NBA 2017-18: 5 most underrated players 

Portland Trail Blazers v Phoenix Suns
Eric Bledsoe and Goran Dragic (now with the Miami Heat)

While the NBA fans are enamored with the superstar players in the league today, there are many solid contributors who go under the radar. The reason could be either their style of play, playing in a smaller market or being out shined thanks to a much more popular teammate.

All the players on this list are good to great defenders, a trait which fans seem to value lesser and lesser as the seasons go by. A criterion for this list is that none of the players have made all-star teams, which have been based on fan voting.

So, here we go with our top 5:

5. Goran Dragic

Miami Heat's Goran Dragic
Miami Heat's Goran Dragic

2016-17 Averages: 20.3 Points, 5.8 Assists, 1.2 Steals

Goran Dragic is the first of three point guards on this list. The abundance of talent at the position means that the lesser names like Dragic go unnoticed. He is more of a traditional point guard as compared to the others PG's. Dragic averaged career highs in points and rebounds last season, as the Heat made a furious push in the 2nd half of the season to make the Playoffs. However, he is often outshined by two of his teammates.

Hassan Whiteside led the league in rebounding last season and Dion Waiters took most of the plaudits for their turn-around last season thanks to his flashy performances. While they played their part, Dragic's importance cannot be undermined. He missed nine games last season and the Heat lost eight of them.

Whiteside's offensive game still needs a lot of improvement and Waiters can be very erratic with his shooting but Dragic is the constant, consistent threat that the Heat have on both sides of the floor. He is a good defensive player and has a polished offensive game as well. He'll have a key role to play if the Heat are to contend for a top 4 seed in the East, but don't be surprised if his contributions are overlooked again.

4. Robert Covington

Philadelphia 76ers v Washington Wizards
Robert Covington

2016-17 Averages: 12.9 Points, 6.5 Rebounds, 1.9 Steals

Amidst all the excitement in Philly to watch the trio of Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, and Markelle Fultz play together, one man goes under the radar. Robert Covington isn't flashy like his highly rated teammates, who were all picked in the top 3 of their respective Drafts.

He was undrafted but has quietly become one of the key players for the Sixers. Covington is an elite defender and finished fourth in Defensive Player of the Year voting last season but even that went somewhat under the radar as he didn't make any of all the All-Defense teams.

The general consensus among fans is that Dario Saric should start ahead of Covington, but coach Brett Brown thought otherwise. While Saric can deliver the flashy passes and scoring moves, Covington's defense is vital for a young Sixers team. He is the typical 3-and-D guy every team in the league needs now.

He might never get the hype and fame that his team-mates will get, but Covington will be a vital component in the eventual rise of the Sixers as a playoff team.

3. Khris Middleton

Toronto Raptors v Milwaukee Bucks - Game Four
#22 Khris Middleton

2016-17 Averages: 14.7 Points, 4.2 Rebounds, 3.4 Assists

Khris Middleton is the perfect modern-day SG. He can shoot the 3, guard multiple positions and be a handy secondary playmaker. Middleton had a breakout year in 2015-16 when he averaged 18.2 points and 4.2 assists. Some predicted a potential all-star selection for the 2012 second-round pick last season but that didn't happen. Injuries hampered him, as he only played 29 games.

Meanwhile, Giannis Antetokounmpo, who led the Bucks in every statistical category, he established himself as the face of the franchise last season. This led to Middleton going under the radar somewhat. While Giannis shone last season and Jabari Parker elevated his game scoring at 20.1 PPG average, the Bucks were still struggling. They were 10th in the East when Middleton returned from injury, at 22-28 and Parker went down with an injury in the same game.

There was a noticeable improvement with Middleton back. The Bucks improved on both offense and defense and went 20-12 rest of the way, en route to finishing with the 6th seed. His game might not be flashy and he isn't outstanding in any one particular aspect of the game, but Middleton is great at pretty much everything. He might again go under the radar this season with Giannis on a potential MVP campaign, but Middleton will be a key component as the Bucks hope to be a top-four seed this season.

2. Eric Bledsoe

Brisbane Bullets v Phoenix Suns
Eric Bledsoe

2016-17 Averages: 21.1 Points, 6.3 Assists, 4.8 Rebounds

If he played on a better team, Bledsoe would be regarded as one of the better PG's in the league. Built like a pitbull, Bledsoe has been nicknamed Mini-Lebron for his physical style of play. He averaged career-highs in points and assists last season. The only knock on Bledsoe's game is that he isn't a great shooter, but he can do everything else. He is terrific at finishing at the rim, is a good playmaker, and an excellent defender.

Injuries have hampered Bledsoe for periods in his career, which has hurt his development a bit. He doesn't have much help either with the Suns and while Devin Booker has emerged as one of the best young players in the league, there isn't much else. Bledsoe will likely never get the recognition he deserves until he joins a better team.

He could play a key role towards a deep playoff run for teams like Denver, who lack a top PG but have everything else. He doesn't match the timeline of the current Suns roster and was involved in trade talks in the offseason but nothing materialized. Until he gets traded, he will continue to be one of the most underrated players in the league, as the Suns' roster simply isn't good enough to win many games right now.

1. Mike Conley Jr.

Memphis Grizzlies v Atlanta Hawks
Mike Conley Jr.

2016-17 Averages: 20.5 Points, 6.3 Assists, 1.3 Steals

Mike Conley has been arguably the most underrated player in the league for a long time. Part of that is because of the way the Grizzlies have played during his time with the franchise. While the rest of the league has become about fast-paced offense, the Grizz continue to grit and grind. This has led to both Conley and his partner in crime Marc Gasol largely going under the radar. But while Gasol has made three All-Star teams, Conley has never gotten in.

He's been very good on both offense and defense for much of his career but doesn't play with the sort of swagger that some of his counterparts do. Last season Conley posted career-highs in points, field goal %, and 3-point % which is pretty tough to accomplish in your tenth season.

Yet, he didn't even come close to sniffing a roster spot in the West for the 2017 All-Star game. Granted, much of that has to do with the fact that the West is loaded with elite guards but that doesn't make it any less unfortunate.

He will likely never make an all-star team as long as he stays in Memphis, but having signed an extension last season, it's likely that he'll end his career there. Conley will sadly end up as the poster child for the overlooked of his generation.

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Edited by Yash Matange