Universe Posted August 23, 2009 Report Share Posted August 23, 2009 Have you ever wondered what guys would make the perfect bench in an era of starters and high demands? Here are seven guys with seven different abilities, characters and personalities that would make one team quite successful which would lead to what many people would call the ‘perfect bench’. Manu Ginobili – Shooting Guard What is greater than seeing an All-Star guard enjoy and accept the role of sixth man on the team? It just shows what kind of character and determination Manu Ginobili has to accept the role of second fiddle but has the knowledge to know the greater good of the position. The three time NBA champion has been putting up solid numbers since he’s entered the league. He recently won the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award as he moved from his starter role to allow Roger Mason to get the start. While injuries killed him in 2009, there is little doubt in anyone’s mind that Manu will be able to get back in stride for the upcoming season as the revamped Spurs look to put a stop on Laker dominance. James Posey – Small Forward Posey was key on the Celtics run to their first title in so many years but decided to sign with New Orleans. It was this season he went under the radar averaging just less than nine points per game off the bench helping the Hornets capture the fourth overall seed. His strong defence was key for New Orleans as there roster looks to make it deeper than their one and done against Denver where he stepped up and almost averaged 12 points per game. With Posey, the possibility of success is just increased. Jason Terry – Point Guard Terry was just two games away from being the front runner for Finals MVP in 2006 before a young man named Wade took over and eventually won the championship for the Heat. While it’s seasons later, Terry is still enjoying the same success off the bench as he’s watched Devin Harris be replaced by Jason Kidd. Though the starters have changed, Terry’s stats haven’t as he averaged nearly 20 points per game which led to being named the 2009 Sixth Man of the Year. Terry’s unselfishness does not go unnoticed as he gets plenty of playing time and plenty of respect from oppositions as many could argue he could start on any team in the league. He will look to build upon his success this upcoming season as Antoine Wright is now in a Raptors jersey and rumours of Matt Carroll’s departure only add more opportunities for him to take over. Lamar Odom – Small Forward Coming off a fantastic season, Odom helped Los Angeles capture the 2009 Championship coming off the bench. His 11.3 points per game was fourth best on the team but his almost nine rebounds per game was better than center Andrew Bynum’s totals on the year and improved even more throughout the playoffs. Odom will likely get a good shot to start again for Los Angeles as Trevor Ariza is in Houston which allows Odom to play some big minutes with the big unit. Chris Anderson – Center The shot blocker of the group sets the tone by sending the ball ten feet into the crowd sending thousands to their feet clapping and applauding the effort. Chris Anderson knows the bottom because he has been there. The 31-year old returned from a two year ban for violating the league's drug policy and came back swinging. He managed to help a Nuggets team taste playoff success for the first time in ages as his 2.5 blocks per game in just over 20 minutes per game were on of the top in the league and top per 48 minutes. Look for Anderson’s stats to only improve as George Karl looks to use Anderson more as Nene and Kenyon Martin will look to be kept fresh for the playoffs. Ronald Murray – Shooting Guard The Atlanta Hawks guard tore up the playoffs and helped a Atlanta Hawks to a second round visit in the 2009 playoffs. The journeyman from Philly has played on six different teams in his young career had one of his best seasons to date 12.2 points per game but somehow has found himself without a team entering September. While Allen Iverson is making the headlines, a team would be lucky to steal a winner like Murray for their team as his character and experience are enough to make any roster. Darius Songaila – Power Forward One of the most underrated players in the league, Songaila is a dominant offensive big coming off the bench. In his six NBA season, he averaged 7.4 points per game and his speed are a great combination of what you need off the bench. His 0.532 shooting percentage is one of the best in basketball as he knows not to take any stupid shots or he will be back sitting beside Gilbert Arenas. This year he finds himself in a new city where he will be the backup to sophomore Kevin Love which means he may see a lot of playing time and even some starts if Kevin Love remains the same or digresses. Honourable mentions: Keyon Dooling, Jason Kapono, Joel Przybilla, Matt Barnes and Jeff Foster. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWaLL Posted August 23, 2009 Report Share Posted August 23, 2009 Good picks and explanations, but I think Travis Outlaw and J.R Smith definitely deserve spots on that list though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flight Posted August 23, 2009 Report Share Posted August 23, 2009 Good picks and explanations, but I think Travis Outlaw and J.R Smith definitely deserve spots on that list though.Agreed, and so does Nate Robinson if you ask me (maybe instead of Flip?). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Penny Posted August 23, 2009 Report Share Posted August 23, 2009 i thought odom usually played PF? he did throughout the finals anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
His Greatness Posted August 23, 2009 Report Share Posted August 23, 2009 (edited) One of the most underrated players in the league, Songaila is a dominant offensive big coming off the bench.??? Two things I would change on the list: I'd swap Przybilla with Andersen, and replace Murray with J.R. Smith. And what about Hinrich, Millsap, and Kirilenko? (I'm sure I missed a lot of other worthy players.) Do they qualify? EDIT: Barbosa. More coming probably. Edited August 23, 2009 by His Greatness Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Universe Posted August 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 23, 2009 ??? Two things I would change on the list: I'd swap Przybilla with Andersen, and replace Murray with J.R. Smith. And what about Hinrich, Millsap, and Kirilenko? (I'm sure I missed a lot of other worthy players.) Do they qualify? EDIT: Barbosa. More coming probably.Yeah my perfect bench was going to be salary wise friendly so a lot of those players were missed but I had very little time to finish the article so just threw the main guys on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Built Ford Tough Posted August 23, 2009 Report Share Posted August 23, 2009 (edited) Like HG said, I would replace Anderson with Pryzbilla. He is just a much better overall player than Birdman if you ask me and has basically everything that I look for in a backup big man (grit, toughness, defense, rebounding etc..). I would also replace Flip with Hinrich. The bench would have enough offensive punch with players like Ginobili, Terry, Odom and even Posey can give you a solid offensive contributor so I think that players like Flip Murray or J.R. Smith would be a little bit redundant. Having Hinrich would give the second unti a reliable floor general and a player that will run the offense (which they don't really have as Terry is not a true point guard). Hinrich is also a very capable offensive player and will hit open jumpers when they present theirselves and is good at creating for his teammates. Defensively, he gives you a very good defensive guard, which is one of the major things lacking in your perfect bench. I would definitely put Hinrich on there instead of Flip. He would really compliment the rest of the players well and strengthen up what little weakensses this bench had. Other than that though, good article man. Oh and one thing I just noticed, what is up with the whole "Songalia is a dominant offensive big man coming off of the bench" statement? Would you mind explaining that one a little better because I definitely don't think that dominant and Songalia should be used in the same sentence. Edited August 23, 2009 by Built Ford Tough Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWaLL Posted August 23, 2009 Report Share Posted August 23, 2009 Like HG said, I would replace Anderson with Pryzbilla. He is just a much better overall player than Birdman if you ask me and has basically everything that I look for in a backup big man (grit, toughness, defense, rebounding etc..). I would also replace Flip with Hinrich. The bench would have enough offensive punch with players like Ginobili, Terry, Odom and even Posey can give you a solid offensive contributor so I think that players like Flip Murray or J.R. Smith would be a little bit redundant. Having Hinrich would give the second unti a reliable floor general and a player that will run the offense (which they don't really have as Terry is not a true point guard). Hinrich is also a very capable offensive player and will hit open jumpers when they present theirselves and is good at creating for his teammates. Defensively, he gives you a very good defensive guard, which is one of the major things lacking in your perfect bench. I would definitely put Hinrich on there instead of Flip. He would really compliment the rest of the players well and strengthen up what little weakensses this bench had. Other than that though, good article man. Oh and one thing I just noticed, what is up with the whole "Songalia is a dominant offensive big man coming off of the bench" statement? Would you mind explaining that one a little better because I definitely don't think that dominant and Songalia should be used in the same sentence.Even being a Wizards fan, I wholeheartedly agree with that statement. Songaila was definitely a decent role player for our squad, but he was nothing special at all, and I'm not at all bummed that we traded him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Universe Posted August 24, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2009 I had it as Songalia being a dominant backup, backup when I had the salary wise team and skipped over that part in correcting it. So it really means he'd be a dominant 11th-10th man off the bench. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheNextBestThing Posted August 24, 2009 Report Share Posted August 24, 2009 The lack of Leandro Barbosa on this list is perplexing me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KurbyFX Posted August 24, 2009 Report Share Posted August 24, 2009 Pietrus deserves a mention. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Built Ford Tough Posted August 24, 2009 Report Share Posted August 24, 2009 The lack of Leandro Barbosa on this list is perplexing me. Why? With Ginobili Terry and Flip Murray coming off of the bench, Barbosa would be completely redundant as he gives nothing but offense to the team, and Gino and Terry are both better at it than he is and Murray is better at running an offense than Barbosa is. With Terry, Ginobili and Murray, Barbosa is not needed at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueDevil Posted August 24, 2009 Report Share Posted August 24, 2009 Pietrus deserves a mention.agreed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erick Blasco Posted August 24, 2009 Report Share Posted August 24, 2009 I like the recognition given to some of the game's best sixth men and quality backups. In the spirit of continuing to shed light on players who aren't given enough credit, what would be your perfect inactive list? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moeroadkill Posted August 24, 2009 Report Share Posted August 24, 2009 so many guy who deserve iti would haveterry manuposeyodomgortat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueDevil Posted August 24, 2009 Report Share Posted August 24, 2009 im guessin he wanted to have a collection of different kinds of players, who can all contribute differently. If this were one bench, you couldnt have Terry Manu Posey etc all coming off. There wouldnt be enough room. Thats why your seeing someone like Songalia, who would be cheap and at the end of the bench, but still effective. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moeroadkill Posted August 24, 2009 Report Share Posted August 24, 2009 ahhhh, gotcha. makes sense now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Universe Posted August 24, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2009 Yeah I had Manu as my "Sixth Man" and others as role players to make up what a realistic bench looked liked but there was too many good players and I'm damn lazy right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueDevil Posted August 24, 2009 Report Share Posted August 24, 2009 Yeah I had Manu as my "Sixth Man" and others as role players to make up what a realistic bench looked liked but there was too many good players and I'm damn lazy right now.LOL im aware Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s.t.a.t. Posted August 26, 2009 Report Share Posted August 26, 2009 Manu and Jet do technically come off the bench, but they play so many minutes you wouldnt really know it. They just come off the bench to spark the team, they could start really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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