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Cleveland Cavaliers: Top Three Lineups By The Numbers

By Evan Hablitzel

Feb 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue calls a play during the third quarter against the Chicago Bulls at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 106-95. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue calls a play during the third quarter against the Chicago Bulls at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 106-95. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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Cleveland Cavaliers
Mar 24, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Matthew Dellavedova (8) advances the ball during the second quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /

PG- Dellavedova  SG- Smith  SF- James  PF- Love  C- Thompson

MIN- (189)  OffRtg- (119.7)  DefRtg- (96.4)  NetRtg- (23.3)

AST Ratio- (19)  TO Ratio- (9.6)  PACE- (94.04)

This lineup shows that Matthew Dellavedova is not only a hustle player. He is the best back up point guard in the NBA.

Also, I deemed this lineup the best for the Cavaliers before looking at the numbers. Believe me, or don’t believe me, it doesn’t matter. Any fan watching Friday’s game had to be scratching their heads at Ty Lue’s decision to play the unit only two minutes.

If only general manager David Griffin handed me the job after David Blatt’s firing, I would really have this team grooving.

Removing Delly Friday night against the Atlanta Hawks resulted in Kyrie Irving going 5-for-23 from the floor with an ugly -13 plus/minus rating.

In 18 minutes played, Delly’s plus/minus was +13. If Irving turns in performances like these come playoff time, I hope Lue has the intestinal fortitude to bench his star point guard.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. Irving is not a superstar, but he has all the potential in the world to become one. With that being said, he’s heading down the Stephon Marbury track at the moment, except he passes less than Starbury did.

We all know what JR Smith, LeBron James, Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson bring to the table. Delly is having an impressive contract year, with a 99 defensive rating and 10.1 net rating. Kyrie Irving’s net rating is 5.3.

Besides, the numbers would say we’re better with the Aussie running the point.

The group has only played 189 minutes together, the third most used lineup for the Cavaliers, but nearly always delivers. Sure, if more playing time was given to this unit some of these numbers would drop, but not as significant as you may think.

A 23.3 net rating is outstanding. Not to mention the stellar 96.4 defensive rating, which I believe to be a testament to both Dellavedova and Tristan Thompson’s relentless energy.

I have been extremely hard on Irving this season, but it’s well deserved. He has the talent to become the basketball player the Cleveland Cavaliers need him to be. He just chooses not to.

Next: Cavs Atlanta Win May Be Turning Point

Besides, the numbers would say we’re better with the Aussie running the point.

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