In the next part of the “Overrated” series, TGH will be taking a look into the small forwards around the league. This will probably be one of the harder categories to analyze because there are so many talented small forwards.
Disclaimer: When mentioning these players, it doesn’t mean they’re bad players. A lot of factors go into being overrated, whether it’s stats, team success or more.
Here is the list for overrated small forwards.
Rodney Hood
Hood, who several seasons ago was one of the top back-up small forwards in the league, is having the worst season of his career.
This season for Hood hasn’t just been bad. It’s been flat out awful. His lowest minutes per game ever (19.2) and points per game average (5) land him the top spot.
When Hood was playing for Utah, he was one of the emerging talents on an up-and-coming team. He was eventually traded to Cleveland. Hood was a valuable back-up to LeBron James. He got some experience in an NBA Finals and extended playoff run.
Now, Hood hasn’t been that same player. He just isn’t a viable scoring threat and important piece coming off the bench.
The worst part about it is that if he was the player he can be, Portland’s second unit would be a lot more dangerous. Instead, he’s holding them back.
Otto Porter Jr.
If you’re a casual NBA fan, you might not know who Otto Porter Jr. is. Here’s some insight: he’s a small forward for the Chicago Bulls that’s in the last year of his 4-year/106,524,975 salary.
You’d think a player with that kind of money would be at least an all-star right? Not in Otto Porter Jr.’s case.
Since signing the contract, Porter has averaged over 15 points per game once. He’s barely a starter on the Bulls since signing with them in 2018.
Porter just doesn’t do much to help a team win either. He’s only averaging two assists and five rebounds per game on a Bulls team that’s trying to make the playoffs.
The only argument you need for Otto Porter Jr. being overrated is that a player who’s making over $25 million a year should be able to average more than 10 points per game. You can’t say that for Porter!
Having him on the list was a clear no brainer.
Cedi Osman
This is another no brainer for this list. Osman is a below average, or at best average player. First off, he started every game for Cleveland last season before the pandemic. Now, he barely starts because he was replaced by rookie Isaac Okoro. That proves that Osman just isn’t the guy.
From an average person’s point of view, 10.6 points, 2.7 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game is good. But for what the Cavs need Osman to be, that’s far from enough.
The thing about Osman is that he’s not the highest paid guy or was once good and fell off. His situation is more so that he just hasn’t displayed his full potential.
When Cleveland brought him in from overseas in 2017, there was some hype about what he could bring to the Cavs. Since then, it’s been somewhat anti-climactic.
This season, in the midst of all the Andre Drummond trade rumors, there have been reports that Cleveland might move Osman too. That might be the clear decision, especially since he hasn’t done anything to help the Cavs win.
All stats were taken from ESPN.com and basketballreference.com.
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