LeBron James. Stephen Curry. James Harden. Russell Westbrook.
The above list features four of the best players in the NBA today. You already knew that.
More from Atlanta Hawks
- NBA Rumors: 5 best trade destinations for Pascal Siakam
- The new NBA flopping rules explained
- NBA rumors: Raptors insider drops one player mentioned heavily in trade discussions
- 3 disastrous Zach LaVine trades the Bulls need to avoid
- NBA Free Agency Live Deal Tracker: Grading every signing made worst to best
Even the most casual NBA fan can name the superstars in the league, and as such, those players are usually a direct line to the league’s title contenders on an annual basis. This season is no different, as the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers (despite their place far behind the Atlanta Hawks in the standings) are considered the “favorites” in their conferences, while sleeper contenders like the Rockets and Thunder are keyed by superstar leadership.
Still, there are always role players who take on particular importance as the NBA Playoffs arrive.
From defensive stoppers to three-point specialists, these supporting pieces can make or break games based on their individual efficiency. Many championships have been swung by players with names foreign to most observers.
Here, we will take a look at five players who could make such an impact toward the 2015 NBA title.
Each individual plays a big-time role on a team with legitimate championship aspirations, and those organizations realize the importance of their auxiliary cogs. Let’s glance at the quintet of players.
Next: Arron Afflalo