2013-14 NBA Bench Power Rankings

Feb 14, 2013; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Miami Heat forward Chris Anderson (11) reacts to a call in action against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at the Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

9. Miami Heat

The Heat are boring. Yes, LeBron is the best. Their style of play can be enthralling, a positional revolution (to quote Bethlehelm Shoals and Tom Ziller) experiment in real time. But come on. Who cares! What are you supposed to say about the world champions? And furthermore, what are you supposed to say about the most boring aspect of a boring team: their bench? They maintain the smothering trap defense, play inspired journeyman ball, and keep the proverbial ship afloat while LeBron and Bosh and Three get a minute here or there to rest. So that’s the big secret: The Heat slot in so high because the bench is maddeningly good at what it does. That’s all they really need to be on a team led by the paragon of paragons, LeBron James. Ray Allen makes insanely clutch threes. The Birdman hits the boards and donates his body to the gauntlet of the post. Norris Cole has cool hair and he’s an excellent on ball defender. James Jones and Joel Anthony used to be major contributors. The Heat’s bench remains in the exalted company of elite simply by osmosis. Next!