NBA 2017-18: 5 most underrated players 

4. Robert Covington

Robert Covington

2016-17 Averages: 12.9 Points, 6.5 Rebounds, 1.9 Steals

Amidst all the excitement in Philly to watch the trio of Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, and Markelle Fultz play together, one man goes under the radar. Robert Covington isn't flashy like his highly rated teammates, who were all picked in the top 3 of their respective Drafts.

He was undrafted but has quietly become one of the key players for the Sixers. Covington is an elite defender and finished fourth in Defensive Player of the Year voting last season but even that went somewhat under the radar as he didn't make any of all the All-Defense teams.

The general consensus among fans is that Dario Saric should start ahead of Covington, but coach Brett Brown thought otherwise. While Saric can deliver the flashy passes and scoring moves, Covington's defense is vital for a young Sixers team. He is the typical 3-and-D guy every team in the league needs now.

He might never get the hype and fame that his team-mates will get, but Covington will be a vital component in the eventual rise of the Sixers as a playoff team.