The Best Bench in the NBA
L.O.Yet another disappointing outing from the Lakers bench last night, as their trusted core of Lamar Odom, Trevor Ariza, Jordan Farmar, and Sasha Vujacic combined to go 8-25 from the floor (2-8 3FG). This second unit could be one of the best in the League, but right now they’re a source of considerable frustration in L.A.
Taking the Lake show out of the equation given their recent woes, who has the best bench in the NBA?
Portland
As much as I love the story about Kevin Garnett living in Joel Przybilla‘s head, you have to admit that he’s a pretty good backup center right now. He does a fantastic job on the defensive glass. For the amount of time that he spends on the floor, he’s rated the second-best rebounder in the League behind Dwight Howard according to 82games.com’s formula.
Add in their Spanish contingent – Rudy Fernandez, Sergio Rodriguez – plus Travis Outlaw, Jerryd Bayless, and Martell Webster, and you’ve basically got a farm system.
Boston
The reigning champs deserve some love – particular Mr. Game Two Leon Powe. And though their beloved bench took a hit with the departure of James Posey, they’re getting some good production out of Tony Allen. He’s third on the team in steals (1.15 spg), and he’s approaching his ’06-07 FG% now that he’s up near 49%.
Houston
The Rockets have perhaps my favorite bench player in the League right now in Aaron Brooks. But he’s just one of a number of big-time contributors – basically the guys who made the 22-game streak happen last season. Luther Head comes off the bench, Carl Landry, Chuck Hayes, Brent Barry are all guys you’d like to have around. Plus, once everyone is actually healthy for once, the Rockets could claim to be the best of all with Shane Battier as the sixth man.
Detroit
It’s hard to say anything positive about these guys right now, but the Stuckey-Maxiell-Afflalo trio is actually playing fairly well off the bench during this dreadful slump.
Denver
I’m surprising myself that they’re on the list, but they really have to be. Anthony Carter is a good NBA back-up PG – he’s posting 4.5 assists per night while playing under 26 minutes. J.R. Smith can look like Chuck Person at times, but then again he can also look like the D-League’s finest Chuck Davis.
And Linas Kleiza doesn’t get enough credit as a gifted scorer. He’s a real matchup problem as a 6-9 ox who can also sink three’s. He’s on pace to hit between 90-100 three’s this season.
Utah
Part of a bench’s role is obviously filling in when starters are hurt. And as we said in the Hit List, Jerry Sloan is the Mike Shanahan of basketball, bringing in another power forward to produce at a high level when one goes down, as Paul Millsap has replaced Carlos Boozer without much of a loss in numbers.
Top to bottom, the Jazz have about eight or nine guys who could average double-figures if they saw more burn. As is, seven of them average over 10 a night.
Who do you think has the best bench in the NBA?
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December 10th, 2008 at 9:17 am
QQ says:
Blazers.
December 10th, 2008 at 9:29 am
GEE...If Shaq eva got burnt would he be "The Big S.T.D."? says:
I want to say Houston but it’s not the same with no Deke.
Still I love Houston’s bench as well.
I am going to go Blazers. I think if there was a battle of the benches that they would get it.
December 10th, 2008 at 9:30 am
thomasmmm says:
Blazers. And NY’s POTENTIAL bench.
December 10th, 2008 at 9:56 am
Derik says:
Milwaukee and Dallas….big surprise here huh? Think Ramon Session and Jason Terry
December 10th, 2008 at 10:02 am
Sweet English says:
Pryzbila should not only be mentioned here but also in your most underated players.
He takes over 90% of his shots from inside the key (second highest percentage in the league) and is shooting as-near-as-makes-no-difference 90% from that range(by far the highest percentage in the L).
Talk about efficiency…..
December 10th, 2008 at 10:16 am
Jah says:
Portland Trailblazers & Los Angeles Lakers
December 10th, 2008 at 10:16 am
JCARR says:
Blazers… when you have a guy like Sergio Rodriguez and Rudy Fernandez… Martell Webster… thats a talented young bench.
December 10th, 2008 at 10:16 am
P_Dizzle says:
Jazz hands down.
Jazz are 14-9 with their 2 superstars (3 if you count AK) being injured for more than half those games.
Take Kobe and Gasol out and are the Lakers bench putting them at 14-9?
Jazz get the nod without any question in my mind.
December 10th, 2008 at 10:20 am
Heckler says:
all of the above have a shitty bench
yall reaching
December 10th, 2008 at 10:22 am
Kermit the Washington says:
Dang….I can see it coming now….
The lakers get to the finals, and then Odom and company DISAPPEAR AGAIN…..I can’t bear to watch this time….
December 10th, 2008 at 10:42 am
P_Dizzle says:
In the picture why is LO holding 2 fingers up? Is he saying he is 2 times the douche bag?
December 10th, 2008 at 10:48 am
Ansonious says:
I like the Blazers bench and the Mavs come to mind too
December 10th, 2008 at 10:59 am
Taj says:
Toronto Craptors!
December 10th, 2008 at 11:07 am
sans says:
Utah
December 10th, 2008 at 11:24 am
Drink the Haterade (KB24 Chip 09) says:
I’m so sick of the Lake Show letting us down! We need to make some trades, NOW> LO for Crash. Or how about Vlad and a pick for Udonis Haslem. Something, we need some toughness other than Kobe and Drew
December 10th, 2008 at 11:32 am
Mamba says:
Lake Show has the best bench but they are not getting the job done right now,
Having said that they must bounce back against Phoenix tonight – Celts and especially the Cavs are moving forward while the Lakers are doing themselves no favors dropping games to teams like the Pacers and Kings,
December 10th, 2008 at 11:42 am
Richard Wellner says:
Richard Wellner gives it to the Blazers.
December 10th, 2008 at 11:45 am
Ashlov says:
Chris Quinn wants to dominate you.
December 10th, 2008 at 11:52 am
K Dizzle says:
lol @ post 15
try to calm down. It’s one game
December 10th, 2008 at 11:53 am
SayItAintSo says:
Blazers of trail…their second unit is often more productive than the first (with the exception of Roy in late game situations)
December 10th, 2008 at 11:56 am
Ian says:
damn 2 seasons ago this would be the spurs easy
guess we getting old
but we have to be in the mix with mason hill finley ime at least an honorable mention
id say the best bench is between portland and lakers slight edge to portland
December 10th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Celts Fan says:
Brian Scalabrinie is getting some minutes as our backup THREE (yet Bill Walker and JR Giddens are both still in the D-League, I don’t get it,) so it’s definitely not us!
December 10th, 2008 at 11:28 pm
Amar says:
I’d say utah — when healthy. right now they aren’t (and haven’t been all season). the jazz won the first 5 games of the season due to the bench play. portland’s hype is amazing though . . . it eclipses their solid players.