AI was a star in Philly and then expected to lead the Nuggets. He was that good. I’d argue he was another star in GS his first couple of seasons there.
I would take Coop over Fish. Cooper was as good a perimeter defender as there was in the 80s (8x All-D and a DPOY in a career in which he started just 94 games). Fish was a great teammate and a huge contributor, but if I had to pick between them, it would be Coop, no doubt. Having a shut down defender is so valuable.
Yeah he was an amazing defender. Had to look it up but he was drafted at 60th in the 3rd round to fish going number 24. Neither were all stars but coop will go into the HOF this year. Laker fans have been spoiled for decades with amazing players but these guys gotta be at the top of the list for great role players. Lamar Odom comes to mind as well.
All the arguments for Jru being a potential hall of famer for winning it all with multiple teams I'm saying you have to put the Green Ranger's name in there also, he did it with 3. He'll sadly always be underrated tho
It's got to be Jason Terry. Though, I feel like there were a couple seasons where he could have been an all-star, the only individual honors he won were 1 6MotY and an all-rookie 2nd team.
I was thinking JET would be excluded. Even though it was short lived I thought Nick Van Exel was great off the bench. I specifically remember him helping the Mavs get past the Kings in the playoffs after years of them being the obstacle the team couldn’t overcome.
Terry felt like more than just a role player though. He was the de facto 2nd option and shot creator on the team after Dirk.
Barea and Chandler were great role players too.
https://preview.redd.it/3gsj608dox8d1.jpeg?width=832&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=28902b9f3c7f5390ed28894528e17e0af8df4a31
If Thad Young isn’t a super star, how do you explain this graphic?
Pistons: Vinnie “Microwave” Johnson, he’s also one of the richest NBA players ever because he started Piston automotive that is worth around 650mil last time I checked
He always had that weird "semi-assured" way of just getting the job done by moving in tense rythms and then pulling-out the smoothest two-times lay-ups that often ended-up going in. Or those weird "on the glass" 3 pointers he pulled-up even when being tightly guarded. Such a weird and interesting player. Loved him as a younger Miami fan.
Jeff Horacek could fit the bill for both the Suns and the Jazz.
Actually was the leading scorer of the Suns his last season before getting traded to Philly over stars like Kevin Johnson, Tom Chambers, Dan Marjle dunk star Ceballos
Went to Utah and obviously took the 3rd star role under Stockton/Malone and had great stats
It’s absolutely not correct but my 30s brain instantly defaulted to Tom Heinsohn yelling “Waltah (McCarty)” and I’m sure he was way worse than I remember but he holds a special place for me.
Ryan Anderson Pels/Hornets
He played at an all star level with Orlando the year before he came to Nola. He’s a what could have been player. He never improved while the NBA was transitioning to a league built for players like him. He was still really good off the bench.
Keon Clark. He’d come off the bench for the raptors and absolutely dominate second string players with highlight reel dunks and absolutely crazy athleticism. Turns out, he was piss drunk while doing it. Thats why I love him.
I was always a Bulls fan, not so much lately. But it has to be Steve Kerr. Hit some big shots in their title runs, top 3 pt percent all time (or maybe he’s 2nd? Either way). Just a reliable player, decision maker, elite shooter.
Is it fair to say Mutombo was a role player when he got to Philly? He did win DPOY…
Aaron McKie comes to mind, very versatile, great defender, and could score and playmake when needed.
Kirk Hinrich, Steve Kerr, and in some sense Joakim Noah come to mind. I get noah was a star and DPOY but for some reason he never seemed to get his credit or dues and was definitely a factor in team success but not the main reason for it.
Cedric (Celtics) has been mentioned so I will put my vote in for James Posey. He and PJ Brown were absolutely crucial to the 2008 team. And James was a key role player in Miami (2006) as well, but never a star.
Probably one of the best 3&D guys in NBA playoff history. And it’s only because of 2 runs where he shot above his average. Defense was always there.
Blazers: Terry Porter helped us to two finals, Mo Lucas helped us win one, Steve Smith was a pretty solid Non-star on the ‘00 team, excepting the fourth quarter of game seven.
He’s absolutely not the best in lakers history but Steve Blake was cold as FUCK back in the day. Got a ton of minutes cuz of Steve Nash’s old ass, and the game winner in Houston OVER Dwight the year after he left is permanently in my brain.
Iguodala Livingston
Iggy clears Livingston by a margin but they were both important
He does but it’s important we don’t forget Livingtons impact in the early years of the dynasty
Iggy's also a former all-star and a finals mvp, idk if he really qualifies as a 'non star' player even on the warriors
I assume a bunch of people here know the mind boggling stat that Livingston never missed a midrange jump shot, but I will repeat it. 🤯 1309/1309.
