Tony Allen, Shane Battier, Sam Young, Darrell Arthur - Memphis Grizzlies
One giant key to the recent and current Memphis Grizzly winning ways has been their bounty of Glue Guys. At the wing positions, Memphis throws the adhesive rotation of Sam Young, Shane Battier, and Tony Allen at opponents, but it doesn't end there. Coming off the bench for the front court, Memphis brings Darrell Arthur, who's solid defense and ability to knock down the open jumper give the Griz one of the better bench rotations in the West. Boston is hurting at the loss of Tony Allen. His departure has lead to a big vacancy in toughness in the Celtics' wing rotation, and is a main component to Boston's stretch run struggles and their sudden question marks heading into the post season. Meanwhile, Memphis continues to win games, even after Rudy Gay's season-ending injury. The Griz execute using hustle and grit, and they win more than they lose. Their supporting cast is as strong as any when you consider Memphis's lack of star power, and perhaps the toughness they utilize is enough to power through a higher seeded team such as Dallas or San Antonio in a potential first round showdown.
Jodie Meeks - Philadelphia 76ers
Spreading the floor with shooters is a key component to a healthy NBA offense. Out east in Philly, the emergence of young Jodie Meeks has given the Sixers one of the best floor spreaders of the season's second half. Over the last 30 days, Meeks has poured in 44 triples, one less than Toney Douglas for the league lead. Not only does Meeks light it up with his fire shot, but his play on the defensive end has separated him from teammate guards Evan Turner and Jason Kapono. It should be interesting to see how 76er management moves forward with 2nd overall pick Turner, with Meeks showing so much in support of his teammates as the team's big-minute shooting guard. Meeks doesn't look to rebound, and he rarely finds himself making plays. No, Meeks' job in the Philly offense is to stand behind the arch and throw 'em up. He's a big reason why the 76ers continue to win games heading into the playoffs and should be able to put some scare into their first round opponent.
Ron Artest - Los Angeles Lakers
Depending on what time of year it is, Ron Artest is one of our favorite Glue Guys for very different reasons. Earlier this season, Artest's play was as erratic and strange as any we've ever seen. Not just weird on the court, Artest's bizarre antics in life were just as eye catching. Laker fans cringed at every early season Ron Artest shot, and whether they be off-balance fade-aways, wide open threes, or weird one-handed layups, Artest's touch was nonexistent for a huge stretch. Many wondered if he was too old and uncoordinated for today's NBA. The Ron Artest of the stretch run, however, has been the complete opposite type of player. Over the last two weeks, Artest is shooting .470 from the field, and he's connecting on 1.6 three pointers per game while averaging 2.7 steals and 1 block per game. His recent intelligent play on offense packaged with the tight-ship, all-in defense that we've all admired over his career can be applauded as a large piece of the blue ribbon Laker pie that most of their opposition has been eating for the past month. His successful contributions have been crucial to the recent belief by many that LA has the makeup to three-peat this June. It also makes you wonder if all the foolish shots and funky moves from the majority of Ron Artest's season were all one big ruse at our expense.
Shawn Marion, Jose Juan Barea, Roddy Beaubois, Brian Cardinal - Dallas Mavericks
Dallas's rotation throws a cool group of glue at the opposition. Big time stars Jason Kidd, Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Terry, and Tyson Chandler get the glory from the media and fans, but their teammate buddies Shawn Marion, JJ Barea, Roddy Beaubois, and Brian Cardinal keep the Maverick success a'plenty with timely contributions on the basketball court. Marion's inclusion in the starting lineup has finally given Dallas the replacement for injured Caron Butler, something they've been searching for with signings of Peja Stojakovic and Corey "Don't Call Me Ronnie" Brewer. Beaubois, injured for most of the year, has recently found his limited-minute groove in Dallas's rotation, and his capability of big time scoring makes him impossible for opposing defenses to ignore. JJ "The Biggest Little Puerto Rican in the NBA" Barea continues to play both guard spots with success. Whether alongside Jason Kidd or in place of him, Coach Rick Carlisle has mucho confidence putting Barea on the court for meaningful minutos. Brian Cardinal finds himself hitting big shots in a very improbable yet somewhat meaningful role on the championship contending Dallas team. Good for you, Brian Cardinal. You got the world where you want them, and as far as we're concerned, it's all jelly beans for Brian Cardinal here on out.
Jodie Meeks - Philadelphia 76ers
Spreading the floor with shooters is a key component to a healthy NBA offense. Out east in Philly, the emergence of young Jodie Meeks has given the Sixers one of the best floor spreaders of the season's second half. Over the last 30 days, Meeks has poured in 44 triples, one less than Toney Douglas for the league lead. Not only does Meeks light it up with his fire shot, but his play on the defensive end has separated him from teammate guards Evan Turner and Jason Kapono. It should be interesting to see how 76er management moves forward with 2nd overall pick Turner, with Meeks showing so much in support of his teammates as the team's big-minute shooting guard. Meeks doesn't look to rebound, and he rarely finds himself making plays. No, Meeks' job in the Philly offense is to stand behind the arch and throw 'em up. He's a big reason why the 76ers continue to win games heading into the playoffs and should be able to put some scare into their first round opponent.
Ron Artest - Los Angeles Lakers
Depending on what time of year it is, Ron Artest is one of our favorite Glue Guys for very different reasons. Earlier this season, Artest's play was as erratic and strange as any we've ever seen. Not just weird on the court, Artest's bizarre antics in life were just as eye catching. Laker fans cringed at every early season Ron Artest shot, and whether they be off-balance fade-aways, wide open threes, or weird one-handed layups, Artest's touch was nonexistent for a huge stretch. Many wondered if he was too old and uncoordinated for today's NBA. The Ron Artest of the stretch run, however, has been the complete opposite type of player. Over the last two weeks, Artest is shooting .470 from the field, and he's connecting on 1.6 three pointers per game while averaging 2.7 steals and 1 block per game. His recent intelligent play on offense packaged with the tight-ship, all-in defense that we've all admired over his career can be applauded as a large piece of the blue ribbon Laker pie that most of their opposition has been eating for the past month. His successful contributions have been crucial to the recent belief by many that LA has the makeup to three-peat this June. It also makes you wonder if all the foolish shots and funky moves from the majority of Ron Artest's season were all one big ruse at our expense.
Shawn Marion, Jose Juan Barea, Roddy Beaubois, Brian Cardinal - Dallas Mavericks
Dallas's rotation throws a cool group of glue at the opposition. Big time stars Jason Kidd, Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Terry, and Tyson Chandler get the glory from the media and fans, but their teammate buddies Shawn Marion, JJ Barea, Roddy Beaubois, and Brian Cardinal keep the Maverick success a'plenty with timely contributions on the basketball court. Marion's inclusion in the starting lineup has finally given Dallas the replacement for injured Caron Butler, something they've been searching for with signings of Peja Stojakovic and Corey "Don't Call Me Ronnie" Brewer. Beaubois, injured for most of the year, has recently found his limited-minute groove in Dallas's rotation, and his capability of big time scoring makes him impossible for opposing defenses to ignore. JJ "The Biggest Little Puerto Rican in the NBA" Barea continues to play both guard spots with success. Whether alongside Jason Kidd or in place of him, Coach Rick Carlisle has mucho confidence putting Barea on the court for meaningful minutos. Brian Cardinal finds himself hitting big shots in a very improbable yet somewhat meaningful role on the championship contending Dallas team. Good for you, Brian Cardinal. You got the world where you want them, and as far as we're concerned, it's all jelly beans for Brian Cardinal here on out.
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