Who’s NBA’s most overrated player? Underrated? Best coach? Anonymous player poll results
The New York Times • • sports
Key Points:
- NBA players in The Athletic’s 2026 Anonymous NBA Player Poll named Boston Celtics’ Derrick White and Atlanta Hawks’ Jalen Johnson as the most underrated players, praising their all-around contributions and leadership.
- Houston Rockets’ Alperen Şengün was voted the most overrated player despite strong stats and an All-Star nod, with some players criticizing his effort and on-court demeanor; Rudy Gobert and Trae Young also ranked high in this category.
- Joe Mazzulla of the Boston Celtics was viewed as the most impressive coach outside of players’ own teams, credited for leading the Celtics to a strong season despite key injuries, followed by Mark Daigneault of the Thunder and J.B. Bickerstaff of the Pistons.
- The least impressive coaches were often those leading struggling or tanking teams, with Washington Wizards’ Brian Keefe receiving criticism linked to poor team performance and defensive lapses.
- Victor Wembanyama was voted the league’s best defensive player, recognized for his shot-blocking and ability to disrupt opponents, though he received only 41.1% of the vote; Scottie Barnes also received notable mentions for defensive versatility.
