10 players who have just entered the league but are not famous but amazed you later: Curry and Jeremy Lin are on the list

On the NBA stage, the spotlight is often focused on talented high-ranking new stars. Those players with the halo of "No. 1 pick" seem to be born to stand at the top. But the charm of the NBA is hidden in the counterattack of another group of people - when they first entered the league, they were either in a low ranking, were collectively despised, or were once unwilling to be draft picks. Some of them struggled on the bench, and some were even labeled as "unable to gain a foothold". But it is these "nameless people" who polished their ball skills with their tenacity in their bones, smashed the doubts from outside with their unexpected performance, and moved step by step from the corner of the league to the center, becoming an existence that amazed the audience. In this issue, we will take a look at the 10 "unexpected treasures" that have changed fate in NBA history.

Nikola Jokic: The center legend in the second round counterattack 2014 NBA Draft, for Serbian teenager Nikola Jokic, it was a moment when a dream came into reality, but it was also the beginning of the flood of doubts. He was selected by the Denver Nuggets in the second round with the 41st pick, and almost no one was interested in it at that time, and even the ads played on TV were more well-known than the rookie. He faced many doubts during the draft, and his weight exceeded people doubted whether he could adapt to high-intensity professional games, and the uncertainty of European players' prospects in the NBA also made him underestimated.

But Jokic slapped all doubters in the face with his strength. His basketball style is unique. Although he does not have the explosive physical fitness of a traditional center, he has delicate passing skills like a guard, solid inside footsteps and excellent basketball IQ, which makes him feel as if he is in water on the court. When he first entered the league, Jokic started as a team player, gradually showed his dominance and became the core of the team. Not only can he be in the inside, he is proficient in scoring and rebounding, he also has stable shooting outside the three-point line, and can pass accurately, revitalize the team's offense, becoming the team's well-deserved core.

In 2023, Jokic ushered in a highlight of his career, leading the Nuggets to beat the team all the way and won the first NBA championship in team history. He personally also won the NBA Most Valuable Player Award three times for his outstanding performance in the regular season and playoffs and was once elected to the Finals Most Valuable Player. Today, Jokic is the league's number one center and a legend in the NBA arena. He wrote an immortal chapter of a second-round pick counterattack with his persistence and hard work.

Stephen Curry: When Stephen Curry entered the NBA, the scout report put him many negative labels: his body was thin, his ability to fight, his lack of athletic talent, and he was even regarded as a glass man, and it was difficult to gain a foothold in the high-intensity NBA arena. As soon as he arrived at the Golden State Warriors, Curry was thwarted by the team boss, and the road ahead was full of thorns. Because of his injury, the Warriors once placed on the shelves.

But Curry was not defeated by these doubts and difficulties. He opened his own era with a superb three-pointer. Curry's three-pointer broke the traditional basketball offensive mode, with a long shooting range, quick shooting and high accuracy, making the opponent unable to defend. He kept hitting three-pointers with extremely long and difficult three-pointers on the court, igniting the audience's passion again and again, making the entire basketball world crazy.

Curry's growth path was not smooth, and injuries were frequently invaded, but he was able to return tenaciously every time and his condition became more and more courageous. Under his leadership, the Warriors transformed from an unattended team to a strong contender for the NBA championship, winning the championship many times, setting off a small ball storm, and changing the style of the entire league. Curry has also been selected into the All-Star many times for his outstanding performance and won the regular season MVP. He has become one of the most influential superstars in the NBA today, using his strength to keep those who once looked down on him speechless.

Gilbert Arenas: "Agent No. 0"'s passionate counterattack

Gilbert Arenas was not selected by the Golden State Warriors until the 31st pick in the second round, which reflects that he was not favored at the time. Although Arenas performed well in college, he was thin and his athletic ability was not outstanding among a group of talented players, which made him ignored by many teams in the draft.

However, after entering the league, Arenas started a counterattack with his love for basketball and unremitting efforts. In his rookie season, he seized his limited playing time and kept showing his scoring ability, and his average score per game increased year by year. In the Wizards, Arenas reached the peak of his career. He formed a "trident" with Larry Hughes and Antoine Jamison to lead the Wizards to rise in the East.

Alinas later wrote in his personal autobiography: I spent the first 40 games of my career on the bench. They think I'm just a zero and useless. I did not blame others, but kept training and training. This is no longer a question of whether I can play basketball well, I want to prove that they are wrong. Why is my jersey number 0? Because I want to remind myself that I have to fight with all my strength every day.

