What's Your Favorite Bench Unit in the League?

[PhoSita]

When we talk about teams we like and dislike, we spend a lot of time talking about the starting units.

But often I find that what makes a team really fun to watch is that when the starters check out, there are still players you enjoy watching ready to jump on the floor and make things happen.

Probably my favorite bench unit ever was the 2010 Suns bench lineup featuring Goran Dragic, Jared Dudley, Channing Frye, Lou Amundson, and Leandro Barbosa.



As for today, I'm not being flippant when I say I think I like the Celts' bench the most. 

The Celts have an uninspiring starting lineup, but Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Jonas Jerebko, Jared Sullinger, Tyler Zeller, and Kelly Olynyk is a fun and varied group to bring off the pine.

Apart from the Celtics, I like the reserves in Chicago.  Aaron Brooks, Mike Dunleavy, Taj Gibson -- all solid role players.  Then of course you have the piece de resistance, Mr Neckbeard, Nikola Mirotic.  Tough to beat.

[Who]

Cleveland, Boston and Golden State are probably the 3 top benches in the league.

Outside of those teams, I like Miami's bench with Chalmers, G.Green, Winslow, McRoberts and C.Andersen. I like Houston's guys too. Beverley, Corey Brewer, Terrence Jones and Clint Capela. Scrappy athletic defensive group of guys. Those are my top 5 benches.

[tarheelsxxiii]

Celtics starting 5.

Houston's bench provided an unfathomable playoff win last year, Celtics will be fun to watch, Cleveland was obviously deep before all the injuries (never even saw Varejao), but I'm partial to GSW - Livingston, Barbosa, Iggy, Lee, Ezeli.

[Surferdad]

LA Clippers -
Pablo Prigioni
Lance Stephenson or Jamal Crawford
Paul Pierce
Josh Smith
Cole Aldrich

[Eja117]

Besides the Celts?

Minnesotta

[littleteapot]

The C's are one of the most exciting benches with Thomas going nuts, Crowder playing tough and a lot of up-tempo offense. I also have to watch Toronto's bench when we play them.

I think 5 years ago there were a lot more exciting benches than there are now to be honest. I'm not really sure why. It might just be that starting lineups push the pace a lot more so it doesn't feel like the benches come in and change things up as much.

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

Our bench.

[SHAQATTACK]

Our bench.

Yup....no doubt

IT is one of the most exciting players to,watch , and off the bench he usually drills the other teams bench badly.

Lee , Rozier ,KO and Jonas , crowder ....plenty of hustle guys that can ball

We will have TONS of youth and ball movement and defensive hustle from the bench and beyond .

From 6-15 Celtics may be one of the strongest teams in the league.

I'm very optimistic for our season

[slamtheking]

have to agree, it'd be the C's bench (for that matter our starters too since they're all bench-quality players as well)

[sofutomygaha]

Houston will have a very good best two-way bench in the league with Beverly, Thornton/McDaniels, Brewer, Motiejunas/Jones, and Clint Capela. The Clippers are definitely right there with them, but Smith and Stephenson are players who might make you much better but will just as likely make you much worse.

The Kings bench is really interesting. Kosta Koufos will be one of the best backup centers in the league. Either Rondo or Collison will run the point. Marco Belinelli is an asset at SG. Round that out with a competent Caron Butler and wildcard Quincy Acy. That could be a realy good group.

But the answer, as always, is the Spurs. Come on.

[Evantime34]

Other than Boston, it has to be Golden State.

Iguodala came off the bench the entire year until the playoffs, Barbosa is a blast to watch off the bench, Ezeli is a beast in the making and Livingston is a match up problem with his size. The breakneck pace they play at is fun to watch.