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Every NBA team's unsung hero
Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Every NBA team's unsung hero

Most professional teams, even the bad ones, have at least one big name star. But these teams always have an unsung hero - the player who does not have the hyper-confident swagger or a max contract. This slideshow takes a look at the unsung hero on every NBA team.

 
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Atlanta Hawks: Thabo Sefolosha

Atlanta Hawks: Thabo Sefolosha
John Geliebter/USA Today Images

While he’s never been a quality shooter, Thabo Sefolosha’s excellent perimeter defense makes him an indispensable part of the Atlanta Hawks' rotation. Routinely asked to guard the opposing team’s best scorer, Sefolosha answers the call from night to night.

 
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Boston Celtics: Jae Crowder

Boston Celtics: Jae Crowder
Eric Hartline/USA Today Images

Although he’s now a proven player around the league, casual fans might not realize how important Jae Crowder is to the Boston Celtics. Crowder’s sharpshooting from beyond the arc and superb defense help hide flaws in the team’s starting backcourt, and at the age of 26, the fifth-year player is just entering his prime.

 
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Brooklyn Nets: Trevor Booker

Brooklyn Nets: Trevor Booker
Andy Marlin/USA Today Images

While the Brooklyn Nets are one of the worst teams in the NBA, they start one of the league’s more underrated power forwards in Trevor Booker. Although a bit undersized for his position, Booker is extremely efficient in the low post and strong enough to take rebounds away from players taller than him.

 
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Charlotte Hornets: Cody Zeller

Charlotte Hornets: Cody Zeller
Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

One of the best screen-setters in the NBA, Cody Zeller’s play for the Charlotte Hornets helps make life much easier for Kemba Walker. Along with creating ample space for the Hornets' star point guard to operate in, Zeller is an efficient scorer and decent rim protector.

 
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Chicago Bulls: Taj Gibson

Chicago Bulls: Taj Gibson
David Banks/USA Today Images

A traditional power forward, Taj Gibson has been a mainstay in the Chicago Bulls' rotation since 2009. Gibson is flexible enough to start or come off of the bench and always finds a way to make an impact on at least one side of the floor night in and night out.

 
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Cleveland Cavaliers: Tristan Thompson

Cleveland Cavaliers: Tristan Thompson
Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

While LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love dominate the headlines, Cleveland big man Tristan Thompson is an integral part of the team. One of the best offensive rebounders in the NBA, Thompson brings much-needed energy around the rim for the Cavs and has become a terrific pick-and-roll player for James and Irving.

 
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Dallas Mavericks: Wesley Matthews

Dallas Mavericks: Wesley Matthews
Erik Williams/USA Today Images

Admittedly, things could not be going much worse in Dallas right now for the Mavericks. The team is experiencing its worst season of the Dirk Nowitzki era and appears destined to miss the playoffs by a mile. At the very least, shooting guard Wesley Matthews has made a full recovery from his Achilles injury and is shooting above nearly 40 percent from beyond arc.

 
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Denver Nuggets: Jusuf Nurkic

Denver Nuggets: Jusuf Nurkic
Reinhold Matay/USA Today Images

A first-round pick in 2014, center Jusuf Nurkic is a difference maker on defense for the Denver Nuggets. The 22-year-old is a tank in the low post who can defend, protect the rim and shows signs of improvement every game.

 
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Detroit Pistons: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

Detroit Pistons: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Rocky Widner/Getty Images

Playing on a team that features Andre Drummond, Reggie Jackson and Tobias Harris, the contributions of Pistons guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope often get overlooked. Averaging nearly 15 points per game, KCP is a key player in the Pistons' rotation and one of head coach Stan Van Gundy’s most trusted players.

 
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Golden State Warriors: Shaun Livingston

Golden State Warriors: Shaun Livingston
Isaiah J. Downing/USA Today Images

One of the tallest point guards in the NBA, Shaun Livingston’s importance to the Golden State Warriors cannot be understated. Not only does Livingston give head coach Steve Kerr a viable option off the bench when he wants to rest Stephen Curry, but he can also play Livingston alongside Curry, who can then run off screens and torch opponents from downtown. Additionally, the veteran Livingston is a highly efficient scorer and strong defender.

