The five most overrated and underrated NBA players

The high-volume, low-percentage shooter keeps getting traded because he just isn’t worth all the fuss, not to mention the $17.9 million he’s making this season.   (Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)

It may seem strange to consider a future Hall of Famer overrated, but that’s exactly what Garnett has been this season. He’s averaging single digits in points for the first time in his career while making less than 40% of his shots.  (Maddie Meyer / Getty Images)

The only double-doubles Perkins is posting these days are games in which he gets two points and two rebounds. It’s hard to fathom why the Thunder didn’t use the amnesty provision on its biggest underachiever, saving the roughly $19 million he¿s owed over the final two seasons of his contract.   (Barry Gutierrez / AP)

Smith has hardly lived up to the $54-milllion contract he signed with the Pistons, averaging fewer points than he has since his second NBA season. He’s also 0-2 against Atlanta, the team that must be feeling better every day about parting ways with its native son.   (Michael Conroy / AP)

The Illustrated Man brings a lot more to the Heat than a body covered with tattoos. His hustle, rebounding and occasional scoring have energized a frontcourt that was woefully thin in those departments beyond starting center Chris Bosh.   (J Pat Carter / AP)

Matthews is Portland’s best three-point shooter and is the third-leading scorer on the league’s biggest surprise.   (Don Ryan / AP)

Long pigeonholed as a three-point specialist, Meeks has spread his wings as someone who contributes in a variety of ways. He’s obliterating his previous career highs in scoring, rebounding and field-goal percentage while also showing the ability to defend.   (Ross D. Franklin / AP)

He can shoot, rebound, defend, pass, handle the ball ... wait, how was this guy a second-round draft pick again? He can play both forward positions and provides a stabilizing presence that counterbalances the outsized personalities of Dwight Howard and James Harden.   (Bob Levey / AP)