NBA Playoffs 2012: Finding Every Team's Glue Guy for a Title Run

In the 2012 NBA Playoffs, the "glue guy's" performance will make or break his team's shot at the title.

James Worthy, Robert Horry and Mario Elie were able to tip the scale and provide series-defining moments. Last season, it was the Dallas Mavericks supporting cast, names like Jason Terry, J.J. Barea and Brian Cardinal, that played to perfection en route to a title.

Finding these key players in the Association’s sixteen playoff teams was no easy task. Here are the criteria necessary to be a "glue guy":

Criteria

1. Below their team’s Top Three in Usage Rate

2. Average over 20 minutes per game

3. Have outstanding efficiency or deficiency in more than one major statistical category

Read on to find out which players made the cut as a the "2012 Glue Guys."

Follow Mike Shiekman on Twitter @TheRealShiek

East No. 8 Philadelphia 76ers: Jodie Meeks

Facing the Chicago Bulls, the Philadelphia 76ers will be not only heavy underdogs but also in a defensive struggle.

Points will be at a premium in this series. Philadelphia and Chicago are among the NBA's best in defensive efficiency.

That’s why converting three-point attempts will be paramount. For Philadelphia to pull the upset, their best three-point shooter will have to be on his game.

Jodie Meeks shoots around six three-pointers a game but averages at a team-best 36-percent clip. However, Meeks isn’t just a three-point specialist. He and Jrue Holiday combine to form Philadelphia’s most efficient lineup (logging over 100 minutes).

 Most importantly, out of the eight players in the 76ers rotation, Meeks holds the second most net points per 48 minutes (Net48), tied with Andre Iguodala.

What does that all mean? Even though he only averages 25 minutes per game, Meeks’ minutes are precious to the Sixers’ offensive output. When his three-point shot is falling, Philadelphia can stretch the floor and open the paint for their efficient scorers.

No. 7 New York Knicks: Baron Davis

Davis may start at point guard for the New York Knicks, but his turnover rate suggests he’s playing at Rucker Park.

Estimating his turnover rate in 100 possessions (TOV percentage), Davis has a giveaway in 28.4 percent of them.

Even Jeremy Lin, who was known to give away the ball frequently with his schoolyard game, averaged a TOV percentage of 21.4. Due to their dearth at point guard, Baron has been playing 31 minutes for this squad. That’s Linsane.

It has to be nerve-racking to Mike Woodson that his starting PG has contributed less wins shares than Renaldo Balkman and Jerome Jordan. Then again, anything’s better than Toney Douglas.

Davis will have a chance to prove the stat sheet wrong in the postseason, where he has led his team to a series win in the past. As the regular season winds down, his recent play has been encouraging. Against the Hawks on Monday, Davis played within himself, converting 13 points and 10 dimes with only four turnovers.

Davis does not need to be the electric showstopper of old. He just needs to play efficient basketball for the Knicks to advance.

No. 6 Orlando Magic: Glen Davis

Davis will see extended minutes against Indiana with Dwight Howard out with season-ending back surgery.

Time to get serious, Big Baby.

Devoid of an inside presence with Howard sidelined, the Magic lose some of the spacing that creates the highest three-point shooting offense in the NBA. Davis presents the one true post presence that could give Indiana some problems and thus open the floodgates for a three-point bonanza.

With Ryan Anderson and Jammer Nelson now the focal points of the Magic offense, Davis will be asked to crash the boards early and often. The Pacers rank as one of the best rebounding teams in the league, finishing in the top 10 in many categories. 

Advancing out of the first round will be a tall task without Dwight, but Davis will certainly relish an opportunity to prove his worth as a legitimate post player.

No. 5 Atlanta Hawks: Ivan Johnson

The Hawks got the injury bug at the wrong time. They’ll hope that Ivan Johnson is ready for his coming-out party.

The forward who owns the most technical fouls in NBDL history has been making waves in the Association, adding some muscle to the Hawks’ frontline. He’s more than just a big body, though; with Horford out, Johnson is Atlanta’s most efficient scoring big man and offensive rebounder. 

The Hawks have had to play small-ball with Al Horford and Zaza Pachulia out for at least the first round.  This rookie will have to grow up fast.

To match with Boston’s frontcourt, the Hawks will look to Johnson to match the physical play of Kevin Garnett and Brandon Bass. Those two won’t be able to blow by Johnson; he’ll have to show patience on defense and have the willpower to grab board over bigger opponents.

That will be no problem for Johnson. This 28-year-old rookie has been outworking bigger guys all season.

No. 4 Boston Celtics: Avery Bradley

I almost went with Boston’s secret weapon Greg Steimsma, but Bradley’s recent play has been too spectacular to ignore.

