Top 5 NBA Sidekicks in Recent Years
No player enters the league with the wish of becoming sidekick. Every player wants to be recognized as the best player on his team especially after playing as best as he possibly can. But sometimes a more dominant player comes and starts to grab headlines.
It’s a bit disappointing to become a second best and playing a supporting role in the success of the team. But this role is also significant and sometimes, situation demands a player to follow someone else. So, a player has to accept it whether he likes it or not.
Over the years, many players have been playing this role with great efficiency. It is not difficult to understand what Kevin McHale meant to Larry Bird, Bob Cousy to Bill Russell and above all, what Scottie Pippen meant to Bulls and Michael Jordan. World would not remember Michael Jordan as the greatest player if he not had a player like Scottie Pippen by his side.
In recent times, many players are doing remarkable job for their fellow players and for their respective teams despite being seen as sidekick. Let’s find out who are best sidekicks in recent history.
5. Tony Parker
Though, he could not be labeled as a sidekick anymore. Since Tim Duncan is nearing the end of his career and Tony Parker has taken over the reins of the Spurs. But over the year, he has been a sidekick to Tim Duncan. He helped his team reaching the playoffs many times and often, he was in the contention to become regular season Most Valuable Player.
4. Blake Griffin
Los Angeles Clippers was an underrated team until Black Griffin came in 2009. Later on the inclusion of Chris Paul made them ever so strong. With a new formidable line up, they are looking more likely to win a few titles in coming years and to achieve their purposes, they will need Blake Griffin alongside floor general Chris Paul to show some guts.
3. Pau Gasol
Despite putting up some impressive stats, he could not do much for Memphis Grizzlies. But ever since he has been entered the Lakers, he is playing a different role altogether and his numbers are having an impact on his team. Under the leadership of Kobe Bryant and the support of Pau Gasol, Lakers made five times to the playoffs and won two championships as well. But now, he can’t be taken even the second best on his team as Dwight Howard is there to help Kobe Bryant.
2. Dwyane Wade
Once the leader of the Miami Heat but now Dwyane Wade is a sidekick since LeBron James arrived in the team. Like a true team player, he accepted the new role and continues to do what his team expects him to do. Ever since Wade and LeBron James have been teamed up, Miami Heat has appeared in three playoffs and ended up winning a championship on 2012.
1. Russell Westbrook
Russell Westbrook is undoubtedly the best sidekick in NBA right now, in fact, he is more than a sidekick. He is among few of those point guards who can play well both on offense and defense.
Most of the time, Westbrook is neck and neck with Kevin Durant in terms of the numbers but somehow his achievements have been overshadowed by Kevin Durant. But the fact is both players make an ideal Batman and Robin kind of a pair and they are extremely beneficial for Oklahoma City Thunder.
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