roster's

Coach Roger Reid had to play inexperienced players a lot because of the roster's makeup, but it should pay dividends down the road.

Summit League 2010

Halfway to the chance to extend his own NBA record with an 11th championship ring, coach Phil Jackson directs the credit for the Lakers 'postseason surge to his veteran roster's collective playoff wisdom.

Lakers saved their best for playoffs 2010

Byron Scott's Princeton offense will allow Cleveland to outscore a lot of teams, and this roster's motivation to prove it wasn't a bad supporting cast for LeBron will propel the Cavs toward a .500 mark.

Michael Pina: Virtuous Hindsight: Looking Back at Bold Predictions for the 2010-2011 NBA Regular Season Michael Pina 2011

Those circumstances separate his situation from several of the roster's other burdensome contracts.

Forget Injury—It's the Age Mike Sielski 2011

Eric Metcalf — admittedly a man seemingly lacking the pedigree of some of our roster's more accomplished players — wasn't nearly as powerful a runner as Sharpe.

The not-so-Super team: Best players never to reach the final 2009

Hairston, meanwhile, is a solid rebounder who will improve the roster's athleticism.

Recruiting rankings: Memphis, UNC and Ohio State out front 2009

Byron Scott's Princeton offense will allow Cleveland to outscore a lot of teams, and this roster's motivation to prove it wasn't a bad supporting cast for LeBron will propel the Cavs toward a .500 mark.

Michael Pina: Virtuous Hindsight: Looking Back at Bold Predictions for the 2010-2011 NBA Regular Season Michael Pina 2011

The Giants have fought all year, through a roster's worth of injuries and a four-game, ostensibly season-killing losing streak.

Giants Strike Gold in Overtime Aditi Kinkhabwala 2012

But that hardened Detroit pessimism is starting to crack—and why not, when the roster's high draft picks are actually performing like high draft picks.

Detroit Lions: No Longer Just Turkeys Jason Gay 2011

An undrafted rookie out of Kansas State, Banks is the roster's hidden gem.

Redskins at the bye week: special teams Rick Maese 2010