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The NBA's Most Underrated Glue Guys: Players Who Do the Dirty Work and Rarely Get the Credit

by Jeremy Block - 2/4/2025

NBA glue guys Andre Iguodala Golden State Warriors

We all know the NBA’s superstars -- the ones who make the highlight reels, drop 35-point games, and have entire TV ads dedicated to them. But there’s another breed of player who doesn’t get the love they deserve: the glue guys. These are the players who aren’t out there for the fame or jersey sales. They’re doing the behind-the-scenes work -- setting screens, hustling on defense, and hitting the occasional clutch shot while no one’s looking. You won’t find them in the spotlight, but trust me, their teams wouldn’t be the same without them.

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So, let’s shine the light on these true forgotten heroes of the NBA. The stars get the glory, but these seven glue guys are the ones who keep everything together.

Tony Allen

Let’s kick things off with one of the most relentless defenders the league has ever seen -- Tony Allen. Forget about scoring 30 points; Allen’s job was to make sure the other team’s best player didn’t even feel comfortable taking a shot. As the centerpiece of the "Grit and Grind" Grizzlies, Allen was the type of defender who would make opposing offenses rethink their game plan.

Allen was a six-time Defensive Player of the Year winner and a constant headache for players like Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Kevin Durant. His career average of 1.4 steals per game doesn’t tell the full story -- he was everywhere. The Grizzlies’ success in the playoffs, especially during their deep runs in 2013 and beyond, was thanks in large part to Allen’s ability to suffocate opposing offenses. The shooting guard was a defensive machine, and Memphis wouldn’t have been nearly as competitive without him.
Richard Jefferson

Richard Jefferson may not have been the star of any team he played for, but the guy knew how to make an impact when it mattered. Jefferson spent much of his career as a reliable role player, but his ability to hit timely shots and provide veteran presence made him a key piece for contenders, especially during his time with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

While you’re not going to find jaw-dropping stats in Jefferson’s resume, his career stats of 12.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game paint a picture of a guy who could contribute across the board. He wasn’t just a scorer, either -- he could defend multiple positions and hit big shots when needed. In the 2016 season, for example, Jefferson averaged a solid 5.7 points and 2.6 rebounds in just under 20 minutes per game. Not earth-shattering numbers, but his contributions were crucial during the Cavs' title run.

Tayshaun Prince

Tayshaun Prince was never the guy throwing down poster dunks. However, if you needed someone to completely shut down the other team’s star, he was your man. Tayshaun Prince was that defender -- the one who made the opposing team’s best player question their entire existence by the end of the game. 

Prince’s career averages of 14 points and 5 rebounds don’t exactly jump off the page, but his contributions in the clutch were immense, especially during Detroit’s 2004 Finals run. Prince was the player who made sure stars like Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Carmelo Anthony didn’t get to do whatever they wanted. Over his career, 6’9” wing defender was a consistent headache for some of the league’s best scorers, showing up every night to do the dirty work that everyone tends to forget -- until it’s too late.

Shane Battier

Shane Battier wasn’t in the NBA to make headlines or chase the spotlight -- he was there to do the stuff that wins games when no one else is paying attention. Whether it was in Houston or Miami, Battier was the guy who made sure opposing stars didn't get to do whatever they wanted. 

Battier’s career averages of 8.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.5 assists tell the story of a player who did the dirty work, whether it was defending the opposing team’s star or spacing the floor with a timely shot. He was often the defensive assignment on the best player the other team had, whether it was Vince Carter or Kevin Durant. Battier’s career wasn’t about loud stats. However, if you wanted someone who could consistently contribute on both sides of the floor and keep the game under control, Battier was your anchor.

Andre Iguodala

If you needed someone who could guard multiple positions, or step in as a playmaker when things got tight, Iguodala was your man. Over his career with the 76ers, Nuggets, and Warriors, Iguodala became known for doing whatever was needed to help his team win. Whether it was defending the best player on the floor or hitting a big shot in a pivotal moment, Iguodala was the glue guy who did all the little things that made a difference.

Iguodala’s career averages of 11.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 4 assists show just how well-rounded his game was. He wasn’t just about the numbers -- his 2015 Finals MVP award came from his smothering defense on LeBron James and his ability to step up in big moments. Whether he was running the offense or playing the role of the defensive stopper, Iguodala was always able to contribute in whatever way was needed, helping each of his teams grab a win.

Richard Hamilton

Richard Hamilton’s game was all about movement. Whether it was with the Wizards, Pistons, or Bulls, “Rip” was always on the move, running through screens, finding space, and getting open for that deadly mid-range jumper. Hamilton's constant motion and ability to space the floor gave his teams offensive balance and allowed other stars to shine without taking away from the flow of the game.

Over his 14-season career, Hamilton averaged 17.1 points per game while shooting 44.9% from the field, and 34% from 3-point range. When you look at his consistency, he was always there when it mattered. Rip might not have been the headliner, but his off-ball movement and ability to score helped shape Detroit’s offensive success and made him an invaluable piece of that 2004 championship squad.

Bruce Bowen

You could count on one thing every time Bruce Bowen stepped on the hardwood -- he was going to make life hell for the opponent’s best scorer. Bowen’s role was crystal clear: lock down the other team’s top offensive weapon and make sure they didn’t get easy looks. Bowen wasn’t interested in lighting up the scoreboard, but he was more than happy to make sure the other team’s stars didn’t either. And he did it with an energy that earned him eight All-Defensive Team selections over his career.

Bowen’s defensive stats might not tell the full story, but his ability to shut down players like Ray Allen and Tracy McGrady in crucial moments was a massive factor in the Spurs' three championships. He was the defensive anchor that allowed Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili to do their thing on the offensive end. If you ever watched Bowen play, you knew that when he was going to make opposing players work for every point they got.

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