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NBA: The 10 best supporting players on playoff teams

By Trey Flynn

NBA Austin Rivers (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
NBA Austin Rivers (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /
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PORTLAND, OR – APRIL 29: Austin Rivers #25 of the Los Angeles Clippers sits on the bench as time runs down in the fourth quarter of Game Six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the Portland Trail Blazers during the 2016 NBA Playoffs at the Moda Center on April 29, 2016 in Portland, Oregon. The Blazers won 106-103. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR – APRIL 29: Austin Rivers #25 of the Los Angeles Clippers sits on the bench as time runs down in the fourth quarter of Game Six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the Portland Trail Blazers during the 2016 NBA Playoffs at the Moda Center on April 29, 2016 in Portland, Oregon. The Blazers won 106-103. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /

There are several NBA players that are in supporting roles across the League that aren’t getting the respect they deserve

Historically, the term “role player” has had a negative connotation around the NBA. Role players seem to be infamous for producing off the bench, therefore not making the contributions necessary to obtain a starting spot. That is no longer the future of the NBA.

In recent years, the league has transformed into teams who have some of their best players come off the bench to spark team chemistry and help build a fun atmosphere within their arena, hopefully leading to a win.

The question remains: What makes up a role player?

A role player in 2018 can be characterized in three categories:

  • Play like an All-Star and/or a G-League player on any given night, therefore giving them an inconsistent stat line from game to game that confuses the masses.
  • They need to be a team favorite from a morale basis that most players can rely on throughout the duration of a season, in a starting role or off the bench.
  • Grit. They need to be extremely aggressive on both sides of the court and to fight for a ball that is obviously bouncing out-of-bounds.

There are several teams who have role players with these characteristics in starting lineups and off the bench. Specifically, the winning teams (top 8 seeds) in the NBA have a substantial amount of these players, and that is not a coincidence.

There is a correlation of great role players in the league being on playoff teams, but who are the best of these role players?

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