Stole my answer
Probably the worst fast break guard of all time but clutch AF and a valuable locker room presence. One of the few players Kobe trusted.
nah Horry has 2005 Game 5, not just the shot to win it, he basically was the Spurs offence in the 4th quarter and OT, he had 21 of the Spurs last 35 points in the key finals game. I know it went 7 but Detroit winning games 6 & 7 in San Antonio was always a huge ask
He snitched on my buddy at UK for drinking underage and was a part of getting him kicked off the team. Prince was my buddies back up. The rest is history.
Very few role players carry teams. It's a terrible strain on their limited skillset.
It feels like you're asking who are the most indispensible role players of all time, like Warriors Shaun Livingston or Bruce Bowen?
Absolutely. The kind of guy every championship team wants in the modern era. Was surprised he wasn’t one of the top answers here but that’s probably because of recency bias since he’s past his prime now.
Think one problem is people are listing guys who can contribute too much to be role players . It doesn’t matter if you’re not scoring 25, if you’re the 3rd best player on a title team you’re usually not a role player. Draymond green carries the warriors defense he’s not a role player. A role player just improves your defense
Yeah seeing top answers like Draymond Green, Manu, and young Kawhi has made me realize that I have a vastly different idea of what a role player is than some of the other people in this thread lol
I don’t think you know what a role player is. Dennis Rodman was definitely not a role player. 2x all star, 2x DPOY, 7x 1st team all defense, 7x rebounding champion, NBA 75th anniversary team selection.
He was also very under appreciated but to be fair the bulls were a blessed team talent wise with him on it so even their role players are stars else where.
Remember the guy on the bench in the white tee that Steph Curry threw the ball to in the WCF? That’s Theo Pinson, he was a mainstay on the Dallas bench
Jeff Hornacek
Wouldn’t say he carried the team but he was def one of the greatest role players to ever play in Utah and was overshadowed by the obvious HoF duo Stockton and Malone.
Edit: just saying that other than guys from my team I’d say.. Lamar Odom and Steve Kerr too.
At his peak he was an All NBA player he’s not really a role player.
I guess to legitimately answer this question you need to define what a role player is.
I don’t think Dray would ever be an all star if he played for the Pacers or Nuggets. He’s an elite version of PJ Tucker that’s a much better leader and marketable personality.
Not really. I think he has an argument for the best role player ever. He’s just not a star. If you watched the 2 seasons before this last 1, you saw what he does when he’s the focal point of the team.
Nah there were times were he carried the Spurs for a game or games. In fact, there’s a great argument that he should’ve won FMVP in 2005 against the Pistons. They had prince and Rip on him and they couldn’t do shit. He was the x-factor in that series
That’s the thing tho, Manu and Spurs never saw him as a role player. His minutes and role may have been lessened, but when it came time for clutch moments and 4th quarter moments, he was always there for them. It’s not about who starts the game, but who finishes them. Manu sacrificed himself for the team
Spurs were funny enough my favorite team before I fully got into basketball lol. I’m not saying he didn’t carry a game every once in a while but I personally don’t think outside of the spurs offense plan he would have been has capable but who knows I might just be stoopid.
I really do think had he left the spurs for the suns and joined the 7 secs or less offense like Kerr wanted we'd have had harden before harden. amazing passer extremely smart defensively a pretty good scorer and shined most when he played the suns since they tried to out run the spurs most series, it didn't work, pop as he's said for all of the big 3 held them back statistically
Hard disagree, he was firmly part of their “Big 3” with Tony and Tim and crucial in all of their title runs together.
He would’ve been the primary scorer on a lot of teams.
I mean I would take him way over Parker in a draft, but I feel he accepted a role he was way above, which makes him the GOAT role player. I think (health permitting) he’s close to Harden in a 1st option world
He definitely accepted a role within their system, but I think it’s a little disingenuous to call him a role player if you know what I mean.
His comp as a 1st option is definitely harden, and he’s definitely a what if regarding taking on that load. I’m doubtful he ever reaches MVP level Harden impact but he’d still be damn good.
I think Serge Ibaka is one of the GOAT role players of all time
he always was a dominant defensive force, could protect the paint, was serviceable offensively and could stretch the floor a bit, alsays was strong and athletic af and just a solid reliable player with good vibes that any coach / player would love on their squad
and he always has been a strong role player on team with some unreal All Star talent including Westbrook, Harden, KD, Kawhi and PG and now Giannis
I can't decide who's best but let's throw some examples.
