Brain Scalabrine. He’s permanently changed how I look at ‘bad’ NBA players.

I will never forget 2026 Landry Shamet

PJ Tucker in a good way.

We Dawgs

All five of the Javonte Greens.

RIP Stacey King.

Alexander “MF” Caruso, that man has done miracles on me in my sports life 😭🙏

“Random role player” feels wrong to describe this player but Marcus smart played a massive role in the lives of myself and many other new englanders for the better part of 7 years

Nikola Pekovic is still protecting me.

Mike Miller with some huge 3s all throughout his time in Miami.

Also met the guy, he’s nice.

Furkan Korkmaz was my favorite Sixer because when he played it usually meant they were giving up.

I will die for my country and for Earl Joseph “J.R.” Smith III

This peak NBA fan behavior and I respect it.

Brian Grant. As a Blazer he took an elbow from Karl Malone in the playoffs one year that bled from his eyebrow and needed stitches iirc. Always thought he was a tough mf after that. He and Kelvin Cato also came to my elementary school and read books one year in the late 90s. Core childhood memory looking up at those dudes like they were giants.

Corey Brewer, he was one of the few bright spots in a dark era of wolves basketball. Great defender and hustle player and that 50 point game was nuts

Eddie House had that affect ona generation of Celtics fans they brought his ass into the booth. We all thought he was a mini Steph off the bench for a couple years. He only played ³⁄₁₁ years of his career with the Celtics too.

Sundiata Gaines. Just search him on YouTube. Doesn’t get more random than that. Probably the most memorable game I’ve ever attended.

Chuck Hayes, he put on a footwork masterclass every time he played

Early to mid-90s SuperSonics.  When they were blowing out teams, Steve Scheffler would come off the bench.   People in the stands would go nuts.   Some wore Chef’s hats.   

Boris Diaw Spurs 2014

I met and danced with Popeye Jones in the parking lot of the grand opening of a Popeye’s Chicken restaurant in DFW when I was a child. I will never not associate the two. Does that count? 

Delly.

Shane Battier is damn legend in my heart

Chris Andersen. I thought he was so cool when I was on middle school and he was on the Nuggets. My first favourite player.

Early 2000s Lakers Legend Kareem Rush

Jason Maxiell

Eddie House. Most people yell Kobe as they miss throwing a paper towel into the trash can in the bathroom, but I yell Eddddddie

Moochie Norris

Live your life as confident as Charlie Villanueva and his 3pt shot everytime ball touch his hands (eventhough only 33℅ shooter)

Bruce Bowen. One of the most underrated 3&D’s.

He was on Cameo years ago and I got a happy birthday message for my Dad. It was pretty clear that Bruce was a typical unc with the phone. First video was sideways with no audio. Second video was for the wrong person. Third video he referred to me as my father’s daughter rather than son with an entirely masculine name. Bruce finally nailed it after disappearing for two days lmao.

He was so patient and kind throughout the whole ordeal, both with me and himself. Just a good dude.

Bob Sura. He had a Linsanity like run back in the early oughts and almost no one remembers.

Super Mario Chalmers. Insanely clutch

Can’t Play Kantner

I use the reference in real life and people stare blanks at me

Wore #12 growing up cause I thought Lucious Harris looked cool in the mask and now 12 is my favorite number

Tobias Harris has negatively affected my life

Jose Alvarado got me hyped every time he touched the court and I could not be happier that he got a ring

Jeff Foster of the Pacers. I don’t really know why, but I fuckin hated that dude’s face so much. And Tyler Hansbrough. I could not stand either of them.

fuck Kelly Olynyk

Wayne Ellington. Literally discovered him as a 13 year old trying to beat my brothers in 2K. Would hit a 3 and then scream DUKE ELLINGTON. It grew from there every year, immortal player that I’ve watched play maybe 12 minutes of live basketball

Kristaps Porzingas being drafted and Rapport calling him Tingus Pingus - “I’ve never even heard of Lativia!”

Also, fuck Rapport.

Also also, Porzingas went from the unicorn to role player, so I feel he fits here.

I saw Steve Blake at a grocery store in Los Angeles yesterday. I told him how cool it was to meet him in person, but I didn’t want to be a douche and bother him and ask him for photos or anything. He said, “Oh, like you’re doing now?” I was taken aback, and all I could say was “Huh?” but he kept cutting me off and going “huh? huh? huh?” and closing his hand shut in front of my face. I walked away and continued with my shopping, and I heard him chuckle as I walked off. When I came to pay for my stuff up front I saw him trying to walk out the doors with like fifteen Milky Ways in his hands without paying. The girl at the counter was very nice about it and professional, and was like “Sir, you need to pay for those first.” At first he kept pretending to be tired and not hear her, but eventually turned back around and brought them to the counter. When she took one of the bars and started scanning it multiple times, he stopped her and told her to scan them each individually “to prevent any electrical infetterence,” and then turned around and winked at me. I don’t even think that’s a word. After she scanned each bar and put them in a bag and started to say the price, he kept interrupting her by yawning really loudly.

