NBA

Blake, Battier among unsung guys to watch

Though far from stars, these five could have notable postseason impact

Pat Sullivan / AP

Shane Battier (31) does the little things for the Rockets, and that's what makes him so valuable, NBCSports.com's Matt Stroup writes.

Only after all that do you finally consider West, who is far from the most ballyhooed Cavalier but is entrenched in everything the team does. The combo guard with an unpredictable plume of red hair can play point guard (freeing up Mo Williams to spot up for his reliable jumper), he can slash to the hole, spot up for his own accurate lefty 3-pointer (39.9 percent) and play high-energy defense. Nothing in West’s statistical line screams out greatness (11.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.4 three-pointers per game), but everything about it declares quiet reliability.

Shane Battier, Rockets
Earlier this season, The New York Times Magazine did a lengthy exposé on what makes Battier valuable beyond his statistical productivity, and in many ways Battier’s face adorns the billboard for useful, unsung supporting parts on a successful team.

Much like a broiled steak, there is no sizzle to Battier’s game — he averages just 7.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists, and does very little in the way of one-on-one maneuvering (he last topped 20 points in a regular season game over a year ago).

However, part of Battier’s value can be measured in statistics: His 0.8 steals, 0.9 blocks and 1.5 3-pointers per game put him close to select company — only five players in the NBA (LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Danny Granger, Rasheed Wallace and Francisco Garcia) are averaging at least 1.0 steals, 1.0 blocks and 1.0 threes per game. Add Battier’s willingness to pass up shots and serve as the Rockets’ designated defensive stopper, and he is in many ways the prototype for the ideal NBA role player.

Tyrus Thomas, Bulls
If Battier is the man who does all the little things correctly, Thomas is the man who has done every little thing imaginable to destroy blood vessels in his coaches’ brains. At least that was the case until this season, when something finally clicked former fourth-overall pick in his third year in the league. Thomas is averaging career-bests of 10.8 points and 6.4 rebounds per game, including elevated averages of 13.6 points and 7.6 rebounds since Feb. 1.

Granted, the 22-year-old still has a pronounced tendency for absent-minded plays, but there’s no denying the effect his athleticism and anticipation have on a game, particularly on the defensive end (he’s averaging 1.2 steals and 1.9 blocks a night). At times, Thomas looks confused as to whether or not he wants to be a post-up threat or spot-up, mid-range shooter on offense – and in truth, he is terrific at neither. However, even a work-in-progress Thomas can mimic all the players above and have a quiet but measurable impact on his team’s chances for a surge come playoff time.

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