You may have heard it described as the Podium Game — every year, bench players have something to say in a playoff series, and it will be no different during the 2019 NBA Playoffs.
Depth could be more important in the wide-open Eastern Conference or conversely, perhaps it won’t matter at all as stars rise to the top. Then again, if the Golden State Warriors are going to make another title run, they’re going to need more help from their bench than they got last year, particularly in the last couple rounds. Benches matter.
5. DJ Wilson, F, Milwaukee Bucks
Let’s start with someone who could have a direct hand in deciding the 2019 title. Wilson burst onto the scene in his second season when Ersan Ilyasova was injured and never looked back. Many believed the Bucks drafting him in the first round in 2017 was a reach, but it now looks perfectly clear why Wilson has value — he’s the type of versatile forward who can step out and make jumpers that every team needs.
Wilson was in the 62nd percentile as a 3-point shooter among big men this season, according to Cleaning the Glass, and was especially deadly relative to league average above the break. He will be able to stay on the floor in the playoffs if he makes 3s.
Fortunately for the Bucks, they have many of these guys, from Wilson to Khris Middleton to Tony Snell and to Ilyasova himself. However, it’s easy to imagine Wilson being the surprise guy coach Mike Budenholzer goes to when he needs some defensive energy down in a game or even in a series.
That challenge could come sooner than later, as the Bucks face Blake Griffin and the Pistons in the first round.