NBA Playoffs 2012: The 10 Most Underrated Players Remaining

When the 2012 NBA Playoffs commenced a few weeks ago, all eyes were on players like LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant and Tim Duncan.

However, there are other names that have popped up on the radar. Names like Indiana's Roy Hibbert (pictured), Philadelphia's Evan Turner and Jrue Holiday, and Boston's Brandon Bass.

Hibbert, Turner, Holiday and Bass have turned a few heads this postseason with their play. While they remained largely anonymous, their teams would not still be alive in the playoffs if not for their unsung play.

Here are the 10 most underrated players remaining in the 2012 NBA Playoffs. Enjoy.

10. Ramon Sessions (Point Guard): Los Angeles Lakers

Fifth-year point guard Ramon Sessions of the Los Angeles Lakers has a reason to be on this list.

Sessions played in obscurity at University of Nevada and was the 56th player picked in the 2007 NBA Draft (Milwaukee Bucks).

The 6-3 Sessions was an NBA vagabond (Milwaukee, Minnesota and Cleveland) before being traded to the Lakers in early March. Sessions came along at the right time for Los Angeles, who days earlier had cut ties with former starting guard Derek Fisher.

While the aging Fisher (37) was popular with Laker fans, Sessions stepped into the starting lineup on March 23 and has been the starter ever since. Sessions averaged 12.7 points and 6.2 assists after the trade.

Sessions sprained an ankle during the Denver series and struggled in the first two games of the current series with Oklahoma City, but bounced back with 12 points in Game 3 as the Lakers trail the best-of-seven series 3-1.

If Sessions continues to play like he did in Game 3, the Lakers will extend this series.

9. Brandon Bass (Power Forward): Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics are in a dogfight with the Philadelphia 76ers in their Eastern Conference semifinal. Philadelphia evened the series at two apiece on Friday night with a 92-83 home win over the Celtics.

While notable starters Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo have struggled at times, power forward Brandon Bass has been steady.

Bass has scored in double figures in all four games, averaging 11.3 points a game in the series.

Although Bass is averaging only 24.3 minutes in the series, he has quietly gone about doing the little things for Boston.

The 6'8", 250-pound bruiser has been one of the bright spots for the Celtics this season.

8. Paul George (Shooting Guard): Indiana Pacers

Before the 2012 NBA Playoffs started, the Indiana Pacers' Paul George was unknown by many. However, after almost a month of postseason play, the Pacers shooting guard is slowly making a name for himself.

The second-year player from Fresno State has been instrumental in the playoffs, averaging 9.4 points a game. On defense, George uses his size (6'8") to disrupt the opposition's perimeter players.

George and the Pacers are battling it out with the Miami Heat in the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, with the series tied at two.

Although George was the 10th player picked in the 2010 NBA Draft, his game goes unnoticed. But if the Pacers upset the Heat, Paul George will have a hand in the matter.

7. Jrue Holiday (Point Guard): Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers have been one of the biggest surprises in the playoffs and one reason behind the Sixers' resurgence is Jrue Holiday.

Holiday has performed steadily at point guard for Philadelphia in the postseason, averaging 16.1 points a game. He is one of the reasons why the Sixers are tied in their Eastern Conference semifinal with the Boston Celtics at two games each, with Game 5 in Boston Monday night.

Philadelphia upset the Chicago Bulls 4-2 in the first round. Holiday averaged over 18 points per game in that series.

6. Evan Turner (Shooting Guard): Philadelphia 76ers

Jrue Holiday's backcourt mate, Evan Turner, has turned a few heads this postseason.

Turner, in his second year out of Ohio State, has provided timely outside shooting for the 76ers so far in the playoffs.

Turner is averaging 11.4 points a game in the Boston series, with a high of 16 in Games 1 & 4.

The Sixers have not won an NBA title since 1983, and their fans are hoping this young Philadelphia team continues to improve the rest of the playoffs.

Along with Holiday, Evan Turner is another reason behind Philadelphia's success.

5. David West (Power Forward): Indiana Pacers

Indiana Pacer's power forward David West has been in the NBA nine seasons and has always been productive in a quiet way.

In a league bursting with star-level talent, West has had a stellar career.

For seven straight seasons, West averaged double figures in scoring (12.8). In the playoffs he is scoring 14.9 a game, providing inside muscle for Indiana.

The play of West goes unnoticed at times, however, the Indiana Pacers would not be alive and in such a good position to advance without the 6'9" big man.

4. Danny Green (Shooting Guard): San Antonio Spurs

Like his team, Danny Green (pictured on defense) plays the game without a lot of flash but gets the job done.

The 6'6" guard from North Carolina is one the Spurs' most unsung players.

Green provides San Antonio with two things: timely baskets and tough defense.

The Spurs eliminated the Los Angeles Clippers in four straight on Sunday night, improving their playoff record to 8-0. Meanwhile, the Spurs have won 18 games straight as they await the winner of the Oklahoma City/Los Angeles series.

For the playoffs, Green is averaging 10.4 points a game.

3. Serge Ibaka (Power Forward): Oklahoma City Thunder

One of the most underrated players in the NBA is Oklahoma City Thunder power forward Serge Ibaka.

The 6'9" Ibaka is the defensive anchor for the Thunder.

Ibaka makes his presence felt on the defensive end. This season, Ibaka led the league in blocked shots (3.65 per game).

The Thunder currently lead the Los Angeles Lakers 3-1, and they can close out the Lakers Monday night with a win in Oklahoma City.

While Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden get all the publicity, Ibaka quietly goes about his job.

If Oklahoma City wins the NBA championship, a huge reason will be the play of Serge Ibaka.

2. Roy Hibbert (Center): Indiana Pacers

One player who has had a major impact in the 2012 NBA Playoffs is Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert.

The 7'2" center from Georgetown is developing into an All-Star. Like his famous Georgetown predecessors, Patrick Ewing, Dikembe Mutombo and Alonzo Mourning, Hibbert his making a name for himself.

Hibbert is one reason why the Pacers are tied at 2-2 with the Miami Heat in their Eastern Conference semifinal. Hibbert is averaging 13.8 points, 12.3 rebounds and 3.0 blocks a contest. In Game 3, Hibbert had 19 points, 18 boards and five blocks in leading Indiana to a 94-75 win.

Hibbert has improved his game in each of his four seasons in the league. This season he made his first All-Star game, serving as a backup behind the Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard.

1. Tony Parker (Point Guard): San Antonio Spurs

Throughout his 11 years in the NBA, San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker has been unappreciated.

Parker plays a position that has been dominated by Chris Paul, Derrick Rose, and Deron Williams in recent years. However, no point guard in the NBA has had more of an impact on his team this season than Parker.

Parker, the MVP of the 2007 Finals, averaged a quiet 18.3 points and 7.7 assists per game in the regular season. In the playoffs, he has increased his scoring (19.4) in helping San Antonio win eight consecutive playoff games.

The Spurs are constellation of individual players who care only about winning and not about achieving personal accolades.

Future Hall of Famer Tim Duncan (36 years old) continues to confound opponents with his fundamental play, while Parker and Manu Ginobili continue to provide stellar play.

Although, Duncan is the face of the franchise, it is Parker who is now the heart-and-soul for San Antonio.