They don't have plays run for them on offense. They don't pile up big stats, except for maybe rebounds. Their value is better measured by floor burns than TV highlights. Above all, they hustle, they scrap, they annoy. They're the NBA's garbage men because they do the dirty work other players avoid. For many, lacking great skill, it's how they stay in the league. But don't pity them. After all, how many garbage men do you know making $10 million a year? John Galinsky lists the five best.

Honorable mention: Louis Amundson (Suns), DeJuan Blair (Spurs), Nick Collison (Thunder), Taj Gibson (Bulls), Chuck Hayes (Rockets), Kendrick Perkins (Celtics, pictured).

David Lee was the quintessential garbage man his first four years in the league -- setting screens, crashing the offensive boards, diving for loose balls, making hustle plays all over the court. He may have shed that job description last season when he added a midrange jumper, averaged 20.2 points and 11.7 rebounds, and made the All-Star team. The Warriors rewarded him with a six-year, $80M deal as a free agent, so he's getting paid like a star. But he'll never be the kind of star who coasts by on athletic ability and enormous skill. If he stops doing the dirty work, his game really will be garbage.

Ever since he was at Florida, he's been the guy fans love to hate. He's overly demonstrative on the court. He says outlandish things. His shooting form is god-awful. And let's face it, he looks kind of ridiculous. But give Noah credit. Despite his limited skills, he emerged as one of the better big men in the NBA last season. A tenacious defender, he averaged 11 rebounds and gave the Cavs fits in the first round of the playoffs. He also made more enemies by disparaging the city of Cleveland. But guess what? LeBron apparently agreed with him!

Without Yao Ming, Tracy McGrady or Ron Artest around, Scola emerged as one of Houston's most reliable scorers last season, averaging 16.2 points. He's also shown impressive all-around skills for the the Argentine national team. But Scola's best qualities are his toughness and hustle, which compensate for his lack of speed and hops. He'll pick up much of Yao's leftovers again this season, and he'll do it with a new five-year, $47M contract.

Few players drive opponents crazy like the 6-11 Brazilian with Sideshow Bob hair. A perpetual motion machine,  he's light on his feet and can stay in front of almost any big man. And if necessary, he's not afraid to flop. A perfect role player to complement LeBron James, Varejao now may be asked to do things he's not capable of -- like, you know, score.

With the three Superfriends in place, there won't be many more shots to go around in Miami. But someone will have to set sturdy screens. Someone will have to play tough interior defense. Someone will have to be an ornery enforcer. That's why keeping the 30-year-old Haslem was crucial for the Heat. Not only is he a rugged rebounder who can make open midrange shots, his grittiness should complement the flash of the superstars. Miami won't be a soft team when he's on the court.