NBA Role Player Mount Rushmore: Looking at best supporting cast members of all-time
A great NBA role player can be the difference between a championship season and missing out on the playoffs.
While there is no exact definition for a role player, the term is frequently used for a player that understands their specific role in the roster and is able to contribute in key situations. Whether it is a specialist of some kind (3-point shooter, rebounds, defensive specialist), a great locker room guy or just players who give that little extra bit of hustle, a solid role player is essential to building the perfect roster.
We take a look at the Mount Rushmore of best supporting cast members in the NBA.
NBA Role Player Mount Rushmore: Looking at best supporting cast members of all-time
#4. Steve Kerr
Coming out of high school, few Division 1 schools were interested in the undersized guard out of California. Steve Kerr eventually got a chance to play under legendary coach Lute Olson at the University of Arizona and never looked back.
Kerr made his debut for the Phoenix Suns and bounced around the league before finally finding a suitable fit for his skillset with the Chicago Bulls. Playing alongside Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, he went on to win three championships with Chicago and added two more with the San Antonio Spurs.
Kerr started just 33 of the 1,038 professional games he featured in, but was always consistent and reliable. The sharpshooter finished with the best 3-point percentage in NBA history (45.4%). He will also be remembered fondly by Bulls fans for his game winning 3 in Game 6 of the 1997 NBA Finals against the Utah Jazz, which was assisted by the legendary Michael Jordan.
#3. Bruce Bowen
It is hard to compile a list of the greatest role players without including a true defensive specialist. Bowen was one of the game's elite defenders. At 6-foot-7, the lanky guard/forward could cover a range of positions and was usually tasked with guarding the opposition's star players.
Few players in the league were able to lock down Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Tracey McGrady the way Bowen was able to.
Like Kerr, Bowen struggled to find a home early in his career and bounced around Europe, the CBA and the NBA before settling in San Antonio. His defensive abilites were a vital asset for a Gregg Popovich led Spurs team that went on to win three championships over five seasons between 2003-2007.
#2. Michael Cooper
The LA Lakers dominated the Western Conference during the 1980s and a big factor in their success was Michael Cooper. Although Cooper rarely started, he was a key figure in the Lakers side that won five titles over his 12 seasons with the organization.
Cooper started just 98 games of the 1,041 the games he featured in and averaged 28.2 minutes per game.
Cooper's career average of 8.9 points per game may not jump off the page but he will be remembered for his exceptional defensive abilities. The guard was named the Defensive Player of the Year in 1987 and was a five-time All-Defensive First Team selection.
#1. Robert Horry
Not much stands out when glancing over Robert Horry's stat line over his NBA career. The forward averaged just 7.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists over 16 years. He started less than half the 1,351 games he played in and averaged only 24.5 minutes per game in the regular season. Yet somehow, everything Horry touched turned to gold.
Horry evolved into the ultimate supporting player. He knew his role on the team and contributed wherever necessary. His hard work, sound defense and 3-point shooting usually translated to wins for his team.
Horry has the honor of being the only player in NBA history to win multiple championships with three different organizations (Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, LA Lakers). He won a total of seven titles over his career. Remove all the Boston Celtics players from the 1960s and 1970s and no player has more championship rings than Horry.