Many people suggest that the NBA is all about the superstars and while it is, they can’t do it alone. Even LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love didn’t look that formidable until the front office managed to put together a more complete roster with a couple of wing players and another big game.
As we move closer towards the playoffs, it’s important to examine which teams have the best supporting casts around the stars.
Golden State Warriors
This is a reasonable example of a team with a star and then a supporting cast. Stephen Curry is the person at the heart of what the Warriors do and how they operate. He is a dazzling talent who also happens to be the point guard and the initiator of the offense. Curry can do everything a perimeter player needs to do and he dominates games not always by scoring, but by drawing attention and enabling other players to operate. But what makes the Warriors a championship contender is his supporting cast.
Klay Thompson is a wingman for Curry, the second piece of the best backcourt tandem in the NBA. Thompson plays off Curry as well as anyone could hope, as they pour in 45.4 points per game combined. Then there’s Draymond Green, who is a Defensive Player of the Year candidate, who carries out all sorts of defensive assignments while being able to hit jump shots and space the floor for the Warriors. He’s also scoring in double-digits at 11.6 per game. And Marreese Speights isn’t far behind him at 11.0 points per game. He’s a solid jump shooter who relieves some pressure from Curry.
Harrison Barnes is the fifth member on the team that’s scoring in double figures (10.2) and his length and athleticism have turned him into a valuable defensive player. Sure, Curry is the MVP but there’s a whole supporting cast behind him that makes this team the best in the West.
Chicago Bulls
It is a weird and even sad commentary to say this, but the Chicago Bulls have been a great supporting-cast kind of team because their superstar is so often injured. It’s a different kind of support the Bulls have given to Derrick Rose, but it is still a form of support in the end. For each of the past three seasons, Chicago has had to play without Rose for long periods of time. Everyone on the roster has pitched in when and where possible to keep the Bulls going into the playoffs.
Last season, it was Jimmy Butler who stepped up and this year, he’s continued to improve. He leads the team with 20.2 points per game and for his work, is likely to earn a max contract. Pau Gasol was signed to aid the front court but he’s been a bonafide All-Star, contributing 18.4 points per game, 9.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.0 blocks. Then there’s Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson, Nikola Mirotic, Kirk Hinrich, Tony Snell. The Bulls have everything one could ever want in a supporting cast but they’re just missing the star.
Houston Rockets
The Rockets get so much from James Harden, but without Dwight Howard for roughly half of this season, Houston had to get production from a lot of sources other than Harden to stay in the top half of all Western Conference playoff teams. The defense of Patrick Beverley and the offense of Trevor Ariza have quietly been able to keep this team above water. Josh Smith seems to be fitting in well after relocating from Detroit. Jason Terry is still lending his veteran experience to this team. Corey Brewer has found a home as the third-leading scorer on the team (12.7 points per game) and Terrence Jones has emerged as a quality power forward.
Oklahoma City Thunder
It’s hard to make this list without including the Thunder, who have had to make so many adjustments this season due to injuries to their superstars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. Now it looks like they have a fully-loaded cast that’s developed and ready to help support them for a playoff run. Serge Ibaka has quietly had a strong season with 14.3 points per game while leading the league in blocks. Enes Kanter has found a nice home in the frontcourt, averaging 14.7 points and 8.8 rebounds since coming over at the trade deadline. Dion Waiters has helped out at the shooting guard position – either starting while filling in or off the bench – scoring 11 points per game 11.0 points per game. D.J. Augustin has filled out the role of backup point guard, averaging 9.5 points, 3.6 assist and 2.9 rebounds since being acquired.
If Durant and Westbrook can just stay healthy and the cast can continue to contribute, this team could be the one to beat in the Western Conference playoffs – even if they won’t have homecourt advantage.
