The Perfect Role Player?

[Multi-Billionaire]

^Try convince anyone that Robin in a Batman movie is considered more than a role player. You can't.

 

He's Robin, not exactly Batman's butler, but he's no Batman either and therefore he is still a role player. Can you say convincingly (to yourself) "Robin is no role player, he is a star!!!". You can't.

 

Had Batman been killed, would you believe Robin can immediately take his position and be a leader? Doubtful. Robin would have lost his way without Batman, probably would rather become another civilian than step up to be the "next Batman". That's why Kobe was the gold exception, he was a superstar/ gold role player, if you had taken Shaq out, Kobe could immediately be the leader of his team... that's why he was sort of pushing for Lakers to get rid of Shaq, Kobe couldn't wait to be the Batman, because he knew if Shaq stayed, he'd have to remain a Robin for longer and a Robin meant = role player.

[Newman]

Maybe it's time to refer back to the original question:

 

someone that you think you would want as your 5th starter or first bench guy, just the ultimate glue guy.

 

I am pretty sure Kobe is the 2nd starter during the Shaq era.

[Multi-Billionaire]

^Maybe the thread title should be changed?

[Poe]

http://www.force10.co.uk/pics/doublefacepalm.jpg

[Multi-Billionaire]

^Sometimes facepalm means "dammit how could I be so damn stupid and just realize it now? He's right, I was wrong. I'm embarrassed, can't show my face"

[Nitro]

^Try convince anyone that Robin in a Batman movie is considered more than a role player. You can't.

 

The NBA is not a Batman movie. Stop with the analogy.

 

He's Robin, not exactly Batman's butler, but he's no Batman either and therefore he is still a role player. Can you say convincingly (to yourself) "Robin is no role player, he is a star!!!". You can't.

 

When Kobe averaged 29/6/5 in the Lakers' 2nd of the 3 straight titles, I'd clearly call him a star. When Shaq left, after 1 season of injuries, he was a 35PPG scorer, led his D-league team to the playoffs and very well could have won MVP. That's no role player. That's a star.

 

Gasol led his team to 50+ wins in Memphis and is largely considered the league's best PF. He's not a role player. He's a star that happens to only be the 2nd best player on his championship squad next to arguably the best player in the league.

 

The 2008 Celtics' best player was KG, but their offensive leader was Pierce. One was an MVP 4 years earlier, averaged 22/13/4 the year prior to joining the Celtics and won DPOY with the Celtics. The other averaged 25/6/4 the year before the Big 3 was formed, made 6 consecutive ASG's and won a Finals MVP that first year of the Big 3. Both were star players, neither role players. Both would have been franchise players for around 80% of the league. The fact that they happened to be on the same team shouldn't mean one or the other was simply a role player.

 

I could go on and on and on...

[ChosenOne]

http://i2.cdn.turner.com/si/2009/writers/chris_ballard/05/14/kobe/kobe-battier2.jpg

 

No question about it.

[*Swish*]

Shane Battier

Jamal Crawford (surprised nobody mentioned him)

Lamar Odom