The Not Talked About Stars of the NBA

Often times teams have players that are crucial to the team's success, and go unnoticed by the casual fan, until that team makes national headlines. Take the Spurs' Danny Green, Kyle Korver prior to his All-Star appearance in 2014-15, the Cavs' Tristan Thompson, the list goes on. But what about the players that are performing at an almost All-Star level that get swept aside? The "best of the rest", or guys who play in smaller markets on teams not constantly televised by ESPN or TNT.

Here's a lineup of guys with some pretty outstanding statistical lines that are not talked about nearly enough.

Point Guard: Isaiah Thomas

I know, I know, this guy was almost a starter on the Eastern Conference All-Star team this year, but his stats are out of this world. Oh, and he's 5'9" (or so the roster says). The Celtics point guard has his team just 1.5 games out of the 2 seed in the East, and is 2nd in the league in scoring behind the other guy who got snubbed from starting the All-Star game.

So why is he not talked about enough? Well for starters (pun intended), he should be starting the All-Star game. If that's not enough, he's making his case for the best 6'0" and under guard in NBA history. Now I know what you're thinking, no way he's better than Allen Iverson. Well at least this year, he has been. Thomas is averaging 28.9 points per game, shooting 46% from the field, 38% from three, dishing out 6 assists a night, and is doing all of it in 34 minutes per game. Now, in Iverson's best years for each of those categories, he averaged 31.4 ppg, shot 46% from the field, 36% from deep, and dished out 7.9 apg. Slight nod to Iverson right? Wrong, Iverson averaged 41 minutes per game for his career and 3.6 turnovers (Thomas only turns it over 2.5 times a game).

So yes, the media and fans are taking notice and talking about Isaiah, but even now they should be talking about him more. He's nothing less than incredible, and again, FIVE FOOT NINE.

Shooting Guard: Eric Gordon

The former 7th overall pick has struggled to find his footing in the league, that is, until he made his way to Houston and offensive guru Mike D'Antoni. Gordon is 2nd in the NBA in made three pointers behind only Stephen Curry, and doing so at a 39% clip. He's also scoring his most points per game (17.4) since the 2010-11 season, in only 30 minutes per game.

Most impressively, he's doing all of this coming off the bench on a team that is just 3.5 games back of the San Antonio Spurs for the 2 seed in the Western Conference. Now, some people may see his 42% shooting percentage and worry, but more than half of Gordon's attempts come from beyond the arc, inside the arc he's shooting a respectable 47%.

Obviously, some of Gordon's resurgence is thanks to D'Antoni's analytics crazy offense, but playing the role as well as Gordon has is definitely worth talking about.

Small Forward: Gordon Hayward

There's been very little talk about Gordon Hayward since his half court game winning buzzer beater just missed winning Butler a national title. He's not even the most talked about member from that team that's now in the NBA (ok, it's hard to top Brad Stevens...). But now in his seventh season (what?!?!), Hayward is the leader of a young Utah Jazz team that is the best team that no one talks about.

Hayward is averaging 21.8 ppg and leading his Jazz squad to just a game back of the 4 seed in the West. Sure, Hayward isn't on the level of the NBA's elite small forwards, but not everyone can be Lebron James, Kevin Durant, or Kawhi Leonard. Hayward's numbers this year are comparable or better than the likes of Paul George and Carmelo Anthony, and his team is in a much better position.

Who knows, maybe the Jazz will be the NBA's Butler sometime in the near future.

Power Forward: Jabari Parker

After his injury shortly after the start of his rookie season, many basketball fans had already settled the debate of Parker vs. Andrew Wiggins (the top 2 picks of the 2014 NBA Draft), as Wiggins won the Rookie of the Year award. But fast forward a year and a half, to a healthy Jabari, and it's time to reopen the debate.

As the less talked about half of what is becoming a fearsome front-court duo in Milwaukee, Parker is averaging 20.4 ppg, on 49% shooting, and 40% from beyond the arc. Wiggins on the other hand is scoring 22 ppg, on 45% shooting and only 35% from deep. Jabari also holds the edge in rebounds, assists, and steals.

Parker's team is also closer to a playoff spot (currently 9th in the East), and upon the return of Khris Middleton, could easily make some noise come playoff time.

Center: Rudy Gobert

The Stifle Tower has been just as important for the league's least talked about really good team as Gordon Hayward. His scoring numbers might not be as pretty (12.8 ppg) as some centers, but he is certainly just as effective.

Gobert leads the NBA in blocks per game (2.5) and defensive rating (97.8 per 100 possessions), is 2nd in the league in FG% (66%), is 4th in offensive rating (127.1 per 100), and 5th in rebounds per game (12.6).

We can only hope that the Jazz match up with the Warriors in the playoffs so fans can see for themselves what's brewing in Utah. The Jazz already have wins over all but two of the teams in the West currently in a playoff spot.