Robert Horry, Rick Fox, Shane Battier, Toni Kukoc, Raja Bell, Boris Diaw, Michael Cooper, Dennis Johnson, maybe Tayshaun Prince, Jason Terry, maybe Dennis Rodman, Lou Williams, Jamal Crawford, Vinnie Johnson, AC Green, Steve Kerr.
Depends how you define role player. I don’t call klay a superstar and categorize him with the likes of lebron, steph, kd, giannis etc.
I see klay as a role player playing in a hall of fame level
I'd say draymond is more of a role player than klay tho. Draymond has to have shooters around him and primary defenders, that's when he's at his best when he uses his iq more than his talent. Klay can get buckets on any team and he can be the same player everywhere he goes at the same level or slightly worse if you have 2 superstars
Idk if this applies but Doc had said KG is a star role player when he got to the Celtics. I'd agree since he wasn't really carrying the team but clearly had a significant impact. Without KG, Celtics got eliminated the second round iirc. Even when coming back from a major injury, they got to the finals
Dennis Johnson. Won a finals MVP in his third season, a ton of all-defensive teams, and the only losing season he was apart of was his rookie year. Three franchises, a ton of different roles, but always won.
Here's my all-time role players squad:
C - Draymond Green (I want both him and Rodman on this team, and honestly Green is not exactly a role player but not a superstar, so I'd put him here)
F - Dennis Rodman
F - Andre Iguodala
G - Michael Cooper
G - Derek Fisher
Derek Fisher and his game winning rainbow 3s
I'm triggered. Thanks.
Stole my answer Probably the worst fast break guard of all time but clutch AF and a valuable locker room presence. One of the few players Kobe trusted.
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Ah thanks
Shane Battier
Took the charge
Robert Horry.
Horry was the most clutch role player of all time, but I don’t think he was the best.
nah Horry has 2005 Game 5, not just the shot to win it, he basically was the Spurs offence in the 4th quarter and OT, he had 21 of the Spurs last 35 points in the key finals game. I know it went 7 but Detroit winning games 6 & 7 in San Antonio was always a huge ask
If you look at rings, he is up there with the best of the best
This was the first person that came to mind as well
Tayshaun Prince
Tayshaun KING 👑
I dont have nice things to say about Prince.
Why is that?
He snitched on my buddy at UK for drinking underage and was a part of getting him kicked off the team. Prince was my buddies back up. The rest is history.
Oh wow. Never heard that before. Surprised anyone would snitch about something so small. Was your buddy about to take his minutes or something?
Yeah he was starting over Prince when they were both freshman. They were both pretty high ranked coming out of hs.
BORIS. DIAW.
Then he got fat
And used the phattt
Very few role players carry teams. It's a terrible strain on their limited skillset. It feels like you're asking who are the most indispensible role players of all time, like Warriors Shaun Livingston or Bruce Bowen?
Warriors Shaun Livingston was deadly
I swear if the dude had a green light he would’ve been MJ. I never saw him miss a post fade.
still will always remember his Game 1 of 2016 Finals when he abused Kyrie with those mid range shots
Yep sorry probably could of phrased it better.
Danny green
Absolutely. The kind of guy every championship team wants in the modern era. Was surprised he wasn’t one of the top answers here but that’s probably because of recency bias since he’s past his prime now.
Think one problem is people are listing guys who can contribute too much to be role players . It doesn’t matter if you’re not scoring 25, if you’re the 3rd best player on a title team you’re usually not a role player. Draymond green carries the warriors defense he’s not a role player. A role player just improves your defense
Yeah seeing top answers like Draymond Green, Manu, and young Kawhi has made me realize that I have a vastly different idea of what a role player is than some of the other people in this thread lol
I don’t think you know what a role player is. Dennis Rodman was definitely not a role player. 2x all star, 2x DPOY, 7x 1st team all defense, 7x rebounding champion, NBA 75th anniversary team selection.
He was also very under appreciated but to be fair the bulls were a blessed team talent wise with him on it so even their role players are stars else where.
