"You can argue that the Warriors' most effective lineup doesn't include Monta Ellis. Nor David Lee.

Nate Robinson, Klay Thompson, Brandon Rush, Dominic McGuire and Ekpe Udoh might form the team's best five-man unit.

If any positives can be taken from a disappointing 2-2 trip, it's the emergence of Golden State's bench. Embracing their roles as supporting cast members, those five players are making depth a Warriors strength and are having real impact on games.

They're all pretty good athletes. They all can play multiple positions. Perhaps most important, they all have something to prove.

Robinson wasn't on a team when the season started. Indiana couldn't wait to trade Rush, the lottery pick they acquired on draft day 2008. McGuire is in his fifth year and on his fifth team.

Udoh, in the minds of many fans, was the wrong choice at No. 6 in the 2010 draft. And skeptical eyes have been cast on Thompson since he was drafted No. 11 overall this past June.

"In the back of your mind, you know you have doubters," Thompson said. "We're just trying to shut them up."

This quick band of brothers shares a bond of resolve as players trying to prove their NBA worth. The result is an injection of energy and edge into the Warriors lineup."