- D.J. Mbenga
- Adam Morrison
- Shannon Brown (doesn’t deserve to be on this list)
- Josh Powell
- Sauron
- Luke Walton
- Sun Yue
Shannon Brown turned out to be one of LA's better bench players that didn't play in the Finals for whatever reason. He first showed his ability during the Utah series when Phil played him to match the size and physical abilities of Deron Williams. Deron Williams has repeatedly burnt down Fisher and Farmar in the past. Williams still had a good series, but Brown was able to match him physically. And unlike the rest of the players on this list, Brown doesn't have any good comic value that I can think of.
Josh Powell deserved his ring. Sweet redemption for him.
"7. A Laker Benchwarmer Savors a Personal Victory
Laker forward Josh Powell played just 73 minutes during these playoffs, but he more than earned the sense of victory and relief that comes with his first championship ring. Needing money to support his family, Powell left North Carolina State in 2003. Long, skilled, athletic and tough he was so impressive at some of his workouts that he was briefly discussed as a lottery pick -- although he ultimately went undrafted, and has played for several team overseas in the NBA in the interim.
One of his workouts was for the Washington Wizards, where Patrick Ewing was then an assistant coach.
After the workout, Ewing stunned Powell, by telling him that he would never make the NBA.
Powell has not forgotten. "Every time I see him," he says, he remembers the words that once cut him. "It was just motivation. I can't do nothing but respect it, if that's his opinion. It just drove me to go hard. It drove me to stay hungry."
About then, some NBA personnel came through the champagne-soaked Laker locker room with the gleaming NBA championship trophy. Powell finishes his thought, reaching for the trophy: "Everything worked out for the best ... now let me see that thing right there ...""
from truehoop.com
Think about it, Sun Yue got a ring before Yao Ming did. The guy had 4 fouls in his first game in the NBA before he accidentally scored 4 points all in garbage time in a blow out.
I guess sometimes, it's better to be lucky than good or physically blessed.
Walton isn't dead weight, and in my other post I acknowledged him as a good contributor. It's more for contrast from his status as a punchline, which in many respects, he still is.
HIS NAME is... Dacos.
Search "Mbenga" and "tacos" on youtube and there you have it.
Also the Son of Walton has been a pretty good contributor in this series and the last. He is far from dead weight.
Ammo
Josh Powell
Sun Yue
are still on the floor in amway arena
So is Sauron supposed to be Vujacic's nickname? Because if Walton is on this list, Vujacic needs to be there too!
:D
[...] It’s officially the end of the NBA season, with the Lakers thrashing the Magic in Game 5 last night. Congrats to former Mavs D.J. Mbenga and Josh Powell, I guess. [...]