We’re all familiar with the NBA players who dominate the media spotlight. But what about those who excel in their roles while staying under the radar?
Today, we spotlight unsung players, starting with four from the Western Conference.
Norman Powell – Los Angeles Clippers
Given the loss of Paul George and Kawhi Leonard’s continuous unavailability, many predicted a down year for the Clippers. Not Norman Powell. In an era where payers are media trained to within an inch of their lives, Powell offered a refreshingly honest assessment of the Clippers’ offseason, telling reporters on media day that he saw “more guys getting opportunities, including myself.”
Powell was certainly on the money regarding those opportunities. The swingman is playing a career-high in minutes and getting more shots than ever (16.9 attempts p/game against 13.4). Remarkably, his efficiency numbers are through the roof, posting 50/47/84 shooting splits and a career-high 64.3% true shooting.
History tells us he’s unlikely to maintain this level of efficiency on this volume, though as a former 46th pick, Powell’s entire career had been an exercise in defying expectations.
Andrew Wiggins – Golden State Warriors
Whisper it, but Wiggins is back to his 2022 All-Star form, the year he became an NBA champion. Barring a Cinderella run that would be too sickly sweet for even Disney scriptwriters, Golden State won’t be winning the championship this season. It won’t be due to a lack of production from the first overall pick of the former.
Still only 29, Wiggins is producing remarkably similar numbers to his 2022 campaign, though with even greater efficiency. His three-point and free-throw numbers have greatly improved.
| Pts | Reb | Ast | St | Bl | Splits | Efg% | |
| 2021-22 | 17.2 | 4.5 | 2.2 | 1.0 | 0.7 | 47/39/63 | 54.3% |
| 2024-25 | 17.5 | 4.4 | 2.9 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 46/43/79 | 54.7% |
With his spot-up shooting on track, Wiggins has found a new level as a creator off the bounce. He’s also back to his best on the defensive end of the floor, playing with purpose and discipline.
With the Miami Heat effectively shutting down any Jimmy Butler trade rumors, it appears Wiggins can sit tight in the knowledge that he’ll remain a Warrior — at least until the season’s end.
Scotty Pippen Jr. – Memphis Grizzlies
Pippen earned himself an NBA place with his performances for the shorthanded Grizzlies in the back half of last season. With Ja Morant back in the fold, the question was whether Pippen could maintain his play. He has affirmatively answered that.
Given his minutes and responsibilities drop significantly when in a reserve role, a fairer assessment of Pippen comes from his per 36-minute stats, where his numbers are just about on par with last season.
| Pts | Reb | Ast | St | Bl | Splits | |
| 2023-24 | 18.5 | 4.6 | 6.7 | 2.5 | 0.7 | 49/41/75 |
| 2024-25 | 17.3 | 5.5 | 8.1 | 1.8 | 0.6 | 48/36/67 |
Although his efficiency has dropped somewhat, his other contributions mirror what he produced last season in his first extended NBA run. The advanced stats smile upon the 24-year-old, with his offensive and defensive ratings better this season than last, as are his win shares, per Basketball Reference.
For so many seasons, a quiet key to the Grizzlies’ success was the steady hand of Tyus Jones filling in for Morant. It looks like Memphis has found a perfect replacement.
Jeremy Sochan – San Antonio Spurs
Whilst a talent, the ninth pick from 2022 is a tricky fit offensively, thanks to his almost total lack of a jump shot. He’s a gifted athlete if a rung below the best athletes in the NBA, yet a lack of touch significantly limits his ability to finish at the cup. A nifty ball handler with some playmaking chops, the Spurs experimented with Sochan as a point forward last season with less-than-ideal results.
Defensively, Sochan is another foundational young player with the versatility to complement Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle. Finding a suitable offensive role is imperative to the Spurs’ development, and Sochan is making notable strides in season three.
Averaging a career-high 15.1 points, Sochan has changed his shot diet almost completely. Last year, Sochan attempted 33% of his shots at the basket and 38% between the restricted area and three-point line, per Basketball Reference. This season, those numbers read as 55% and 29%.
The spacing provided by Wembanyama and the obligatory Chris Paul spoon-feeding have positively impacted Sochan’s play.
