My All-Time Dream Bench with Actual Bench Players

Every NBA fan somewhere along the way has a conversation of who would be their all time NBA team.

The usual answers are filled with starting lineups of Jordan, Magic, and Bird, with a bench staring the likes of Oscar Robertson or Dwyane Wade.

I've always wondered what an all time team would look like if people were not allowed to choose all time greats for their bench, considering these players were barely ever seen on the bench.

So here is my all time bench. I'll probably change my mind as time goes on, but for now, this is my perfect bench. I didn't choose these players just on positional needs, but based on roles every team needs to have to be successful.

Sixth Man: Vinnie Johnson

Every bench should have a reliable sixth man. The first one to come up off the bench and not just provide consistent scoring, but also someone the entire second unit could lean on to take the load offensively.

"The Microwave" could score buckets in bunches and heat up quickly, hence his nickname. He could consistently get into the lane and make jump shots.

He is often forgotten in the list of great players that were on the "Bad Boys" Pistons teams, but he will always be remembered for his contributions off the bench.

Sharpshooter: Steve Kerr

Some say he might be the best three-point shooter of all time, and he has the numbers and the rings to back it up. He could shoot it off screens, pulling up on a fast break or out of a double team from either Michael Jordan or Tim Duncan.

Every team needs a sharpshooting threat. It opens up the defense, spreads the floor and gives the starting unit a little help if they are going dry.

Kerr could hit threes in bunches if you wanted him to or with the game on the line. His ability to drain it from range gives Reggie and Ray a run for their money.

Defensive Stopper: Michael Cooper

Michael Cooper was a former defensive Player of the Year in 1987. He could shut down the best of them on the perimeter, whether it was Bryon Scott, who was getting burned, or just because he knew he could.

He might be the first to start the brand of shut down defenders coming off the bench, and he might be the best.

Cooper always seemed to know the tendencies of players he was guarding, and was so long and quick footed that he would always be in front of his man.

Dirty Worker: Kurt Rambis

Kurt Rambis was the prototype energy guy off the bench, willing to do all the dirty work in the paint.

Whether it was snatching up rebounds, stuffing up the paint, or cleaning up the garbage on the offensive glass, he did all the little things you'd want from a post player.

A player like this is important, and hard work and energy on defense and on the boards is contagious. It helps the whole team.

All-Around: Robert Horry

"Big Shot" Rob is known mostly for all the clutch shots he made throughout his career, but he is often referred to by many as the greatest role player of all time.

He was a reliable three-point shooter, as most people know, but he was also very versatile. He could play the three position if needed, and although mostly in his younger years, he had the size to play the four and five positions and defended them well.

Many doubt whether he is hall of fame worthy, but there is no doubting how good of a player he really was. He offered scoring, shooting, defense, and size that every team values.

Shot-Blocker: Manute Bol

This was the hardest for me to decide. A good back up center is always hard to find. It's also crucial to find one that can also block shots at a high rate without being a liability of some sort, whether its age or offense.

I choose Manute Bol because he was such a great shot blocker off the bench. I also choose him because if you look down the line of great shot blockers, most of them are all time greats like Hakeem or Wilt.

While he was very frail and had trouble finding post position coming off the bench in a specific role, I don't mind that at all.

Speedy Guard: Spud Webb

A common trend seen in today's brand of basketball are teams having a lighting quick, smaller guard who comes off the bench and changes the complexion of a game. Examples are J.J. Barea and Nate Robinson. These little guys run up and down the floor with no one able to keep up with them, making them their own fast break in the second unit.

Spud Webb was one of those players. He could get to the lane in the blink of an eye and could also handle the ball well and make great passes on the break. He was that extra spark that could break a game wide open, catching the opposing team off guard.

Of course he will always be remembered for being the shortest dunk champion of all time, but he was more than that. He was a basketball player, and a good one at that.

Thank You For Reading!

Thank you for taking the time to read my slideshow. If you have any changes you would make or would like to add your input, it would be much appreciated.