Dallas Mavericks (Grade: B): PG
Devin Harris looks like the effective player he was back in his days with the then-New Jersey Nets, and C
Brandan Wright and SF
Jae Crowder are both returning from last season. PG
Raymond Felton will be one of the better third-string point guards when he returns from injury, and forwards
Al-Farouq Aminu and
Richard Jefferson are both useful. Rick Carlisle will handle his bench beautifully as usual.
Denver Nuggets (Grade: B): There's a lot of talent here, I'm just not sure how the minutes will be distributed. Guards
Nate Robinson and
Randy Foye are two of the premier bench scorers when hot, but Nate is on a minutes restriction as he recovers from a major operation. SG
Gary Harris could be a useful rookie, and forwards
Wilson Chandler and
Alonzo Gee have been starters elsewhere.
JaVale McGee is an explosive option for the back-up center spot. PF/C
JJ Hickson should also provide a lift, if and when he returns from injury.
Golden State Warriors (Grade: A-): You'd be hard pressed to find a better two-way bench duo than G/F
Andre Iguodala and F/C
Draymond Green.
They are helpful offensively and exceptional defensively; new head coach Steve Kerr is going to be particularly thankful for the defense. PG
Shaun Livingston was arguably the Nets' MVP last season, and G
Leandro Barbosa and PF/C
Marreese Speights are positive offensive contributors. This is a strong group.
Houston Rockets (Grade: F): I am shocked at Rockets GM
Daryl Morey. Widely regarded as one of the better decision-makers in the league, I can't believe he thinks his bench is sufficient for a championship run. He has to know how bad it is.
Donatas Motiejunas,
Kostas Papanikolaou,
Isaiah Canaan and
Tarik Black -- need I say more?
Jason Terry is the only borderline professional in this group.
Los Angeles Clippers (Grade: A-): I've said this many times before, but
Jamal Crawford is my favorite bench player in the NBA. He's the most entertaining ballhandler in the game, and his volume scoring is jaw-dropping at times. Can't say anything bad about the Clippers' additions of PG
Jordan Farmar and C
Spencer Hawes. Veteran forwards
Hedo Turkoglu and
Glen "Big Baby" Davis will play similar roles to last season. This unit was decent last year, and it has definitely since-improved.
Los Angeles Lakers (Grade: D-): Byron Scott's bench is only avoiding an "F" because of the eventual presence of
Nick Young, one of the premier microwaves in the league. However, the Lakers may be so desperate for offense at the time of his return that he may be inserted directly into the starting lineup. Time will tell.
Memphis Grizzlies (Grade: B-): Vince Carter's professional career arc is pretty fascinating: From world-renowned dunker and top-tier superstar to grounded, effective, team-oriented veteran reserve. He deserves a ton of credit for his ability to adapt, and will certainly be a welcome addition to the Grizz. PG Beno Udrih, F Jon Leuer and C Kosta Koufos are all back from last year, and SF Quincy Pondexter will make his return from a nearly season-long injury hiatus. These guys aren't bad.
Minnesota Timberwolves (Grade: C+): It was thought that either
Andrew Wiggins or
Corey Brewer would come off the bench, but both were in
Flip Saunders' starting lineup on opening night. That shortens the Wolves' bench. This group will be led by PG
Mo Williams and C
Gorgui Dieng. They will hope for breakout years from forwards
Anthony Bennett and
Shabazz Muhammad. There's some upside here.
New Orleans Pelicans (Grade: C-): F Ryan Anderson is right up there in the #1 overall bench player discussion with Taj Gibson, Greg Monroe, Jamal Crawford, Isaiah Thomas and Manu Ginobili. The rest of the Pelicans' bench is quite underwhelming.
Oklahoma City Thunder (Grade: B-): Reggie Jackson,
Jeremy Lamb,
Anthony Morrow,
Nick Collison and
Kendrick Perkins looks good at full strength; the problem is that the Thunder have a plethora of injuries at the moment, a frustrating development that has blurred the lines between the starters and reserves. At 100% health this could be a B+/A- unit.
Phoenix Suns (Grade: A-): I'm still shocked the Lakers didn't sign
Isaiah Thomas to be their starting point guard; maybe he didn't want to play for a horrendous team going nowhere fast. "The Pizza Guy" will easily be one of the best reserves in the league, and G/F
Gerald Green and either SF
Marcus Morris or
PJ Tucker (depending on who gets the starting job when Tucker returns) will serve as his primary assistants. G
Archie Goodwin and C
Alex Len also have upside.
Portland Trail Blazers (Grade: C-): Guards
Steve Blake and
CJ McCollum both stink. I wonder how long it will take people in Portland to realize that. C
Chris Kaman is the only bright spot in this below-average group. PF
Thomas Robinson has just a bit of upside.
San Antonio Spurs (Grade: A): Here's the best bench in the NBA. G
Manu Ginobili and F/C
Boris Diaw are confident and dangerous all-around veterans, and SG
Marco Belinelli is an excellent 8th man. PG
Cory Joseph and C
Aron Baynes are both improving, and F/C
Matt Bonner will always make his open looks. This group gets an "A" even with G
Patty Mills on the shelf. I should also mention that they're being handled by the best coach in professional sports, Sir
Gregg Popovich.
Sacramento Kings (Grade: D+): I know it's only one game, but I watched these guys play against the Warriors last night and it was bordering on unbearable. It's gonna be a long season for this group. PG
Ramon Sessions is overrated and PF
Carl Landry is the only guy I like here.
Utah Jazz (Grade: F): When
Trevor Booker is far and away your best reserve, your team is in serious trouble. 'Nuff said.
Johnny Fro's NBA Bench Power Rankings
30. Utah Jazz (F)
29. Philadelphia 76ers (F)
28. Orlando Magic (F)
27. Houston Rockets (F)
26. Los Angeles Lakers (D-)
25. Sacramento Kings (D+)
24. Portland Trail Blazers (C-)
23. New Orleans Pelicans (C-)
22. Indiana Pacers (C-)
21. Washington Wizards (C)
20. Miami Heat (C)
19. Charlotte Hornets (C)
18. Cleveland Cavaliers (C)
17. Atlanta Hawks (C)
16. Milwaukee Bucks (C+)
15. Minnesota Timberwolves (C+)
14. Brooklyn Nets (C+)
13. New York Knicks (B-)
12. Memphis Grizzlies (B-)
11. Oklahoma City Thunder (B-)
10. Denver Nuggets (B)
9. Dallas Mavericks (B)
8. Boston Celtics (B+)
7. Phoenix Suns (A-)
6. Los Angeles Clippers (A-)
5. Chicago Bulls (A-)
4. Golden State Warriors (A-)
3. Toronto Raptors (A-)
2. Detroit Pistons (A-)
1. San Antonio Spurs (A)
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