Attack of the Scrubs: When Bench Guys Take Over

We all know names like LeBron James, Steph Curry, Mike Trout and Sidney Crosby, but, for those who aren't quite of superstar-caliber, they're a hell of a lot more unknown.

That doesn't mean that those athletes don't have their moments, though, as, everyone once in awhile, they'll get their number called and do something that's so unexpected, it just catches the sports world off-guard.

And since there have been plenty of attacks by scrubs in sports history, I'm giving you some of the best moments for these players, giving them moments that both them, and observers, will never forget.

Honorable Mention: 2015 Houston Rockets' Bench Brigade

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Let's just go ahead and give a nod to the Houston Rockets, huh?

Not only did the team overcome a difficult 3-1 series deficit in their second-round matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers, losing by an average of 24.6 points in their losses, but the comeback the team completed in Game 6 of the series will forever live on in NBA playoff history.

Trailing by 19 points in the third quarter and 13 at one point in the fourth, Houston, indeed, seemed to have a major problem. On the verge of elimination and their superstar, James Harden, sitting on the bench, it almost appeared as if the Rockets were waving the white flag.

That's when the bench brigade took over, though.

Outscoring the Clips 40-15 in the fourth quarter to overcome the, apparent, insurmountable deficit, the Rockets' bench proved to be as talented as they are deep, lighting it up and carrying the team to the must-win to force a Game 7—which Houston won on their home floor a couple days later to keep their title hopes alive.

Josh McCown

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Every now and again, a backup quarterback will find himself tossed into the starting role for a variety of reasons, called upon to help guide his team to a victory.

In Week 14 of the 2013 NFL season, that's what the Chicago Bears were forced to do, as second-stringer Josh McCown replaced an injured Jay Cutler for a number of games, trying his damnedest to keep the slim playoff hopes alive for the team.

And McCown certainly excelled in his role to do that, as he passed for 348 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions in a 45-28 victory over the Dallas Cowboys.

The performance was so good that many believed the job was McCown's to lose moving forward, showing that even a scrub can be the fan-favorite when everything seems to be going right.

Nick Anderson

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Does anyone else remember former NBA shooting guard Nick Anderson?

Playing 13 seasons in the Association, he was never anything but a solid glue guy on a couple of good Orlando Magic teams, maybe best known for an unfortunate string of clanks in the NBA Finals than anything else.

Well, for those old enough to remember the early-'90s, Anderson is still in the league's record books for something more dubious, as he dropped an insane 50 points in 33 minutes off the bench in a victory over the then New Jersey Nets in 1993.

Going 17-25 from the floor, his performance may not have been on the grandest stage during a do-or-die playoff game, but, I mean, damn, a cool 50 in less than three quarters? Just unreal.

Justin Forsett

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Standing just 5'9" and weighing 190 pounds, Baltimore Ravens running back Justin Forsett sure doesn't look the part of a, now, starter in the NFL. Yet, such is the situation for the guy following his breakout 2014 campaign.

A former seventh-rounder who bounced around the leagues since 2008, Forsett was forced into the starting role following the unfortunate circumstances with Ray Rice—and he took firm control of the position.

Rushing for 1,266 yards and eight scores, Forsett not only earned hi first Pro Bowl appearance, but, he was so effective, that the team couldn't watch him leave via free agency this offseason, as they inked him to a new deal to see if he can have an encore presentation.

Patty Mills

When one envisions the ideal NBA super-sub, San Antonio Spurs' backup Patty Mills' performances during the 2014 NBA Finals against the Miami Heat should be regarded as one of the best.

Although Mills only played a total of 76 minutes in the five-game series, he averaged 10.2 points per game, providing his squad some of the biggest buckets and critical times, serving as a backbreaker to the Heat.

While the Spurs won Games 4 and 5 handily to win their fifth NBA title, Mills dropped 14 and 17 points respectively, connecting on 9-14 three-pointers in that same timeframe to really show the basketball world that he has some serious game—and on the biggest stage, too.

Sean Maguire

OK, so of all the performances by so-called scrubs on this list, Florida State Seminoles' backup quarterback Sean Maguire's was probably the least impressive when it comes to pure stats.

But, in terms of sheer importance to his team, Maguire's 304 passing yards, one touchdown and two interceptions aren't what land him on this list, it's that he kept the Noles' then 18-game winning streak alive, keeping the pulse of their hopes for a second-straight national title beating.

Never starting a collegiate game, Maguire filled in for a suspended Jameis Winston versus a top-25 team in the Clemson Tigers who tried everything they could to rattle him. It didn't work, and Maguire deserves credit for standing tall for his team.

Matt Flynn

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It's safe to say that backup quarterback Matt Flynn has done more than admirably during his time as a fill-in starter in the NFL.

That's because, in a combined two games in Week 17 against the Detroit Lions and Week 15 versus the Dallas Cowboys, Flynn tossed for a total of 779 yards with 10 touchdowns and two interceptions, leading his Green Bay Packers to victories in both.

