10 NBA superstars who are not considered superstars

5. Jrue Holiday

When Jrue Holiday went off on the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round of the playoffs — putting up 27.8 points, 6.5 assists and 1.3 steals per game in the underdog New Orleans Pelicans‘ series sweep — the public reaction would have you believe it was the first time Holiday had made his mark in the NBA.

Far from it.

Five years ago, Holiday put together an All-Star season with the Philadelphia 76ers when he averaged 17.7 points, 8.0 assists and 1.6 steals per game. That Sixers team wasn’t very good — they missed the playoffs and their second-best player was Evan Turner — but Holiday was a bright spot and breakout performer.

Over the next four seasons, though, injuries and playing for some mediocre Pelicans teams kept Holiday out of the spotlight until he apparently had a second breakout in 2017-18, making the All-Defensive Team and lighting it up in the playoffs.

Now we’ll see if this repeat rise to prominence sticks.

Holiday is a marketable talent who has a compelling story. Two years ago, he took time off during the season to care for his wife, former U.S. national soccer team player Lauren Holiday, who had been diagnosed with a brain tumor while she was pregnant.

Jrue is also the best player in an NBA family: His older brother Justin Holiday plays for the Chicago Bulls, while his younger brother Aaron Holiday is going to be a rookie with the Indiana Pacers. If the Holidays get anywhere near as much media buzz as the Ball family, Jrue will be a superstar sooner than later.