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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 7: Kevin Love #0 and LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers high five each other during the game against the Golden State Warriors in Game Three of the 2017 NBA Finals on June 7, 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, the 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 7: Kevin Love #0 and LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers high five each other during the game against the Golden State Warriors in Game Three of the 2017 NBA Finals on June 7, 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, the 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 #1: Thomas, Smith, Crowder, James, and Love

Offensively, this is the most lethal combination of Cavalier players. The main reason is because it doesn’t have to sacrifice size for shooting.

There are four knockdown, proven shooters. James would have a field day feeding this lineup, and with Crowder and Thomas running the court, this lineup should also be a quality transition lineup. For a full game, a lineup like this should easily beat any team besides Golden State by at least five. I’ve said this a lot, but there is no lineup on the Cavaliers that would give this offensive firepower, rebounding, shooting, and defensive capability.

Chemistry will be a big issue with this lineup. With two of the players coming over in a trade, it might not end up flowing as well as I would hope. For now, on paper, this lineup is the team’s best, and I don’t think it is even close.

Must Read: The top 5 players the Cavaliers could get for the Nets' pick

It’ll be a fun season in the Land. With several proven stars along with a couple unknown, skilled prospects, this season should end with the Cavaliers at least back in the Finals.