My Ideal NBA Bench
I want the best guy off his benchI’m a big believer in chemistry. It’s not just that I’ve seen the TV special about the Celtics taking that trip to Italy last year for training camp about 12 times. (Andre Aldridge’s narration is quite convincing, though.) Whether we’re talking about a championship team or a broadcast booth, I subscribe to the school of thought that the people involved need to work well together to produce a worthwhile product. Take TNT’s “Inside the NBA” for example. If Ernie, Kenny and Chuck didn’t have a real appreciation for each other, that show would be a total mess. Instead, it’s the best basketball program on TV.
While “Inside the NBA” has helped to boost Barkley’s image as a) the worst golfer in America, and b) a hater of all things related to Kim Jong Il and Mike Mathis, the show’s success can’t be attributed solely to Charles. Even if he’s the main draw, he’s only able to do what he does because of EJ. Ernie has a great sense of humor, lets Charles beat up on him when he wants, but still commands respect for the work that he puts it. And most importantly, he’s a great front man for the show.
It’s no different in the League. A championship team needs guys who provide a spark off the bench, and also take their superstar’s abuse – on or off the floor. For example, I’d put a premium on Paul Millsap, especially in Utah. He’s an ox who will make Carlos Boozer’s job tougher every day in practice, thereby making both players better.
If I’m constructing an ideal seven-man bench out of guys who are currently coming off the bench in the League, here are the guys that I’d want:
* PG – Jordan Farmar
* SG – Manu Ginobili
* SF – Shane Battier
* PF – Paul Millsap
* C – Ronny Turiaf
* Util – Jason Maxiell
* Util – James Posey
Who would be your seven?
October 15th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Kudabeen says:
Off Topic:
Help get Wilt on a stamp. Sign a petition:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/wcpcpetition
October 15th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
Ian says:
swith up turiaf for k. thomas and we are set
October 15th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
Kudabeen says:
My 7:
Maxiell – Aggression
Posey – Swiss Army
Ginobli – Shot Caller
Korver – Shot Maker
Turiaf – Cohesion and Energy
Lidnsay Hunter – Disruptor
Reggie Evans – Dirty Work
October 15th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
Sam I Am says:
Switch up Ginobili for anyone else…
October 15th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
Ian says:
sam i am
stfu
October 15th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Sam I Am says:
Ian
go kiss Ginobili’s testicle
October 15th, 2008 at 3:06 pm
Kermit the Washington says:
Lindsay Hunter scammed me with this wack mortgage
October 15th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
Tyrone says:
You gotsa have Lou Williams instead of pretty boy Farmar y’all. Lou’s got the ability to dish dope dimes and get mad wicked ‘n nasty buckets y’all. Ain’t no way Farmar matches that.
True thugs never lie.
Tyrone
October 15th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Sam I Am says:
I’d go with Marquis Daniels
True thugs never lie
Sam I Am
October 15th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
Drink the Haterade (KB24 Chip 09) says:
Tyrone–
Where was Lou Williams Last year when Farmar was playing in the Finals, oh that’s right he was sitting at home watching them Finals!
Farmar- Dudes got sick ups and hit the open J, plus drive and dish dimes.
Ginobili- 6th Man of year, Champion
Mike Miller– Dude can shoot the rock
Turiaf– So sad now that he’s gone, but can’t hate. This guy’s got mad energy and overcame heart surgery.
Paul Milsap– Aggressive, Rebounds, Hustles
Alonzo Mourning– I gotta have a shot blocker in there
Rodney Stuckey– Dudes got some game
October 15th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
RENO says:
In no particular order:
Stuckey
Ginobili
Battier
Posey
Maxiell
Millsap
Korver
October 15th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
Ian says:
sam i am
“go kiss ginoblis testicle”
what???
October 15th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
AY says:
mike miller is not coming off the bench this year. and farmer ain’t no pretty boy with those dumbo ears.
barbosa
ginobili
jason terry
matt harpring
lamar odom (i hope this isn’t cheating)
david lee
alonzo mourning
October 15th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Drink the Haterade (KB24 Chip 09) says:
Mike Miller came off the bench last year
October 15th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Drink the Haterade (KB24 Chip 09) says:
and David Lee is currently a starter, if you wanna go by those rules
October 15th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Diego says:
Second Tyrone, on Lou Williams. Lou can fill up the bucket, and I’ll tell you what, I’ll take him on a dunk contest against Farmar any day too–I’ve seen him cram some nasty dunks in traffic and I believe.
October 15th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
AY says:
is he? i haven’t watched enough pre-season but i know mike miller ain’t going to be coming off the bench in memphis if he’s the best player. in that case, i’ll swap david lee with paul milsap.
October 15th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
AY says:
when i say memphis, i mean minnesota. that much is obvious.
October 15th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
doc says:
Yeah cut Farmer for lou and you good.Jordan is a disgrace to that name.
October 15th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
Detroit Dave says:
PG- Stuckey
SG- JR Smith (he dropped 40 last year)
SF- Matt Barnes
PF- Linas Kleiza- I think m
C- Mikki Moore
*Maxiell
*Posey
*Pargo
October 15th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
isotope says:
another dude from Detroit, and this one can’t count. Its supposed to be 7 not 8 players. Well at least he can spell.
