10 NBA superstars who are not considered superstars

8. Khris Middleton

After missing most of the 2016-17 season with a serious hamstring injury, Khris Middleton came back in 2017-18 and regained the form that had him looking like a star in the making before he got hurt.

Middleton averaged 20.1 points per game for the Milwaukee Bucks in the regular season — second on the team to MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo — then stepped it up to 24.7 points per game in Milwaukee’s first round playoff loss to the Boston Celtics. In that seven-game series, Middleton shot a blistering 59.8 percent from the field and 61.0 percent from 3-point range. He was prolific, efficient and clutch as the Bucks nearly upset the East’s No. 2 seed.

To the mainstream crowd, Middleton remains overlooked and underrated. Antetokounmpo’s presence would seem to be the main culprit, but there are plenty of NBA teams who have more than one superstar. If anything, the buzz around the media-friendly “Greek Freak” draws more eyes to Middleton in Milwaukee than he’d get if he were the No. 1 option for the smaller-market franchise.

What could be preventing Middleton from being a star despite his scoring prowess is the way in which he gets his buckets.

Middleton is a smooth scorer whose game isn’t made for social media clips. He excels in the mid-range, similar to Rip Hamilton, and is a crafty ball-handler and underrated passer. The measured pace at which he plays is reminiscent of Tracy McGrady, except Middleton doesn’t explode to the rim or make as many incredible plays as T-Mac did on his way to the Hall of Fame.

Instead, Middleton simply produces like a star without getting the praise of a star.