NBA Playoffs 2012: Top 20 Stars Missing This Postseason

As the 2012 NBA Playoffs get underway, it's time to say hello to prime-time hoops. But it's also time to bid farewell to some of the league's best players who won't be competing in the postseason.

Aren't there a few stars whom you'd love to see play in the playoffs? Who wouldn't want more of Steve Nash's artistry or Dwight Howard's game-changing ability?

Some are victims of a poorly-run franchise or a below-average year. Others are young guns who are still improving and waiting their turn in the basketball pecking order.

Who are the best players missing out on this year's playoffs? Here's a list of 20 stars we won't see until next fall.

Nicolas Batum, Portland Trail Blazers

Injuries doomed Portland once again this year, but Nicolas Batum did all he could to keep the Portland Trail Blazers competitive.

One of France's most talented ballers, Batum had his best season yet in 2011-12. The lanky 6'8" forward had career highs in points, rebounds, steals and blocks.

His active hands on defense and ability to knock down three-pointers at a 39 percent clip make him a valuable commodity on Portland's roster.

Kevin Martin, Houston Rockets

Kevin Martin is having a down year, but it would still be nice to see the Rockets' top scorer duel with the likes of Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook.

The nine-year NBA veteran has reached the postseason just once in his career, and if he wants to lead Houston back to respectability, he needs to expand his game.

Martin can't afford to see his scoring dip from 23 points per game to 17 points per game without improving his assist output.

Brandon Jennings, Milwaukee Bucks

The Milwaukee Bucks just missed the Eastern Conference playoffs, finishing a shade under .500.

Despite their shortcomings, they can't accuse Brandon Jennings of not carrying his fair share of the load. The shifty guard scored 19 points and dished out nearly six assists per game this season.

Fans nationwide don't get to see the Milwaukee Bucks too often throughout the year, so the playoffs would've been a great opportunity to get acquainted with the duo of Jennings and Monta Ellis.

The good news? Jennings is still just 22 years old, so there is plenty of time left for us to see him play on the big stage. 

Marcin Gortat, Phoenix Suns

Just a little over a year ago, Marcin Gortat was a backup seeing 12-14 minutes per game. 

When he was traded last winter from Orlando to Phoenix, he instantly became a legitimate starting NBA center.

Gortat has delivered in the post consistently for the Suns, averaging a double-double and converting at a high percentage in 2011-12. 

In fact, he was fifth in the NBA in field-goal percentage and ranked seventh in the league in double-doubles.

Greg Monroe, Detroit Pistons

The Detroit Piston's low-post anchor of the future had a splendid sophomore campaign.

Greg Monroe delivered a breakout year and was one of the bright spots at the Palace.

The Georgetown product has emerged as one of the best offensive rebounders in the entire association. Monroe currently ranks second in the league in offensive boards behind DeMarcus Cousins.

When you're out-performing players like Kevin Love, Tyson Chandler and Dwight Howard in a rebounding statistic, you know you're doing something right.

Ricky Rubio, Minnesota Timberwolves

Even if the Minnesota Timberwolves had miraculouslymade the postseason, we would still be deprived of Ricky Rubio due to his ACL injury.

During his brief and much-anticipated rookie year, the Spaniard lived up to the floor-general hype. He brought his famed court vision and razzle-dazzle flair to Minneapolis.

Rubio delivered more than eight assists per game, a remarkable number for a first-year player. Let's hope he becomes a mainstay in the playoffs for years to come.

David Lee, Golden State Warriors

I don't mind that David Lee isn't in the MVP debate and isn't featured on SportsCenter all the time. What saddens me is that he doesn't have a chance to play for a championship.

It's a bummer, because the fact of the matter is that he is a 20/10 caliber player. Lee is by far the most productive cog on the Golden State Warriors with 20.1 points and 9.6 rebounds per contest.

The fundamentally-sound lefty didn't get much help in Oakland this winter, so the Warriors are on the outside looking in this spring.

Tyreke Evans, Sacramento Kings

Tyreke Evans hasn't really progressed into the superstar that some hoped he would be, but the third-year Sacramento Kings guard is still one of the most dangerous combo guards in the league.

The 6'6" slasher is a constant threat to take it all the way to the hoop or create for his comrades. Some nights, he can go off for 30-plus points. Other nights, he'll burn the opposing defense for 10-12 assists.

A bit more team chemistry and experience is the main ingredient Evans and company need to make Sacramento a playoff team again.

Eric Gordon, New Orleans Hornets

After getting shipped to New Orleans as part of the Chris Paul trade, Eric Gordon has been forced to carry the Hornets franchise and make a name for himself in the Big Easy.

He missed most of 2011-12 with his knee injury, so next year is his big test. 

