The Efficiency Gap: Why 'Underrated' is a Metric Failure
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When analysts label players as underrated, they often overlook the transformative efficiency data that proves elite performance is already happening.
In the world of sports rankings, the term "underrated" is frequently used as a catch-all for players who fall short of fan or media expectations. However, a closer look at the data suggests that these players aren't necessarily overlooked—rather, the metrics that define their value are often ignored until it is too late.
Take the case of LaMelo Ball of the Timberwolves. As CBS Sports first reported, Ball was ranked No. 41 in their top 100 players list. While skeptics point to his maturity, durability, and defense, the efficiency metrics tell a different story. CBS Sports writer Sam Quinn notes that from Dec. 6 of last season, the Hornets boasted the NBA's best offense. More tellingly, the Charlotte offense declined by 13.2 points per 100 possessions when Ball was off the floor—a drop nearly identical to the 13.4-point decline the Nuggets suffered without Nikola Jokić in the same window.
Ball's impact is further evidenced by the performance of his teammates. According to CBS Sports data, Brandon Miller saw his true shooting rise by four percentage points when playing alongside Ball. Meanwhile, starters Moussa Diabaté, Miles Bridges, and Kon Knueppel all saw their true shooting decline by at least eight percentage points in Ball's absence. Despite posting his lowest individual scoring and assist numbers since his rookie year, Ball's presence was transformative for a lineup that achieved the highest offensive rating of any five-man unit to play 200 minutes last year, at 134.9 points per 100 possessions.
This disconnect between perceived value and actual impact is a recurring theme. Jalen Johnson of the Hawks, ranked No. 30, is cited by CBS Sports' Robby Kalland as a player who deserves a higher spot after improving his shooting efficiency and serving as the primary option for a playoff team that earned him All-NBA and All-Star honors in 2025. Similarly, Domantas Sabonis of the Kings, ranked No. 68, is described by CBS Sports' Cam Salerno as one of the league's best floor-raisers due to his passing, screening, and rebounding. Sabonis was the hub of the NBA's best offense during the 2022-23 season, though his ranking has suffered due to a knee injury that sidelined him for nearly the entire 2025-26 season.
Even established veterans face this efficiency paradox. James Harden of the Cavaliers, ranked No. 47, is viewed by CBS Sports' John Gonzalez as a player better than his ranking suggests. While Gonzalez acknowledges suspect judgment and defense in the postseason, he points to Harden's resume—including an MVP award, three scoring titles, and eight All-NBA selections—as evidence that he is being unfairly eclipsed by younger players like Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner.
Ultimately, the "underrated" label is often a failure to track how a specific player elevates the efficiency of those around them. Whether it is Ball's impact on true shooting or Sabonis's role as an offensive hub, the data proves that elite performance is often hidden in plain sight.