NBA Playoffs 2012: Underrated Players Who Will Shine in Limelight

The NBA playoffs are a great time for underrated players to establish themselves as legitimate stars.

Just ask Tyson Chandler. Well, the 2011 Dallas Maverick version of Tyson Chandler. 

Every year it happens. Players who are simply seen as role players explode onto the scene and become integral parts in their team's Finals run. 

Here's a look at who will be this year's unexpected stars. 

Joakim Noah, Chicago Bulls

Without Derrick Rose, someone on Chicago is going to have to pick up the scoring slack.

The Bulls are incredibly deep, so it's likely the buckets will come from all over, but Noah has the ability to contribute in every aspect of the game.

Not only does he have sneaky offensive ability with a little mid-range jumper and ability to drive off the dribble, but Noah plays how you want to see everyone play.

At 100 percent.

He crashes the boards, plays tremendous defense, is one of the better passing centers in the league and he supplies energy with his chest-pounding, hair-waiving ways. 

Noah is ridiculously easy to hate, but he should enter the "best center" discussions after he leads the Bulls to the Finals this year. 

Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs

This Spurs roster is full of underrated players, but I'll go with rookie small forward Kawhi Leonard.

During the regular season, the former San Diego State star only attempted 6.3 field goals per game.

Those were about as efficient as possible, though.

Leonard turned those attempts into 7.9 points per contest. He shot 49 percent from the field, knocked down the occasional long ball and put together a PER of 16.66—good for 91st in the NBA. 

But on top of his efficient offensive game, Leonard rebounds very well for his size and plays pesky defense. Everyone knew it when San Antonio drafted him, but Leonard is the perfect Spur. 

Once San Antonio starts rolling through the playoffs, everyone will realize just how good this rookie really is. 

George Hill, Indiana Pacers

Ever since taking over the starting duties from Darren Collison, George Hill has shown exactly what he can do when he gets a chance.

In fact, his biggest obstacle in his career has always been getting minutes. He was overshadowed in San Antonio and Frank Vogel doesn't like to spread the minutes in Indiana. 

But Hill is finally getting a chance, and he's establishing himself as an electric point guard.

He can score in a hurry, whether via the long ball or off the dribble. Also, despite not being a true point guard, he sees the floor very well and can put up between five and six assists per contest. 

Think of Hill as a poor-man's Russell Westbrook. 

For a guy who was on the bench or injured for most of the beginning of the season, that's not too shabby. 

During the playoffs, Hill will continue to put his name on the map. 

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