Unsung heroes: they're the guys who do the dirty work that leads to NBA wins and postseason success - basketball players

IF YOU LOOK AROUND the NBA, the league is full of superstars like Allen Iverson, Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, and Kevin Garnett. But everybody can't be a star. You need some "nuts and bolts" guys, players who roll up their sleeves every game and receive very little credit after the buzzer sounds. They don't mind playing second fiddle--and in some cases, maybe third fiddle.

If David Robinson gets into foul trouble, San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich looks down his bench and points to Malik Rose. Rose gets off the bench and heads into the game. As the Admiral's main sub, the 6'7", 255-pound forward rarely has a matchup that's favorable to him.

"If I replace David Robinson or Tim Duncan," Rose says, "I'm going to be playing somebody a lot bigger than me. I've had to play big guys like Shaq and Alonzo Mourning throughout my career. Other times, I've played guys who are the same height, but a lot quicker than me. I just go in there play good defense, get some putbacks and grab a few rebounds. It's nothing fancy."

The undersized Rose doesn't get a lot of headlines. The publicity is reserved for All-Stars Robinson and Duncan. In 1999, Rose's hustle and energy--and some astonishingly physical battles with O'Neal-- helped the Spurs win an NBA title.

"Malik battles all the time," Popovich says. "He doesn't try to do anything he can't do. He works very hard on defense. He always hits the boards. Malik has improved his shooting from the perimeter, which gives him an extra dimension. He runs the floor. He's a contributor. You need guys like him."

While many unsung heroes Of the NBA are former college stars, Rose has always been an unheralded player. He played his college ball at Drexel University, a Philadelphia school that lurks in the shadows of the Big 5 (Temple, Villanova, Penn, La Salle, and St. Joseph's). Although the Dragons went to the 1996 NCAA Tournament, few people could imagine Rose in the NBA.

But the four-year veteran never put much stock in what the experts thought of his ability. In 1997, he was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets in the second round. After spending one season with the Hornets, he signed with the Spurs.

"I'm comfortable with my situation," Rose says. "I know what's expected of me. You always want to do as much as possible. Basically, I play as hard as I can every game."

Steve Francis is the Houston Rockets' big star. They call him "Stevie Franchise," an impact player ever since his rookie year. Cuttino Mobley is the perfect compliment to Francis. Mobley, a 6'4", 190-pound shooting guard, feeds off the Franchise's ability to create in the open court.

"Steve draws a lot of attention," Mobley says. "When he penetrates to the basket, he kicks the ball out to me. My job is to hit the open shot, which takes the pressure off him. He's our playmaker. Steve knows he can depend on me. If I'm hitting my shots, that's going to open things up for him."

In 1998, Mobley, a former Rhode Island star, was a second-round pick of the Rockets. As a rookie, he played with stars Scottie Pippen and Charles Barkley. The one thing Pip and Sir Charles found out is that Mobley doesn't lack confidence. It has a lot to do with growing up playing in the Philly playgrounds and the Sonny Hill League.

"Obviously, Steve is the guy everybody focuses on," Mobley says. "Charles and Scottie were the stars here at one time. Now we have some younger players on the rise. We have to get back to the playoffs. That's where people begin to take notice."

Aaron McKie is a good example of an unsung player shining in the postseason spotlight. Last season, he was BASKETBALL DIGEST'S and the NBA's Best Sixth Man Award. McKie, who plays from the 1 to 3, was a key player in the Philadelphia 76ers' drive to the NBA Finals. The Sixers were led by Iverson, the league's Most Valuable Player and leading scorer; however, McKie understood his role with the Sixers.

"Everybody had to do their part," McKie says. "That's why we had a successful season. I tried to do whatever we needed. Everybody can't average 25 points a game. You've got to have players who do all the little things like picking up the loose balls, playing defense, and making the extra pass."

McKie performed all these overlooked tasks extremely well. Sixers coach Larry Brown loves McKie's approach to the game. "He plays the right way," Brown says. "He plays defense, doesn't turn the ball over, and gets his teammates involved. He's learned a lot from John Chaney, his college coach. He taught Aaron how to play the game. We've asked him to do so many things. He just goes out and does them. He never complains."

The Sixers are composed of role players, guys who are willing to sacrifice to make the team better. Even though the stars get the big salaries, commercials, and sneaker contracts, the unsung heroes of the Sixers won the hearts of many NBA fans during a thrilling post-season run.

"We're not afraid to do the dirty work," McKie says. "We don't do a lot of spectacular things. I just think the fans appreciate the way we play the game. We come out and work hard for 48 minutes."

Darrell Armstrong isn't a household name in the NBA. Armstrong, a 6'1", 180-pound guard, is responsible for getting the ball to Tracy McGrady and Grant Hill, and the Orlando Magic's main playmaker knows his role.

"Darrell is a great floor general," Magic coach Doc Rivers says. "He does exactly what we want to do. He pushes the ball upcourt He hits the open man. He doesn't get a lot of recognition--that goes to guys like Tracy and Grant. But people are starting to recognize his talents."

In fact, the recognition started two years ago. In 1999, Armstrong received the NBA's Best Sixth Man and Most Improved Player Awards. "To win both of those awards in the same year was really something," Armstrong says. "Now people are a little more aware of me."

Armstrong doesn't have an easy job. He usually defends the other team's best player. He dives for loose balls and scraps for rebounds, too. "It's a challenge every night," Armstrong says. "I've played against the best at my position. I've had to guard Allen Iverson, Gary Payton, and Jason Kidd. They're all great players. The only filing you can make them do is work hard. Hopefully, that will have some effect on their game. I try to make them scratch and claw for everything."

Armstrong is used to scratching and clawing. He's done exactly that over the years. And he's done it with very little fanfare.

Armstrong didn't receive a lot of publicity coming out of Fayetteville State, a small college in North Carolina. He went undrafted and played in the Global Basketball Association, United States Basketball League, and Continental Basketball Association. He also played in Cyprus and Spain before signing as a free agent with the Magic.

"I played my college ball in the CIAA (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association)," Armstrong says. "It's a good conference. We just didn't get a lot of exposure. Fayetteville State allowed me to develop my game. I didn't get drafted, and that was tough for me. But I didn't let that bother me. My goal was to keep working until I reached the league. I knew all I needed was a chance. I've been in the league for six years. I'm happy to be here. I don't mind playing a supporting role. That's fine with me."

Rivers was an All-American during his college days at Marquette. During his NBA career, he played with the Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Clippers, New York Knicks, and Spurs. He was a point guard who ran the offense, settled the team down, and controlled the game.

Rivers didn't receive a lot of accolades. Now, as a coach, he can identify with a player like Armstrong.

"He does a lot of things some people may not consider important," Rivers says. "But the fans, coaches and players who know the game can understand the value of a player like him."

COPYRIGHT 2002 Century Publishing
COPYRIGHT 2001 Gale Group