I have no problem with Dime’s list especially since we dont know for sure who will be on the bench this year. Battier started last year but might be on the bench due to Artest’s acquisition. Come to think of it I might add Carl Landry to that list if he can duplicate the success he had last season.
October 15th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
karizmatic says:
Ginobili
Posey
barbosa
Battier
Maxiel
Mcdyess (if their line up holds up he’s coming off the bench)
Milsap
October 15th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
sans says:
Take Manu off the list. If a starter averages less than 14 minutes a game, is he really a starter? Mike Finley is no longer a starter in this League.
Stuckey
Lou Williams
Milsap–he has to be on everyone’s list.
Reggie Evans–pure mfn energy all damn day
Barbosa–as a 2, can shoot your face off. I made internet bitches cry when I used Barbosa on teams.
Battier
Korver
I know I need another bruiser, but I think Evans can frustrate a 5 for a second while the starter grabs air.
October 15th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
derrick says:
yeah, you can’t really count manu and battier on this list. you should pick two more guys that clearly play behind a star
October 15th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
Jay says:
Wow… so much love to Ronny. The guy was nothing but a big round ball of energy in cornrows. He has no game to speak off and only had a decent year to pick up a paycheck thanks in part to riding Kobe’s coattails. Dude is gonna be nothing in GS.
PG – Stuckey
SG – Ginobili
SF – Battier (playing behind Artest now)
PF – Milsapp
C – Maxiell
SF – Posey
C – Kurt Thomas
October 15th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
No Ben Gordon? I don’t really care for the guy but I’m surprised nobody mentioned him. My whole problem with Ben Gordon is that he thinks he deserves superstar money which I disagree with but he definitely deserves some sixth man consideration.
Even Varejao could be mentioned but I don’t know if he is good enough to drop Maxiell or Milsap.
1.PG-Stuckey or (Derek Fisher if my team needs a veteran point presence)
2.SG-Ginobli
3.SF-Posey
4.PF-Milsap
5.C-Maxiell
6.Barbosa
7.Varejao(you can never have enough defensive-minded big men on the bench who rebound and hustle)
October 15th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
D-NICE says:
PG – Kyle Lowry
SG – JR Smith
SF – James Posey
PF – Jason Maxiell
C – Ronny Turiaf
Util – Carl Landry
Util – Zo Mourning
October 15th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
F.L.A.S.H. says:
everybody knows that you need at least three reliable point guards on a team, sorry if mentioned already, too lazy to read thru all comments (don’t wanna see some immature tyrone beef again)
October 15th, 2008 at 8:29 pm
Joe says:
I’m not making an entire list, but I want my bench center to be Joel Pryzbilla. A no nonsense, tough, defensive minded guy who will do all the dirty work.
October 15th, 2008 at 8:41 pm
bahama boi says:
HOW in the BLUE HELL can ANDREW KATZ pick jordan farmar over barbosa for a bench player
October 15th, 2008 at 10:16 pm
Flip says:
I second Pryzbilla. And you should really not count Ginobili, he is a star and he’s playing starters minutes, so I would switch him for Stuckey, Hunter or Korver.
October 15th, 2008 at 10:57 pm
tim says:
Pistons bench works for me
Rodney Stuckey
Aaron Afflalo
Walter Hermann
Jason Maxiell
Walter Sharpe
Antonio McDyess
Kwame Brown
Just kidding guys…
October 16th, 2008 at 12:35 am
F.L.A.S.H. says:
bahama boi he put farmar instead of barbosa because after all these years the guy is still getting tripped up on his own speed and can’t run a team, if u want buckets off the bench manu is plenty enough~
October 16th, 2008 at 12:43 am
dat dood says:
millsap and maxiell all day boys and girls.
October 16th, 2008 at 12:51 am
Aron says:
@Kermit the Washington
“Lindsay Hunter scammed me with this wack mortgage”
That’s the funniest thing I’ve read all night!
October 16th, 2008 at 9:48 am
Ian says:
tim
u said im kidding
but u know what i would love to see walter on the spurs i have no idea why he isnt played more (herrman not sharp btw)
October 16th, 2008 at 10:40 am
English Off The Glass says:
Why are people responding to Tyrone like he is making some sprt of point??
Ha ha all he does is say someones name then say wicked n’ nasty and somehow thinks it is inteligent input.
Tyrone, speak like a fool if you want to but if your gonna make us sift through your shit at least make have a point to make rather than saying ‘drop dope dimes’ and ‘cat is wicked n’ nasty’ every sentence.
I aint gonna lie.
Its annoying.
True thugz never shut the hell up.
Fool.
October 16th, 2008 at 11:29 am
Utes Fan says:
Ginobili-offensive punch. HEART.
Kirilenko-Provides playmaking and energy/currently 6th man
Millsap-Toughness, energy, hustle.
Barbosa-Change of tempo.
Korver-Deadeye.
Battier-Defense, leadership.
Dikembe Mutombo-at 52 years old can still play.