“Be a star in your role.”
These are impactful words as we approach the playoffs, the time of year when the “others” will step up and make or break a series for a team. But what does it mean, and what goes into it?
We’ve seen various archetypes carve out a lane for themselves. Shooters, playmakers, 3-and-D wings, bigs who can roll and protect the rim. They are all over the place and their importance in team building has grown. The trickiest part becomes when people define players in just that role. It’s a thin line between “This player is a great defender” and “What else does this player do besides defend?”
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In today’s NBA, versatility is key. You may not have the ability to showcase everything in your game, but the consistently good aspects may lift your team to a different level. It can be easy to forget the sacrifice that comes with being a role player. There is a certain level of confidence, self-belief and skill needed to continue climbing the basketball ranks. When it comes to winning basketball, though, there is a reality check on what players need to do to help get their team to where it needs to go.
Here are five role players who define and elevate their teams, followed by four duos that are contributing at a high level. They have shown the self-confidence to compete every single night, a belief in their skills and the understanding that they may have to defer in certain scenarios. Most importantly, they provide a base for a great team to thrive come playoff time.
Derrick White, Celtics
It seems like the stronger White plays, the louder the discourse gets around him. It’s grown from “All-Star this” to “top five that.” The Celtics guard is having a career year when it comes to points, assists, blocks and steals. And while advanced metrics try to explain his impact vs. his shooting splits (which may raise an eyebrow if you’re peeking at the box score), if you just open your eyes you’ll see the proven fact: Derrick White consistently contributes to winning basketball.
He’s a connective tissue for the Celtics on both ends of the floor. Rarely do you see the words “rim protection” in the recipe for a great defensive guard, but White provides it. The blocks speak for themselves, but watch the timing on the weakside when he’s helping on a drive, or the rearview or late contests if you do try to attack him 1v1. It’s rare to see a defensive possession where White is either out of place or not tracking the ball.
On offense, White often gets the ball where it needs to be when it needs to be there for the Celtics — a quick throw-ahead pass, a swing to a big to get to the second side — and he doesn’t turn the ball over. Did you know White has turned it over two times or less in 50 of his 65 games? The Celtics lead the league with the fewest turnovers per game (12.2). There’s a volume that comes in basketball. Shot-making and play-making can jump off the page. That shouldn’t mute the rhythm that White brings to the Celtics.
Josh Hart, Knicks
Sometimes you have to show, not tell. I picked the below sequence from the Knicks’ recent win over the Pacers. It’s easy to tip the cap to the big moments, but who is showing up on a Tuesday in March?
Hart sets the tone for the Knicks, pressuring the ball to get a steal. On the next defensive possession down, Hart is expecting some sort of switch or help, but the Pacers slip. Hart sticks with the play, gets another steal and, after whatever happened to Mikal Bridges, follows the play with a layup.
Hart’s a key piece for the Knicks. One of his best gifts is his ability to impact the game on both ends despite what teams try to do. He is an underrated problem solver in what oftentimes is an imperfect basketball world. On defense, Hart is adept at covering breakdowns for the Knicks, working to navigate screens and communicating late switches if there is a coverage bust.
On offense, as more teams look to stash a big on Hart, notice how quickly he will look to get to the next play by trying to find a handoff, screen, or re-screen to keep the Knicks flowing. If he’s on the wing, it may feel like a help point until he quickly goes into a handoff with Brunson or works to set a flare screen as KAT attacks from the elbow/post. His playmaking may not always feel as loud, but the Knicks are 25-8 when Hart has five or more assists this season.
Jaden McDaniels, Timberwolves
It’s the versatility of McDaniels that continues to be a key for the Timberwolves. The freedom to attack in transition and try to get an easy basket. The opportunities to get a dribble handoff and look to get a paint touch or a midrange jump shot. The ability to use his size and length to stride into the paint, see teams helping off and make kicks to the perimeter.
Defensively, he can alternate between taking a very specific matchup (see: Devin Booker), switching, showing help and recovering, or anchoring a zone defense where he is in the middle with two bigs on the wing. McDaniels is at this best when he is pressuring the ball and navigating screens — mixing in fighting over and under, finding a way to eat up space when it looks like he’s beat, and showing his hands to remain in a play. A motivated McDaniels who keeps it simple is the secret sauce behind the Wolves’ playoff ceiling.