 
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Houston Rockets: Clint Capela

Houston Rockets: Clint Capela
VCG/Getty Images

After losing Dwight Howard in free agency, the Houston Rockets knew they would have to count on Swiss-born center Clint Capela this season. The 22-year-old Capela has filled Howard’s shoes marvelously, averaging 11.8 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game. Most impressively, Capela is putting up these numbers while playing in just 117 NBA games.

 
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Indiana Pacers: C.J. Miles

Indiana Pacers: C.J. Miles
Kent Smith/Getty Images

A player who can fill up the stat sheet in a hurry, C.J. Miles is one of the best bench players in the NBA. The Pacers shooting guard is a superb shooter from beyond the arc and able to disrupt passing lanes on defense with his long arms.

 
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Los Angeles Clippers: Luc Mbah a Moute

Los Angeles Clippers: Luc Mbah a Moute
Gary A. Vasquez/USA Today Images

He might not start on any other team, but Clippers starting small forward Luc Mbah a Moute does exactly what Doc Rivers and the Los Angeles Clippers need him to do. The 30-year-old can be counted on every game to play quality defense, and his 41.5 percent three-point shooting percentage gives Chris Paul yet another option to toss the ball to on offense.

 
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Los Angeles Lakers: Tarik Black

Los Angeles Lakers: Tarik Black
Andrew D. Bernstein/Getty Images

While his stat line isn’t anything special, Lakers backup center Tarik Black always makes a positive impact for the Purple and Gold when he is on the floor. A high-motor player, the Lakers have lost the last six games Black has not played in.

 
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Memphis Grizzlies: Tony Allen

Memphis Grizzlies: Tony Allen
Nelson Chenault/USA Today Images

He’s one of the most limited offensive wing players in the NBA, but Tony Allen’s ferocious defense goes a long way in holding the Memphis Grizzlies together. A three-time All-Defensive First Team player, Allen is the Grizzlies' tone-setter and can always be counted on for quality minutes.

 
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Miami Heat: Josh Richardson

Miami Heat: Josh Richardson
Jasen Vinlove/USA Today Images

Heat guard Josh Richardson has joined Hassan Whiteside and Justise Winslow as a player Miami can build around going forward. A second-round pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, Richardson is an athletic two guard who can get buckets at the rim and make three-pointers.

 
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Milwaukee Bucks: John Henson

Milwaukee Bucks: John Henson
Brad Mills/USA Today Images

A former lottery pick, John Henson hasn’t lived up to the hype he had coming out of college in 2012, but he is still Milwaukee’s best rim protector. The long and lengthy Henson is averaging 1.7 blocks per game in just 20 minutes of action a night and gives head coach Jason Kidd a viable defender in the low post to bring off of the bench.

 
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Minnesota Timberwolves: Gorgui Dieng

Minnesota Timberwolves: Gorgui Dieng
Mark J. Rebilas/USA Today Images

With rising stars Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew Wiggins and Zach LaVine out in Minnesota, it’s easy to overlook big man Gorgui Dieng. However, for anyone who follows the Timberwolves closely, it’s obvious that the team has another keeper in Dieng. The fourth-year player out of Louisville is averaging 10.3 points per game on 52 percent shooting, along with nabbing eight rebounds a night.

 
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New Orleans Pelicans: Tim Frazier

New Orleans Pelicans: Tim Frazier
Matt Bush/USA Today Images

Even when longtime starter Jrue Holiday returned to the team after missing the start of the season due to personal reasons, Pelicans point guard Tim Frazier held on to his starter’s status longer than anyone expected him to in New Orleans. The third-year player out of Penn State is averaging 11 points and 7.5 assists per game in 31 minutes a game as coach Alvin Gentry’s primary ball-handler.

 
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New York Knicks: Brandon Jennings

New York Knicks: Brandon Jennings
Brace Hemmelgarn/USA Today Images

He’ll never be the most efficient player on a team, but as the New York Knicks' first player off of the bench, point guard Brandon Jennings seems to have found a role that suits him. Jennings leads the Knicks in assists and is now a far more mature player than he was just a few years ago.

