Lineup Watch 12/18/12

The Good

Jrue Holiday, Jason Richardson, Evan Turner, Thadeus Young, Lavoy Allen
As a team, Philadelphia has a 99.3 offensive efficiency, 20th in the league.  That low mark is in spite of the starting lineup which is putting up astronomical numbers on the offensive end.  They are scoring at a rate 3 points per 100 possessions higher than the top offensive team in the league, Oklahoma City.  Putting Thad Young at the four opens up the floor for and puts a ton of pressure on a defense to rotate and make decisions.  Evan Turner's improved jumper and Lavoy Allen's midrange game help as well.  Now, getting back to the original point.  If the starting lineup has played so well on offense, what brings the Sixers' efficiency to such low levels?  Probably the fact that Philly's next most used lineup is scoring at a level far below that of even the Wizards.

Eric Bledsoe, Jamal Crawford, Matt Barnes, Lamar Odom, Ronny Turiaf
The Clippers improved bench unit is one of the main reasons this Clips team is better than the one that was swept in the second round last year.  This unit sports a net rating (points scored per 100-points allowed per 100) that would easily eclipse that of the top team in the league (more than double, in fact).  This lineup's defense is stingier than any team in NBA history's and the offense would 5th in the league.  Eric Bledsoe, Matt Barnes, and Ronny Turiaf are energy guys that will cut, defend, and do the dirty work.  Jamal Crawford is lethal off the dribble and in the running for sixth man of the year.  And Lamar Odom, despite his...plumpness...is still one of the smartest players in the league.  There will surely be regression, but as of now, this unit is one of the best in the NBA.        

The Bad

Mo Williams, Randy Foye, Gordon Hayward, Paul Millsap, Al Jefferson
No lineup featuring Al Jefferson is expected to be a defensive stalwart, but holy hell this is bad.  Gordon Hayward has an unearned reputation as a great defensive that is just not true.  The backcourt is small and Randy Foye especially can be picked on.  No semblance of rim protection behind the porous perimeter D is a recipe for disaster.  On the bright side, this unit is an offensive juggernaut with the two big men doing their thing inside while the others spot up along the arc.   
            
All statistics courtesy of NBA.com