Livingston for the story haha. What a legend
Those SDot middies were like 80% if the bench unit’s offence for a couple of years there.
AI was a star in Philly and then expected to lead the Nuggets. He was that good. I’d argue he was another star in GS his first couple of seasons there.
I like that the first sentence of your post could somewhat apply to both Allen Iverson and Iguodala.
Iggy Livingston would be a dope underground rapper name.
Mo Buckets.
Strictly role player It's Derek Fisher. There for all 5 Kobe chips.
With the same amount of rings, Michael Cooper has gotta be up there as well.
I would take Coop over Fish. Cooper was as good a perimeter defender as there was in the 80s (8x All-D and a DPOY in a career in which he started just 94 games). Fish was a great teammate and a huge contributor, but if I had to pick between them, it would be Coop, no doubt. Having a shut down defender is so valuable.
That’s actually insane. He did average 23.1 mpg but majority of his career 26-29 mpg. Very impressive
That's a great one. I always saw Coop as more than a role player. Like he was too good. But he was Def. a better player than DFish
Yeah he was an amazing defender. Had to look it up but he was drafted at 60th in the 3rd round to fish going number 24. Neither were all stars but coop will go into the HOF this year. Laker fans have been spoiled for decades with amazing players but these guys gotta be at the top of the list for great role players. Lamar Odom comes to mind as well.
Yeah the 0.4 second thing kinda did it by itself.
HATE dfish as a SPURS fan but had mad respect for him n Kobe 💯
Bruce Bowen.
This is my answer as well as a fellow Spurs fan.
Boris Diaw
Poetry in motion.
Ayeee ya I was gonna say him also. I feel like he's the most slept on from that championship run anyway
Also, Danny Green.
All the arguments for Jru being a potential hall of famer for winning it all with multiple teams I'm saying you have to put the Green Ranger's name in there also, he did it with 3. He'll sadly always be underrated tho
Not in Chapel Hill, though 😍
Jay Jay Barea!
Cedric Maxwell.
Only FMVP not in the HoF (amongst those which are eligible).
Iguadala might be the second guy, but he probably will make the hall of fame
Cornbread Maxwell, UNC Charlotte legend
Good answer, was going to say Bill Walton, was a star, but with the C’s he came off the bench
Came on to say this. 6th man for 1985-1986 champs.
It's got to be Jason Terry. Though, I feel like there were a couple seasons where he could have been an all-star, the only individual honors he won were 1 6MotY and an all-rookie 2nd team.
JET for sure. He was an injury replacement away from ASG a couple times. Would have been cool but he had a great career
Role-playing Mav, JJ barea is the first name that comes to mind…
I was thinking JET would be excluded. Even though it was short lived I thought Nick Van Exel was great off the bench. I specifically remember him helping the Mavs get past the Kings in the playoffs after years of them being the obstacle the team couldn’t overcome.
He never made an all star team in Atlanta?
Nope. Though '02 over Baron Davis is one of the years I thought he probably could have been an all-star.
Terry felt like more than just a role player though. He was the de facto 2nd option and shot creator on the team after Dirk. Barea and Chandler were great role players too.
I'll list a few TJ McConnell Thaddeus "Thadgic Johnson" Young Lance Stephenson TJ Warren Bojan Bogdonovaic The Big Smooth Sam Perkins Myles Turner
https://preview.redd.it/3gsj608dox8d1.jpeg?width=832&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=28902b9f3c7f5390ed28894528e17e0af8df4a31 If Thad Young isn’t a super star, how do you explain this graphic?
You mean the four greatest players of all-time and some random white guy?
Man how I wish Lance could’ve been an actual star, such a goofy and fun player.
LOL at TJ Warren
It's easy when your team only ever has role players 😜
2013 jr smith on the knicks
Cavs too
Robert Horry.
That’s like a third of the league, right?
Which team?
Why does naz Reid and kevon Looney look like bros
Jeff Hornacek
Which team?
Utah Jazz, specifically ally 96-98
Lindsey Hunter on the Goin' to Work Pistons. Distributor, defender, and occasional big shot hitter
2009 John salmons
Naz reid over Latrell Sprewell for yall? For me it’s probably Eric gordon (rockets)
Sprewell made all NBA first team (albeit not for the wolves.) his nickname was literally starwell
I’m not a wolves fan, I just named a good player to fit the role of an elite role player haha. I’m a 76ers fan btw.