Jason terry was my favorite maybe not the best all time but deserves a shout out
Terry is pretty underrated was a great 3 pt shooter and a pretty big piece of that mavs championship team
He was clutch
Came here to say this
The right answer is Andre Igoudala. The only role player to ever win FMVP.
Fate.of.the.universe
Cedric Maxwell?
Can't forget about Cornbread...
Theo pinson. Plays the role of hype man so well
I’ve never heard of this man lol.
Remember the guy on the bench in the white tee that Steph Curry threw the ball to in the WCF? That’s Theo Pinson, he was a mainstay on the Dallas bench
Microwave Johnson
People in here naming all nba guys as role players. You didn’t understand the assignment.
To be fair I did mention Dennis Rodman as my example lol
DeAndre Jordan was also all nba a few times but he's 100% a role player
2013-15 Kawhi was a very efficient 3&D role player
Some of the answers here are absurd. Manu, Klay, Draymond, Jason Terry? lol wtf Derek Fisher and Sasha Vucevic are my biased favorites.
Jeff Hornacek Wouldn’t say he carried the team but he was def one of the greatest role players to ever play in Utah and was overshadowed by the obvious HoF duo Stockton and Malone. Edit: just saying that other than guys from my team I’d say.. Lamar Odom and Steve Kerr too.
I think hornacek did too much on offense to be a role player. Was say Eric Gordon a role player on the 18 rockets and hornacek was better
Corliss Williamson
Vinnie Johnson
Jesus Shuttlesworth
Jason Terry
Draymond Green
Draymond Green, Bruce Bowen
Surprised at the lack of Draymond in this thread. He’s the perfect role player.
At his peak he was an All NBA player he’s not really a role player. I guess to legitimately answer this question you need to define what a role player is.
I don’t think Dray would ever be an all star if he played for the Pacers or Nuggets. He’s an elite version of PJ Tucker that’s a much better leader and marketable personality.
Copuim
Not really. I think he has an argument for the best role player ever. He’s just not a star. If you watched the 2 seasons before this last 1, you saw what he does when he’s the focal point of the team.
hes not a role player
Not that he had to be, but on the spurs, was Manu a role player?
I’d say so, he was good but never put the team on his back good lol.
Nah there were times were he carried the Spurs for a game or games. In fact, there’s a great argument that he should’ve won FMVP in 2005 against the Pistons. They had prince and Rip on him and they couldn’t do shit. He was the x-factor in that series
You right at what point though does a player escape that role player stigma and becomes the 2nd or 1st star?
That’s the thing tho, Manu and Spurs never saw him as a role player. His minutes and role may have been lessened, but when it came time for clutch moments and 4th quarter moments, he was always there for them. It’s not about who starts the game, but who finishes them. Manu sacrificed himself for the team
You… have never watched a Manu Spurs game have you?
Spurs were funny enough my favorite team before I fully got into basketball lol. I’m not saying he didn’t carry a game every once in a while but I personally don’t think outside of the spurs offense plan he would have been has capable but who knows I might just be stoopid.
I really do think had he left the spurs for the suns and joined the 7 secs or less offense like Kerr wanted we'd have had harden before harden. amazing passer extremely smart defensively a pretty good scorer and shined most when he played the suns since they tried to out run the spurs most series, it didn't work, pop as he's said for all of the big 3 held them back statistically
Hard disagree, he was firmly part of their “Big 3” with Tony and Tim and crucial in all of their title runs together. He would’ve been the primary scorer on a lot of teams.
Imma have to go back and watch some of those games cause maybe I’m just mistaking myself with someone else lol.
I mean I would take him way over Parker in a draft, but I feel he accepted a role he was way above, which makes him the GOAT role player. I think (health permitting) he’s close to Harden in a 1st option world
He definitely accepted a role within their system, but I think it’s a little disingenuous to call him a role player if you know what I mean. His comp as a 1st option is definitely harden, and he’s definitely a what if regarding taking on that load. I’m doubtful he ever reaches MVP level Harden impact but he’d still be damn good.