 
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Oklahoma City Thunder: Steven Adams

Oklahoma City Thunder: Steven Adams
Mark D. Smith/USA Today Images

A fan favorite in Oklahoma City, center Steven Adams emerged last year in the playoffs as a top player for the Thunder. In fact, with Kevin Durant now gone, he may be the second best player on the team next to Russell Westbrook. A ferocious presence in the low post, the 23-year-old Adams is averaging 11.9 points and 7.5 rebounds so far this season.

 
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Orlando Magic: Evan Fournier

Orlando Magic: Evan Fournier
Brett Davis/USA Today Images

Very rarely can a team’s leading scorer be considered an unsung hero, but when it comes to Evan Fournier of the Orlando Magic, that’s exactly what he is. The French-born wing player is averaging a career-high 17.4 points a night for the Magic, can shoot the three ball and is a quality passer as well. The Magic has an outside shot of making the playoffs this season, and Fournier is the biggest reason why.

 
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Philadelphia 76ers: Sam Hinkie

Philadelphia 76ers: Sam Hinkie
Bill Streicher/USA Today Images

They’re not a playoff team this season, but “trusting the process” is finally paying off in Philadelphia for the Sixers. Although former 76ers GM Sam Hinkie is no longer with the team, the fruits of his tanking strategy are finally starting to pay off. With young players like Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons and Dario Saric, the 76ers should improve dramatically in the next few years.

 
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Phoenix Suns: Tyson Chandler

Phoenix Suns: Tyson Chandler
Mark J. Rebilas/USA Today Images

Even at the advanced basketball age of 34, Suns center Tyson Chandler is still producing. Chandler leads Phoenix in rebounding, grabbing 12 a game, and his veteran leadership is much needed in a locker room full of young players learning how to become professionals.

 
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Portland Trail Blazers: Maurice Harkless

Portland Trail Blazers: Maurice Harkless
Jeff Hanisch/USA Today Images

After failing to impress all that much in his first four years in the NBA, Trail Blazers swing man Maurice Harkless is easily playing the best basketball of his career in 2016. The 23-year-old is averaging 12.6 points a night on 49 percent shooting from the field and has established himself as a mainstay in Portland’s rotation.

 
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Sacramento Kings: Darren Collison

Sacramento Kings: Darren Collison
Troy Taormina/USA Today Images

Always underappreciated, point guard Darren Collison is putting together yet another solid season. Collison is averaging 13 points, 4.6 assists and shooting 39 percent from beyond the arc for a Sacramento Kings team that desperately needs stability at the point guard position.

 
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San Antonio Spurs: Patty Mills

San Antonio Spurs: Patty Mills
Brad Rempel/USA Today Images

Who is the best point guard on the San Antonio Spurs? Well, it’s no longer Tony Parker. Instead, Patty Mills now owns that title. The Spurs' first player off of the bench, Mills is San Antonio’s best three-point shooter and is averaging a career-best 11.3 points per game.

 
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Toronto Raptors: Jonas Valanciunas

Toronto Raptors: Jonas Valanciunas
Raj Mehta/USA Today Images

Although he doesn’t particularly excel at one particular area, Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas doesn’t have any glaring weaknesses either. The 24-year-old is averaging career highs in points and rebounds this season for Toronto and is the Raptors' most reliable player outside of DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry.

 
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Utah Jazz: Joe Ingles

Utah Jazz: Joe Ingles
Chris Humphreys/USA Today Images

At some point, Utah Jazz head coach Quin Snyder is going to have to give Joe Ingles more playing time. The 29-year-old from Australia has proved in the playing time he has received that he is a do-it-all, two-way player who rarely turns the ball over. Throw in the fact that Ingles is shooting 50 percent from beyond the arc, it becomes clear the Jazz has yet another impact player on the bench.

 
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Washington Wizards: Otto Porter Jr.

Washington Wizards: Otto Porter Jr.
Reinhold Matay/USA Today Images

The third overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, there were major concerns coming out of Washington that Wizards forward Otto Porter Jr. was turning into a bust. However, 2016 is shaping up to be breakout year for the 23-year-old, as he is averaging 13.4 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.8 steals, while shooting 41 percent from downtown. These numbers are too good for Porter Jr. not to gain a little more recognition.

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