Role Models: The Nicest Guys in the NBA
Not all ballers are players.
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Lamar Odom - The NBA is stacked with bad boy types, but it's the nice guys that caught our attention this time.Between his former Los Angeles Lakers teammates and his glitzy reality TV in-laws, Lamar Odom isn't always surrounded by the most wholesome company. But the power forward manages to come across as a hard worker on the court, and a devoted husband and friend. (Photo: Harry How/Getty Images)
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Kevin Durant - OKC's star player, touted as the future of the NBA, is a mama's boy in the best sense of the word. He makes sure his mom has a courtside seat to every game, whether at home or away, and frequently says his favorite off-court activity involves hanging with his family. The humble giant even shuns his edgy nickname, "Durantula," in favor of the softer-sounding "Lil' Kev." (Photo: Paul Gilham/Getty Images)
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Chris Paul - CP3, also known on court as "The General" for his command over his team, is the embodiment of hard work and family values. In 2011, Paul married his college sweetheart Jada Crawley after eight years together. He frequently brings their three-year-old son with him to press conferences.(Photo: Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
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Jeremy Lin - Frequently compared to NFL great Tim Tebow for his belief in both Christianity and celibacy, this Harvard grad became the greatest story in the NBA this year when he led the New York Knicks to a seven-game winning streak. But the one-time D-League regular didn't let Linsanity go to his head, refusing the advances of female groupies that hang around the Madison Square Garden locker room.(Photo: Al Bello/Getty Images)
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Grant Hill - Despite nearly 20 years in the NBA (at 39, he's the second-oldest player in the league by one day), Hill hasn't been corrupted by the off-court temptations that many of his colleagues consider job perks. He even has the stamp of approval of the most jaded basketball wife, Shaunie O'Neal, who once said, "Grant Hill is the is the only faithful man in the NBA." Good news for his wife, R&B artist Tamia!(Photo: Harry How/Getty Images)
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Steve Nash - Hill is in good company with his fellow Phoenix Suns teammate and NBA veteran Steve Nash. The South African-born athlete, called one of the "nicest and most unselfish guys in the league" by Charles Barkley, is equally giving off the court. He has founded and is actively involved in nearly a dozen charities, many of which benefit children around the world. (Photo: Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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Tim Duncan - With four championship rings, he has a lot to brag about, but you'll never hear Duncan tooting his own horn. The low-pro San Antonio Spur even lowered his salary so the team could afford to retain his teammates Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. What a guy!(Photo: Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
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Ray Allen - Allen's intense discipline during games can be credited to his strict, military upbringing. But the focus extends to his off-court life, where the ten-time All Star refuses to drink alcohol or engage in any of the activities that are usually blamed on alcohol. While media-friendly Allen is frequently seen on ESPN, you'll never read about him on TMZ.(Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
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Derrick Rose - After getting burned by a standardized test scandal during college (he still claims no wrongdoing), Rose made it his M.O. to keep a low-profile and focus on work. Though his pin-up good looks have landed him on many magazine covers, the soft-spoken MVP stays away from the tabloids at all costs.(Photo: Al Bello/Getty Images)
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Derek Fisher - One of the NBA's hardest working players, Fisher doesn't get as much media attention as some of his flashier colleagues. But he more than makes up for it in career stats. The 37-year-old point guard won five championships with the LA Lakers (including the team's historic "three-peat") and is well on his way to a sixth this year with the Oklahoma City Thunder.(Photo: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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Shane Battier - LeBron James isn't the only star to take his talents to South Beach. Since joining the Heat in 2011, Michigan-born Battier has been a positive influence on the team that everybody loves to hate by bringing an unselfish work ethic to the court and a rock-solid family life (he married his high school sweetheart in 2004 and the couple have two kids) to temptation-filled Miami.(Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
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Chauncey Billups - Billups has always been the go-to guy for locker room pep talks, leading five teams to championships during his fourteen year career, but a trade move by the Knicks in 2011 finally tested his patience. "I'm tired of being the nice guy," he told reporters after his team put the father of three on the auction block. "I've saved my money, I may just retire." Lucky for the LA Clippers, he's not ready to hang up his jersey just yet.(Photo: Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
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Dikembe Mutombo - One of the greatest shot-blockers in NBA history, this 7'2" giant takes even more pride in his humanitarian work than his stats. The baller, who speaks nine (!) languages, has four adopted children and has dedicated his post-NBA life to developing his native Congo. The winner of a President's Service Award, the highest honor for volunteer work, Mutombo was even name-checked in President George W. Bush's 2007 State of the Union address. (Photo: Sporting News via Getty Images)