Of all the Furkans you chose Furkan Korkmaz and not Furkan Aldemir? You could be shouting “AHH FURKAN A”

JJ Barea for stopping prime LeBron in 2011

Theo Maledon, Ty Jerome, Gabriel Deck and Aleksej Pokusevski. Watching them was occasionally joyous but mostly incredibly head scratching

Lindsay Hunter

Not random but Dennis Rodman 96 Bulls was the player that I related to the most. You can make an impact without being a great shooter. Also, you can be different and be hated for it but as long as you are you doing what you need for your self…fuck em.

And the actual random role player would be Jack Haley…for transitioning Rodman to the Bulls.

Robert Horry not in a good way

The entire Bench Mob

Cornbread Maxwell. Best nickname and elite towel waiver.

Tacko Fall is my spirit animal.

Milos Teodosic was a legend. There was an article about him when he was with the team—can’t find it though—about some of his bizarre personality traits that made him even more lovable.

Alec Burks. My first year at Colorado was his freshman year, he was the first player from my college to be drafted since I became a student. Followed him throughout his NBA career and was elated when he signed with the Knicks. Bought his jersey immediately.

Raptors Norman Powell was one of my favourite players of all time. Always found a way to make a huge energy play in the playoffs. Glad he’s becoming more of a star these days.

I bet my entire life savings on the under for Malachi Flynn points. He went on to drop 50 that night. I still haven’t recovered financially. My wife left me.

TJ McConnell. Though he may have ascended beyond “random role player” after his Finals run. Still a role player. But elite in his role.

Alex Caruso

Steve “Discount double-check” Novak

The Tony “The Grindfather” Allen

Wesley Person returning from injury to drop 19 points to lead a moribund cavs team to beat a moribund bulls team on a random night in February 2002. This was like a free YMCA night for teens under 18, paid attendance was probably under 10k but about 8k more rowdy kids in the upper deck

JR Swish has provided so much entertainment in the form of big shots, crazy dunks, mindblowingly stupid moments, and general fuckery. The man really left it all out there for us and I respect him for it.

BOJAAAAAN

Not an nba player but I owe my work ethic to Tom Thibodeau. Every time I feel lazy i imagine him, in Rose era version, hyping me up.

Rip Hamilton.

Furkan korkmaz played ball with hingle mccringleberry in the east vs west game

Both Mehmet Okur and Corliss Williamson on the 04 Pistons title team

Timelord and Jrue Holiday even though I’d argue he’s absolutely not just a role player

Shout out Danny Green, Michael Beasley and Gerald Wallace too

Vinnie Johnson. I met him a few times and he was a very gentle soul.

Kelly Olynyk dislocating Kevin Love’s shoulder in 2015. The Cavs win in 2015 if that never happened and I will die on that hill

I would probably kill for Joe Ingles

Ime Udoka used to come into my clothing store and buy up all the 2XL & 3XL shirts. They were I mpossible to sell. He’d give them to the Blazers for Christmas. I bought myself a Udoka jersey. Also, love his insane story about fighting off people after a Nigerian & Alergia game. And he was legit a Portland baller. Loved Ime.

Every time I saw someone wearing a #11 DeRozan Bulls jersey I immediately thought it was a Ronnie Brewer jersey. That 2011 Bulls bench mob had this city in the palm of their hand.

Cole Anthony

It’s oddly comforting to learn that I’m not the only one to use Furkan’s name as a replacement for expletives.

I know it’s not the most creative thing in the world, it’s just that so few people I come across would actually know who he is.

Steve motherfucking Blake 🤬🤬🤬

The Timberwolves play in meme replaced long standing jokes in one of my friend groups. So much we just sing

“Go and tell everybody”

Second place is the washed KG/Shaq meme

Every time I see an incredibly highly skilled athlete that has piss poor conditioning and definitely smokes two packs of cigs a day it makes me think of Milos Teodosic and smile to myself. 

Cedi Osman, because we look pretty alike lol. For a brief period, it felt like I was watching myself play in the NBA

Sandieta Gaines or however tf you spell his name. That game winner over LeBron is etched in my memory forever.

Andre Roberson convinced me to practice free throws. I was 80% off the motivation to not be as bad as him.

Taj Gibson

Kelly Olynyk because fuck that guy. 

Leandro Barbosa. I think he’s on the Kings’ coaching staff now? He was great. Great dude. 

Hit me on my Peja… was my fantasy team name for a while

2022 Nemanja Bjelica

Ricky Rubio is the most elite non-elite player ever. He was the best at being average. Not a flashy player but always got it done. I respected the hell out of his game. I literally have one his those short-sleeve eras T-Wolves jerseys.

Richard Dumas back from the Suns 92 team. I thought he was so much fun to watch (as was most of that Suns team with Barkley) and I didn’t know about his drug issues. I thought he had all-star potential but he would be out of the league in a few years and never really came close to his rookie performance.

