NBA Playoffs 2013: Highlighting Postseason's Most Underrated Stars Thus Far

While LeBron James and Stephen Curry have been the headline-winning stars of the 2013 NBA playoffs thus far, there are a number of underrated postseason performers who have been leading their teams this spring.

Whether they're scoring, rebounding or assisting, these players have delivered vital efforts for their squad this postseason.

Below, we'll highlight the most underrated stars of the NBA playoffs to this point.

Mike Conley, Memphis Grizzlies

Memphis Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley has stepped up in a big way this postseason, improving upon his regular-season numbers and helping the Grizzlies return to the conference semifinals for the second time in three years.

Coming into Game 3 of Memphis' Western Conference semifinal series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Conley is averaging 17.9 points and 7.8 assists per game, while turning the ball over less than twice per night.

The 25-year-old floor general averaged 16 points and nine assists per game in the Grizzlies' four wins over the L.A. Clippers in the first round and was monumental in the team's Game 2 win over the Thunder on the road this past Tuesday, recording a near-triple-double with 26 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists.

Memphis isn't a team that receivers a ton of attention in general, but when it does, the focus is usually on the Grizzlies frontcourt, specifically Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph. With Rudy Gay no longer on board, though, it's safe to say that Conley has become the third star for Lionel Hollins' squad.

Paul George, Indiana Pacers

Maybe it's just a Midwest thing, but Paul George has been overlooked all season long. 

As the Pacers' leading scorer this postseason, George is averaging just under 19 points per game in these playoffs and is off to a strong start in Indiana's Eastern Conference semifinal series with the New York Knicks.

In addition to carrying a majority of the scoring load, George has improved as a rebounder this postseason, averaging over eight boards per game. He even recorded three double-doubles in the Pacers' first-round series win.

Indiana may not have a bona fide superstar to throw at Carmelo Anthony and the Knicks, but George has played up to and beyond expectations through Indiana's first eight playoff games this spring.

Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs

San Antonio's Kawhi Leonard won't turn 22 until after the NBA Finals are over, but you wouldn't be able to tell based on how poised the Spurs small forward has played thus far in the playoffs.

Leonard is averaging 13.3 points and 8.4 rebounds per game this postseason. While those numbers may not stand out, it's the fact that he's shooting 57 percent from the floor that makes him one of the postseason's most underrated stars.

Through the first three games of San Antonio's Western Conference semifinal series with the Golden State Warriors, Leonard is a combined 17-of-29 from the field. He's scored double figures in six of the Spurs' seven postseason games thus far and has recorded a field-goal percentage of 50 or better in five of those seven games.

Leonard may not receive the same amount of attention as the Spurs' Big Three, but his efficient play in these playoffs has been crucial to San Antonio's success.

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