The two-guard out of the University of Texas had the tough task of replacing Ray Allen this month and really turned on the gas. In 33 minutes on the floor, he’s averaging over 15 points on 53 percent shooting, and 63 percent from three.

Who’s Ray Allen again?

Nevertheless, if Bradley can continue to fill it up, Boston will be even more formidable. Even though they hold the NBA’s top second-half record, they rank in the NBA’s bottom 10 in all main offensive categories. Any comparable output from Bradley will be a bonus. 

When Allen returns to the lineup, Bradley will be the first guard off the bench. Along with Michael Pietrus, he’ll be tasked to check the Danny Grangers and George Hills.  Slowing down Indiana’s guards may prove to be the tipping point in Boston’s favor.

No. 3 Indiana Pacers: David West

Offensive execution hasn’t been a problem thus far for this year’s Indiana Pacers. They are playing their best basketball at the right time, with a league-leading 107.5 points per possession in April and posting a top-10 defensive efficiency rating.

In the playoffs, though, the defense gets stingier and possessions are valued ever higher. The Indiana Pacers would be wise to feed David West. 

Their matchup against the Orlando team without Dwight Howard should open up the paint on both ends of the floor. 

West can be unstoppable with his inside-out game, with the ability to penetrate as well as be a pick-and-pop threat. When he’s at his best, he can stretch the defense and open up lanes for the Indiana guards.

On this relatively inexperienced squad, the Pacers’ offseason prize has a pedigree that suggests he’ll come through in the postseason. 

No. 2 Miami Heat: Udonis Haslem

Besides Dwayne Wade, Haslem is the longest-standing Heat player, filling nicely into Miami’s rotation for years, playing quality defense and sinking 18-footers. 

This season, though, has been a down year for Haslem. His minutes are still up, but the production has tailed off. He has shot 42 percent on the year, six percentage points lower than his career average. In his defense, he’s averaged fewer minutes and as a result less shot opportunities.

Regardless, Haslem is the most capable big man on both sides of the floor, outside of Chris Bosh (you can make an argument for Ronny Turiaf, but he doesn’t have Haslem’s range). With his skill set and playoff pedigree, Udonis will most likely be in Miami’s crunch time lineup.

In the four quarter, opponents will attempt to force the ball out of Wade and Lebron’s hands in pick and roll situations. Bosh and Haslem will have opportunities to bail out their guards, and they’ll need to convert. 

It may not have been Haslem’s best season, but he can erase all negativity in playoff time.

No. 1 Chicago Bulls: Richard Hamilton

This offseason, the Chicago Bulls scoured the free agent market to find a backcourt complement to Derrick Rose. Now they’ll see if Richard Hamilton was the upgrade they needed.

Rip has shown flashes of brilliance this season but has been unable to stay healthy. That, combined with Rose’s injuries, means the two potential crunch time guards have logged less minutes together than the backcourt of C.J. Watson and Ronny Brewer.

That’s never a good sign, with the postseason coming up on Saturday.

The question isn’t whether Hamilton will be on the floor with two minutes left; it’s whether he’ll be at full strength. Without him, this Chicago squad may be a reboot of last year’s version.

We know where that team ended up.

West No. 8 Utah Jazz: Devin Harris

It may be a surprise that Devin Harris has found his game this late in the season. Well, to everyone except Devin Harris.

Sure, Utah knew they were getting production inside with Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap playing at a high level, but Harris’s 43 percent three-point shooting in April are his best marks of the year. Along with Gordon Hayward, the Jazz have some marksmen to match San Antonio’s high-powered offense.

Harris peaking at the right time, though, makes this Jazz team look a lot more formidable in their first-round matchup against San Antonio.

In addition, among West postseason teams, Harris saves his best number for San Antonio. In four games against the Spurs, Harris has tallied his highest averages in both points and rebounds.

Look out, Tony Parker, Devin Harris may have your number.

No. 7 Dallas Mavericks: Shawn Marion

Swept underneath Dirk Nowitzki’s brilliant playoff showing in 2011, people forget how instrumental Shawn Marion was in that championship run.

He’ll need to be even better in 2012.

Not only does Marion get the defensive assignment of Kevin Durant in the first round, he’ll have to continue his role of Dallas’s top rebounder. Somewhere in between, he’ll need to score double-digit points (as he’s been doing all year). You get my drift.

In order to slow down the explosive Thunder, Marion will need to be at his best. Dallas’s best defensive lineups all feature "The Matrix" at the small forward slot, not to mention their winningest five-man units as well.

For Dallas to duplicate their Finals run from last year, let alone defeat Oklahoma City, Marion will have to put on his Superman cape. And more.

