2010-2011 NBA Playoffs: Top 10 Postseason Bench Players
The 2010-2011 NBA regular season is finally over and the postseason seeds are set. It's no coincidence that most teams in the playoffs have good bench players.
A lack of quality reserves can kill a team trying to navigate its way to the NBA Finals, so let's take a look at the ten most valuable bench guys in the playoffs. The list includes players who are not expected to start in the postseason.
10. G George Hill, San Antonio Spurs
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San Antonio has a knack for finding hidden gems.
Tony Parker’s backup has become a key player for San Antonio. He can score and shoot the three effectively, in addition to being a solid defender.
Hill also has playoff experience; he's entering his third postseason. During last season’s playoffs he averaged 13.0 PPG.
9. G James Harden, Oklahoma City Thunder
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The sickest beard in the league is also a pretty good ballplayer.
Harden is a solid all-around player who helps the Thunder in a variety of ways. He's a good scorer off the pine (13 PPG) and is still improving.
Harden’s size can also create mismatches if he's paired with Russell Westbrook on the floor.
The Thunder could make a deep run in the West, and Harden would be key in their ascension.
8. G Lou Williams, Philadelphia 76ers
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Williams flies under the radar playing in Philadelphia. Lou has steadily improved his game over his career and brings great energy and scoring ability off the bench.
He averages over 13 PPG in only about 23 minutes per game. If the 76ers are going to make noise in the playoffs, Williams must be on his game.
7. G Raymond Felton, Denver Nuggets
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The former starting PG for the Knicks has been coming off the bench for the revamped Nuggets. Felton has thrived in the role, posting 11.5 PPG and 6.5 APG while shooting an improved 46 percent from beyond the arc.
The Nuggets rely on their depth more than most teams, and Felton’s play is a big reason they've excelled after the Carmelo Anthony deal.
6. G Brandon Roy, Portland Trailblazers
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The days of Roy playing 30+ minutes per game are likely over. His knees just can’t seem to hold up.
However, he provides great productivity and experience off the bench. Despite the recurring injuries, Roy can still be a difference-maker in a playoff series.
5. F Glen Davis, Boston Celtics
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Big Baby is now a seasoned playoff performer who is battle-tested. His size and athleticism give him solid rebounding and defensive abilities and he has become a reliable mid-range shooter.
Davis has hit several big shots for Boston in the postseasons of past years.
4. G Jamal Crawford, Atlanta Hawks
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The former NBA Sixth Man of the Year winner is a force off the bench in Atlanta.
Essentially, he plays starters' minutes and is one of the Hawks’ main scoring options. Crawford can take over a game on the offensive end, and when he’s hot, look out.
3. G J.R. Smith, Denver Nuggets
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Smith is the quintessential sixth man: He scores in waves and brings loads of energy to the floor.
He’s a streaky shooter (39 percent from three) and can be a hit-or-miss option. However, his ability to score in bunches flat-out scares opposing coaches.
In a much-anticipated first-round matchup against OKC, look for Smith to play a pivotal role.
2. G Jason Terry, Dallas Mavericks
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Throughout his career, coaches have bounced Terry back and forth between the starting lineup and the bench. Dallas seems to have found the right formula.
Although undersized at shooting guard, Terry’s shooting and passing skills are underrated. He quickly comes off the Mavs’ bench and is expected to be the second option on offense.
1. F Lamar Odom, Los Angeles Lakers
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A healthy Andrew Bynum moves Odom back to the bench, where he has thrived since coming to Los Angeles.
Odom’s length and versatility makes him the definition of a matchup nightmare. He can both shoot the three and put it on the floor effectively.
With Bynum and Gasol available, Coach Phil Jackson can play Odom at SF, creating nightmare matchups for the opposition.
