It’s pretty unusual to see gamers come into the league and begin instantly – not to mention play their complete careers with out coming off the bench. Kobe Bryant spent most of his rookie yr for the Lakers as a reserve for Eddie Jones. Even LeBron James got here off the bench for the Cavaliers as soon as. Through the 2007-08 season, James returned after lacking 5 video games with a sprained index finger in what could be his solely recreation not beginning.

HoopsHype used statistics and information from Basketball-Reference relationship again to the 1981-82 season to place collectively an inventory of the Prime 10 gamers who we knew for positive haven’t come off the bench at any level of their NBA careers.

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports activities

Common season: 1,155 video games

Playoffs: 142 video games

Sam Forencich-Getty Pictures

Common season: 711 video games

Playoffs: 61 video games

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports activities

Common season: 611 video games

Playoffs: 74 video games

AP Picture-Jeff Chiu

Common season: 598 video games

Playoffs: 27 video games

Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports activities

Common season: 482 video games

Playoffs: 11 video games

David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports activities

Common season: 365 video games

Playoffs: 56 video games

Mitchell Leff-Getty Pictures

Common season: 328 video games

Playoffs: 44 video games

David Richard-USA TODAY Sports activities

Common season: 280 video games

Playoffs: 31games

Kevin C. Cox-Getty Pictures

Common season: 275 video games

Playoffs: 34 video games

LM Otero-AP Picture

Common season: 264 video games

Playoffs: 28 video games