Robert horry, god damn you!

Getting jitty wit it

Darko Millicic.

Gerald Green. The Mayor of HTown

FUCK kelly olynyk

Harrison Barnes showed me what 6 on 4 looks like.

Boris Diaw. Always passing up good shots for great ones.

Is J-Lin considered a “role player?” Man was (still is) inspirational. Glad he got a ring with the Raps.

Delly taught me the importance of not overdoing the espressos, or at least making sure to maintain appropriate electrolyte balance when on a binge. 

Every couple of years I watch Jazz, Sundiata Gaines go off for like 30 and the game winner and it motivates me

It has and always will be just me and Thabo Sefelosha against the world

Quick Acy. Great motor, gets on the boards, always brought the energy. And if you needed some timely scoring? Well Quincy Acy has a great motor, gets on the boards, and always brings the energy.

Lawrence Funderburke just because it was fun to say

Every passable white bench player on the Cavs will forever be benchmarked to Delly’s effort

Cedric Ceballos hit a buzzer half court shot at the first game I ever went to. Suns basketball for life.

I loved Brian “The Janitor” Cardinal in the 2011 NBA Finals.

DeShawn Stevenson

because the shirt: https://jocksandstilettojill.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/0b2b265a.jpg

Avery Johnson

Morris Peterson vs Wizards

Game 5 Lu dort against denver

gary “gary harris” harris

Daniel Theis, something about my friend and I just saying Theis is Nice whenever he did anything always got a chuckle out of me.

Von Wafer because of his name, Keyon Dooling because of his dunk that didn’t count, and Mike White because he dunked on me in 2k12 badly stepped over me and all

Solomon Hill

Clarence Weatherspoon for the win….

Mikki Moore when he played for the NJ Nets. Met him with my dad, while my dad was wearing a shirt we customized for him. My dad just loved him and his style of play and when Mikki saw his shirt, signed it, and said “fans like you are what makes the journey worth it.” Made me more appreciative of the non-superstar players.

Hedo Türkoğlu

Baze Gaze

Morris Peterson

Doug “McBuckets” McDermott and his partneship with Kyle O’Quinn on those backdoor cuts.

Michael “Melo from the Left Side” Beasley who, until Brunson, was my favorite player to watch go to work

TJ McConnel cuz he always kills us

And Josh Hart even though he’s like the LeBron of role players

Bogdan Bogdanovic comes to mind. I’m not really a Hawks fan, but that 2021 run was a fun time.

Swaggy P babyyyyy

Darko Millicic

Stacey Augmon

Shaun Livingston taught me there is always a spot for “calm in control PG who plays within himself”

Hmm I wonder who

Shane Battier will always be my no stats all star.

Darrell Arthur for the Nuggets. I won’t explain.

Brucie B 2023

Red Velvet Kevin Huerter

Matthew Dellavedova

Cavs Legend 🥹

Robbie Hummel, no idea why.

PJ Tucker.

My small ball center king. So glad he was to get a ring.

I still think Wesley Johnson had all the tools to be great

Enes Kanter in the early 2010s used to for some reason always box MyCareer Center out for every fucking rebound early on in games.

I could handle any other center but this ugly mustached dickhead somehow always got the best of me. I used to get so annoyed I called him “Penis Cancer” instead of Enes Kanter

Earl Boykins

Aaron Afflalo. Used to play 2k with my roommates, one who was named Aaron. He’d use the rockets and shoot 3’s with him and we’d all yell “AARONS AIRIN’ EM OUT” and I think sometimes the in game announcer would too…he ended up with the nickname “Aaron-em-out” from it and now when I meet anyone named Aaron or if the word “airing” comes up in conversation I reflexively say it

Jontay Porter gave me trust issues

Jeff Foster is 13th on the all time Off Reb per 36 minutes list. If you watched him play you’d probably be shocked he wasn’t higher.

Mookie Blaylock. I remember the shock on the face of the card seller back in the 90s when I specifically asked for one of his cards.

Joe Harris and his abysmal performance in the 2021 semis vs Milwaukee will forever haunt me. Loved him outside of that.

I would die for Ed Davis

I got assigned #18 one year in a rec league and I looked up famous players with that number and for some reason I locked onto Omri Casspi

This is going to sound cheesy, but I feel like the early warriors dynasty was utilizing role players in a way we hadn’t seen (for me) before. Draymond and Iggy as point forwards who would shoot 3s. Livingston as a guard who played like a back to the basket big against smaller guards. You had your pick and pop bigs nailing top of the key jumpers. Every role player had an unconventional talent that the league wasn’t ready for. You had Steph and klay using their cardio to punish out of shape teams instead of being ball dominant guards. It just wasn’t what you expected from a team. Kerr really opened the game up, made it less 1 dimensional once he got the perfect squad.

Tyrus Thomas

Lindy Waters III made me lose trust in relationships 

Patrick Patterson

Always hit his catch-and-shoot corner 3s.

I will always have love for ryan andersen