NBA All-Star festivities are right around the corner, which means it’s once again time to name the Bench Mob All-Star team.
The Bench Mob All-Star tradition is unlike any other in NBA media. The mission is to shine light on the unknown end-of-bench ballers in the league who are making an impact under the radar. The All-Star team features the cream of the crop, the guys who are doing the Bench Mob proud and making names for themselves this season.
Let’s meet this year’s squad.
Sam Merrill (Captain, 6x Bench Mob Player of the Day)
Sam Merrill was the Mr. Irrelevant of the 2020 draft and spent his rookie campaign getting an A on the group project with the 2021 champion Milwaukee Bucks. After being traded in the offseason, he was waived and found himself in the G-League. There, he worked hard and shot the skin off the pill, grinding for his chance. That chance has finally come with the Cavaliers this season, and man has he capitalized on it. He’s flat-out been one of the best shooters in basketball. He’s hitting trifectas at an elite clip on insanely high volume and a diverse shot profile. He ranks in the 95th percentile of 3PT% and the 99th percentile of 3PT attempt rate (via BBall Index). He was huge for Cleveland in the absence of Darius Garland, opening things up with the threat of his shooting and helping the team climb the standings. Merrill’s unexpected rise to rotation player status is the reason why he headlines this year’s Bench Mob All-Star squad.
Duop Reath (5x BM POTD)
Duop Reath’s journey to the NBA took longer than expected. He went undrafted in 2018 and has only just made it to the big league. Now that he’s here, though, he’s made it clear that he belongs. The big fella opens things up for Portland with his offensive versatility and plays solid defense, too. The Great Barrier Reath, as he’s come to be known, makes a positive impact every time he’s on the court. That’s why he’s become a solidified member of the rotation and why he’s earned a Bench Mob All-Star selection.
For more on Reath, check out this article
Craig Porter Jr. (4x BM POTD)
The Cavaliers have built their identity on the defensive end, and Craig Porter Jr. has fit right into that culture. The undrafted rookie slid into the lineup when Cleveland was clobbered with injuries and patched the holes admirably with his contributions defensively as a point-of-attack weapon and a steals guy. While he’s seen a decline in minutes as of late, Porter’s early-season efforts proved that he has a future in the league when nobody expected it.
Kudos to Koby Altman and the rest of Cleveland’s front office, because they’ve uncovered two Bench Mob All-Stars.
For more on Porter, check out this article
Peyton Watson (3x BM POTD)
Coming into the season, the Nuggets’ bench was a question mark. Would they have enough help from the second unit to win another championship? They have found their answer to that question in second-year man Peyton Watson. Watson has quietly been one of the best defenders at the forward position this season. He ranks in the 94th percentile of Dunks&Threes D-EPM stat. He’s a spectacular athlete with the heart to match who makes highlight blocks and shuts down stars nightly. His upside is sky-high, as he’s just 21, and he is going to help Denver compete for titles for a long time.
Isaiah Jackson (6x BM POTD)
Isaiah Jackson plays less than 15 minutes per contest, but that doesn’t stop him from being one of the best shot blockers in the league. He ranks 20th in blocks per game this season and plays way less than everyone above him. He’s the perfect energy big man off the bench and has been an important cog for the up-and-coming Pacers, especially during their in-season tournament finals run. Being so productive despite touching the court so little is why Jackson is a no-brainer Bench Mob All-Star.
Moses Moody (4x BM POTD)
A former lottery pick, Moody is young, talented, and has proven to be a solid contributor on both ends whenever he’s been given the chance to show it. And yet, despite Golden State’s mediocre record and roster, he’s being held back in a relatively small role off the bench. Moody is making the very best of his limited opportunity and that’s why he’s a Bench Mob All-Star.
Matt Ryan (3x BM POTD)
Three years ago, Matt Ryan (no, not the NFL quarterback) was working at a cemetery and DoorDashing on the side. He chose that path with the goal of eventually making it to the NBA, passing up on going corporate, and against all odds, he got there. He’s more than just a feel-good story, though, because now he’s with the Pelicans and he’s scorching the nets. He’s shooting 47% from deep on the year on five attempts per game, providing the spacing that New Orleans needs next to their stars. It’s obvious that Ryan was a Dasher in his past because he just keeps on delivering and that’s why he’s a Bench Mob All-Star.
A.J. Green (4x BM POTD)
“Stay ready so you don’t have to get ready” is a mantra of sorts for bench players in basketball, and A.J. Green clearly lives by those words. His playing time has been inconsistent this season, but whenever one of Milwaukee’s three head coaches has called his number, the sniper from Cedar Falls has answered on the first ring. He’s a shooter shooter, and with every triple he swishes, he makes it clear that he’s here to stay in the NBA. So move over, Steph Curry, the real baby-faced assassin has arrived.
Dominick Barlow (4x BM POTD)
There hasn’t been much to get excited about with the Spurs (besides that Victor Wembanyama guy, of course), but one bright spot has been the emergence of Dominick Barlow. The first player in NBA history to play his pre-league ball with Overtime Elite has found his niche as a backup big for the Silver and Black, using his size to protect the paint and vacuum up rebounds. He’s shown he deserves to be a pro and he could be a fun frontcourt running mate next to Wemby in the future.
Amir Coffey (3x BM POTD)
The Clippers have quietly been arguably the best team in the association this year, and their depth has played a significant role in that success. Amir Coffey has been one of those key reserves for coach Tyronn Lue. He’s having a very efficient campaign from all three levels, and he’s brought some juice on defense, too. Coffey’s reliability for an elite team is why he’s a Bench Mob All-Star for the second time, making him the third player to do so.
Ricky Council IV (3x BM POTD)
Ricky Council hasn’t gotten much burn for Philly, playing less than 10 minutes per game on the year, but he’s killed it whenever he has seen the court. He’s averaging over 40 points per 100 possessions (over 30 per 36 minutes) and over seven boards, too. That sort of garbage time dominance made it impossible to leave Council off this squad.
Day’Ron Sharpe (2x BM POTD)
Rounding out the roster is Brooklyn’s bench energizer, Day’Ron Sharpe. The big man plays with endless activity, crashing the glass relentlessly and making plays defensively. The impact of heart and hustle cannot be understated and Sharpe has both which is why he’s earned this selection.
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