The NBA Playoffs are in full throttle, and the field will be cut to eight soon enough.
When the playoffs start, the stars come out to shine. But if you’re looking to go deep in the playoffs, you can’t have just one guy. Every star has a sidekick, and some of these sidekicks are grossly undervalued on Top Shot.
To be clear, we won’t be highlighting the “stars” of the playoffs in this piece, like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Joel Embiid, and the likes of those players, but instead contributing players who don’t get the recognition they deserve on Top Shot. Given what we’ve already seen in the playoffs, plenty of players have stepped up to unprecedented levels.
Today, we’ll be taking a look at some underrated players who can make an impact in the playoffs and the Moments they currently have on Top Shot.
9. Celtics center Robert Williams III
The Celtics are exiting the playoffs in the first round via the three-headed monster of the Brooklyn Nets, but that isn’t without some positives. Going into the series, the Celtics never really stood a chance considering Jaylen Brown suffered a season-ending injury before the playoffs. But in Game 1, the youth shined; especially Robert Williams.
In Game 1, the Celtics controlled the majority of the game, and Williams acted as the anchor. In only 22 minutes, Williams put up a whopping nine blocks. He has the chance to be the Celtics center of the future with his ability to guard the rim, and if he eventually develops a jump shot, the 23-year-old would turn into one of the most intriguing centers in the league.
On Top Shot, Williams only has two Moments: his Top Shot debut Moment and a Throwdowns Moment. Surprisingly, neither of Williams’ Moments are blocks: both are dunks and both are under $50, with Williams’ debut Moment listing for $10. With the shot-blocking potential he’s shown, a hefty contract could be on the horizon, or he’ll have plenty of suitors when he’s on the market.
8. Nets shooting guard Joe Harris
Joe Harris is the best at what he does: hit threes. This season Harris led the league in 3-point percentage at 47.5 percent. Late in the season, there was a stretch of Harris draining 50 percent of his threes, which would’ve broken an NBA record. This is the second season Harris has led the league in 3-point percentage, now shooting over 41 percent from three in four-straight seasons.
Harris is the perfect floor spacer, and he showed that in Game 2 against the Celtics, nailing seven of his 10 three-pointers. Harris can have games where he can take over, reminding the defense that a man needs to be aware of him at all times.
Again, like Williams, it’s surprising that neither have Moments of what they each do best. Harris has three separate Moments, with no 3-pointers, but instead two layups and a dunk. All of his Moments are pretty average highlights, but all are easily attainable, with his Series 2 MGLE listed under $70. Still, you should see plenty of big performances from Harris in these playoffs, acting as the perfect complement to the Nets’ big three.
7. Knicks point guard Immanuel Quickley
Immanuel Quickley has already captivated the Mecca of basketball in just his first season. The New York Knicks are back, and Quickley is just one of the young pieces Knicks fans can finally get excited about. He’s young and exciting, and the fans have fully embraced him.
Although Quickley is still coming off the bench, he’s climbed the ladder and is acting as the backup point guard compared to the third point guard in the rotation like he was most of the regular season. Compared to Elfrid Payton, the Knicks will need Quickley’s offensive firepower this series, with the Hawks looking to end the Knicks’ playoff run early.
Quickley is the only rookie on this list, and that makes his Moments all the more enticing. At its peak, Quickley’s debut Moment, featuring his first NBA points, was selling for over $1,000. Now, it’s under $100. Besides that, Quickley only has one other Moment for $5. He might be the perfect partner for the Knicks backcourt to pair with RJ Barrett, and with Quickley’s dazzling play, you might see some playoff Moments quickly on the way.
6. Hawks shooting guard Bogdan Bogdanović
In the offseason, the Atlanta Hawks decided it was finally time to give Trae Young the roster he deserves. Part of that was acquiring Bogdan Bogdanović, who has turned his game up to another level. It’s paid off for the Hawks.
In the final 25 games of the regular season, Bogdanović started for the Hawks; in those starts, he averaged over 20 points a game while shooting nearly 50 percent from three — just absurd. And his play has carried into the playoffs, draining one of the biggest baskets of the game in Game 1, and helping the Hawks to a huge win in Madison Square Garden.
Bogdanović only has six Moments on Top Shot, but he’s collected 65 Moments for his own impressive collection, but only two of his own. He’s a Hawk overshadowed by Trae Young, but if you’re looking to buy a piece of Young’s backcourt mate, several of his Moments are under $100.
5. Grizzlies small forward Dillon Brooks
When you think of the Memphis Grizzlies, you think of one player: Ja Morant. But Brooks is looking to change that narrative, bursting onto the scene. Brooks had an up and down regular season, but he’s pulled everything together when it matters most.
