2013 NBA Playoffs: Most Surprising Player For Each Team

Apr 17, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Houston Rockets forward Chandler Parsons (25) celebrates after making a 3-point basket at the end of regulation to send the game against the Los Angeles Lakers into overtime at the Staples Center. The Lakers defeated the Rockets 99-95 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Houston Rockets – Chandler Parsons – 18.2 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 3.7 APG

While some teams provided no surprises, the Rockets had plenty of role players step up. With Jeremy Lin picking up an injury early in the series, Francisco Garcia and Patrick Beverley filled in nicely for their starting point guard. However, Parsons stepped into the shoes of James Harden’s sidekick and was fantastic. After an embarrassing collective performance in game 1, Chandler player over 40 minutes in the rest of Houston’s first-round series against the Thunder, highlighted by his game 4 stat line of 27 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists.

May 3, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Indiana Pacers shooting guard Lance Stephenson (1) takes the ball down the court in the second half of game six of the first round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena. The Pacers won 81-73. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

Indiana Pacers – Lance Stephenson – 8.3 PPG, 8 RPG, 3.8 APG

You could go for two players here, either Paul George or Lance Stephenson. George has been great for the Pacers, but since he was the team’s leader all season long, it might not be as surprising. However, after a pretty successful regular season, Stephenson has continued to play well in the playoffs. He knows that he won’t really have any plays called for him, but has found other ways to impact the game, and his 8 rebounds per game affirms that.

Apr 30, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers small forward Matt Barnes (22) gets tangled up with Memphis Grizzlies small forward Tayshaun Prince (21) under the hoop during 2nd half action in game five of the first round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Clippers – Matt Barnes – 11.8 PPG, 5 RPG

The Clippers went out in the first-round, and many players were quite disappointing. However, you could make an argument (and a pretty strong one at that) that Barnes was the team’s second-best player. Blake Griffin picked up an injury and never really got into the series. He was bullied by Zach Randolph and simply couldn’t find his way. Barnes, on the other hand, was very consistent and finished the season on a high-note, by dropping 30 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.

April 26, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers point guard Andrew Goudelock (0) moves the ball against the San Antonio Spurs during the first half in game three of the first round of the 2013 NBA playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Lakers – Andrew Goudelock – 12 PPG, 1.7 RPG, 1 APG

Lakers backcourt got so thin that Goudelock got to play some major minutes in the final two games of the playoffs. The games might not have held much relevance, but the 2013 NBA D-League MVP clearly wanted to send a message that he belongs in the NBA, scoring 20 and 14 points respectively in the last two contests.

May 3, 2013; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley (11) brings the ball up court against Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul (3) in game six of the first round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at FedEx Forum. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports

Memphis Grizzlies – Mike Conley – 17.4 PPG, 7.6 APG, 4.8 RPG

The Grizzlies are all about collective team effort, but watching Conley dictate the pace of games has been a sight to behold. Mike has been great on both ends of the floor, and was just one assist short of a huge triple-double in game 2 against the Oklahoma City Thunder. He did a great job on Chris Paul in round one and has shown much of the same against the Westbrook-less OKC.

Next Page: Most surprising players for Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs