Who is the Worst Starter in the Playoffs?

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LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 19: (L-R) Kobe Bryant #24 and Pau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers give each other a five in the first quarter against the Utah Jazz in Game One of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Staples Ce

We know Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol belong, but I was surprised by the number of players who have no business starting on a playoff team. Granted, some are filling in for the injured, while others are in more for their defense, or because a coach knows he can get more out of a guy in the starting lineup with other quality players around him, and would probably be useless off the bench (think Vladimir Radmanovic last season).

Take a look at the worst starters in the 2009 NBA playoffs.

*PER—ESPNs John Hollinger created this stat to quantify a player's production (15 PER is the league average).

Jarron Collins, PF (UTA)

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 19: Jarron Collins #31 of the Utah Jazz goes up for a shot over Andrew Bynum #17 and Pau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the second half of Game One of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at St

5.80 PER, only has 201 minutes in 26 games this year (2 starts), but forced into the lineup due to Mehmet Okur's injury (day to day). In for spot duty to rebound and body up the Lakers twin towers. While he will never lead a team in blocked shots, he will take charges.

James Jones, SF (MIA)

8.43 PER, played only 40 games this year due to injuries, so it is surprising that he got the start over Jamario Moon in the first playoff game vs the Hawks. It must be to spread the floor for Dwayne Wade.

Antoine Wright, SG (DAL)

DALLAS - JANUARY 28: Antoine Wright #21 of the Dallas Mavericks during play against the Golden State Warriors on January 28, 2008 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and

8.63 PER, in the lineup for his defense and allows the Sixth Man of the Year favorite, Jason Terry, to provide scoring and energy off the bench.

Dahntay Jones, SG (DEN)

9.07 PER, another guy starting because he is an athletic defender and they need J.R. Smith's scoring punch off the bench.

Glen Davis, PF (BOS)

BOSTON - FEBRUARY 05: Glen Davis #11 of the Boston Celtics heads to the line after he fouled Lamar Odom of the Los Angeles Lakers giving him two shots in the final minutes of the game on February 5, 2009 at TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. O

10.77 PER, starting due to Kevin Garnett's injury. Can throw his big body around and also step out to 18 feet. He played surprisingly well in KG's absence at the end of the season.

Courtney Lee, SG (ORL)

ORLANDO, FL - APRIL 19: Courtney Lee #11 of the Orlando Magic drives to the basket against the Philadelphis 76ers in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Amway Arena on April 19, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE

10.78 PER, has played better than John Hollinger's stat would suggest. He has good size, which allows him to play solid D. He can also knock down 3s (82 on the year on 40 percent shooting), slash, and has a nice mid-range game. A nice late-first round pick up by Orlando's GM, Otis Smith, who has filled the spot that free agent Mickael Pietrus was supposed to fill, before all his injuries.

Willie Green, SG (PHI)

AUBURN HILLS, MI - APRIL 20: Willie Green #33 of the Philadelphia 76ers lays up a shot against the Detroit Pistons in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2008 NBA Playoffs at the Palace of Auburn Hills on April 20, 2008 in Auburn

11.16 PER, undersized at 6'3", but fast and strong, and can fill it up. This also allows Louis Williams to be the primary scorer off the bench.

Rasual Butler, SF (NOH)

NEW ORLEANS - FEBRUARY 08: Rasual Butler #45 of the New Orleans Hornets grabs a rebound against the Minnesota Timberwolves on February 8, 2009 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or us

11.82 PER, starting because they do not have any other options since Mo Peterson got hurt, and they want James Posey to continue to strengthen the Hornets bench.

Nicolas Batum, SF (POR)

NEW ORLEANS - NOVEMBER 14: Nicolas Batum #88 of the Portland Trail Blazers shoots against Chris Paul #3 of the New Orleans Hornets during the game at the New Orleans Arena on November 14, 2008 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Hornets defeated the Trail Bl

12.92 PER, known as a lengthy defender able to guard three positions. Offensively limited, although good in transition and can occasionally knock down a three. This move also allows super-subs Travis Outlaw and Rudy Fernandez, to join Sergio Rodriguez and Greg Oden, forming one of the better benches of the playoff teams.

Matt Bonner, PF (SAS)

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 25: Matt Bonner #15 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots the ball during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center on January 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers defeated the Spurs 99-85. NOTE TO USE

15.02 PER, appears to be the only average player of this group. He has taken over the Robert Horry role for the Spurs: A big guy that can spread the floor and allow Tim Duncan and Tony Parker to rip teams apart in the paint.

Derek Fisher, PG (LAL)

LOS ANGELES - APRIL 12: Derek Fisher #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots against the Memphis Grizzlies on April 12, 2009 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers won 92-75. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by down

Just for comparison, Derek Fisher has the weakest PER amongst the Lakers starters with 12.15 (Trevor Ariza - 15.51, Kobe Bryant - 24.46, Andrew Bynum - 20.03, Pau Gasol - 22.31, and sixth man Lamar Odom - 16.60).

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