ESPN.com: NBA
Thursday, February 3, 2005
Why the 12th man matters
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By Brian James
ESPN Insider
Everyone has his favorite players on each NBA team. But you would be
surprised that many of us root for the player who always seems to be
wearing his warmups.
He's the ultimate understudy, the role player.
When his name is called, he's the guy who sprints to the scorer's table
amid the hoots and hollers of scattered voices in the crowd. Until that
time, he sits on the bench seemingly for an eternity. But when he's
used, he's expected to play well.
An NBA team's 10th-to-12th man might play anywhere from 1-10 minutes
per game – or he might log 10 DNP-CD's (Did Not Play-Coach's Decision)
in a row. For this guy, when his name is called, he had better play
like it's his last NBA game. If he does not have a long-term contract,
these precious minutes just might be his last in the league.
But these role players are not just practice fodder or seat fillers.
The best benchwarmers are important to NBA teams. I'm going to tell you
why these role players matter, name some of my favorites this season
and list a few former 12th men who have become "successes" in the
league.
Some fans might see benchwarmers and think, 'I could do that.'
What fans sometimes don't understand is how hard it is for an NBA deep
reserve – in many instances a star player anywhere else in the world –
to accept this role.
He has to deal with the frustration of not playing. At the same time,
he has to demonstrate to his coaches that he is good and dedicated.
Every day, he has to defeat the challenges of sometimes younger and
even more-talented players who want his role on the squad.
His work ethic must be noticed and he must show coaches that he is
doing what is needed to make his teammates better.
Many times, these spots are filled with younger players who are hungry
to make the roster and stay in the league. These players usually work
under non-guaranteed contracts until midseason. Even when the contracts
are guaranteed, it's usually at the minimum salary of an NBA player.
If the Nos. 10-12 spots on the active squad are filled by veterans,
then those players are usually men the coaching staff know and trust,
not only on the court but off the floor. Those vets are kept around to
help direct and teach the younger players how to be professional at all
times.
Basically, these last three spots had better be coaches' allies. If
not, those players had better be ready to change addresses very soon.
It happens.
Another reason the spots continually are changing is to avoid
complacency within your team.
Each day, these role players need to bring their "A" efforts to the
table. When the time and schedule does allow for a normal practice, the
role players are working either individually or as a group with
assistant coaches on improving their games. This takes place before and
after practice.
Most teams take two buses to the games, about 30-45 minutes apart.
These players take the first bus to get their ankles taped early, then
go ahead and get their work done on the court.
Some teams have rules that require you to workout after each game if
you don't get 20 minutes of playing time, depending on the upcoming
schedule.
Many starters and rotation players participate as well, but coaches
must be careful not to wear their legs out and save something for the
game.
The role players must get extra work in to keep their conditioning up.
You don't realize the shape you have to be in and maintain to play at
the NBA level. Try sprinting up and down a full-size court, jumping and
jostling with huge men at the same time. It is not easy.
If you are not in the rotation, it often means that you may have to
play more defense than offense in practice so the starters can get the
timing of the offensive plays down.
Participating on the scout team is the norm. These spots usually are
filled by the third point guard or by post players when coaches feel
that you can never get enough big men. Some of these players improve so
much that they become rotation players and/or starters later on.
Here are the few of my favorite role players. Their resumes might not
sparkle, but I like them because they do the dirty work every day:
1. Rick Brunson, G, Clippers: Brunson is a pro's pro. Coaches and
teammates all respect and appreciate what he brings to the table. He is
tremendous in screen roll action offensively and knows how to play.
Rick is in his eighth season and eighth team, and is getting a chance
to start (21 straight games) due to injuries in the Clippers'
backcourt.
2. Kevin Ollie, G, 76ers: Ollie has been back and forth on the IR this
season but has been on 10 teams in only seven NBA seasons. Coaches love
his work ethic and ability to stabilize the team when he is in the
game. This season, Ollie has appeared in only 16 games totaling 74
minutes.
3. Anthony Goldwire, G, free agent: He never gives up, and this is what
coaches love about him. He recently spent time with the Bucks and
Pistons on 10-day contracts. I've coached Anthony with two different
teams and know first hand how hard he competes. In seven NBA seasons,
he's played with eight teams. He's also spent four seasons in the CBA
and a few overseas.
4. Mikki Moore, C, Clippers: Here's another Clipper having a
career-best season in terms of playing time. He is with his sixth team
in six years in the league, but Moore gained a lot of respect with me
with his attitude, knowledge, and ability after spending two weeks with
him in the SuperSonics' training camp last season.
5. Bruno Sundov, C, Knicks: The Knicks and president Isiah Thomas are
waiting for Sundov to develop. He's played for six team in his seven
NBA seasons and has appeared in just 92 games in his career.Some of these role players work for years and then find their niches in
some teams' regular rotations. Here are three of my favorite "success
stories":
1. Brian Cardinal, Grizzlies: With the Pistons and Wizards his first
three seasons, Cardinal always was worried about being the next player
waived. Even though his plus/ minus ratio is off the charts in a
positive way, he dives for every loose ball, and his team wins the
majority of the practice games. But with those teams, Cardinal rarely
played unless it was in a mop-up situation. In 2003, he was invited to
the Warriors' camp as a a non-roster player. He became a sensation with
the Warriors, appearing in 76 games that season after totaling just 28
appearances his first three NBA seasons. Jerry West and the Grizzlies
liked what they saw, and they signed Cardinal – who had earned $633,000
the previous year with the Warriors – to a six-year contract for a
guaranteed $34 million.
The player nicknamed "The Custodian" really cleaned up, I guess.
2. Michael Curry, F, Pacers: For five seasons from 1990-95, Curry
played with numerous teams in the CBA and around the world seeking his
fortune. When we brought him into Detroit, he immediately won everyone
over with his desire and tough, hard-nosed play. He promised that his
team would never lose in our 4-on-4 competitive defense drill, and he
was right most of the time. Michael even organized players working out
after practice. He is now in his 11th NBA season and helping the Pacers
make a playoff run. A more telling indication of how far he's risen:
For years, Curry has been president of the NBA Players Association's
executive committee.
3. Tony Massenburg, C, Spurs: Even though I have never coached Tony, I
respect what he has accomplished over his 13 years in the NBA. He's
played with 13 teams. A career 48-percent field-goal shooter, he boasts
a 6.3 ppg career scoring average and is a valuable component on any
team. He prepares so well that he is always ready when coach Gregg
Popovich calls his number.
Brian James, a former assistant coach with the Pistons, Raptors and
Wizards, is a regular contributor to Insider.
2/4/2005 7:56 PM