New Orleans has some nice role players on its roster, but Gordon is the only top-tier performer on the squad. General Manager Dell Demps needs to get him some help in a hurry, or else Gordon will be on this list in the springs of 2013, 2014 and beyond.

Kemba Walker, Charlotte Bobcats

Charlotte Bobcats rookie Kemba Walker entered the league this fall as an undersized guard coming off a scintillating run with UConn in the 2011 NCAA tournament.

He finished the year as a rookie humbled by a 7-59 season.

Walker was a part of a horrendous team, but that doesn't mean he underperformed. He had a solid rookie year and often created offense out of thin air.

The highlight of Kemba's year was his triple double on January 28—only 12 players recorded one this year.

John Wall, Washington Wizards

John Wall's effectiveness didn't improve at all from last year, and he's still turnover-prone. In fact, he regressed slightly statistically.

But he's still an electrifying young talent we'd love to see in the playoffs.

The Washington Wizards have a heap of problems they need to address heading into next year, and one of them is channelling Wall's athleticism and creativity.

If they can do that, and improve his supporting cast, then they're heading in the right direction.

Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

After spraining his right ankle four times this season, Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry had surgery on it Wednesday.

Those ankle woes hampered his productivity this year, as his numbers were down even though he should be entering the prime of his career.

For the sake of all west-coast hoops fans, let's hope Curry makes a full recovery and helps lead the Warriors to the playoffs for the first time in his career.

DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento Kings

In just his second year in the NBA, DeMarcus Cousins has established himself as one of the most imposing forwards in the Western Conference.

He has turned out to be everything the Kings wanted and more. Sacramento's bruiser has become a double-double machine who proved to be the best offensive rebounder in the league.

Cousins should be a fixture in Sac-town for the next few years, but the Maloofs need to get him some help if they want to be a fixture in the playoffs in the future.

Monta Ellis, Milwaukee Bucks

The 2011-12 season was an adventure for Monta Ellis, who was traded midseason from the Golden State Warriors to the Milwaukee Bucks.

After he was traded, he never really got the hang of coach Scott Skiles' system, and as a result, he struggled to deliver for the Bucks.

It's no coincidence that a ball-dominating, inefficient player like Monta Ellis has never been on an elite team. He doesn't seem to exemplify the qualities of a winning basketball player.

If he ever figures it out, he'll be fun to watch in the playoffs.

LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland Trail Blazers

LaMarcus Aldridge was the one constant in a year of flux for the Portland Trail Blazers.

The team underwent a handful of roster moves and transactions over the past few months, including a coaching change, but Aldridge remained a strong presence in the middle.

The six-year pro out of Texas produced on the interior and in mid-range, and his efforts were rewarded with his first trip to the All-Star game. Aldridge was in the top 10 in the NBA in field goals made and in points per-minute pace.

Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns

The NBA's best floor general of the past decade might have played his last game with the Phoenix Suns, but Steve Nash was no slouch in his final campaign with the franchise.

He's not who he was three or four years ago, but he's still slinging 10 assists per game and is deadly from long range.

Every basketball fan, regardless of team allegiance, should want to see Nash wheel and deal his way to the playoffs again.

Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers

There's a boatload of pressure that comes with being the top pick in the NBA draft, but Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving lived up to his billing.

The top prospect of 2011 proved immediately that he could be a capable scorer, a reliable outside shooter and someone who could create for his teammates. He also converts on his free-throw opportunities and is invested on the defensive end.

Irving still has some learning to do, and primarily needs to take better care of the ball, but he could be a superstar within a couple years.

Deron Williams, New Jersey Nets

Questions surround the future of Nets guard Deron Williams. Will the seven-year pro be a part of Brooklyn basketball in the future, or will he team up with other superstars in a different city?

His skill set brings everything to the table. He's a phenomenal combo guard because of his mix of shot-creating, ball-handling and distribution.

Williams was the only player in the NBA in the top 10 in points and assists.

That tells you how valuable he was to the Nets franchise and how much talent we're missing out on during these playoffs.

Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic

Dwight Howard's season was filled with trade anticipation, All-Star hosting duties and plenty of rim-rocking, but it ended unceremoniously with his back surgery.

Thus, there won't be any on-court or off-court theatrics for us to enjoy from Howard this postseason. Orlando's titanic center will have to wait until the fall to bring his game and personality back to the hardwood.

His trade deadline drama overshadowed his basketball performance for most of the year.

Howard had a beastly year on the glass, ripping down a career-high and league-leading 14.5 rebounds per game.

Kevin Love, Minnesota Timberwolves

The official double-double king of basketball is Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love, whose career continues to progress in jaw-dropping fashion.

His ability to carve up defenses on the glass and beyond the arc makes him elite.

Love was in the top five in the NBA in the following categories: points, rebounds, minutes, free-throws, offensive rebounds, double-doubles and efficiency rating.

It won't be long before he's part of a winning group.