oApr 19, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; The Los Angeles Clippers bench looks on during the fourth quarter against the San Antonio Spurs in game one of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
The Process
Like was stated before, there is no exact process in how to best rank the depth in the NBA. Nor is there a possible way to achieve that difficult goal. There are several different factors that had to be taken into account when determining the preliminary rankings.
Stats
No, I am not just talking about the amount of points per game put up by your team’s bench. This has to go a whole lot deeper than that. The truth is, the bench can impact the game in a variety of ways – points, rebounds, defense, and pretty much every other possible area of basketball.
For example, some major contributing factors in the rankings came from hoopstats.com. There’s a multitude of statistical categories from last year that are analyzed and broken down.
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Want to know what bench scored the most points last season? Easy, it was actually the Boston Celtics. What about which bench shot the highest 3-point percentage? Answer is Portland.
There are no shortage of statistics that will showcase what both the strengths and weaknesses are for every team coming off the bench. However, that is only a fraction of what makes up the rankings.
Eye Test
How do you account for offseason acquisitions? There is no statistical backing for it. The answer is really quite simply. You use the eye test and your opinion.
Are you shocked that opinion factored into the rankings somewhat? You shouldn’t be. Of course, things will be taken into account such as the talent of a certain player off the bench. There are a near exponential amount of variables. But it is also near impossible to remove any opinion from a power ranking. Just can’t do it.
Finally, it is time to get underway. Strap yourselves in and prepare to embark on a trek that will carry you through the deepest corners of the United States (and Canada) in search of the best bench in the NBA.
Next: Philadelphia 76ers