Armstrong lingers in obscurity at end of Wizards' bench

Hilton Armstrong is a 26-year-old backup center for the Wizards, one who rarely plays and, oddly, admits his limitations. When asked whether, with the proper opportunity, he can be an NBA star, Armstrong shook his head. "Nah, probably not," he said. "But I know I can be a contributing role player. I just know it."

Four years ago, when the New Orleans Hornets selected the UConn product with the 12th overall pick Armstrong says he was shocked. "Honestly, I didn't think I'd go nearly that high," said Armstrong who, as a Huskies senior, averaged a career-high 9.7 points a game and was named the Big East Defensive Player of the Year. "Took me totally by surprise. I mean, I never really showed much offense [at Peekskill (N.Y.) High] or college."

In other words, if you're looking for an NBA player to root for, one who, though lacking in the skills of Kobe and the swagger of Carmelo and the arrogance of LeBron and the credentials of Paul Pierce, is a genuinely nice guy -- here he is.

Armstrong has appeared in 34 games this season, averaging 2.1 points in 11.4 minutes per game. He has played a grand total of seven minutes in the last three, and fails to understand why coach Flip Saunders refuses to look his way. "It doesn't make sense to me," he said. "I work hard, I'm positive, I'm dedicated. What do I have to do?"

The thought hangs there, lingering until the next question is asked. Because the NBA -- more than any other league -- is a star's domain, and players like Armstrong fade into the shadows. They are, however, everywhere. Sitting at the end of benches, watching the dancers during timeouts, slapping low-fives as their teammates bound off the court, hoping that maybe, just maybe, the coach will notice ... something. What Hilton Armstrong is to the Wizards, Etan Thomas is to the Hawks and Ryan Hollins is to the Cavs: invisible.