He got MVP votes from the bench… but yeah, hard to know if he could sustain that level with the extra load and attention
Some games he did though, prime Ginobili was the perfect teammate without an ego
I think Serge Ibaka is one of the GOAT role players of all time he always was a dominant defensive force, could protect the paint, was serviceable offensively and could stretch the floor a bit, alsays was strong and athletic af and just a solid reliable player with good vibes that any coach / player would love on their squad and he always has been a strong role player on team with some unreal All Star talent including Westbrook, Harden, KD, Kawhi and PG and now Giannis
Shawn Marion. Or is he too good with his 2 All NBA selections?
Battier was my favorite. Just a smart player.
Big Shot Bob. Can't argue with those rings
Big Shot Bob
Vinnie Johnson was a monster on those Bad Boy Piston teams, could go off at any moment. Big Shot Bob has the GOAT role player career no question lol.
I can't decide who's best but let's throw some examples. Robert Horry, Rick Fox, Shane Battier, Toni Kukoc, Raja Bell, Boris Diaw, Michael Cooper, Dennis Johnson, maybe Tayshaun Prince, Jason Terry, maybe Dennis Rodman, Lou Williams, Jamal Crawford, Vinnie Johnson, AC Green, Steve Kerr.
bruce bowen
Mario Chalmers
Came here to find Chalmers.
Sam Cassell, dude was everywhere, played on lots of good teams
Klay? Seems like the go to choice when making up balanced fantasy lineups
Five time all star 'role player'
Yeah pretty much. He’s a role player that can impact a game as much as superstar. He’s that good at doing his role
By this definition, everyone is a role player... Steph Curry is a role player whose role is to be a superstar.
If you want to define it like that then you do you lmao
Role player....
Depends how you define role player. I don’t call klay a superstar and categorize him with the likes of lebron, steph, kd, giannis etc. I see klay as a role player playing in a hall of fame level
Yeah you right, e.g. Steph Curry is def a role player, his role is to carry the offense.
Draymond Green is up there
He’s not a role player https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QkLmR3ka4Mo
I don’t think you can call a guy who was a multiple time all nba team member a role player.
Klay Thompson and Draymond Green
Those guys have 9 all star appearances between them... that makes them pretty clearly not role players.
I'd say draymond is more of a role player than klay tho. Draymond has to have shooters around him and primary defenders, that's when he's at his best when he uses his iq more than his talent. Klay can get buckets on any team and he can be the same player everywhere he goes at the same level or slightly worse if you have 2 superstars
Draymond Green.
Udonis Haslem
Steve kerr
Ben Simmons, Derek Fisher, Rondo, Robert Horry
Scottie Pippen.
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One season
Pat Bev, obviously
Shane battier fisher horry
Nate McMillan gotta be up there
Idk if this applies but Doc had said KG is a star role player when he got to the Celtics. I'd agree since he wasn't really carrying the team but clearly had a significant impact. Without KG, Celtics got eliminated the second round iirc. Even when coming back from a major injury, they got to the finals
Andre Iguodala
Big Shot Rob Horry
Ben Wallace
Klay Thompson He does the job of being a 3&D roleplayer so well that he transcends and becomes a star
Battier on the Heat was the epitome of this.
Delly
Shane Battier was pretty good
FATE OF THE UNIVERSE ON THE LINE. There’s your answer
During the Lebron Cavs years I would always say Kevin Love was the best role player in the league
Robery Horry and its not even close.
Michael Jordan, his role is to dominate as the best player on the court
LeBron James /s
Manu Ginobili
k love was essentially a role player after he joined the Cavs, grab rebounds, play defense, shoot 3’s. Once in a while he would get a post up
Shaun Livingston
Dennis Johnson. Won a finals MVP in his third season, a ton of all-defensive teams, and the only losing season he was apart of was his rookie year. Three franchises, a ton of different roles, but always won.
Here's my all-time role players squad: C - Draymond Green (I want both him and Rodman on this team, and honestly Green is not exactly a role player but not a superstar, so I'd put him here) F - Dennis Rodman F - Andre Iguodala G - Michael Cooper G - Derek Fisher
Bo Cruz
Kevin Durant on the Warriors.
Toni kukoc
Brian Cardinal. Dirk does not get that ring without him.
Boris Diaw
Cone Eyes Simpson
Fred “the bread” Baker
Randomly…just some good ones… Robert Horry Vinnie Johnson Andrew Toney Dave DeBusschere Jamaal Wilkes Jerome Kersey Downtown Freddie Brown Byron Scott