10 NBA Players That Are More Valuable Than Their Stats

Stats do matter and don’t let anybody tell you otherwise. Nonetheless, some players do a lot of hard work that doesn’t get reflected in the stat sheet, but actually, have a huge impact on the team’s chances to win.

Hard working fellas are always there hustling in both sides of the hardwood to help their team get things done, even if that means embracing a lesser (or different role) for the sake of the group.

Over the course of history, these kind of players haven’t gotten much recognition, as, at the end of the day; all that most fans see is stats and numbers, even though they may be taken out of context. Today, we’re going to let you know about the top 10 players that are way better than their stats reflect.

10. Patrick Beverley

6.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists

I will always tell you the same thing about Patrick Beverley: He’s a warthog. He’s never going to hesitate to get in your face and just drive you nuts, let alone the fact that he has one of the quickest hands in the league.

He may not be much of an offensive factor, even though he showed glimpses of improvement last season, but he’s a more than capable playmaker, and one of the most suffocating backcourt defenders in the league.

9. Andre Roberson

Ok, you may argue the fact that Andre Roberson may be one of the worst offensive players this league has ever seen, so the fact that he’s still so vastly missed by the Oklahoma City Thunder tells you how important he is on other aspects of the game.

Roberson may be a terrible shooter, but he’s one of the peskiest defenders in the league. He’s long, quick and very smart, and he really made Russell Westbrook look a lot better on defense by handling the other team’s toughest scorer.

8. P.J Tucker

9.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists

P.J Tucker may not be the flashiest scorer or the most entertaining player to watch, but he’s a guy that quietly contributes in several aspects of the game despite having to check some of the league’s best scorers on a nightly basis

Tucker is versatile, physical and won’t back down from anybody, and he could even play as a small ball center when required to do so. He’s agile and has quite a wingspan so he can always recover when an offensive player gets past him.

7. Mike Conley

19.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, 6.0 assists

Even though Mike Conley’s stats aren’t that bad at all, he has never gotten the praise he deserves, mostly because of the fact that he was a late bloomer and that his team’s slow-paced offense doesn’t allow him to pile up great numbers.

Truth to be told, Conley’s constantly snubbed of All-Star games but is a good defender, great playmaker and one of the most vocal leaders on the team. Still, he’s not worthy of that much money.

6. Marcus Smart

5.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists

Marcus Smart is the toughest guy in the league and it’s not even close. This guy puts his body on the line on a nightly basis, go through screens, and is able to guard 1 through 5 despite his size.

He’s a fierce player that won’t back down from a challenge and that even though shouldn’t be that confident on his jump shot, is still a major factor on his team’s success. He brings a lot of hustle to the table, especially on defense.

5. Steven Adams

11.2 points, 9.8 rebounds, 0.8 blocks

Steven Adams is not only one of the most underrated big men in the game, but also one of the most underrated teammates in the league, as he’s pretty much given up on his personal stats to let Russell Westbrook pile up rebounds.

If Adams actually got his share of the boards, he would be a nightly double-double threat. Also, his offensive game has vastly improved and is a great pick and roll scorer, not to mention his rim protection skills.

4. Ricky Rubio

9.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 7.5 assists

Ricky Rubio has never been able to develop a consistent jump shot, and that’s something that has taken a major toll on what people think of him, especially with all the high expectations he entered the league.

Even so, he’s a great defender, a deadly guy in passing lanes, and one of the craftiest playmakers and ball handlers in the league. He’s a pass-first kind of guy that injuries have prevented from growing into the two-way stud we all expected him to become.

3. Andre Iguodala

2.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists

Andre Iguodala is respectable for the fact that he came off being a team’s go-to-guy to embrace a lesser role off the bench just for the sake of the team, leading the Warriors 2nd unit to 3 NBA Championships.

Iguodala is one of the best wing stoppers in the league and didn’t hesitate to take the back seat and give up a lot of shots just to have a bigger chance at a ring. He’s a yearly 6th Man of the Year Candidate, and already an NBA Finals MVP.

2. Al Horford

11.1 5nts, 7.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists

Al Horford is one of the best players never to shine in the stat line. He’s incredibly smart, versatile, a hard-working guy, and one of the main reasons why the Celtics have found such success lately.

Horford can play at the 4 or the 5 with great ease, is a switchable defender, a master of positioning and even a good three point shooter. If we counted hockey assists, he’d have Chris Paul-like numbers in dimes per game.

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1. Draymond Green

8.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, 7.7 assists

And finally, we have Draymond Green as the greatest player whose stats don’t reflect their impact in the game. He surged as the Dubs’ X-factor upon Steve Kerr’s arrival, and ever since, he’s become the league’s most versatile defender.

Besides his defensive expertise and ability to guard all 5 spots on the court, Green is a terrific ball handler that allows both Curry and Thompson to play off-ball. He’s a solid rebounder, a hustler, and one of the main reasons why Golden State was able to build such a strong dynasty.