The NBA Playoffs Top Sixth Men

- The Season's Over -

Elite Reserves on Elite Teams Getting It Done

May 24, 2010

Kobe Bryant and Tony Allen Photo Credit: Icon SMI

We all know how Kobe Bryant, Rajon Rondo, Dwight Howard, and Steve Nash have been performing during the playoffs, but oftentimes a club’s bench play can swing a few postseason games in directions the fans didn’t expect. Each team left standing sports at least one elite reserve capable of providing an offensive spark or some heady defense to keep things rolling.

Let’s break down the top bench player on each remaining squad and how they’ve helped their teams in the playoffs to this point.

Tony Allen, Boston Celtics, G/F

Allen is an explosive athlete who can pressure opposing defenses with his aggressive drives to the hoop or opposing offenses with his tenacity on or off the ball. Through 14 playoff games, he’s shooting 53% (37 for 69), chiefly by taking it to the hole to bank in lay-ups or for short jumpers. Or to make a statement. On top of that, he’s done a decent job getting to the line when he recognizes a mismatch against a slower defender. In the Second Round against Cleveland, Allen shot six free throws in the clinching Game Six, plus another six in the series’ turning point, Game Four. His attacking presence on offense allows the Celtics to keep their foot on the gas when necessary without having to rely on Rajon Rondo to do so for the entire game, similar to Kyle Lowry’s presence on Houston last year in the post-season.

On the defensive side, Allen’s speed and size (6-4, 215) allow the defensive-minded C’s some flexibility in their lineups and versatility in their matchups. He will guard point guards, shooting guards, or small forwards depending on which other green shirts are out there with him. His ball-hawking skills have resulted in 18 steals in the playoffs, second on Boston only to Rondo, the league’s steals leader, who has 30 (though it should be noted that Rondo has played 587 minutes to Allen’s 253).

Mickael Pietrus, Orlando Magic, G/F

Pietrus is the perfect reserve for Orlando: He shoots lots of threes at a high percentage and he can play defense. During the regular season, Pietrus connected on 38% of his triples for the league’s top long-range shooting squad, hitting 1.6 per. So far in the playoffs, he’s second on the team with 24 trifectas (just behind Jameer Nelson and Rashard Lewis’ 25) at a blistering 47%. Pietrus has rung up multiple threes in 8 of their 11 post-season games, but he’s only 3 for 10 against Boston through two. Besides shooting, he’s been smart with the ball, only turning it over six times in 232 minutes.

Orlando’s other calling card is defense, and the 6-6 athlete doesn’t disappoint there either. He has the length, quickness, and intelligence to stick whomever the Magic need him to guard. He’s recorded sevel steals and four blocks, which rank fifth and third on the team respectively.

Checking out the other top teams’ top reserves, after the jump …

Lamar Odom Photo Credit: Icon SMI

Lamar Odom, Los Angeles Lakers, F

Odom is arguably the most complete player in the NBA. He is an effective offensive player both in the post with a center on his back and out on the perimeter with a guard tracking him. He’s consistently one of the top Lakers in effective field goal percentage, showing he’s always one of their more efficient scorers. Odom averaged 9.8 rebounds in 32 minutes per this season; he had the team’s highest rebounding percentage (17.3%), which is extremely impressive when you consider how loaded their frontcourt is.

His assist-turnover rate (1.78) was only topped on the Lakers by PG Derek Fisher and SF/SG Ron Artest, and Odom actually recorded more assists than either of those two starters. He always plays great at the end of tough games, usually being the Laker who comes up with important loose balls or scrappy rebounds when they’re absolutely necessary, like he did in every close Finals game last year. And his rare blend of size, athleticism, and intelligence makes him a versatile defender, ranking right near the top of the NBA in multiple advanced defensive metrics. He has lead the Lakers in Defensive Rating and Defensive Win Shares each of the past two seasons, just missing three straight years.

Wow, that was a lot of man-crushing. Let’s get to these playoffs. Odom is shooting 47% and grabbing 9 boards per, but this doesn’t do justice to how he sways the direction of important games. In the first contest against Phoenix, he entered with the Lakers down 20-15. Odom scored the next three buckets for 7 points, and suddenly LA was up at the end of one 35-26, never losing control. In Game Two, he came in with the Lakers up two in the middle of a seesaw first quarter. Fifteen seconds later he had a put-back layup, and next thing you know, he and Kobe had them up 12; the Lakers never trailed from Odom’s entrance on. No word on Amar’e Stoudemire’s thoughts after Game Two.

Jared Dudley, Phoenix Suns, F

Dudley is similar to Pietrus in terms of how perfectly he fits his team. The Suns like to shoot threes; he’s great at that. The Suns are now playing some defense; he’s very good at that. On offense, Dudley has picked up where he left off in the regular season, continuing to knock down long jumpers. He’s hitting 41% from behind the arc (20 for 49), second on Phoenix only to Jason Richardson’s insane 51%. Even though the Suns are getting smoked by Los Angeles, Dudley has hit 6 of 12 triples against them, including a 5-for-5 explosion in Game Two for 15 points. He’s also smart with the ball, sporting a fantastic 23-8 assist-turnover margin in the post-season.

Defensively, Dudley’s size (6-7, 225) and intensity make him option 1b—Grant Hill is 1a—to get the toughest defensive assignments each game. With virtually no help behind him in the post, Dudley has had to guard Kobe, who has gotten his points, but his shooting percentage is well below that of the rest of the Lakers against Phoenix. Dudley has a team-high 17 steals through 13 contests, including seven versus the Lakers.

Zachariah Blott cannot recommend Rick Telander’s “Heaven Is A Playground” enough.

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