NBA Playoffs 2012 Predictions: Surprise Players Who Will Step Up in 1st Round

Every year when the NBA Playoffs roll around there's a player that catches the country by storm and carries his team throughout the playoffs. Last year, it was Zach Randolph of the Memphis Grizzlies who led his team to victory over the San Antonio Spurs by averaging 21.5 points per contest over a six-game span.

And while it's easy to say that players like Derek Rose, Kevin Durant and Dwyane Wade will backpack their teams to wins in the first round, this list will focus more on players who aren't considered superstars in this league.

Here's three unexpected players who will step up in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.

Paul George

While George made a name for himself after participating in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest this season, he brings a lot more to the table than just being able to slam balls down with authority.

George is also a very lanky and athletic player and willing a defender, which makes him extremely valuable to a team that's trying to make a playoff run.

I also love the matchup of George against J.J. Redick, the shooting guard for the Orlando Magic. George should be able to get by his opposition with ease due to his athletic superiority and quick first step. He will also be able to close out on Redick, who will be the team's third scoring option behind Jason Richardson and Ryan Anderson now that Dwight Howard is out.

Keep an eye on Paul George during the playoffs.

Serge Ibaka

More commonly known as Serge "I-Block-Ya", Ibaka will need to step up against the Dallas Mavericks if the Oklahoma City Thunder want to advance past the first round of the playoffs.

While you won't find too many people that are willing to call the upset in the Thunder-Mavericks series, you can't forget what Dirk Nowitzki was able to pull off last year in the playoffs. He was unstoppable and single-handedly beat the Miami Heat in the 2011 NBA Finals, which was a team that is very similar to the Thunder in terms of athleticism. 

That is where Ibaka comes in. He will be awarded the task of guarding Nowitzki in this series, which certainly will be no cakewalk.

If the Thunder win this series, it will likely be because no one on the Mavericks can contain Kevin Durant and Russel Westbrook. However, if Ibaka can shut down Nowitzki this series, the Mavericks stand little chance to pull off the upset.

Iman Shumpert

While I'm not necessarily picking the New York Knicks to beat the Miami Heat, Shumpert has the capability to make this series a lot more interesting than people are anticipating.

Last year when the Knicks played in the postseason, they were a newly-constructed team that didn't have time to mold before the playoffs. And while they had a healthy Amare Stoudemire, they still lacked the defensive-minded center like Tyson Chandler, which they have now.

This Knicks team is a different team under the tutelage of Mike Woodson. They are more of a defensive team, especially on the perimeter, and that starts with Iman Shumpert. He has the ability to guard both LeBron James and Dwayne Wade at different times throughout the game and prevent them from getting open looks at will.

It's asking a lot to expect Shumpert to contain James or Wade in the postseason, considering how hungry they are to prove all of the naysayers wrong.

But if the Knicks are going to pull off the upset, Shumpert needs to bring his A-game defensively, and maybe more. Don't put it past him though.