The phenomenon of the NBA 12th man

Reading Paul Shirley's blog has got me thinking.

Now, an active NBA roster only has 12 spots. that is not a lot. Yet every team has a 12th man, usually a tall white guy, been in the league for 7 years, played at a school in the mid-west.

I don't understand. Wouldn't an NBA GM like to take a flyer on some guy with loads of athletic ability but just hasn't put it together yet? Like Doug Wrenn or that one NY street ball legend that was supposed to be as good as LeBron that the sonics had in camp a couple years back?

Reality show idea: can we collect all the 12th men in the league and watch them play each other every year? Wouldn't you like to see Steve Scheffler backing down Jack Haley? With Mark Pope (most quotable guy in the league) spotting up?

Further question: Paul Shirley's all-ugly team includes two T-Wolves, a Buck, a Trailblazer and a Warrior - here is my list. (and did he just pick the five ugliest, or did he go position by position? Cause mine is center-heavy. )

Sam Cassell
Ha-Seung Jin
Mark Madsen
Calvin Booth
Adonal Foyle