NBA: SIxers Trash Man

George Lynch is very good at filling the role of role player.

His Sixers teammates appreciate it. His coach admires it, and the ex-North Carolina Tar Heels standout takes pride in being able to hold the opponents toughest player in check while also snagging rebounds with authority.

There is no flash in what he does, but there is enormous satisfaction in games where Lynch's performance provides a huge lift. And his 17 points and season-high 16 rebounds in the Sixers' 84-79 win over the Charlotte Hornets Monday at the First Union Center was a magnificent display from a player who's asked by coach Larry Brown to handle the garbage work more than anything else.

"George Lynch is like our engine," said forward Tyrone Hill, who had 14 rebounds and two points. "If it breaks down, we just put another spark plug in it and he gets going again. He's a warrior, and you need warriors like that on this team, or any team. Look at some teams in the West having problems because they don't have role players. You need role players to play with your All-Stars."

You need players like Hill, Lynch and NBA shot-block leader Theo Ratliff to establish an emphatic tone. Lynch also does it with his defense. Monday, he also did it with his offense and with his glass work.

It was his second-best offensive performance this season, falling six points shy of the 23 he had against the Cleveland Cavaliers Nov. 15. Brown found fault in that performance because Lynch only had three rebounds, but Brown had only praise for his 6-8 forward Monday.

That's because Brown doesn't want Lynch to start getting gun-happy from the outside, although Lynch believes that his shooting touch has improved. He would like to showcase it more often, but not at the price of costing the Sixers in other areas where his workhorse efforts are more needed.

Lynch was 7-for-17 from the field, including 2-of-3 on 3-pointers.

Next game it might not, but Lynch won't complain. He will come to work with the same attitude, determination and unselfishness.