Kings of the Pine: The NBA's Best Benches

We all focus on the superstars of the NBA, the big-money, jersey-selling ballers that kids aspire to be. The Celtics won the NBA Finals after acquiring "the Boston Three Party," but they also brought the right players off the bench at the right time.

What does it take to have a good bench—one that takes your team deep into the playoffs?

It's a combination of youthful players to provide a spark and seasoned veterans who know their role. Some of the league's top pine-riders could start, but they are more valuable to their teams coming off the bench. It's not who starts the game, it's who finishes.

The 13 Best Benches in the NBA

13. Minnesota Timberwolves

Key Players: Sebastian Telfair, Corey Brewer, Craig Smith, Ryan Gomes, Rodney Carney, Mark Madsen, David Harrison.

The T-Wolves may have the best young bench in the NBA. Unfortunately, they don't have much in the way of seasoned veterans. Mark "Mad Dog" Madsen has experience on championship teams, but not really contributing to them. Telfair and Brewer are on the verge of becoming NBA starters.

12. Denver Nuggets

Key Players: J.R. Smith, Chucky Atkins, Renaldo Balkman, Linas Kleiza, Chris Andersen, Nick Fazekas, Juwan Howard, Steven Hunter, Ruben Patterson, Smush Parker.

No bench player should be a starter in the league more than J.R. Smith; he has an all-around offensive game and is a solid defender. After that, the Nuggets have an interesting cast of characters. They added Renaldo Balkman to replace Eduardo Najera, and Chris Andersen is back in action. George Karl will tweak his rotations until he finds one that works.

11. Philadelphia 76ers

Key Players: Louis Williams, Willie Green, Kareem Rush, Reggie Evans, Marreese Speights, Theo Ratliff.

The 76ers were very happy with the progress of former prep phenom Louis Williams last season. Willie Green provides solid guard play, and Reggie Evans adds serious toughness. Rookie Marreese Speights has an NBA-ready body, is an explosive leaper, and will learn a few things from Samuel Dalembert, Elton Brand, and Theo Ratliff. 

10. Los Angles Clippers

Key Players: Eric Gordon, Ricky Davis, Tim Thomas, Brian Skinner, Jason Hart, DeAndre Jordan, Paul Davis.

Tim Thomas and Ricky Davis have solid starting experience in the league and can play multiple positions and stroke it from long distance. Speaking of three-balls, Eric Gordon has unlimited range and should provide that youthful jolt off the bench. Jordan slipped in the draft because of his lack of intensity and loose fundamentals, but he will learn from Marcus Camby and Chris Kaman, or in the D-League.

9. Dallas Mavericks

Key Players: Jerry Stackhouse, Brandon Bass, DeSagana Diop, Jose Juan Barea, Devean George, Gerald Green, Shawne Williams, Antione Wright.

Jerry Stackhouse can still play, and Brandon Bass is primed for a breakout season. DaSagana Diop has returned to bang with the bigs in the west. Devean George, Shawne Williams, and Gerald Green will jockey for playing time, and each has his advantages. Wright was productive in limited time for Dallas last season.

8. Los Angles Lakers

Key Players: Jordan Farmar, Sasha Vujacic, Vladimir Radmanovic, Trevor Ariza, Luke Walton, Chris Mihm, Sun Yue, Josh Powell.

Sasha Vujacic could be effective shooting from the bench, let alone coming off it. Jordan Farmar will have added responsibility as he improves and Derek Fisher ages. Trevor Ariza has improved his game, and Vladimir Radmanovic can create matchup issues. Will Sun Yue make an impact? If Lamar Odom doesn't start, this bench will get a huge boost. 

7. Detroit Pistons

Key Players: Rodney Stuckey, Jason Maxiell, Amir Johnson, Kwame Brown, Arron Affalo, Walter Hermann.

Detroit has high aspirations for Stuckey, who can fill in for Rip Hamilton or Chauncey Billups. Jason Maxiell plays much bigger than his height, and Amir Johnson will see plenty of court time. Kwame Brown will add some much-needed size. This is not a deep bench, but the players who play are pivotal to success. There is potential for Antonio McDyess to join it, too.

6. Houston Rockets

Key Players: Shane Battier, Aaron Brooks, Brent Barry, Check Hayes, Luther Head, Joey Dorsey, Steve Francis, Carl Landry.

The Rockets made some big acquisitions this offseason, which lead to Brent Barry and Shane Battier sitting on their bench. Bones can still shoot and is capable of running the point. A Battier-Ron Artest lineup will lock down the wings. Aaron Brooks earned good experience in the playoffs, and Luther Head can pull the trigger. Will "the Franchise," Steve Francis, play? Will Dikembe Mutombo come back? Will Joey Dorsey see the court? This is a good bench with a lot of potential.

5. Cleveland Cavilers

Key Players: Daniel Gibson, Delonte West, Wally Szczerbiak, J.J. Hickson, Anderson Varejao.

With the Delonte West-Wally Szczerbiak acquisition last season, the Cavs significantly boosted their bench depth. Boobie Gibson can flat-out stroke. Anderson Varejao could start on several rosters and is one of the league's most energetic big men. J.J. Hickson will have to learn on the move. The Cavs are one of the few benches with a solid reserve at each spot.

4. Boston Celtics

Key Players: Tony Allen, Eddie House, Leon Powe, Glen Davis, Gabe Pruit, Patrick O'Bryant, Sam Cassell, Darius Miles, Bill Walker, J.R. Giddens.

The Celtics' bench had a huge role in the team's championship run. Leon Powe brought the energy, Eddie House brought the threes, and Ray Allen's brother-by-name Tony brought the all-around play. Big Baby and Patrick O'Bryant will be expected to hit the boards. Gabe Pruitt is ready for more playing time. Bill Walker would have been a lottery pick out of high school. The only question is whether Sam Cassell and P.J. Brown will be back in action by season's end.

3. Chicago Bulls

Key Players: Derrick Rose, Ben Gordon, Andres Nocioni, Tyrus THomas, Aaron Gray, Darius Washington, Thabo Sefolosha.

Ben Gordon is the best bench player in the league right now; as a sixth man, he is able to come in and score without a conscience. Andres Nocioni knows his role and will share court time with Thabo Sefolosha. Tyrus Thomas needs to elevate his game this season. Rose will benefit from learning from Chicago's cast of guards, and they may teach them a thing or two.

2. Phoenix Suns

Key Players: Boris Diaw, Leandro Barbosa, Goran Dragic, Matt Barnes, Robin Lopez, Alando Tucker, Goran Dragic.

Boris Diaw, Leandro Barbosa, and Goran Dragic give the Suns the best international bench in the NBA. Robin Lopez is NBA-ready and will block shots. The addition of Matt Barnes gives the Suns a long-armed wing who can get hot. Alando Tucker could have a breakout season, as he has continued to perfect his stroke.

1. Utah Jazz

Key Players: Kyle Korver, Paul Millsap, C.J. Miles, Matt Harpring, Ronnie Price, Jaron Collins, Kosta Koufos, Brevin Knight.

Kyle Korver is one of the league's best shooters. Paul Millsap is one of the league's hardest working rebounders. Matt Harpring is the strongest wing in the NBA. Utah has an experienced bench—one that is full of guys who are great at filling their role. Ronnie Price and Brevin Knight will give Deron Williams the occasional breather. Kosta Koufos will have to prove himself, but he has tremendous upside and is a Jerry Sloan big man. C.J. Miles is primed to shine. If AK47 moves to the bench, watch out.