Throughout NBA history, some of the best NBA players of all time have become fan favorites for their contributions to numerous championships. While some may not make it to the Hall of Fame, the way they helped some of the most iconic players allow them to achieve their legendary status.
Best NBA Role Players of All Time
Winning an NBA championship takes a lot of work, and while everyone always talks about the stars—and rightfully so—this is still a team sport. Team owners may not always want to pay the luxury tax to play players who don’t score 25 points a game, but they can also be key factors in winning titles.
With that in mind, we're going to dig deep into NBA history to share our list of the top five players in NBA history.
Derek Fisher
Believe it or not, Derek Fisher is one of only four point guards to win five championships, joining the likes of Bob Cousy, KC Jones, and Magic Johnson. He was a key part of Phil Jackson's triangle offense, hitting 231 threes in the playoffs with a .402 shooting percentage from beyond the arc, including more than one game-winning shot.
Fisher was a key player alongside Kobe Bryant in all five of his championships. By the time he retired, he had played in the most playoff games (257), a record since surpassed by LeBron James. His lack of size was outweighed by his strength and ability to shoot on time.
Michael Cooper
The Lakers could have won the Showtime Lakers Championship, thanks in large part to Michael Cooper. He was alongside Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson in all five championships, was the backbone of the team's defense and the poster child for today's three-man defense.
Cooper was named the All-Defensive Player of the Year and was named to the All-Defensive Team for eight consecutive years. He played both guard and occasionally as a small midfielder. He was often tasked with defending the opposing team's best and most powerful players.
Danny Inge
The Boston Celtics were one of the most dominant teams of the 1980s. Everyone remembers Kevin McHale, Robert Parish and Larry Bird, but it’s not like Danny Ainge didn’t do his part. Over the course of eight seasons, he filled the stat sheet with more than 11 points, 4 assists and 2 rebounds per game.
Furthermore, he was one of the most disruptive defenders on the team and in the game during his prime. He won multiple championships with the Boston Celtics, then helped Charles Barkley and the Phoenix Suns reach the NBA Finals, where they lost to Michael Jordan.
Dennis Rodman
Some might argue that Dennis Rodman wasn’t a role player, and there’s a strong case for that. But we’re talking about a guy who didn’t even intend to look over the rim on offense, leaving everything on the field for one purpose: to control the glass.
Rodman helped the Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls win championships and retired after five. Despite his small stature, he won the Defensive Player of the Year award twice and led the league in rebounding for seven seasons. He is arguably the greatest rebounder of all time.
Robert Horry
Robert Horry is without a doubt the greatest player in NBA history. He is the only player to win multiple titles with three different teams, helping the Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs and Los Angeles Lakers to victory.
Known for his defensive prowess and timely shooting ability, “Bob” is a seven-time NBA champion. He has made numerous late-game shots and is one of only five players to have made at least 250 three-pointers in the playoffs. He is the only player with at least seven rings who did not play for Bill Russell and the Boston Celtics.
