Central Division: The Most Effective Line-ups Early in the Season

Nov. 12, 2016

This early in the season, it is nice to check out the most effective fives of each team and see if the coaches will adjust.

CHICAGO BULLS

G - I. Canaan
G - D. Wade
F - D. McDermott
F - N. Mirotic
C - C. Felicio
Net Rating: +5.6
Total Mins. Played: 22

Canaan has been a steady back-up for Rajon Rondo. Wade with three outside shooters gave them the best True Shooting % out of all the line-ups. Defensively, Felicio is a reliable rim protector and Wade can help him outside.

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS

G - L. James
G - I. Shumpert
F - H. Dunleavy
F - R. Jefferson
C - C. Frye
Net Rating: +81
Total Mins. Played: 14

Have you heard about this so-called death line-up of the Golden Warriors? How about a much scarier five, number-wise, by the Cavaliers? And by the way, it doesn't even involve any other starter other than Lebron. If you put Lebron in a line-up with 53.3% (Shumpert), 48.1% (Frye), 35% (Dunleavy) and 28.6% (Jefferson) shooters, this is the result.

DETROIT PISTONS

G - I. Smith
G - K. Caldwell-Pope
F - T. Harris
F - J. Leuer
C - A. Drummond
Net Rating: +21.9
Total Mins. Played: 35

This is a superb defensive unit. Jon Leuer has been posting the best defensive numbers in their team and I suspect that it is not about his skills but more about his fit beside Drummond. He knows the right spot to go to maximize the presence of Drummond inside.

INDIANA PACERS

G - A. Brooks
G - M. Ellis
F - C. Miles
F -L. Allen
C - A. Jefferson
Net Rating: +10.1
Total Mins. Played: 29

Sometimes this best line-ups don't make sense like this one because Paul George is not part of it, even Teague and Young. This cast is pretty good on both ends of the court. Miles is having a pretty good start with 15.3 points and 53.8% 3FG.

MILWAUKEE BUCKS

G - G. Antetokounmpo
G - M. Dellavedova
F - T. Snell
F - J. Parker
C - M. Plumlee
Net Rating: +12.8
Total Mins. Played: 72

Tony Snell and Miles Plumlee rise to the occasion after the injury of Khris Middleton as these two have the best defensive rating in the team. This five is pretty capable of scoring on the break and all of them are good decision makers in a half court set.