No team in the NBA can throw out the variety of lineups that the Cavaliers can. Cleveland can have a lineup centered primarily on shooting, with Irving, Mo Williams, J.R. Smith, James, and Love on the floor. If defense is needed, Matthew Dellavedova, Shumpert, James, Thompson, and Mozgov can strangle the life out of an offense. If it is a big lineup the Cavs are looking for, James can move to shooting guard in some sets, allowing Love to spend time at small forward offensively with Thompson, Varejao, Mozgov or Sasha Kaun manning the paint.
With that being said, the Cavs’ starting lineup will still likely be one of the most effective units (if not the most effective) in the NBA. The unit of Irving, Smith, James, Love, and Mozgov was as balanced as any in the NBA, carrying the strongest net offensive/defensive rating in the league throughout the 2014-15 season.
Next: Bench Scoring
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