Thinking of “NBA stars,” names like Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, and LeBron James likely come to mind. Leading their teams to multiple championships, these players cast long shadows over others. But what about the rest? A handful of players can’t win games alone, no matter how good they are. It’s time to look beyond the well-known basketball legends and their iconic images and focus on the underdogs.
Greatness Isn’t Always Loud
According to the World Population Review, in the 2024-2025 season, there are currently 453 active NBA players in the US alone. Given the sheer size of this talent pool, it is understandable that media cannot represent every single player who achieved something. As a result, only those on high-profile teams tend to get consistent media attention, which brings global fame along with it.
However, the numbers suggest that the fame and success of NBA teams doesn’t rest solely on a handful of players. In fact, many important personalities were overshadowed by bigger teammates or other events happening in the market and drew media attention. But their legacies live on, through their performance styles, they handed along, and the influence they had on teammates, even if it went publicly underrecognized.
While it’s unfair not to give players the full credit they deserve, flying under the radar can sometimes be beneficial. At least for betting fans. As a core part of sports culture, sports betting has always been popular. Globally, Bitcoin bookmakers are becoming more popular, as they allow fans from across the world to place bets without having to factor in transaction costs and currency exchange fees. When betting on players, backing the underdog that isn’t widely famous and not expected to achieve a win, but then to everyone’s surprise, delivers a game-changing performance, and can get a bettor an immense win. In this way, these underrecognized players can earn their credits. Crypto-friendly sportsbooks also allow fans to receive their payouts fast, without delay.
Here are 4 players that didn’t get enough credit – two of them are still active as growing talents and are potentially worth keeping an eye on for your next bet.
1. Dyson Daniels
In 2024, he started his debut season with the Atlanta Hawks and quietly made a name for himself as the “Man of Steal.” As a newcomer, he put lots of effort into delivering a valuable contribution to the game and gaining attention. He stands out for passing lanes and disrupting ball handlers.
He is a star in distraction and stealing the ball from his opponents. With 3.1 steals per game, Daniels led the NBA and performed 108 deflections throughout the season. With his season start, he is on the right track to follow historic footsteps.
The last player who generated 3 steals was Alvin Robertson. Playing for the Milwaukee Bucks, Robertson led the NBA with an average of 3.0 steals in 81 games.
2. Chris Bosh
Miami Heat’s spotlight is mostly focused on LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. However, Chris Bosh, delivered some memorable performances for the Miami Heat.
Trying to find his way out from the shadows of James and Wade, Bosh delivered a remarkable PER of 21.64, which ranked him 19th in the league. He scored the highest shooting percentage that any player ever achieved, with over 17.5. points a night, and he averages 17.8 points per game while shooting 54.9% from the field.
The ex-Miami Heat player scores 59% of his shots from a distance of 16 to 23 feet. This percentage is the best among former players. The Heat team’s lineup was structured so that Bosh opened up the court with pick-and-pop jumpers, which was a crucial part of the offensive strategy.
3. Buddy Hield
As a successor of Klay Thompson, Buddy Hield had a hard time living up to the name when he joined the Golden State Warriors in July 2024. But who says Hield needs to step into anyone’s shoes? As a right-handed sharpshooter, he is busy playing his own role for the Warriors. When he started in the six-team deal, he slotted right into the system, averaging 16.2 ppg on 44.2% from a 3 point range.
Hield started this season by scoring 20 or more points in six of his first seven outings. A reminder for everyone that he is one of the league’s most dangerous shooters. He has an incredible range, stretches his defense and forces his opponents to guard far beyond the arc.
Although he hasn’t performed as efficiently in recent weeks, Hield still deserves the status of a valuable contributor. His offense skills have boosted for Golden State’s second unit, especially during stretches when the starters rest.
4. Tim Duncan
Tim Duncan has never entered the spotlight or craved it, although he earned All-NBA First Team honors ten times in his career and has always been a steady force behind one of the most successful teams in the NBA.
Even at the age of 37, Duncan still plays an important role for the San Antonio Spurs. He achieved great success and led San Antonio to the top of the Southwest Division. He was the seventh best in the league with a PER of 25.18, averaging 9.6 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game while shooting 50.9% from the field.
As a retired San Antonio Spurs player, Tim Duncan’s greatness has never been voiced loudly. Which is what makes him even more remarkable.
Appreciate the Unseen
With a total of 4,492 historic NBA players in the US alone, it’s no wonder that some players get overlooked. But that doesn’t make their contributions less meaningful. So let’s appreciate the former and yet-to-come legends that make watching more exciting.
