NBA Playoffs 2012: Underwhelming Players That Must Step Up in Conference Finals

The 2012 NBA playoffs are moving along quickly, and it seems like some stars on the four remaining teams are running out of gas.

For whatever reason, these players are just not performing up to expectations and so far it has hurt their respective franchises.

Let’s take a look at who needs to elevate their game or face the real risk of elimination.

Paul Pierce

Pierce doesn’t have an easy job of guarding LeBron James during the Heat vs. Celtics series, but he has to contribute more on offense.

In Game 1, the C’s captain shot just 27.8 percent and scored a paltry 12 points, not getting to the line a single time. That isn’t the way to outduel LeBron and it will be a quick trip home if PP does not step up for Beantown.

Serge Ibaka

The defensive stopper on the Oklahoma City Thunder needs to find a way to get more floor time against the Spurs.

San Antonio put together a 39-point fourth quarter performance and Ibaka had to watch the entire run take place from the bench. He did not play the final 16:01, despite having zero fouls and a positive plus/minus during his time on the court.

Ibaka should have been begging to get back into the game, as he could have made the difference in what turned out to be a 101-98 loss.

Ray Allen

Something is clearly wrong with Ray Allen this postseason. In 12 games, he is averaging just 9.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists. Most concerning is the fact that the sniper is way off his mark.

Allen is hitting just 39 percent of his shots from the field, 26.8 percent from deep and 60 percent from the free-throw line.

Those figures are significantly down from his career and year averages from the same spots.

Boston has absolute no chance of beating the Heat if Jesus Shuttlesworth continues to put up 1-of-7 shooting performances and hits just 3-of-7 attempts from the charity stripe.