The 10 most underrated NBA players of the 2010s

4. Tyson Chandler

With just 8.3 points, 9.1 rebounds and 0.9 blocks per game this decade, Tyson Chandler‘s inclusion on this list isn’t merited via statistical production. His value came at the defensive end with smothering interior protection as well as elite screens and athletic dives to the rim, never more apparent than during the 2010-11 season.

The Dallas Mavericks were still perennial playoff contenders at that point in the Dirk Nowitzki era, but lacked that unquantifiable defensive toughness to bring home a title.

Chandler’s presence changed that, helping Dallas to a top-ranked defense in the regular season. Come playoff time, he detracted the opposition from the rim and made life difficult for anyone who challenged him. Without Tyson helping to shut off LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, the Mavs simply don’t win their first and only championship.

That offseason saw Chandler head to the New York Knicks, a team with immense offensive firepower in Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire, but little discipline at the other end.

In his first two seasons in New York, Chandler won Defensive Player of the Year and went to his only All-Star Game. In 2012, the Knicks won their first playoff game since 2001 and followed that up the following year with their first second-round appearance since 2000.

Despite three All-Defensive appearances, Chandler won’t have the resume necessary to qualify for the Hall of Fame whenever he decides to retire.

Look deeper into his impact, though, and you’ll see a player whose presence on several teams led to some of their best work in a long time, and there’s no denying that’s hardly a coincidence.