Arenas's style of play is very eye-catching and has a variety of scoring methods. He can do it easily whether it is breakthrough, mid-range or three-pointer. What impressed him most was that big heart. At critical moments of the game, he could always hit high-difficulty shots and give his opponent a fatal blow. The name of "Agent No. 0" is the quake in the league, becoming an idol in the hearts of countless fans, writing an inspirational legend from a second round pick to an All-Star superstar.

Jeol Lin: "Lin Crazy" swept the world

In 2010, Jeremy Lin entered the NBA as a rookie, which means he has to face more challenges and difficulties than other players. As a Chinese player, Jeremy Lin does not have an advantage in physical fitness. In the NBA with a lot of talents, his basketball journey is full of ups and downs.. He was delegated to the Development League by the team many times and was even cut off, but Jeremy Lin never gave up his dream of basketball.

In 2012, the opportunity finally came. The New York Knicks, who were in trouble at the time, gave Jeremy Lin a chance to play, and he seized this opportunity and embarked on a "Lin Crazy" journey that shocked the world. In many consecutive games, Jeremy Lin scored high scores and led the Knicks to a winning streak. In Madison Square Garden, he even scored 38 points in front of Kobe Bryant, becoming the gods in one battle.

Jeol Lin's explosion is not only due to his excellent scoring ability, but also his control of the rhythm of the game and his ability to connect teammates. He used his performance to prove that the yellow people can also shine on the NBA stage. Although Jeremy Lin's career has not been smooth sailing, and injuries and changes in the team's lineup have made him go to multiple teams, the story of "Lin Crazy" has become a classic chapter in NBA history, inspiring countless basketball teenagers to pursue their dreams bravely.

Manu Ginobili: "Demon Sword" was unsheathed, Spurs legend

In 1999, the San Antonio Spurs selected Manu Ginobili at the 57th pick in the second round, and the player from Argentina did not attract much attention at that time. Ginobili, who was officially in the NBA at the age of 26, does not have an advantage in age, and many people question whether he can adapt to the high-intensity NBA games.

However, Ginobi conquered everyone with his unique style of play. His breakthrough was as erratic as a ghost, his pass was extremely imaginative, and his three-pointer was his deadly weapon. In the Spurs, Ginobili started as a substitute but became an indispensable key figure in the team. His "GDP combination" with Tim Duncan and Tony Parker led the Spurs to win NBA championships many times and became a legendary combination in the history of the Spurs.

Ginobili is affectionately called "Demon Sword" by fans, meaning that his style of play is weird and makes people unable to defend against. His incredible goals and key performances in the game have become an important help for the Spurs to win the championship. Although he is a substitute most of the time, Ginobili's influence is no less than that of the starter. He helped the Spurs win the championship four times, was selected as the All-Star, and was a strong contender for the best sixth man in history, writing his legendary career with his strength.

Giannis Antetokounmpo: The evolutionary path of the "Greek Monsters"

In 2013, Giannis Antetokounmpo, a thin teenager from Greece, was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 15th pick in the first round. When he first entered the league, although he had excellent physical talent, his skills were rough and his basketball awareness needed to be improved. He was considered very immature and needed long-term cultivation and growth.

But with the careful guidance of the Bucks coaching staff and the hard training of Antetokounmpo, he began an amazing evolution. Antetokounmpo's physical talent is gradually revealed. He is tall and long, with outstanding athletic ability. He can play from No. 1 to No. 5 and is called a "Greek Monster" by fans. He constantly polished his skills, from the initial breakthrough to the gradual development of mid-range shooting and passing ability, and even posed a certain threat outside the three-point line.

In 2021, Antetokounmpo reached his career peak, leading the Bucks to their first NBA championship in 50 years in team history and won the Finals Most Valuable Player. He won the NBA Most Valuable Player Award twice and the Defensive Player of the Year award for his outstanding performance. From the young boy at the time to becoming a top superstar in the league, Antetokounmpo has completed a gorgeous transformation with sweat and hard work, becoming a unique landscape on the NBA arena.

Isaiah Thomas: The Giant Heart of the "Little Assassin"

Isaiah Thomas was selected at the 60th pick in the second round at the 2011 NBA Draft because he was only 5 feet 9 inches (about 1.73 meters), which was almost the end of the draft pick. In the NBA where the giants are full of giants, such a height disadvantage has put him in a huge challenge, and many people think he has difficulty gaining a foothold in the league.