No. 6 Denver Nuggets: Kenneth Faried

For a guy who has played the seventh-most minutes on the Denver Nuggets, Kenneth Faried leads the team in win shares per 48 minutes. That’s just absurd.

The do-it-all forward very much dictates the Nuggets' tempo when he’s on the floor. Whether you look at basic total rebounds or advanced stats, Faried is the team’ leading rebounder. That’s in 22 minutes of playing time.

Oh, I forgot, he’s only 6’8”. Have you noticed my man crush yet? 

In addition, Faried carries the highest offensive efficiency of any Nugget who averages over 15 minutes a game. He doesn’t need a play to be run for him either; his usage rate ranks seventh among Denver players.

The Los Angeles Lakers await. Faried will need to pester Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum like he’s done to NBA big men all year.

No. 5 Los Angeles Clippers: Randy Foye

In his first-ever playoff series, Randy Foye will get his name called early and often. He wouldn’t have it any other way.

Ever since Chauncey Billups went down for the season, Foye’s role has increased every month leading up to the postseason. In April, he’s averaging his best shooting numbers, converting three-pointers at a 43-percent clip.

Chris Paul is the Clips' best crunch-time option, but they’ll need Foye to play a significant role in the first three-and-a-half quarters. When Los Angeles wins, Foye shoots 41 percent from the field, as opposed to 34 percent when they lose. In the playoffs, those few makes may prove to be the difference.

Memphis will want to play rough and force LA to utilize their weak scoring depth. Randy Foye will have to make them pay from outside.

No. 4 Memphis Grizzlies: Zach Randolph

It seems strange to put Zach Randolph on this list, but his new sixth-man role will prove to be boom or bust for the Grizzlies' playoff success.

Not wanting to sacrifice a winning rotation, Memphis head coach Lionel Hollins chose to bring Randolph off the bench in favor of Maurice Speights. The numbers have favored the move so far, but Memphis knows they need Randolph to build on his playoff success from last season to have a chance.

Randolph was the breakout candidate of the 2011 NBA playoffs, posting 22 points and 10 rebounds in 39 minutes of play. If this year’s rotation is any indicator, he’ll need to match that production in 25 minutes, in addition to guarding Blake Griffin.

Talk about a tough job.

If the Grizzlies want to be a dark horse contender, though, they need a hungry Z-Bo.

No. 3 Los Angeles Lakers: Matt Barnes

First came Trevor Ariza. Then the player formerly known as Ron Artest.

In order for the Lakers to have any chance at the NBA Finals, Matt Barnes will have to be the clutch shooter and defensive stopper they’ve had in years past.

With Metta World Peace in street clothes for six playoff games, Barnes will be called upon to fill the void and play more minutes.

Before you rule Barnes out, he’s been the Lakers’ most consistent player at the three-spot. He does a little bit of everything, averaging in the top five Lakers in all the major categories per 36 minutes. In addition, he is in the top five in PER and total win shares of all Lakers who average over 15 minutes a game. This guy is no slouch.

Denver, the Lakers' first-round opponent, throws out an assortment of lineups. Barnes will have to be ready to contest shooters like Danilo Gallinari or size up with Kenneth Faried.

A few impressive showings from Barnes and the Lakers will have a complete fourth-quarter lineup for a potential title run.

No. 2 Oklahoma City Thunder: James Harden

He may be their third-leading scorer, heads above the rest of the Thunder, but James Harden’s impending health is a main concern heading into the playoffs.

After suffering from a concussion from an intentional elbow (yes, it was intentional) from Metta World Peace, Harden needs a speedy recovery from concussion-like symptoms in order for the Thunder to be at full strength

If Harden comes back as the same player he has been all season, the Thunder have nothing to worry about. Harden has contributed to more win shares than Russell Westbrook this season. Not to mention his points per possession rate is one of the league’s highest.

If Harden does come out sluggish, however, then kiss Oklahoma City’s title hopes goodbye.

You don’t believe it can happen? Look no further than Kevin Love.

No. 1 San Antonio Spurs: Tiago Splitter

No longer is Tim Duncan the Spurs' most efficient scorer.

That title belongs to Tiago Splitter, who shoots at a ridiculous 62-percent rate, even if he’s only scoring nine points a game. He has an all-around game to boot, averaging a PER of 20.2.

His size disrupts penetration into the painted area on defense, much like his teammate Tim Duncan.

Splitter, along with Duncan, combine to form the backbone of this offense-driven squad. The Spurs' two most talented big men, though, have only played together 22 minutes all season, according to 82games.com.

It’s unclear whether they’ll take the floor together this postseason, but Splitter will certainly man the middle to backup a feeble Duncan. Healthy production from the Brazilian will allow his teammates to run and gun with their fast-paced attack.