Alex Caruso, Thunder
I feel like it’s safe to say what Caruso brings to the table is a proven product. A known entity. Championship quality. This is an opportunity to talk about one of my favorite things when watching the Thunder. When they start the game, you’ll see them pressure a team’s star, you’ll see what their defensive gameplan is to start, and you’ll see a back and forth. And then midway through that first quarter, when you think you have a handle on the game, here comes Caruso. And what that means could change from game to game.
The Thunder are willing to put him on anyone in an opposing uniform. It could mean immediately guarding a star player, working to be physical off-ball and physical on-ball (poke, poke, show hands, poke). It could mean guarding a non-shooter, roaming and helping in the paint. It could mean switching off-ball to turn that pick-and-roll you thought was an advantage into a switch to keep the Thunder’s defense whole. The overall thing is: He is going to impact the game on the defensive end every single night.
Offensively, it’s a timely cut, a flare on the weakside, a pin-in or a flash to the paint. And the nights he’s mixing in timely drives or 3s become a backbreaker for opponents going against this juggernaut Thunder franchise.
Marcus Smart, Lakers
Whether you believe the Lakers have a winning formula based on their ability to build championship habits, or they are a team that won’t be able to because of a lack of defense, you understand just how important Marcus Smart is to the equation. I could point to the Lakers being 18-7 when Smart scores 10 or more points, but I’m not sure that would tell the full story.
The longer this season goes on, the more you can see how Smart glues things together for the Lakers, especially in their starting lineup. He does not need the ball in his hands and can be used as a screener to attack matchups. If he gets an advantage, that’s a plus for the Lakers. His versatility on defense, meanwhile, allows him to take matchups. That eases the burden on Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, and allows LeBron James to roam on the weakside. When Smart does switch, he’s strong on the weakside at showing early help to protect the Lakers’ defenders.
Smart raises the Lakers’ compete level. It’s a lot easier to shuffle through switching, zone and the occasional double with Smart’s defensive consistency. Everyone is able to do their job because they know Smart will do his job every single night.
Isaiah Stewart/Ron Holland, Pistons
Being responsible to bring energy to a team every single night is not as easy as it seems. Effort and aggression have impact, but that being your calling card and that being expected when you enter the game is a different story.
By this point we know the Pistons will always compete and always defend, and these two embody it every single night. Holland comes into the game like a wrecking ball on both ends, ready to pressure defensively and willing to drive offensively. Stewart (who is out with a calf injury) commands the paint, ready to be active when on the perimeter but determined to protect the rim.
Sam Merrill/Dean Wade, Cavaliers
There is something to be said about reliability when it comes to a role player. Merrill and Wade provide a baseline for Cleveland. With Wade, you know the defensive effort will be there, the switching will be there, the heady plays on offense will be there. With Merrill, his shooting can open up the playbook, and his movement can provide misdirection and add to the Cavs’ lineup versatility. Plus, he’ll work when teams put him in action defensively.
It’s clear Kenny Atkinson values and trusts both of them near his starters, while he can bring in Dennis Schröder, Keon Ellis and Jaylon Tyson to provide chaos off the bench.
Julian Champagnie/Carter Bryant, Spurs
Within every single thing that Victor Wembanyama has done for the Spurs, and the excellent guard play they’ve gotten, their wings consistently fill in and elevate their unit.
The Spurs are 19-7 when Champagnie makes three or more 3s. He does not need the ball in his hands, but when he finds it he can make defenses pay. The evolution of Bryant has been very fun. Doing the little things matters, whether it’s being consistent on defense, cutting on offense, beating closeouts or mixing in makes. What makes it tougher is doing it in a limited role for a winning team.
Tim Hardaway Jr./Spencer Jones, Nuggets
Despite how willing teams are to let it fly from deep in today’s NBA, it’s not an easy task for shooting to be your calling card. Hardaway Jr. has understood the assignment in Denver, willing to let it fly and knowing how to cut his way to the shots he needs.
There is an inherent pressure to a) make enough shots to stay on the court and b) bring enough defense to raise the value of that shotmaking. THJ has found a way to balance that all year long. Jones has brought a consistent “whatever you need I got it” attitude to the Nuggets. He competes, cuts and defends no matter the matchup.