Know Your Role

Written by Jeff Fox | 11 June 2010

We spend so much time analyzing the play of the Kobe Bryants and the Paul Pierces of the world that we can overlook what often makes the difference between a team winning and losing a NBA title.  I'm talking about role players.  And while every team needs stars to win, it often comes down to the play of the off-the-radar players on a team's roster when the chips are down.  Michael Jordan wouldn't have won all his NBA titles without John Paxson and Steve Kerr knocking down 3s.  Or look no further than the ultimate role player - Robert Horry - and his seven championship rings.

Which brings us to this year's NBA Finals, which is turning into a showcase of role players.  While the Lakers won Game 1 mostly on the backs of their star players, the past three games of the Finals have been all about the lesser talents.  Game 2 was all about Ray Allen and his 32 points and eight three-pointers.  I know what you are saying - Ray Allen, a role player?  While that is a stretch, it's a fact that Allen isn't a star for the Celtics anymore - in fact, when ranking the top 10 players in the Finals heading into this series, the Bloguin writers ranked Allen fourth best on Boston.  So, yes, Allen should be considered a "lesser star" if he is only the fourth best player on his team. 

Kobe Bryant shot 10-29 in Game 3, yet the Lakers still won.  That's because L.A.'s ultimate role player, Derek Fisher, pumped in 16 points, including 11 in a tight fourth quarter.  And, to top it off, he is actually older than me, making me feel a whole lot better about myself!  Now, on to last night's Game 4, where a drooling, bellowing Glen 'Big Baby' Davis took his star turn, scoring 18 points off the bench as the Celtics tied up the series.  And Davis didn't lead the bench charge on his own, as Bushwick Bill Nate Robinson exploded for 12 points in only 17 minutes of court time.  Yes, Nate Robinson.  God, help us.

This surely can't keep up, can it?  Eventually Kobe or Pierce or Rajon Rondo or Pau Gasol are going to take over and make this series their own, correct?  Or are we going to have the unthinkable - a role player winning the NBA Finals MVP award?  If so, the Basketball Gods surely can't let Nate Robinson win it, can they?!  Isn't that one of the signs of the Apocalypse?!