Top 5 NBA Bench Squads Entering This Season

The bench.


1. A long seat, often without a back, for two or more persons.

Some may think that "riding the pine" is bad and totally useless.

News flash folks; it isn't!

In fact, it is the most vital part of any team. Without a bench, your starters are screwed. The bench players are there to give the starters the rest they need, and to help keep the energy high during the game.

Let us continue ranking the top five benches going in this 2009-2010 season.

5 - Chicago Bulls

The Windy City may seem like an unpredictable place at this moment, but their bench also seems to have some sort of steady pace.

Last year, guard Derrick Rose was given the duty to step up as starting point guard.

Kirk Hinrich did an outstanding job holding his own. He was constant, averaging 9.9 points per game and 3.9 assists per game.

With Ben Gordon gone, the guard slot is not as talented as before. Bringing guard Jannero Pargo brings back a nice consistency of play and experience.

The forwards are not in a bad spot either.

Brad Miller can hold his own in the post, and can knock down the open jumper if he so desires. Tyrus Thomas and Joakim Noah are there for hustle and defence. Offense from them is simply gravy. Having Brad Miller is a good back drop from some offensive need.

Oh, let's not forget James Johnson and Taj Gibson, two legit rookies who are ready to play on the professional stage.

4 - Minnesota Timberwolves

Well, many people are expecting big things from this young team. They've made some mistakes this off-season, but have fixed them with so very good signings.

Aleksander Pavlovic was a good snag. He was under utilized in Cleveland and can now be useful for this Minnesota squad. He is good spot up shooter, which the T'Wolves need.

Ryan Hollins proved himself this past playoffs with the Dallas Mavericks. He is a high energy player who did his best against Kenyon Martin and Tim Duncan.

Expect him to log heavy minutes for Kevin Love and Al Jefferson.

What the T'Wolves did this off-season was log up on guards. As of now the T'Wolves have Jonny Flynn, Antonio Daniels, Ramon Sessions, and Wayne Ellington.

These guards are extremely talented and can handle the rock as well as score.

Kurt Rambis will have a tough time managing talented guards.

3 - Los Angeles Lakers [Tie]

The Los Angeles Lakers are part of this fiasco. Many argue the Laker's off-season changes; whether they were good or bad. As of now however, the Lakers still have a solid bench.

It appears that Lamar Odom will be working the sixth man position, which he has done with better composure.

Shannon Brown, Sasha Vujacic, and Jordan Farmar seem to be the bench-guard rotation for Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher.

The wilkd-card for this bench squad is Adam Morrison. His role was keeping the bench warm last year. Expect him to sub in for Ron Artest.

Many have forgotten his game in Gonzaga and some of Charlotte. I see it as Luke Walton and
Morrison battling for playing time.





3 - Dallas Mavericks [Tie]

This team has had many ups and downs in the past five years. Some are still unsure about thier potential in the West. Dirk Nowitzki is the main guy, followed by Josh Howard, Jason Kidd, and Shawn Marion.

As regards to bench, the Mavs are equipped with the proper tools. Jason Terry is still there holding down the sixth man spot and potentially being a starter is JJ Barea can keep up with starter minutes.

Rodrigue Beaubois is the rookie who everyone in Dallas will be looking at. He is talented and can definitely be able to back up Barea.

The Mavs bulked up on forwards this offseason, aqcuiring Shawn Marion, Drew Gooden, and Tim Thomas.

Quinton Ross and James Singleton are two under looked players coming in this season. If Rick Carlisle gives them steady minutes, expect energy and hard nose-to-nose defence.

2 - Cleveland Cavaliers

LeBron James and his troops hit the jackpot this offseason.

It remains to be seen how Shaq and LeBron will co-exist with each each, but with this there is also questions about the bench rotation.

With Shaquille O'Neal in town Zydrunas Ilgauskas will most likely be sitting down to start games, which is totally fine. Having Big Z off the bench is more than enough for a solid bench, but it gets better.

Anthony Parker is an amazing sntach for Cleveland. His inside and outside game is steady, and brings defence 100 percent every night.

Leon Powe will be a nice fit. his ability to rebound and play the low-post has been well documented. He is going to be a nice back-up for Anderson Varejao.

LeBron has no excuses to not winning a ring this year.



1 - Boston Celtics

The Bostons Celtics' bench has been well-structured since the arrival of Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett.

When Eddie House isn't peeing his shorts, the Celtics' bench can be a very intimidating bench.

But entering this season, regardless of the potty errors, the Boston bench is going to be one hard force to stop.

It is somewhat uncertain of Rasheed Wallace's place on the Celtics; some say a starter, others call out bench player.

