BadBaronRudigor

I would gladly have Larry Nance (not necessarily MOST underrated but certainly a candidate) than either of Wilkins or King. Wilkins and King scored more but Nance was grossly superior defensively (especially to Wilkens, one of the biggest "I'm a scorer, I need to conserve my energy on defense" types of all time), more efficient offensively, a classy team first guy (which neither of the other two were known for), a better rebounder (particularly in Phoenix when playing SF so he can be compared directly), an excellent shotblocker, and still a consistent 20 point scorer. Add to that consistency (Wilkens was consistent, King was always either injured or playing out his contract, not a guy you could count on) and Nance still had the ability to bring the spectacular play either with a blocked shot or an insane dunk (he won the first NBA slam dunk contest . . . over Nique among others) and you have a guy that anyone able to look past pure volume scoring would prefer.

Larry Nance . . . more legit candidate for most underrated in NBA history over two guys who were overrated, not underrated.

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PauloCatarino

I don't care much about Bernard King, for his career in undoubtedly NOT HOF-worthy (although his peak years were astounding)...

I loved Larry Nance, but there is no way he can be compared to Dominique. Dominique terrorized defenders for over a decade. He was a Franchise player, who carried the team to almost-contention (if i remember correctly, the Price-Nance-Brad Cavs never made it to the ECF) with sub-par players (that is, while comparing the roster to the Pistons', Celtics' and Bulls').

Nance was a great complementary player. Dominique was much. much more than that.

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JPSeraph

I'm pretty sure Nance was on the Cavs team that made it to the 92 ECF against Chicago.

Nique is perhaps under-rated with respect to some of today's great high-scoring wing players in that everyone assumes if a player is averaging more apg than Nique (e.g. VC), then he must be far and away the better player.

I never really thought about Nance as underrated however...more like overlooked?

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Pioneer10

Bernard King was scary before his first knee injury. Everytime he touched the ball I thought he was going to score (It must have made a real impression on me as I was real young back then)

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EHL

Underrated: Michael Jordan

Overrated: Michael Jordan

kflo

bernard king was one of the great offensive threats of all-time at his peak. he was a dominant force. nance wasn't even comparable in impact.

BadBaronRudigor

Over his prime, Nance would get you around 20 points, 8 rebounds, 2 blocked shots, very good defense, very good team guy; Wilkens and King would get you 28 points (i'm being generous), 5 rebounds, weak defense, frequently selfish play . . . and King is either injured or looking to go free agent on you roughly half the time.

Wilkens is the type of player that I rate much lower than more guys since I don't have much use for poor defense, low shooting percentage, high volume scorers but at least he had a long relatively injury free peak and didn't complain or leave town. I'd take Nance first, Wilkens second, King a distant third . . . oh, and Nance took his Phoenix and Cleveland teams to a better average record than Wilkens took his Atlanta teams.

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PauloCatarino

Nope. I loved Bernard, but that just ain't so.

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(...) we shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender (...)

kflo

and bernard king came in 2nd in mvp voting in his prime. nance was the 3rd best player on the cavs teams. king was a high volume, high efficiency scorer, who could score inside or out. there really wasn't an effective way of guarding him other than doubling. and even then he could turn and shoot the turnaround away from the defense. yes, we all know king suffered a devastating knee injury in his prime - there's no argument for longevity for him. at his peak he was simply at a different level from nance. nance had an offensive game that suffered in the half court, or against good defense. he was limited.

kflo

i'm afraid it is, paulo.