Kenny Smith over Eric Gordon as a rockets fan
Danny Green or Bruce Bowen were good. Maybe Derrick White
Pistons: Vinnie “Microwave” Johnson, he’s also one of the richest NBA players ever because he started Piston automotive that is worth around 650mil last time I checked
Either Kukoc or Noah
Jo was an all star but Toni is def. The right answer
My first thought was Taj Gibson but it's def Kukoc
Kirk Hinrich gets my vote after Kukoc
Tayshaun Prince baby
Tayshaun Prince, dude could do it all
I mean, non-All-Star would be Jamal Murray
You think Jamal Murray is a role player?
Mario Chalmers Udonis Haslem Duncan Robinson (The non-star status is up to debate obviously)
Feel like Mike Miller and Battier should be in the conversation too for the Heatle era
Chalmers was hoopin like crazy there for a minute KU Legend
He always had that weird "semi-assured" way of just getting the job done by moving in tense rythms and then pulling-out the smoothest two-times lay-ups that often ended-up going in. Or those weird "on the glass" 3 pointers he pulled-up even when being tightly guarded. Such a weird and interesting player. Loved him as a younger Miami fan.
Yup Ima SPURS fan too Game recognizes Game 💯 His tempo n BBIQ was legit
Huge Timmy/TP/Ginobili Fan. The spurs revenge in 2014 was tough
https://preview.redd.it/k3g09y5z019d1.png?width=452&format=png&auto=webp&s=c061c37cd531c561b337d9412896193d449cd1d0
My boy Ersan Ilyasova. There were a couple years where he couldn't miss a three. Took an insane amount of charges too.
Absolute goon. And I mean that as a compliment.
Dude had his nose broken NINE TIMES!!! He was a hockey player at heart.
Bruce Brown on about every team he's been on so far.
RIK SMITS
Jeff Horacek could fit the bill for both the Suns and the Jazz. Actually was the leading scorer of the Suns his last season before getting traded to Philly over stars like Kevin Johnson, Tom Chambers, Dan Marjle dunk star Ceballos Went to Utah and obviously took the 3rd star role under Stockton/Malone and had great stats
It’s gotta be Bill Walton for the Cs
It’s absolutely not correct but my 30s brain instantly defaulted to Tom Heinsohn yelling “Waltah (McCarty)” and I’m sure he was way worse than I remember but he holds a special place for me.
He does have one ASG appearance, though, just not with the Cs, not sure if that still counts. I'd argue Derrick White is up there after this year.
I mean he also has an mvp, with the Cs he was a pure role player tho
Ryan Anderson Pels/Hornets He played at an all star level with Orlando the year before he came to Nola. He’s a what could have been player. He never improved while the NBA was transitioning to a league built for players like him. He was still really good off the bench.
Dale Davis by a mile imo (Indiana)
At least in my lifetime it’s gotta be TT, Delly or JR if you count him
Raptors heads, it’s OG right?
Sonics John Johnson Sleepy Sam Perkins Michael Cage
Probably Dell Curry. 6MOTY.
Chuck Hayes!
Eric Gordon has a case
Joe Ingles
Derek Fisher....5 championships and 7 appearances as the starting PG
Serge Ibaka is very underrated.
Mike Miller on those 2010s heat teams.
Dennis Rodman
Eric Snow (2001 Sixers)
James Posey or Eddie House
Kenny Smith. Willed the Rockets to victory in crucial game 1 win over the Magic in the finals.
For the Knicks … Wilson Chandler… It probably would have been David Lee…. But he made 2 All stars by just being a “hustle” player
Wilson Chandler was a G I kinda forgot about him. Would Prigioni be in the convo?
Hassan Whiteside
Ibaka? Robes? Adams? Idk what counts as a star
Dell curry? He would probably be it for the hornets
Cedric Maxwell
NAZ
Fred VanVleet, Norman Powell
I'd go ibaka personally
I don’t know about the entire history. I’m going to say maybe Jeff Foster?
Lance Stephenson
What is a non-star role player other than a role player?
I want to say Lance Stephenson so bad. But I think he's a star in Indianas mind
Keon Clark. He’d come off the bench for the raptors and absolutely dominate second string players with highlight reel dunks and absolutely crazy athleticism. Turns out, he was piss drunk while doing it. Thats why I love him.
Clippers . I’m going to say either Reddick or Deandre Jordan ? Sam Cassel had a few good years with us but he was like our third best player lol
Kenny Smith
Deep cut, Reggie Evans. I always loved his hustle on the early 2000s Sixers rosters.
I LUV WALTA (McCarty)
Scalabrine
Fred VanVleet
Jason Richardson
Mikal Bridges :)
I’m a more recent fan so I can’t talk much about the old school rockets but in my experience it has to be Eric Gordon for houston
I was always a Bulls fan, not so much lately. But it has to be Steve Kerr. Hit some big shots in their title runs, top 3 pt percent all time (or maybe he’s 2nd? Either way). Just a reliable player, decision maker, elite shooter.