His role will be much appreciated coming off the bench for the Celtics. Coming in for a semi-injured Kevin Garnett will help the boys in green a lot. The Celtics need that one more ounce of energy and Wallace supplies it.

Maquis Daniels will need to keep his play consistent this year. He is going to come in for Ray Allen or Paul Pierce, but either way, solid play will be expected by Doc Rivers. Daniels proved that he is a force to reckon with in Indiana. Now the test is Boston.

"Big Baby" Glen Davis has proved that he can hang with the big boys, but his worth will be going back to the bench.

He did an outstanding job stepping in this past playoffs. He will be a good substitution for the Celtics.

Other noteworthy bench figures are Eddie House, Shelden Williams, Tony Allen, and J.R. Giddens.

Minnesota Timberwolves Howled For Help, Kurt Rambis Wild About Coaching Chance

Nearly two decades ago, Kurt Rambis stepped up in a critical way for the Los Angeles Lakers.

As he arrived on the court, stylish, wearing enormous black glasses, a thick mustache, and tight, small shorts, no one would ever mistake him for tough.

But that's exactly what Kurt embodied.

Known for his physicality in sustaining possessions with his exceptional rebounding, the tall and lanky forward was an inside force.

For instance, Rambis’ energetic dominance was a primary factor in a memorable Game Four of the 1984 NBA Finals, between his "Showtime" Lakers and the Boston Celtics. In that game, Rambis caught a pass on a fast break, and was on his way to dunking the ball when Celtics PF Kevin McHale clotheslined him.

Now, 25 years later, Rambis gets a shot at reviving the same franchise McHale couldn't.

On Tuesday afternoon, Rambis advanced to new heights, and now can take responsibility in leading a team under his behalf as the new coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

At last, the Wolves can say they’ve found a coach with potential, someone who can make vital adjustments and instill charisma. At last, they can attempt to rebuild into contenders, dismissing previous coaches who have failed, one of them being McHale, who was the former president and coach.

After 10 years of being an Assistant Coach, Rambis earned his first chance at making the calls. He will never have to sit on the bench waiting for the boss to call the plays.

Its his job now. A job to bring the Wolves back into the playoff picture; one they haven't seen since Kevin Garnett left town for a ring in Boston.

From his distinctive star power in the ‘80’s, one that rivaled local Hollywood celebs, Rambis was admired. He was the one player aside from Magic Johnson, who played an integral role in the Lakers dynasty.

He's also been on the bench for many of the Lakers titles this decade. But no longer will he have to sit in the shadows of Phil Jackson. He now confronts his own challenges; coaching the youth of the Wolves.

This rare opportunity gives Rambis the chance to mold players and develop them into solid professionals.



For much of Rambis’ life, he's played in an up-tempo offense, meaning, he will most likely install one. It will create a dynamic and tense transition game, which can quite often be difficult to stop on both the perimeter and in the paint.

This past June, after the NBA Draft, many league experts were perplexed by GM David Kahn's moves. But one sure-fire winner, has been the signing of Rambis. In the past two seasons, the Wolves collected just 22 and 24 wins, making it difficult to hire a coach to clean up dismay.

It was simple for Mark Jackson, ABC/ESPN analyst, to pass on this job. But Rambis embraced the challenge - a hard one at that.

Now fans in the "Twin City" are counting on him to bring the Wolves back to the playoffs.

With Rambis' hiring, the drafting of Jonny Flynn, and the possible addition of Ricky Rubio, the fans will support the Wolves and their new faces.

First and foremost, Rubio may not even play in Minnesota this season due to contract disputes. But well-rounded prospect, Jonny Flynn will. The Syracuse alum, has the potential to blossom into a superstar with his poise and leadership qualities. And there’s no better leader or mentor than Rambis to cultivate guidance.

It will be interesting to see if the franchise that Rambis dedicated most of his life to, the Lakers, is one that he can help challenge in the coming years.

But in the meantime, it will have to be a complete effort from top to bottom, for the Wolves to get back to the promised land. But the hiring of Kurt Rambis was a great start to a new beginning.

T'Wolves: Rubio Just Might Be a Waste, Hazed in Uncertainty

So, we've stirred up international bias, describing the 18-year-old as Pete Maverich and anointed Ricky Rubio as NBA's next elite point guard.

Only playing next season would have revealed the truth, whether the Spaniard is NBA caliber or just a disappointment. Until then, we will never understand who exactly Rubio is, or if he’s the greatest since Pistol Pete.

But being compared to the Pistol is ridiculous, and with the availability of technology, YouTube videos unleash him as the greatest play maker in the world. Fine, he might be prolific at passing the ball, unstoppable in transition and explosive to the rim, but we forgot he’s not nearly as exquisite shooting the ball.


