15 Spectacular Players Who Were Overshadowed by Their Teammates

These players showcased elite skill and consistency but were overshadowed by superstar teammates, showing that sometimes talent isn’t appreciated enough.

Rajat Srivastava
October 8, 2025
6 min read

15 Spectacular Players Who Were Overshadowed by Their Teammates — Imagn Images

Many NBA stars have performed well in the league but remained underappreciated because of bigger teammates. Players like Chris Bosh, Kevin Love and Pau Gasol delivered exceptional performances, yet their contributions were often overshadowed by more celebrated superstars. This list highlights how talent and versatility can sometimes go unnoticed when paired with highly visible teammates, proving that greatness isn’t always about being in the spotlight.

15. Lamar Odom

Lamar Odom, a talented forward capable of scoring, passing and defending, played alongside Kobe Bryant during the Lakers’ championship runs. Despite his impactful contributions, Odom’s excellence on the court was often overshadowed by Bryant’s superstar status. His career is a classic example of how highly skilled players can remain underappreciated when teammates command the majority of attention.

14. DeAndre Jordan

DeAndre Jordan’s defensive dominance and rebounding skills with the LA Clippers were crucial to the “Lob City” era. However, Blake Griffin and Chris Paul often got the limelight. Jordan’s rim protection, beautiful finishes, and coordination with his team were integral, but his career is a reminder that even top level players can be overlooked when teamed up with the flashier stars.

13. Jamal Crawford

Jamal Crawford, one of the best bench scorers in NBA history, often played behind more popular teammates. His scoring ability along with his creativity provided teams with vital energy, yet he never received the media recognition he deserved. Crawford’s career shows that how talented players can shine even in a supporting role, and sometimes brilliance can come from the bench.

12. Andre Iguodala

Andre Iguodala played a crucial role in the Golden State Warriors’ dominance, providing defense and leadership support. Despite his impact, he was overshadowed by the likes of Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant. Iguodala’s Finals MVP award in 2015 highlighted his value. His career highlights that impactful role players can be eclipsed by high scoring superstars in the team.

11. Derrick Favors

Derrick Favors, a solid defensive and offensive center, often played alongside bigger names like Rudy Gobert and Gordon Hayward in Utah. His contributions in scoring and defense were important, yet he rarely received much recognition. Favors’ career demonstrates how even reliable players can remain in the background when surrounded by high profile teammates.

10. Al Horford

Al Horford has been a consistent and hardworking player for both Atlanta and Boston. Known for defense, passing and leadership, Horford often played alongside stars like Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Kyrie Irving. Despite being important to team success, Horford’s contributions were frequently overlooked. This shows that superstar narratives often dominates steady performances.

9. Chris Webber

Chris Webber was the center figure of the Sacramento Kings in the early 2000s. Despite his scoring and rebounding skills, he was often under credited due to his teammates like Vlade Divac, Peja Stojakovic and Mike Bibby. Webber’s dominance and innovation were essential for the Kings’ success, yet he never received the full recognition he deserved.

8. James Harden

James Harden’s early years in Oklahoma City was spent with Kevin Durant, and later, in Houston, he played alongside Chris Paul. While Harden’s scoring and leadership were phenomenal, media and fan attention often focused on his teammates. Harden’s career is an example of how even MVP level players can be temporarily overshadowed before stepping fully into the spotlight themselves.

7. Paul George

Paul George began his career with the Indiana Pacers, where he was teamed up with George Hill. And later on with Russell Westbrook in Oklahoma City. Despite his impressive two way skills of scoring and defense, George was often under overlooked. His growth into a superstar demonstrates that even talented players can initially remain underappreciated when paired with other top level athletes.

6. Jimmy Butler

Jimmy Butler’s early years with the Chicago Bulls were marked by the presence of Derrick Rose. Despite his defensive dominance and leadership skills, Butler was often in the shadow of Rose’s MVP level performances. Though Butler, later on emerged as a star, but his initial years highlight how elite players can be undervalued when sharing the court with more prominent teammates.

5. Klay Thompson

Klay Thompson, a phenomenal shooter and defensive specialist, has often played in the shadows of Stephen Curry in Golden State. Despite this, Thompson has been a crucial part of the Warriors, hitting historic three-point records and guarding the league’s top scorers. His calmness make him invaluable, showing that talent can sometimes go unnoticed when teamed up with an even more celebrated teammate.

4. Ray Allen

Ray Allen is often considered as one of the best shooters in NBA history. While playing alongside LeBron James, Dwyane Wade or Paul Pierce, his incredible shooting and clutch performances were often under valued. Allen’s consistency and defensive contributions played vital roles in his teams’ successes. His career is a reminder that even the most gifted players can be overlooked due to less media attention and visibility.

3. Pau Gasol

Pau Gasol’s scoring ability and basketball IQ were instrumental in the LA Lakers’ championship successes. Despite his importance, his time with Kobe Bryant meant that Gasol’s contributions were often overlooked. Gasol used to dominate both offensively and defensively, making him an essential part of the team. His underrated presence and high level performance show how even a key player sometimes don’t get due appreciation for their performances.

2. Kevin Love

Kevin Love has always been a top level scorer and rebounder, but during his time with the Cavaliers, he played in the shadow of LeBron James. Love delivered consistently for his team, including double-doubles and three-point shooting, yet his contributions were often undervalued. His skill set helped the Cavaliers in the playoff runs, demonstrating that even elite players aren’t credited enough when paired with a generational superstar.

1. Chris Bosh

Chris Bosh was a gifted forward for the Miami Heat. He excelled in scoring, rebounding and defense. Despite his important role in the much talked about “Big Three” alongside LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, Bosh often received less attention. His ability to contribute in key moments was pivotal to Miami’s championships. Bosh’s silent dominance and team first mentality highlight how even highly talented players can be overshadowed by global stars.