But Thomas Jr. was not discouraged. With his amazing speed, excellent scoring ability and fearless fighting spirit, he made a world of his own in the NBA. During his time with the Boston Celtics, Thomas Jr. reached his career peak and became the core of the team, leading the Celtics into the playoffs. Thomas Jr. has a variety of scoring methods. He has used it perfectly, whether it is a breakthrough, a jump shot at a sudden stop or a three-pointer. Especially at the critical moment of the game, he is not ruthless and repeatedly hits key balls. He is called the "king of the final quarter" by fans.

Although Thomas Jr. later suffered setbacks in his career due to injuries and team trading, his performance at his peak made everyone remember this "little Assassin" who is small in height but has a giant heart. He used his persistence and hard work to leave a strong mark in NBA history.

Kobe Bryant: From youth to legendary basketball god

The 1996 NBA Draft was a golden generation with many talents. Kobe Bryant was selected by the Charlotte Hornets with the 13th pick and was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. Kobe at the time was just a young boy who had just entered the NBA directly from high school. Despite his outstanding talent, there were doubts about whether he could adapt to the intensity and rhythm of the NBA.

Bryant Kobe averaged only a pitiful 7.6 points per game, and he even made three consecutive shots in the playoffs, which has suffered a lot of criticism from the media and fans. But Kobe has the spirit of not giving up. He trains hard and constantly improves his skills. From offensive skills to defensive awareness, from physical fitness to psychological quality, Kobe is constantly polishing himself.

In the second year of his career, Kobe doubled his score, and then he gradually grew into the core of the Lakers. The "OK combination" composed of Kobe and Shaquille O'Neal led the Lakers to win three consecutive championships and opened the Lakers dynasty. After O'Neal left, Kobe led the team alone and helped the Lakers win two championship trophys. Kobe's career is full of legends, winning the NBA championship five times, winning the Finals MVP twice, winning the regular season MVP once, becoming the scoring champion twice, and becoming the All-Star 18 times. He has used his 20-year career to grow from a young boy to a basketball god, inspiring generations of basketball players to work hard for their dreams.

Shay Gilgers - Alexander: The Rise of the Thunder New King

Shay Gilgers - Alexander was selected by the Los Angeles Clippers with the 11th pick in the first round of 2018, and despite his outstanding performance in college, he did not get much attention and opportunity in a team full of talent like the Clippers. After playing briefly with the Clippers, he was sent to the Oklahoma City Thunder as part of a trade with Paul George.

After coming to the Thunder, Alexander ushered in a turning point in his career. He gradually showed his superstar potential, and his scoring ability, organizational ability and defensive ability have been comprehensively improved. Alexander has excellent physical fitness. His breakthrough is sharp, he can easily tear open the opponent's defense line, and his mid-range shooting is also very stable. At the same time, he also has an excellent passing vision, which can drive teammates and activate the team's offense.

In 2025, Alexander won the NBA Most Valuable Player Award for his outstanding performance and led the Thunder to advance to the NBA Finals, becoming the Thunder’s well-deserved appearance. From a rookie who was not favored at the time to a top superstar in the league today, Alexander proved himself with his strength and became another amazing counterattack star in the NBA arena.

Kaywe Leonard: From 3D player to double championship FMVP

In 2011, Kawhi Leonard was selected by the Indiana Pacers with the 15th pick in the first round and was then traded to the San Antonio Spurs. The scout report at the time believed that his shortcomings were obvious, including dribbling, poor shooting, and poor team awareness. Many people expected that his ceiling was just a top 3D player.

However, with the careful training of the Spurs, Leonard grew rapidly. He started from defense, and with his outstanding wingspan and defensive awareness, he became the team's defensive vanguard and was selected for the best defensive team many times. On the offensive end, Leonard has also been constantly polishing his skills. His mid-range shooting has become more stable, and his dribbling ability has gradually improved.

In the 2014 NBA Finals, Leonard shone, successfully restricted LeBron James, and was awarded the Finals Most Valuable Player for his outstanding performance, becoming one of the youngest Finals MVPs. Since then, Leonard has moved to the Toronto Raptors, leading the Raptors to the first NBA championship in team history in 2019 and re-elected the Finals MVP. He broke people's inherent perception of him with his strength, and grew from an underrated rookie to a superstar who won championships and finals MVPs on two different teams, writing his own brilliant chapter.

These ten players may not be favored or even unknown when they first entered the NBA, but with their love for basketball, firm belief and unremitting efforts, they shone the most dazzling light on the NBA stage and became superstars in the stunning league. Their stories inspire everyone who loves basketball can create miracles as long as they have dreams and work hard for them. In the future NBA arena, I believe that more such unexpected treasures will emerge, continuing their legend.