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LeBron James dunks oneThere’s a very popular saying in the game of basketball “Offense wins games but Defense wins championships”. So without doubt performing well at the defensive end of the floor should be a crucial part of any title contender’s playing style. There would be very few championship teams in the 70 year history of the league that ranked higher on the offensive end than on the defensive end. Nonetheless, it doesn’t hurt to have an efficient productive offensive game to rely on when it most matters. With the league embracing the increased number of attempts from three point range, the offensive numbers across the league are expected to rise every year. Considering those circumstances and analysing the numbers so far, here are the top 5 offensive systems of the 2015-16 NBA season:
#5 Charlotte Hornets
With a record of 2-4 in the six games so far, Michael Jordan owned Charlotte Hornets are the only sub .500 team to be on this list. They have only 2 wins to their credit however they deserve to be named simply because of the improvement of their offense from last season, that they have shown in the small sample size of six games so far.
Just take a look at the big leap they have taken on offense with the help of a few particular team statistics:
| Offensive team parameters | Assists | Effective Field Goal % | Rebounding | Effective Offensive Efficiency | NBA Rank |
| 2014-15 Season | 11.2 | 45.6% | 50 | 97.6 | 28th |
| 2015-16 Season | 16.4 | 50% | 52.1 | 104.6 | T-4th |
The table says it all.
Trading for or signing forwards above 6 foot 8 inches or more, who can shoot the ball had been the main emphasis for the Hornets’ this past summer. Shooters such as Jeremy Lamb, Nicolas Batum, Marvin Williams, Spencer Hawes and Frank Kaminsky have become key role players in the Hornets’ rotation. Having so many shooters not only keeps the opposition’s rim protecters out of the paint but also opens up the paint for drives by guards Kemba Walker and off-season acquisition Jeremy Lin.
Not to mention the much needed post-position that center Al Jefferson will receive with the rest of his team standing behind the three-point line. This philosphy of spreading the floor with shooters has so far succeeded, proof of which was shown when the team blew away the Chicago Bulls (a good defensive team) 130-105 at home.
#4 Cleveland Cavaliers
Going by the talent on this roster, don't be surprised if the Cleveland Cavaliers are the highest ranked offensive team in your NBA game-whether its NBA 2K16 or any other. With three powerhouses in Kevin Love, Kyrie Irving and LeBron James, this team is by far, the championship contender in the Eastern Conference. Having said that what's surprising about their position here is that they have achieved this level of offensive production despite missing key players from their rotation.
Irving (knee) and Shumpert (wrist) are out till mid-December while a host of players like Timofey Mozgov and Andersen Varejao are still getting to 100% after back surgeries and achilles rehab respectively. Kevin Love, however, having completely recovered from the shoulder dislocation he suffered April, is playing like the Love that once represented the Minnesota Timberwolves being dominant on the glass and knocking down three's at a respectable percentage.
Four time MVP LeBron James needed an injection in his back to begin the season but hasn’t slowed him down one bit. Averaging 25.3 points, 6.6 rebounds and 6.6 assists, James is doing it all for his team, with the parts they have got. Although he might say that they are trying to make Love the main guy, he will always be the focal point of the Cavaliers offense.
An underrated part of this current roster is a matured version of Mo Williams. Filling up for injured Irving, Williams has been doing everything the team needs their point guard to do. They need offense, he has delivered and if there more than enough offensive weapons already on the floor, he has taken a step back to facilitate and run the offense.
#3 Oklahoma City Thunder
In Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant, the Oklahoma City Thunder arguably have two of the top 5 players in the league. During the regular season, these two can get any shot they want and can will their team to wins multiple times. In the opening week of the ongoing season, the Thunder overcame a resilient Orlando Magic team in double overtime with KD and Russ scoring 40 each while no other OKC players registered above 12 points.
Nonetheless, the Thunder management has done a decent job year after year of making sure there is adequate support on the roster around these two superstars to be a contender. Guard Dion Waiters and Center Enes Kanter are two pure offensive tools which could use a little polishing when it comes to their effort on the defensive end of the floor. Serge Ibaka and Andre Roberson are the team’s defensive stoppers but the latter averaging just 5 points isn’t any help on the offensive end.
The fact of the matter remains that OKC are only good as their two superstars can be. There are no players on the roster who can provide a lift in case KD or Russ are suffering from a bad shooting night. So far the duo has provided fireworks and have taken the team to a 5-3 start thus the team is third on the offensive efficiency list. Although the team and probably the fans will take credit in their offensive efficiency ranking, what matters more is a much needed long post-season run.
#2 Los Angeles Clippers
Over the years, slowly but surely, the focal point of the Los Angeles Clippers offense has shifted from Chris Paul to Blake Griffin. The latter has matured into a passing big man who can shoot the mid range jumper and effectively finish at the rim while the Paul has become more of a jumpshooter and lesser of a facilitator. However the offensive playing style of the Clippers is still the same-they love to a fast paced game with shooters and an effective rebounder/ dunker in DeAndre Jordan.
During the Playoffs last season, this team was excellent on both ends of the floor but simply lacked the bench strength to get further into the post-season however that’s not the case this season.This team’s offense depends a lot on penetration and the adverse effect of that on the opposition.
Their penetrations by playmakers such as Paul, Griffin and free agent acquisitions Lance Stephenson and Paul Pierce will result in open three’s by the shooters such as J.J. Reddick and Jamal Crawford or in a slam at the rim by DeAndre. The also have loads of talent in Pierce, Crawford, Stephenson, Griffin and Paul that can play one on one and create a shot for themselves. Clippers have a roster that’s 10 man deep with each player having his own offensive skill set to offer to the team.
#1 Golden State Warriors
Reigning NBA Champions the Golden State Warriors are playing with a chip on their shoulder with many calling their championship run last season lucky. If anything the Warriors are playing even better than they did last season, that’s at least how they have started the season. They are currently the only team in the league to have not lost a game yet with a 10-0 record, the best in franchise history.
Although all players have taken a leap performance wise, reignign MVP Stephen Curry decided to take a ride to another planet. All the 10 games so far, Curry has been in hot form,shooting 53% from the field and 45.5% from three point land. He’s averaging a league high 33.3 points per game, recording 30+ points in six of the 10 games which includes two 40+ point games and a 53 point outing agaisnt the New Orleans Pelicans.
In every stat category possible, the Warriors have gotten better. Rebounds, assists, shooting, you name it the Warriors have done it. With the team’s depth its impossible to name everybody here but certiainly Draymmond Green is a huge piece to their team after Curry.
In what was their toughest game so far agaisnt the Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State recorded as many as 28 assists in the first half. Very few teams record 28 assists over the course of an entire game and here are the Warriors doing it effectively in a half.They are on pace and look good on paper to try equal or better the 72-10 record that Micheal Jordan’s 1995-96 Bulls set.
Guess the Lakers players!
