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Cleveland Cavaliers: Ranking the Cavs’ top 5 most lethal lineups

By Nathan Beighle

CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 9: JR Smith #5 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrates after defeating the Golden State Warriors in Game Four of the 2017 NBA Finals on June 9, 2017 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 9: JR Smith #5 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrates after defeating the Golden State Warriors in Game Four of the 2017 NBA Finals on June 9, 2017 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – JUNE 9: LeBron James #23 and Tristan Thompson #13 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shake hands before the game against the Golden State Warriors in Game Four of the 2017 NBA Finals on June 9, 2017 at The Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – JUNE 9: LeBron James #23 and Tristan Thompson #13 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shake hands before the game against the Golden State Warriors in Game Four of the 2017 NBA Finals on June 9, 2017 at The Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Lineup #2: Thomas, Smith, James, Love, and Thompson

This lineup is basically the same as the Cavaliers’ most used lineup last season. Obviously, it just included Irving, not Thomas. Regardless, the lineup is a success.

While Thompson does not provide much offensive firepower, the second chances and defensive tenacity that he brings are well worth having him on the court. In the 27 games that this lineup was in, it averaged 40.9 points per 16.9 minutes. At those rates, the team would’ve scored over 116 points per game, which would have led the NBA. Too bad the starters can’t play the entire game.

Even with the addition of Thomas, this lineup does not lose much. Love will have to step up and become a more active offensive participant. Through and through, this lineup will most likely be the go to for Tyronn Lue again this upcoming season. The 43.9% from deep that this lineup shot last season is also an impressive number.

This lineup has it all. Shooting, size, intangibles– but, there might be one lineup that is a more lethal combination.