Recently, Rubio is perplexing and unpromising to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Just when the hype began to fade out, Rubio faded out quickly, vanishing from the country that has solely acclaimed him with warmth salutes.

Within that span, he convoked more fame than Jon and Kate, described as former elite superstars. He hasn't even played one game in the country where the Star Spangled Banner hails as the national anthem.

And to some, Rubio was the most exciting player in the draft, and corralled more acceptance than Blake Griffin, equipped as the No. 3 pick to be selected.


Mired in an oppressive state is Wolves' president of basketball operations David Kahn, uncertain of Rubio's stance for suddenly reneging. All of us should have being befuddled when Rubio's father informed the Wolves of his sons status, saying he may play in Spain for a few more years rather than the NBA.

It came when we were obligated to seeing him translate excellence outside the Euro league; it came when we over-hyped him, overshadowing the likings of others, and it came when the Wolves are in disarray. Right now, they are in a complex dilemma, drafting an internationally-born player who suddenly opts to return overseas.

If that was his intent, then in what way did the Wolves benefit? By signing a player that obtruded a mind-numbing mess for taking the popular teen who seemed loyal and optimistic about playing with Minnesota?

Perhaps there’s a reason for Rubio's impulsive repudiation, leaving the Wolves in nonsensical blunders—not something Kahn visualized stepping in as the new boss of a disoriented franchise that has being left in a bewildered casualty by the poor choices and dumbfounded irrationality of Kevin McHale.

Much has abolished over the course of last season, when coach Randy Wittman was fired. That gave leeway to the ill-minded McHale, who resigned as president of basketball operations to coach full time.

After misery stained his imagery as head coach, forward Kevin Love tweeted that McHale and Kahn discerned that it was time for a new ambassador to jettison dismal failures from their perception of revamping fortune.

Now, Kahn is searching for a new coach in the rebuilding stage that has evoked concern, as we are still confused to some of his baffling ideas—one reason being that the addition of Rubio seems to be a wasteful selection. From buying into Rubio’s hoopla, he squandered a pick that could have actually benefited in the future.

Had he not being watching videos on YouTube, maybe he wouldn't be faced with a burden as a first-time general manger. Then again, Kahn might have just selected Rubio base on his savvy passing capabilities and ball creativity. Still, there are flaws that he must upgrade, if the Wolves demand a well-rounded point guard.

Lack of growth and ball-handling weaknesses both dimple Rubio, and draw critique among the future. But learning that he’s expected to return to Spain urges the Wolves to wait patiently, and seeing if he’s gifted at filling in blemishes.

Until then, to discard any delay and to make an impression in his first managerial job, it would have been nice to see Kahn centralize the middle.

With prospects like prolific forward Jordan Hill or forward DeJuan Blair, depth would have tightened up the interior and made a relevant inside presence alongside Al Jefferson and Love, a pair of solid players who have the tangibles of being physical.

A remodeling stage started when Kahn dealt Randy Foye and Mike Miller two days before the draft, confusing fans of advancing higher just to claim Rubio.

By virtue, the Wolves howled guards in a pool that contained only elite guards, selecting a charismatic leader in Jonny Flynn, who proved at Syracuse he can control tempo in the back-court and instill charisma.

In fact, he is advanced and NBA-ready, ever since departing from the college level, having contiguous leadership and readiness to score from long-range.

When a guard is that versatile, Rubio should be the last player coming to mind, even if he goes back to Spain for contract disputes. Taxes can delay him of the NBA for a few seasons, if reports are truthful.

Other countries such as Spain are prestigious and superior in confusing turbulence that may restrict Rubio from leaving Europe to expand.

Allegedly, Rubio’s tax payment was postponed by collateral his team filed, of which could hinder success in the future outside of Spain. He has filed a lawsuit, but the Spanish Government is inevitable to ignore if the tax money isn’t paid.

In other words, Rubio won't be able to play elsewhere until issues are resolved. He missed the presentation of the Wolves' 2009 draft class, partly because of his $6.6 million buyout, but apparently, Kahn is patient enough to wait on the teen that he shouldn’t miss too much.

Since selecting Flynn overall at No. 6, guard Ty Lawson from North Carolina, and 28th pick Wayne Ellington from North Carolina, there's not much to miss. Just as we never really understood Kahn’s upgrading plans, same goes for Rubio, in that his future is misleading.

Unfortunately, Kahn's first blunder came on his first selection overall at the sixth pick. After all, Rubio wasn’t worth a first-round pick, but he was just a waste.