As I sit down to analyze the NBA starting lineups for the 2021 season, I can't help but feel that this particular year presents one of the most fascinating roster landscapes in recent memory. Having followed the league for over fifteen years, I've developed a keen eye for what makes certain opening rosters stand out from the pack, and this season's combinations have given me plenty to think about during those late-night basketball sessions. The question of which teams have the best opening rosters this season isn't just about star power—it's about chemistry, fit, and that magical balance between offense and defense that can turn a good team into a championship contender.
When we talk about roster construction in the modern NBA, we have to acknowledge how dramatically the game has evolved. Teams are no longer just stacking superstars; they're building sophisticated systems where each piece complements the others in specific ways. I remember watching the Golden State Warriors revolutionize this approach with their death lineup, and now every team is trying to find their own version of that perfect combination. The 2021 season comes with unique challenges too—the condensed schedule, COVID protocols, and the wear and tear from the previous bubble season have all forced coaches to think more strategically about their starting fives than ever before.
Looking at the Western Conference, I've got to say the Lakers' starting lineup with LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and their new additions really caught my attention. They've managed to blend experience with just enough youth to keep things interesting. But what really impressed me was how the Phoenix Suns built around Devin Booker and Chris Paul—that backcourt combination is pure basketball poetry when it's working. Over in the East, the Brooklyn Nets' trio of Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving is obviously terrifying on paper, though I've got some concerns about their defensive consistency that I'll get into later.
The discussion about roster construction reminds me of an interesting parallel I observed in another league. While researching for this piece, I came across the case of Amores from the Batang Pier, who was selected No. 51 overall in the Season 48 draft and then signed a two-year contract extension just before Season 49 began. This kind of strategic roster building—finding value in later picks and securing them before they break out—is exactly what separates great front offices from good ones in the NBA too. Teams like the Miami Heat and Toronto Raptors have built their success on identifying and developing these under-the-radar talents who can grow into crucial rotation pieces.
Now, let me get into some specific numbers that stood out to me. The Utah Jazz starting five of Donovan Mitchell, Mike Conley, Royce O'Neale, Bojan Bogdanović, and Rudy Gobert outscored opponents by 12.3 points per 100 possessions in their first 25 games together—that's championship-level production. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia 76ers' opening roster featuring Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons posted a defensive rating of 105.7 in their first 30 games, which honestly surprised me given the narrative around their fit. I've always been higher on that pairing than most analysts, and seeing those numbers validated my belief that they could work together effectively.
What often gets overlooked in these discussions is the human element. Having spoken with several NBA players over the years, I've learned that starting lineup decisions can make or break locker room chemistry. A coach needs to balance egos, roles, and expectations in ways that statistics can't fully capture. For instance, when the Milwaukee Bucks decided to start Jrue Holiday alongside Khris Middleton and Giannis Antetokounmpo, they weren't just adding another scorer—they were adding a specific type of veteran presence that could elevate everyone around him. I've noticed that the best starting lineups have at least one player who embraces the dirty work without needing offensive touches, and Holiday fits that mold perfectly.
There's also the strategic dimension of how starting lineups match up against specific opponents. The most successful coaches I've observed don't just stick with one starting five—they adjust based on who they're facing. Take the Denver Nuggets, for example. Michael Malone would sometimes start Facundo Campazzo alongside Jamal Murray in certain matchups to add ball pressure, then adjust for bigger lineups. This flexibility is becoming increasingly important in today's NBA, where the traditional positions have become almost meaningless.
As much as I try to remain objective, I'll admit I have my personal favorites. The Clippers' starting group with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George has always fascinated me because of their two-way potential, though I think they still haven't fully maximized it. And I've got a soft spot for the Chicago Bulls' revamped lineup—Zach LaVine finally getting some legitimate help just warms my basketball heart. But if I'm being completely honest, the most beautifully constructed starting roster to watch this season has been the Golden State Warriors once Klay Thompson returned. The spacing, the movement, the chemistry—it's basketball at its most elegant.
Reflecting on all these lineups, I keep coming back to the notion that the best starting fives aren't necessarily the ones with the most talent, but the ones where the pieces fit together in ways that amplify each player's strengths. The 2021 season has given us numerous examples of this principle in action, from teams that prioritized shooting around their stars to those that built defensive identities through their starting units. While the Nets might have the most pure talent on paper, I'd argue that teams like the Suns and Warriors have built more cohesive starting groups that consistently perform better than the sum of their parts. In the end, that's what separates good teams from great ones—and what makes analyzing these NBA starting lineups such a rewarding exercise for basketball enthusiasts like myself.