Brooks is an irritating defender for opposing offenses, and now that he’s upped his offensive efficiency to pair with reducing his fouls, he’s showing that he can be the complete package. The Grizzlies aren’t a traditional eight seed, and with Brooks and Morant’s firepower, the Grizzlies have a chance to topple the Utah Jazz.
What’s great about Brooks and this Grizzlies team alike is that they’re young. Brooks is only 25 and has plenty of room left to grow. If you’re looking to add a young baller with upside to your collection, Brooks’ highest-priced Moment is $299 for his Series 1 MGLE, while his other Moments are all under $100.
4. Suns center Deandre Ayton
If you’ve watched any of the Suns-Lakers series so far, it’s been hard to miss Deandre Ayton. In Game 1, the 22-year-old dominated Anthony Davis and the boards; in the series, he has posted three 20-point double-doubles. With Chris Paul banged up, Ayton is that much more important to the Suns.
Reminder: Ayton is only 22 years old and he’s just scraping the surface of what he can do. Right now, he’s more of a traditional big man, but Ayton has the skills to add a shot from the midrange and three. He and Booker are the two bright spots so far for Phoenix, but they’ll need more from the former first overall pick if they want to finish off the Lakers.
With young players like Ayton, it’s fun to imagine what they can become when they’re in their prime, years from now. Funny enough, all of Ayton’s Moments on Top Shot are dunks. So if you’re looking to add a throwdown to your collection, you can grab his first of many Moments for $110.
3. Sixers forward Tobias Harris
After trading Al Horford to the Thunder to free up cap space to acquire Danny Green and, eventually, Seth Curry, the Sixers have looked like a championship team. While trading Horford cleared the books, it also freed up something else: floor spacing — that’s allowed Tobias Harris to flourish.
With Horford out of Philadelphia, Harris is taking less threes, and that’s helped him become more efficient in that department. Harris looks more comfortable on the floor and just missed out on being named an All-Star for the first time in his career.
Harris is the X-factor for the Sixers, and if they want to reach the Finals, they’ll need all the scoring Harris can provide. On Top Shot, Harris has several of Moments, including game-winners and vicious slams. For a near All-Star in Tobias Harris, his monster jam debut Moment is a steal at only $56.
2. Jazz point guard Mike Conley
It’s been an exceptional season for Mike Conley, now in his fourteenth season. This season, he was crowned an All-Star for the first time in his career, making it the longest a player ever had to wait to be named an All-Star.
Conley’s numbers don’t stick out, averaging 16 points and six assists a contest, but he’s the floor general for the Jazz. In the first two games of the playoffs, with Donovan Mitchell slowly returning from injury, Conley has notched two 20-point double-doubles and been a leader for the Jazz.
If the Jazz can get past the Grizzlies, they have a great chance at making the Western Conference Finals for the first time since the 2006-07 season. Conley is clutch, and there’s a good chance he’ll go the farthest he’s ever gone before in the playoffs.
What I love so much about Conley is that currently, he’s the only player on Top Shot to have a Moment with unique audio. In his Seeing Stars Moment, Conley breaks down what he saw on the floor and helps take you through what it’s like navigating the lane in an NBA game. He has several underpriced Moments, including his Debut Moment — a half-court shot — at $58.
1. Bucks point guard Jrue Holiday
In the number one spot, we have the Bucks missing piece: Jrue Holiday. Since arriving in Milwaukee, Holiday has fit like a glove. He’s the third playmaker the Bucks were looking for, and although they had to trade Eric Bledsoe for Holiday, it was a massive upgrade.
The Bucks just finished sweeping the Heat, who they lost to last year in the playoffs — a testament to how Holiday has changed the team. Not only is he deadly on the offensive end of the ball, but he’ll lock down your best player, too. Holiday is one of the best two-way players we have in the league, and he looks poised to help the Bucks push Brooklyn to the brink.
Like Harris and Conley, pick your Moment when it comes to Holiday. Do you want a game-winner for $3? Maybe a behind-the-back assist Top Shot Debut for $70? Or a Run it Back Moment be the one for you? There’s so much to get your hands on when it comes to Holiday, so pick your poison!
Look beyond the NBA stars on Top Shot
To be clear: there are plenty of other players performing in the playoffs that appear to be underpriced. These are just the players that have stood out to me so far with their impacts, but some just missed the cut: Tim Hardaway Jr., Bojan Bogdanović, Facundo Campazzo, Norman Powell, and many others.
Just remember these players if you’re looking for a sleeper when you’re playing MomentRanks Play, because on some nights, one of these players can single handedly win you a matchup.
Follow Jordan Kligman on Twitter: @TopShotTips.
Note: This article is not investment advice.