Most Underrated 1980s NBA Player. Vol.2 Duran Duran

by J.N.
Aug 6th, 2011

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For people who didn’t experience the 1980s - Madonna, Michael Jackson, Phil Collins, Janet Jackson, U2, Duran Duran, George Michael/Wham, and Metallica ruled the 1980s. It was not until very late in to the decade that we heard about NWA, De La Soul, and LL Cool J. The original Street Fighter videogame was awful, but Nintendo and Super Mario ran the scene. Miami Vice was cool. Indiana Jones, Big, Back to the Future, The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, and E.T. blew everyone’s minds. Also, director/writer John Hughes was underrated during that era. The fashion was awful with big hair and straight men wearing makeup although the power of the mullet is forever.

Some of these players can be found in the original NBA Jam. If you have an SNES, Genesis, or MAME, what are you waiting for? Get crackin.'

There are rules to be considered "underrated" in my universe (Yes I know they're arbitrary, but someone has to do it):

  • An All Star selection somewhere during the 1980s. Some exceptions can be made, but only on a "per player" case such as good averages.
  • All NBA team selections are fine, but the player cannot be a First Team All NBA selection. If he is a first team All NBA guy then he was never underrated.
  • Good notable statistics.
  • Doesn't have a league MVP.
  • Doesn't have a Finals MVP.
  • He can have titles, but only late in his career when he is no longer that good compared to what he was before.
  • The player cannot be a Laker or Celtic during the 1980s because those 2 franchises were dynasty teams. They dominated the league and every player on those championship squads got tons of acknowledgement.That's not underrated unless he is an old washed up ring chaser.
  • Not Hall of Famers currently
  • Cut off season is 1989-1990.
  • Any one drafted in the late 70s is fine as long as they did most of the production in the 1980s.

 13) Kelly Tripucka

Career averages: 17.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal

He had the John Oates' 80s style goin' on. How can anyone forget that? Tripucka made 2 All Star games. That is all.

12) Brad Daugherty

Career averages: 19 points, 9.5 rebounds

Brad had a very short career resulting in 5 all star appearances. He can pass for both 1980s and 1990s.

11) Rolando Blackman

Career averages: 18 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3 assists, FG .493

A shooting guard hitting nearly 50 percent of his shots sounds like Michael Jordan, right? Nope. This 4 time All Star was impressive having multiple .500 field goal percentage seasons, but he’s not Jordan.

10) Kiki Vandeweghe

Kiki (2x All Star) averaged 19.7 points for career. Before he was traded to the New York Knicks, he was a notorious scorer throughout the 80s (minus rookie year since he wasn’t starting) averaging 24.6 points. That’s Carmelo Anthony-like.

9) Reggie Theus

Career averages: 18.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 1.2 steals

Theus is a true point forward with vision. He could have rebounded more. He made two All Star appearances. He gained nothing else. Reggie played in the wrong era to show off his skills. If Theus did that stuff today, he would be making more All Star appearances and might make 3rd team All NBA. He made it very clear that the mustache has to be vogue and jeri curls were extra greasy.

8) Terry Cummings

Career averages: 16.4 points and 7.3 rebounds

2 time All Star and 2 time All NBA (2nd and 3rd teams), but that is all. No championships. He played 18 years though. That is a long time.

I realized that not many players today rock the mustache like the 80s players.

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