The beginners and sixth men They always get all the attention in the NBA. The stars are what make their respective teams’ successes possible, but that’s who they are substitutes which in many cases make the difference at the moment of truth.
take one deep rotation It is not a ring guarantee but it helps and makes it possible. In the Season 2022-2023 There are a number of franchises that have taken note of this and significantly strengthened their second unit.
Therefore, it is time to review it seven best substitutes this campaign which has just begun. However, it should be noted that the quintets proposed here are highly unlikely to share the field at the same time, but together they could make sense on paper.
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LA Clippers
- Alignment: John Wall-Norman Powell-Terrance Mann-Nicolas Batum-Robert Covington
Few teams have the depth on the second unit of the LA Clippers, whose roster has a luxury secondary. In fact, names such as Luke Kennard or the promising Moses Brown.
The Angelenos have a number of handlers and shooters who could start and enjoy big minutes for any other team in the league. In addition, the specific alignment in format small ball in the hands of someone like Tyronn Lue you can create a huge problem for your opponents.
With wall as a pivot and motive to show that he returned, Powell recovered as an unfiltered scorer and his defensive versatility Batum and Covington, This quintet is arguably the most talented in the entire NBA among the bench players.
Miami Heat
- Alignment: Gabe Vincent, Victor Oladipo, Duncan Robinson, Nikola Jovic, Dewayne Dedmont
The Miami Heat may have a lower rating than last year, but their second unit has barely changed and that’s more than a positive. With Tyler Herro moving into the starting lineup, Erik Spoelstra’s men will deliver the keys to the attack as a sixth man Victor Oladipo.
The veteran shooting guard has a lot to prove and is slowly getting closer to his best on both ends. What he along with Gabe Vincent in the 1 position will test night after night the rival substitutes.
case similar to a Duncan Robinson that it comes from losing his place in the team to Max Struss and that he needs to deliver before the transfer rumors start. Dewayne Demon must continue as backup from Adebayo while rookie Nikola Jovic is a likely candidate to play four.
Miami always competes and always delivers a solid performance for 48 minuteswhich is possible thanks to the trust in their substitutes and their trade.
New Orleans Pelicans
- Alignment: Jose Alvarado-Trey Murphy-Naji Marshall-Larry Nance-Willy Hernangomez
One of the reasons why Pelicans they managed to get in in extremis in the playoffs last year it was thanks to his backups, who performed well and executed Green’s defensive scheme like a charm. This particular proposed quintet would give many modifications, for example giving entry to Jason Hayes in the starting line-up when he returns and moves to Herb Jones in place of the substitute.
New Orleans has a series of interchangeable minors which should give them infinite possibilities of adaptation to the conditions that arise during the season. It’s this diversity that makes them one of the hardest teams to predict this season, but one that will likely put on a show.
Brooklyn Nets
- Alignment: Patty Mills-Seth Curry-Joe Harris-Markieff Morris-Day’Ron Sharpe
The asterisk in the case of the Brooklyn Nets lies in the health of two of the members of this quintet, Curry and Harris. Both are recovering from injuries to their respective left legs, and the presence of both will signal the New Yorkers’ potential this season.
Beyond that, the trinity consisting of these two and Patty Mills is one of the most interesting in the Eastern Conference. Their offensive potential is limitless as they can open the court, produce off the bounce and run the system. The doubts come, of course, from the defendingsomething that Brooklyn lacks in both its starting and backup lineups and that is the big key to solving it.
Rounding out this lineup is the veteran Markieff Morris It offers trade and loyalty, although its best days as an open four are long gone, it still fulfills its role. Next to him is Sharp, a young 2.11 interior who in his previous 32 games with the Nets left good feelings.
Denver Nuggets
- Alignment: Ish Smith-Bones Hyland-Bruce Brown-Zeke-Nnaji-Jeff Green
On paper this may seem like one of the poorer proposals of those listed here, but the state of the names that make it up doesn’t diminish the potential impact that all of this could have in this context. The Denver Nuggets have done their work by management to strengthen their team and walk according to a game concept. Flexibility and movement without the ball between their operators and tradition and intangibles in which they compose their game inside.
Thus it is explained that Bruce Brown called to be one of them X-factors of this campaign thanks to the combination of defense and intuition that define his game. The former Nets and Pistons player was born to play in Denver and this will be his big chance.
On the other hand, the young people Bones Hyland and Zeke Nnaji They have the potential to establish themselves as two of Michael Malone’s main names. The complex He showed ways last year thanks to his confidence and joy on offense, while the interior shot an amazing 46.3% from outside.
Rounding out the quintet, two experienced substitutes more than underrated. Ish Smith is the dream point guard for any coach because he’s fast, safe (2.6 turnovers per 100 possessions since 2019) and decisive. While Jeff Green turned five smaller size which is so sought after in today’s NBA.
Detroit Pistons
- Alignment: Killian Hayes-Alec Burks-Rodney McGruder-Marvin Bagley-Nerlens Noel
This patchwork mix of trades is poised to be one of the most intriguing backup lineups in the Eastern Conference. The Pistons have more potential than most people think and could pull off an upset if the high expectations surrounding Cade Cunningham are borne out. This second unit stands out for its balancewith highly marked roles and positions that should propel Detroit to the next level.
In a way, this quintet’s choices happen because Killian Hayes a step ahead in every way. Something that has been sensed a little in the preseason, but with the French you never know. In the background is the unpredictable Marvin Bagley, who will be out for a couple of weeks with a sprained right knee, but who is expected to be a starter for Dwane Casey.
Rounding out the bench are two seasoned veterans who have met in the past, such as the attacking specialist Alex BurksThe rimrunner Nerlens Noel and a young McGruder who can contribute from three.
Golden State Warriors
- Alignment: Jordan Poole-Donte DiVincenzo-Jonathan Kuminga-JaMychal Green-James Wiseman
Youth in power. The Warriors have a very deep and well-rounded team, perhaps less than last year, but more versatile and with greater potential for improvement. With their three recent draft lottery picks, the Californians want to start giving them freedom and improving names that will mark their future in the short term.
The big name to follow here is Jordan Poole, a versatile scorer, capable of producing both off the bounce and off the indirect block. While he still has a long way to go to reach his best, the Milwaukee native already knows what it’s like to win and now starts as a strong contender for Sixth Man of the Year.
On the other hand it is James Wiseman, who returns to this course and should go from less to more until he establishes himself as a danger to his opponents. Memphis’ young interior still has a long way to go and will have to make mistakes to earn minutes, but has the weapons to get it done.
While Kuminga is the perfect prototype defensive wing for these Warriors and that in a second unit is so necessary. He may not add much off the dribble or the shot, but if he learns to cut and continues to perform in transition he can provide a top 15 minutes. Although it is likely that more will benefit from this role Donde DiVincenzoa consistent scorer and right defender who landed in Golden State in search of glory and a better future contract.
The views expressed here do not necessarily represent the NBA or its organizations.
