Sidney Moncrief

[L.Kizzle]

Sidney Moncrief's name never comes when talking about the most underrated or forgotten stars in the leagues history, but it absolutely needs to.

He played just 11 seasons and was out of the league by age 33. His career numbers and averages don't pop out at you. But he had a 5 year stretch from 82-86 where he was a five time All-Star, five time All-NBA selection (one 1st team, four 2nd team), five time All Defense (four 1st team, one 2nd team) was also the first two DPOY winner and finished top 8 in MVP voting those five seasons as well finishing as high as 4 in 1983.

His teams weren't too shabby either. The Milwaukee Bucks avg 55 wins in those five seasons never winning fewer than 50 games. They also would lose the the eventual NBA Champs in the Eastern Conference Finals 3 times. (83, 84, 86)

He was 21/6/5 on 50% in those 5 seasons as well.

Underrated 80s players usually include the high scoring forward trio of King, English and Dantley. He was much more successful than those 3 guys (tho English's Nuggets were pretty tough.)

He could be argued as the 2nd best guard in the league the first half of the 80s until Jordan came along and Isiah started winning.

He may be the best defensive guard of all time.

He was finally inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2019

[FultzNationRISE]

More like Sidney BRONcrief, am I right??

[1987_Lakers]

I've always had Moncrief as one of my most underrated players. Best perimeter defender in the league during his prime and constantly led the Bucks to 55 wins or so.

But to me Artis Gilmore is probably the most underrated player ever. He dominated the ABA, probably the 2nd best ABA player in history behind Dr. J, wasn't quite as dominant in the NBA, but still made 6 all-stars, 11 all together. Mind blowing that he didn't even make the HOF until 20+ years after he retired. Moncrief got in pretty late too, but his career was kinda short. Gilmore was still producing at a high level well into his mid 30's.

[Lakers Legend#32]

He was drafted after Magic Johnson.

Magic stole all his thunder.

[warriorfan]

He was well before my time and I never heard of him before posting at realGM 15+ years ago and there were some old timers that were all about him. I was skeptical at first and looked more into him and he was super legit. One of the best two way guards to play. If there is a player I would compare him to today it would be a smaller Kawhi Leonard but close to his level of impact. He could definitely be on a list of the most forgotten/underrated players of all time.

[fsvr54]

Great name to bring up every once in a while. Don't let them youngin's forget

[L.Kizzle]

You can say he was a top 5 player between 82-86.
Bird, Magic, Moses, Kareem.
Sidney can be number 5. Who are you taking over him? Doc maybe but that's it.

[FultzNationRISE]

You can say he was a top 5 player between 82-86.
Bird, Magic, Moses, Kareem.
Sidney can be number 5. Who are you taking over him? Doc maybe but that's it.

Kevin McHale.

[L.Kizzle]

Kevin McHale.
Nah, definitely not McHale

[FultzNationRISE]

Nah, definitely not McHale

:lol

[1987_Lakers]

You can say he was a top 5 player between 82-86.
Bird, Magic, Moses, Kareem.
Sidney can be number 5. Who are you taking over him? Doc maybe but that's it.

George Gervin & Dr. J for sure in '82.

Maybe Bernard King in '84? Isiah in '85? McHale in '86?

Only season I have Moncrief as a top 5 player is '83.

[L.Kizzle]

George Gervin & Dr. J for sure in '82.

Maybe Bernard King in '84? Isiah in '85? McHale in '86?

Only season I have Moncrief as a top 5 player is '83.
I meant over that 5 year span.

[1987_Lakers]

I meant over that 5 year span.

If that's the case then Isiah Thomas is the only player you can make an argument for being in the top 5 over Moncrief.

I believe Moncrief surpassed Dr. J as a player by '83.

[bizil]

BEFORE MJ hit the league, Moncrief was the most COMPLETE GUARD in the NBA! I'm talking scoring, passing, defense, and rebounding as a package. Magic was the best guard before MJ got rolling. But Sidney was the MOST COMPLETE when u throw in defense. Plus he would easily swing to the PG.

Moncrief was a top 2 SG in the league along with the Iceman BEFORE MJ hit the league. To this day, u won't find many SG's who combined scoring, passing, and defense like he did. Just think as Stern's new vision of the NBA got rolling, the injuries took Sidney outta the mix. He was only in his late 20's when that happened. I think that's a key reason he doesn't get his props.

Sidney SHOULD HAVE BEEN a top 3 SG in the league behind Jordan and Drexler while Sid was in his early 30's. At 6'4, I always thought D Wade was a mix of David Thompson and Moncrief. Had the great freak athletic scoring ability/numbers of Thompson. BUT also had the great athletic all around game that Sid had.

[L.Kizzle]

If that's the case then Isiah Thomas is the only player you can make an argument for being in the top 5 over Moncrief.

I believe Moncrief surpassed Dr. J as a player by '83.
Zeke didn't make the playoffs his first 2 seasons, and the Pistons never won more the 50 games an any seasons before 1987.
No to Zeke for me.

[1987_Lakers]

Zeke didn't make the playoffs his first 2 seasons, and the Pistons never won more the 50 games an any seasons before 1987.
No to Zeke for me.

I'm not a big Zeke fan so I won't throw a hissy fit over you believing that. Casuals would be surprised just how highly Moncrief was regarded during his prime.

[Jasper]

prancing prince was the heart and sole of Nellie's Bucks.

they had a hell of a core , and that is why I am still a Bucks fan .

[Full Court]

I'm all in favor of a Moncrief thread, but I don't think you can really call him underrated or forgotten when he's in the HOF.

[L.Kizzle]

I'm all in favor of a Moncrief thread, but I don't think you can really call him underrated or forgotten when he's in the HOF.
It took him almost 30 years to get in the Hall.
And even with that, he barley gets mentioned.

[Jasper]

It took him almost 30 years to get in the Hall.
And even with that, he barley gets mentioned.

this

[L.Kizzle]

I wonder why other 80s names like Adrian Dantley get mentioned more them him, he seems to have been a better player.

What about Dennis Johnson, Very similar.