Top 5 hardest working players in franchise history

Just for funsies:

who do you guys feel have been the 5 hardest working players in franchise history ? By hard work I mean: making most out of their talent, staying in shape, working in the off-season, trying to improve on parts of their game that needs it, being early for games to shoot around, reading scouting reports, working hard on the court, doing all the extra things like diving for lose balls, taking charges and also trying playing through injuries.

#5: Otis Thorpe - It's no question he's in the top 5, he was a work horse, did everything that was asked of him. Never complained, came to work early, never missed a game unless he could really not go, always played good defense, tried to work on his shot which allowed him to make the occasional 18-20 footer and even three pointers.

#4: Shane Battier - I don't know his history prior to the NBA but he made defense his life, which should earns everybody's respect. He read scouting reports, coached others on defense - even when he wasn't in the game, dove for lose balls, took charges like a man and even when his offense wasn't working, he was always great on defense and did everything in his power to get the win.

#3: Kyle Lowry - Without a question, this guy is one of the hardest working guards I have ever seen. He never complains, can go 40+ minutes and still deliver, wants to do everything to win, does not care about stats, is not the tallest player but can bully guys on defense, gets quite some steals by just getting up into other players, gets rebounds - mainly on offense - because he's so active, stays in great shape, earned his starting job and kept it because he is no major flaws. Why ? He worked on his outside shot instead of accepting he was not a good shooter.

#2: Yao - Yes, he was 7'6 and had natural talent but nobody expected him to become the All-Star he has been. This has all been because of hard work, pure work ethic, was always in shape, stayed after practices and was there early, came in 2 hours before he had to be at games to shoot around, tried to play through injury, always watched what he ate and went through rigorous therapy to come back from his several injuries. I was frustrated at time that he looked soft out there, was never angry, couldn't jump or get the block but those are all ignorant statements. Can you imagine how hard you must work to fight the urge to become angry, let your emotions get to you when you get hacked as much as he did and still no respect from the referees. The only reason he is not higher is because there is one who did things a guy his size should not be able to do.

#1: Chuck Hayes - At 6'6, to be able to start at center and bully guys one to two heads taller than you says enough. The guy went undrafted and made his name by working hard and making defense his forte. His body strength combined with his work ethic and concentration made him able to be a starter and take all the so called stars his b****. He kept guys under their averages and lower shooting percentages dramatically. Last 2 years he improved on his offense and passing under Adelman, resulting in a tripple-double which nobody would've ever expected. The guy took charges, rebounded, took people's lunch money and did it all under the radar and simply an all-out hustler.

Honorable mentions:
- Luis Scola - A hard worker and hustler but do not know enough about his career prior to the NBA to say he belong in the top 5
- Vernon Maxwell - Above average defensive player, wanted to defend the best player and did his stinking best every single night. However he was a and great athlete who didn't seem to have to work hard to stay in shape and didn't make the most of his potential.
- Hakeem Olajuwon - From a soccer player to one of the best basketball players you would think he would be top 5 but I don't know if it was really due to work ethic or simply talent and his high IQ that made him do what he did. You could say the same for others but when I first thought of the 5 hardest workers those who are in the top 5 came to mind.

I don't consider the many players under JVG who could only play defense and or work hard, but nothing else worthy. Also consider I didn't see many 80s games and none prior to 1986 so that's why there's none from the earlier eras.

 

Read please, I said I don't consider those players under JVG worthy to mention.
Maxwell is not top 5 but he did work hard according to various sources. What he did at the end of his Rockets tenure and blowing his talent is why is not top 5 but still a hard worker nonetheless.

 

I have clearly stated it means both.

 

Ah we have a list, can you explain why Calvin & Francis please ?

 

Yes you can combine them and those who made my list did both.
Tracy never worked as hard as he could, maybe a few games as a Rocket in the playoffs he gave it his all. He could've gotten 2-3 blocks a game and alter a lot of shots yet he never even tried, only when they were easy / playoffs / during the streak in 2008.

 

Bullard ?? The guy never did anything but shoot threes and didn't work on any other aspects of his game enough for it to show.

 

No numnuts but this seems to be a joke.