Perhaps no lineup epitomizes the current NBA game better than the Golden State Warriors' "Small Ball" lineup of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Andre Iguodala, Harrison Barnes and Draymond Green.
Each player can shoot and handle the ball offensively, and on defense, everyone except Curry can switch with ease as the other four players are within two inches of one another in height.
The Small Ball lineup has dominated this season, outscoring opponents 200-119 in 56 minutes of play. The Warriors’ Small Ball lineup has shot almost 65 percent from the field -- even better (66 percent, 31-of-47) on 3-pointers -- while playing at a pace of 109 possessions per 48 minutes, much faster than the Kings’ league-leading pace.
This lineup has 46 assists to 13 turnovers and has out-rebounded the opposition despite the lack of a traditional big man.
Better with experience
As this lineup has played together more, it's become seemingly unstoppable. It scores 160.9 points per 100 possessions and allows 90.0 per 100 this season, which means it outscores opponents by 70.8 points per 100 possessions.
Albeit in a smaller sample size, the lineup has been better than even last season, when it was a key component of the Warriors’ championship run.
This is the lineup that brought the Warriors back in Thursday’s thrilling win against the Clippers, and it didn’t take long. In six minutes of court time, the lineup outscored Los Angeles 25-8, making 7-of-8 field goals (5-of-6 from 3-point range) and all six free throws.
The NBA’s best five-man unit
Among the 47 lineups to play at least 50 minutes this season, no other lineup has a net efficiency (point differential per 100 possessions) even half as good as this one. Only four of these non-Warriors lineups are within 50 points per 100 possessions of the Warriors’ Small Ball unit.
The best Warriors by net efficiency
Who’s the most valuable player on the Warriors?
Surely it’s Curry in reality, but in terms of net efficiency the Warriors are better in the minutes played by Iguodala than anybody else.
The Warriors have outscored opponents by 20.8 points per 100 possessions with Iguodala on the court, 18.1 with Green and 17.4 with Curry.
Of course, much of their court time overlaps, and all of these efficiency numbers are terrific, but Iguodala is doing his part to contribute to the winning.