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NBA: Every Team’s Best Lineup, By The Numbers

By Nicholas Gonzalez

Jan 8, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) dribbles the ball against the Phoenix Suns during the second half at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Cavaliers won 120-116. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 8, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) dribbles the ball against the Phoenix Suns during the second half at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Cavaliers won 120-116. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 25, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) brings the ball up court during the second half of the San Antonio Spurs 109-103 win over the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 25, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) brings the ball up court during the second half of the San Antonio Spurs 109-103 win over the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /

San Antonio Spurs

Lineup: L.Aldridge, P.Gasol, D.Green, K.Leonard, T.Parker

ORTG: 115.1 DRTG: 104.5

What a surprise? Arguably the greatest coach of all time’s starting lineup is his by unit by advanced metrics as well. There really isn’t much else to say other than that if you replaced Pau with Dedmon here, the numbers would be even more astronomical. Sadly that unit itself hasn’t played enough together, but I think those who have seen Dedmon and Pau play would also agree Dedmon is the better fit. So technically this is the best lineup of lineup options, but Dedmon would be a better shoe-in if I was formulating my own lineup.

Toronto Raptors

Lineup: D.Carroll, D.DeRozan, K.Lowry, P.Patterson, J.Valanciunas

ORTG: 129. DRTG: 102.6

This is something really weird. The Raptors have two lineups with jaw-dropping net ratings, one without DeRozan and one with. I will be the first to admit I do not watch enough Raptor games to judge first hand without stats, but this is a very interesting situation. Also, the 2nd and 3rd most played lineups by Toronto are 100% better than the first one both by net rating and if you were to group them on paper. This is actually a very weird paradox I might need to go in-depth on in a later article.

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