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The NBA's Most Overrated Superstars: Hype vs. Reality

by Jeremy Block - 1/20/2025

Most overrated NBA superstars Blake Griffin Los Angeles Clippers

In the NBA, every season gives us a fresh batch of players who are hyped up as the next big thing, or the player who’s going to revamp the game. There’s no denying that the league has had its share of stars who have earned their rightful place in history, but there are a few who’ve had their hype rising to the roof with little to back it up. 

In fact, some of them might just have been the NBA's most overrated superstars. So, grab your popcorn, because we’re about to take a closer look at the legends and the current stars whose reputations are a little more inflated than their actual abilities.

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1. Russell Westbrook

 Sorry, Westbrook fans, Russell Westbrook tops the list. Yes, the guy who gets triple-doubles like it’s a casual Tuesday. Sure, he plays with heart and has a motor that doesn't quit. However, here’s the thing: stats don’t always tell the full story.

Westbrook’s MVP season in 2017 was historic, averaging a triple-double that year with 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 10.4 assists per game. But despite his individual accolades, Westbrook has repeatedly struggled in the postseason, with only one trip past the first round in his career. 

2. James Harden

 The man who introduced the illegal 3-step jumpshot -- James Harden. Harden is undeniably a scoring machine and a playmaking wizard, but can we talk about the fact that his game relies on traveling to shoot a 3-pointer and getting to the free-throw line?

 Sure, he’s a bucket, no one can deny that. But when you look at his playoff history, especially in crunch time, it’s hard to ignore that his "elite" status doesn’t always shine brightest when the games matter most. Despite a career filled with individual awards, including an MVP in 2018, Harden’s postseason performance has often fallen short of expectations. His playoff career averages are solid, but his shooting efficiency in those high-pressure moments was lacking. Any team Harden was a part of failed to make it past the Western Conference Finals, with many postseason exits coming earlier than expected.

3. Blake Griffin

Once upon a time, Blake Griffin was the face of Lob City and had people thinking he was the future of the power forward position. But let’s be real for a second: Griffin’s rise to stardom came mostly from his insane leaping ability and highlight-reel dunks. As his career progressed, though, it became clear that his game lacked depth.

 Griffin’s best season came in 2013 when he averaged 24.1 points per game. However, after his prime, his production has declined. In later seasons, he averaged just 11.0 points per game. Despite being a six-time All-Star, Griffin’s teams never made it past the second round of the playoffs, and his impact was often more about flash than substance. His lack of a well-rounded game and decline in athleticism left him unable to carry a team to championship contention.

4. Carmelo Anthony

 One of the best pure offensive players the game has seen, no doubt. But as a "superstar"? Let’s pump the brakes a bit. Carmelo Anthony's career is a mix of 30-point games and zero playoff success. His scoring ability was undeniable, as he won a scoring title in 2013 with 28.7 points per game. However, when it came to the postseason, his impact was often minimal. 

His career playoff average of 23.1 points per game was solid, but his shooting dropped to 42.1% in the postseason. Despite his individual success, Anthony never made it past the Western Conference Finals, and his inability to lead a team to championship contention kept him from being the superstar his numbers suggest.

5. Vince Carter

 As a Nets fan, this one stings, but it's the truth. Vince Carter was absolutely electric in his prime. However, let’s keep it real: outside of his athleticism and flashy dunks, what else did he really bring to the table in terms of overall impact?

 Carter had a solid career, with 8 All-Star appearances, but never quite lived up to the "next Jordan" hype. His career playoff performance saw him average 18.1 points per game, but he struggled to make an impact when it mattered most. Carter’s best postseason run came in 2005 when he helped lead the Nets to the Eastern Conference Semifinals. However, after that, his playoff success was minimal at best. While he was undoubtedly a fan favorite and had a long career, he never reached the superstar heights the NBA fanbase expected.

6. Kyrie Irving

 Coming in at number six, this may be a controversial one, but hear me out. Kyrie Irving is without a doubt one of the most talented players in the NBA. But here's the thing: He’s been a hot mess as far as ‘superstar’ status goes.

 Irving’s skill set is undeniable -- his ability to score and handle the ball is among the best in the league -- but his leadership, especially during his time in Boston, has been questionable. His career averages of 23.6 points and 5.6 assists are impressive, but he struggled to lead teams to deep postseason runs. Despite hitting the game-winning shot in the 2016 Finals, his career has been marked by inconsistency both on and off the court. Irving’s off-court distractions and inability to consistently lead a team to a title keep him from being the true superstar his talent hints to.

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