by fan and media hype surrounding Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. In my eyes, there's no chance they can sniff .500, especially when considering Embiid and Simmons' injury history. Young teams in general tend to struggle, no matter how talented they are. Young teams whose best players can't stay on the court are destined for the lottery.  

 
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COLLIN HUGULEY (Georgia Bulldogs men's basketball beat writer for The Red & Black)

Underrated: Memphis Grizzlies  

Although they lost key pieces of the identity of the franchise in Tony Allen and Zach Randolph, the Grizzlies are still right in the hunt for one of the last two playoff spots in the West. Mike Conley is coming off of a career year and Marc Gasol is one of the best centers in the game. Combine that with being well-coached by David Fizdale and I'd be shocked if the Grizz didn't surpass the 37.5 win-total line that has been set. And they have pieced together some interesting young depth pieces that can make an impact. They don't have the flashiest names on their roster, but the Grizzlies have a system that works and guys that can succeed in that system. I expect them to sneak into the playoffs once again.  

Overrated: Utah Jazz

Rudy Gobert has become more than just a great defensive player. But as great as he is and as good a coach as Quin Snyder is, I think the Jazz lost too much offensively to get back to competing for a playoff spot in the Western Conference this year. Everyone knows that they will miss Gordon Hayward but the loss of George Hill will hurt more than people realize, even with the addition of Ricky Rubio. But I think they will be forced to lean on Rodney Hood too much for wing scoring and lack a go-to offensive option. Rookie Donovan Mitchell is very intriguing and talented but I don't think he can pick up the offensive slack by himself. I like the Jazz for the future but I think they have a tough rebuilding year ahead in 2017-2018.  

MIKA HONKASALO (NBA writer for HoopsHype)

Underrated: Indiana Pacers  

The Pacers won't be good, but their rotation features 8 players who aren't obvious minus-contributors. Additionally, Myles Turner is already fantastic on both ends. Not a sexy pick for an underrated team, but the Pacers should be about 4-5 wins better than their Vegas projection.  

Overrated: Cleveland Cavaliers  

Cavaliers have won 53, 57 and 51 games the past three seasons, and will now be playing with a significantly worse point guard than before.. Derrick Rose. The Cavaliers didn't defend during last season, and those problems are going to be worse with Rose and Dwyane Wade guarding the head of the attack. The best offense around LeBron James has been three-point shooter spacing the court, and Wade mucks that up too.  

PHIL NAESSENS (Host of The Phil Naessens Show)

Underrated: Atlanta Hawks  

Ten consecutive playoff appearances should at least count for something. I know the Hawks lost All-Star Paul Millsap but 25.5 wins? Two less wins than the Brooklyn Nets? In the NBA Eastern Conference?  That seems awfully low to me considering the Hawks return three starters in Dennis Schroeder, Kent Bazemore and Taurean Prince. Power Forward Ersan Illyasova played solid minutes when Millsap went down last season and the addition of shooting guard Marco Belinelli should provide this Hawks team with a solid three point threat from the two spot.  

Overrated: Los Angeles Clippers  

44.5 wins in the Western Conference seems like a bit of a stretch. Especially considering that they lost their leader when they traded Chris Paul to the Houston Rockets. Patrick Beverly is a nice player but he is no Paul. Blake Griffin hasn’t played 70 games in a season since 2014 and neither has Danilo Gallinari. They might get some help on offense from Sam Dekker but I don’t see how they are going to score the ball consistently enough or stay healthy enough to win 44.5 games.  

 
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SUMMARY

Only the Brooklyn Nets got mentioned more than once as the most underrated team in the NBA. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia 76ers seemed to be the consensus pick as the most overrated club with 4 votes, while the Cleveland Cavaliers and the San Antonio Spurs obtained 2 votes (the Spurs also received one underrated vote though).  

A big thank you to all 11 contributors, I appreciate a lot!  

Thanks for reading and have a nice lucrative NBA season!  

Professor MJ
 
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Great read, thanks!
 
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Quote Originally Posted by SplashBros:

Great read, thanks!

You are welcome my friend! I was a bit surprised to see so many people picking the Sixers as the most overrated team.
 
 
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Thank you Professor-MJ 

Great work. 
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