Although Flynn would, presumably, love the chance to start for any of the 32 NFL teams on a permanent basis, he seems to have this whole backup thing sort of figured out.

Scott Darling

In sports, there's almost nothing better than an underdog story for fans to appreciate, and even being cheering for, a particular athlete.

One guy who fits that storyline is Chicago Blackhawks' backup goaltender Scott Darling, who, prior to this NHL season, had never before played in an NHL game.

Appearing in 14 regular season contests and finishing with a 9-4 overall record, Darling proved that he had the wherewithal to hold his own between the pipes.

But it has been in the postseason where the 26-year-old has really made his mark.

Tossed into action following inconsistencies by Chicago's regular net-minder Corey Crawford, Darling, a recovering alcoholic, started four games in his team's first-round series against the Nashville Predators and went 3-1 in those starts.

No, he hasn't maintained a starting role as the team marches on in the postseason, but, at least for a few games, Darling was the talk of the Windy City, saving his team from possible playoff disaster.

Travis Ishikawa

When a player who received just 119 total plate appearances between two teams in 2014 makes a current broadcaster relive a famous sportscasting call, something has to be up.

So, when current San Francisco Giants backup Travis Ishikawa blasted a game-winning, series-ending walk-off homer to send his team to the World Series for the third time in five seasons, he became the darling of baseball—at least for that night.

Coming in the bottom of the ninth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals with his team in position to win the pennant, this is a moment that both Ishikawa and Giants fans won't soon forget.

Matthew Dellavedova

What's with Australian, backup guards who played at St. Mary's in college? Just like the aforementioned Patty Mills, Matthew Dellavedova shined bright in a clutch situation—who shares that exact same background.

Other than his coaches and teammates, there's a good chance that no one truly understood just how important Dellavedova was to the title front-running Cleveland Cavaliers.

After entering the league as an undrafted player in 2014, in typically Delly fashion, the Australian outworked, outhustled and outsmarted anyone who he competed against for a roster spot with the Cavs, playing in 72 games as a rookie on a team that won just 33 games in 2013-14

Yet, there was the 6'4" Dellavedova, filling in for injured All-Star Kyrie Irving and leading Cleveland with 19 points during their closeout victory on the road against the Chicago Bulls in the second-round of the playoffs.

With the potential of another two rounds for the Cavs, it begs the question: Is the rest of the NBA really ready for this Delly?

Frank Reich

Regardless of a backup quarterback doing it or not, it is, hands-down, one of the most phenomenal performances ever in NFL postseason history. The fact that it came from a guy, Frank Reich, who started just 20 games in his entire 13-year career makes it even more unbelievable.

Filling in for future Hall of Fame signal-caller Jim Kelly in a playoff game against the Houston Oilers in 1993, Reich took the absolute most of his opportunity, rallying his Buffalo Bills to a stunning 32-point comeback to keep their season alive—which eventually ended with their third-straight Super Bowl trip.

Simply known as "The Comeback," Reich guided his squad to the largest deficit ever overcome in NFL history, throwing for 289 yards and 4 touchdowns—with the majority of the work coming after halftime—in the Bills' 41-38 overtime victory, going down in lore as one of the best games in league history.

In fact, it's probably the only reason why anyone remembers the name Frank Reich to this day.

Cardale Jones

Prior to this past season's Big 10 Championship Game, the only reason Ohio State quarterback Cardale Jones was relatively known was due to an unfortunate tweet he had sent out a few years ago.

Now, though? Well, let's just say he's about the biggest man on Ohio State's campus.

Following injuries to two-time Conference Offensive Player of the Year Braxton Miller and emerging youngster J.T. Barrett, Jones was called upon to lead his Buckeyes during the most difficult stretch in their schedule.

Starting, and winning, the conference championship, College Football Playoff semifinal and title game, Jones excelled in each, proving that he, too, has the skills to be a big-time player under center.

With his return to the Ohio State University, it leaves head coach Urban Meyer in quite the dubious position, wondering which of the talented trio will start for the reigning national champs.

Earl Morrall

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As the only undefeated team from start to finish in NFL history, the 1972 Miami Dolphins are, arguably, the greatest team the league has ever seen.

While many might assume that the Dolphins were led by quarterback Bob Griese the entire year, that actually wasn't the case, as it was the future Hall of Famer's backup, Earl Morrall, who deserves most of the credit for going untarnished.

As Griese was forced to the sideline with a leg injury, Morrall was thrust into action and started nine games that '72 season—which ended up being four more starts than Griese did.

Once the incumbent was healthy, Morrall returned to his duty as clipboard holder on the sideline as the team won the Super Bowl, but without the efforts of their backup, the Fins may not have accomplished what they did.

And to think, Earl Morrall only started three more games following that 1972 campaign.