Either Bobby Jackson or Malik Monk
Is it fair to say Mutombo was a role player when he got to Philly? He did win DPOY… Aaron McKie comes to mind, very versatile, great defender, and could score and playmake when needed.
Kirk Hinrich
It’s hard to justify putting anyone from our shit days, so I’m gonna lean into my recency bias and say Hart or Divo depending on the night
Bobby Jackson and Doug Christie (Kings)
Charles oakley
Avery Bradley, smart, and Rob Williams
Dennis Johnson for the Celtics
Might be OG honestly. Lock down defender and reliable 3 point shooter. Most important type of role player.
Probably Dell Curry. Honorable mentions: Muggsy, Marvin Williams, and 2013-14 McRoberts.
JJ Barea
Derrick White
Kendrick Perkins
Jason Terry
Kirk Hinrich, Steve Kerr, and in some sense Joakim Noah come to mind. I get noah was a star and DPOY but for some reason he never seemed to get his credit or dues and was definitely a factor in team success but not the main reason for it.
Tony Allen
Blazers Wes Mathews :(
Vinnie Johnson. End of discussion
It’s prolly Big shot Bob or Shane Battier for the rockets. Kenny smith Patrick Beverly and Metta honorable mention too I think
J crossover
Bruuuuuuuce 🥲
Cedric (Celtics) has been mentioned so I will put my vote in for James Posey. He and PJ Brown were absolutely crucial to the 2008 team. And James was a key role player in Miami (2006) as well, but never a star. Probably one of the best 3&D guys in NBA playoff history. And it’s only because of 2 runs where he shot above his average. Defense was always there.
Anthony Parker, JYD, Amir Johnson, Chuck Hayes, Calderon
Jordan Clarkson is underrated as well
Celtics; Danny Ainge. Honors to Cedric Maxwell and Derrick White
Sam Perkins
As a Pistons fan I would say either Dennis Rodman or Tayshaun Prince
TJ McConnell Ersan Ilyasova Corey Booker vs the rockets once like 7 years
Hi bitches
As a Lakers fan, it’s between AC Green and Derek Fisher. I think a slight nod is given to D. Fish.
Mine is Rajon Rondo
Bobby Jackson
Donald Trump is the greatest nba role player of all time
Eric Gordon, Josh Smith, Robert Horry. And Michael Beasley had my heart too.
PJ Tucker
Blazers: Terry Porter helped us to two finals, Mo Lucas helped us win one, Steve Smith was a pretty solid Non-star on the ‘00 team, excepting the fourth quarter of game seven.
I tried going with players who never made an all-star team and could be considered a star I went with Jerome Kersey Also considered Nic Batum
Recency bias as a Knicks fan, Josh Hart
derek fisher
Jamal Crawford
Robert Horry aka Double 07 No individual awards or an all star appearance With 7 champions
Remove Rodman from those Bulls team and they don't 3 peat. Put Rodman on a mediocre team and he won't make a difference in the win-loss column.
I would say Kevin Love for the Cavs. I know he was an all star before coming to Cleveland but he was a 3rd option for us, and a great one at that.
Vinnie Johnson, Lindsey Hunter, and Antonio McDyess all cone to mind.
Tony Allen
Big Shot Bob
I’m a wolves fan, so your graphic already answers the question.
Probably Jeff hornacek. Although I'm not sure how much he counts as a role player, he was a pretty elite shooter
Peja stojakovic
Richard Jefferson for NJN
Bruce Brown for the Nuggets, don’t think I need to elaborate.
Jamal Crawford
Bruce Bowen, Robert horry, Michael Finley, Patty thrills, Matt (The red mamba) Bonner, Danny green
Boris Diaw
Raps = JYD!
What is Jamal murray. Do we count him as a star
Boris "walked so Jokic could run" Diaw
2021 Norman Powell
Robert Horry
Cavs have had a few, but I think it's gotta be JR just for the meme factory.
Sean Elliot
Horry?
For Hawks, maybe Kyle Korver if it counts?
Marcin Gortat
Dennis Rodman.
2010s Boris Diaw & Patty Mills 2000s Bruce Bowen 1990s Sean Elliot
James wortjy
Bobby Jackson
Nate McMillan
He’s absolutely not the best in lakers history but Steve Blake was cold as FUCK back in the day. Got a ton of minutes cuz of Steve Nash’s old ass, and the game winner in Houston OVER Dwight the year after he left is permanently in my brain.