Ranking Each NBA Team's Starting 5

To pique your Christmas Day appetite for sugar plums, candy canes and a little NBA action, why not take a look at how your team's starting five ranks against the rest of the league?

I want to remind you that being named the best (or worst) starting five doesn't equate to winning it all (or coming in last).

Let's be honest with ourselves. Outside of Dallas, who thought the Mavericks had the best starting five last year? They had a quality starting lineup, great bench contribution, solid coaching and timely shot-making.

But having a great starting five is definitely one way to make it deep into the playoffs, especially during a shortened year. Take a look!

No. 30: Charlotte Bobcats

PG: D.J. Augustin

SG: Gerald Henderson

SF: Corey Maggette

PF: Tyrus Thomas

C: Boris Diaw

Some team has to be last, and this year, it's the Charlotte Bobcats. Diaw should be playing power forward, and Gerald Henderson should be a backup. Get excited to see Kemba Walker off the bench, though.

No. 29: Cleveland Cavaliers

PG: Ramon Sessions

SG: Anthony Parker

SF: Omri Casspi

PF: Antawn Jamison

C: Anderson Varejao

Like Charlotte, the Cleveland Cavaliers are looking toward the future. Kyrie Irving is a legitimate Rookie of the Year contender, but of the starting five, only Jamison and Varejao turn heads. That's not a good sign.

No. 28: Detroit Pistons

PG: Rodney Stuckey

SG: Ben Gordon

SF: Tayshaun Prince

PF: Charlie Villanueva

C: Greg Monroe

It seems like if you're spending an early pick on a point guard, your starting five sucks. Just like Charlotte and Cleveland before them, the Detroit Pistons are waiting on Brandon Knight to mature. Until then, look for Monroe to break out at center.

No. 27: Toronto Raptors

PG: Jose Calderon

SG: DeMar DeRozan

SF: James Johnson

PF: Amir Johnson

C: Andrea Bargnani

The Toronto Raptors are set at shooting guard and center. If DeRozan can add deeper shots to his game, he could be an All-Star. Calderon is an excellent passer but needs to grab a few more points this year.

No. 26: Utah Jazz

PG: Devin Harris

SG: Raja Bell

SF: C.J. Miles

PF: Paul Millsap

C: Al Jefferson

Jefferson is a boss for the Utah Jazz, but Harris and Millsap are only B to B+ players. The shooting guard and small forward positions are weak as well. I'm looking long-term for Utah.

No. 25: Minnesota Timberwolves

PG: Ricky Rubio

SG: Wesley Johnson

SF: Michael Beasley

PF: Kevin Love

C: Darko Milicic

The Minnesota Timberwolves lean on their all-world power forward, but can Beasley take the next step? Is Rubio going to be as good as advertised? Can Milicic add more offense? Too many questions.

No. 24: New Jersey Nets

PG: Deron Williams

SG: Anthony Morrow

SF: Damion James

PF: Kris Humphries 

C: Brook Lopez

One of the best point guards in the game plays for the New Jersey Nets, but so does a seven-foot center who can only muster seven rebounds per game and Kim Kardashian's former hubby. So much randomness. The Nets are waiting to spend their dough.

No. 23: Houston Rockets

PG: Kyle Lowry

SG: Kevin Martin

SF: Chase Buddinger

PF: Luis Scola

C: Jordan Hill

No one is talking about them, but the Houston Rockets have a formidable starting five. Lowry came into his own at the end of last season and Martin's and Scola's skills are undeniable. Hill is a rebounding machine just waiting to be unleashed.

No. 22: New Orleans Hornets

PG: Jarrett Jack

SG: Eric Gordon

SF: Trevor Ariza

PF: Emeka Okafor

C: Chris Kaman

The New Orleans Hornets were a solid playoff contender with Chris Paul. Now they're a below-average team with a lot to prove. Jack hasn't been an unquestioned starter in many years, while Kaman is coming off an injury. Gordon needs to settle in quickly and take control.

No. 21: Washington Wizards

PG: John Wall

SG: Nick Young

SF: Rashard Lewis

PF: Andray Blatche

C: JaVale McGee

Now here's a lineup I'm excited to see. Except for Lewis, the Washington Wizards' starting five is all 26 or younger and full of talent. If they can gel together, Washington will make a huge jump in the standings next year.

No. 20: Milwaukee Bucks

PG: Brandon Jennings

SG: Mike Dunleavy

SF: Stephen Jackson

PF: Drew Gooden

C: Andrew Bogut

The Milwaukee Bucks were an impressive 10 games over .500 two years ago, and yet, they get very little airtime. They probably like that. Bogut needs to get back to scoring 14 points per game. While Jackson brings some cause for concern, they are well-balanced.

No. 19: Phoenix Suns

PG: Steve Nash

SG: Jared Dudley

SF: Grant Hill

PF: Channing Frye

C: Marcin Gortat

This ranking for the Phoenix Suns is as much out of respect for Nash as anything. He's aging but is still the best passer in the NBA. Frye was money from three-point range last year, and Gortat will excel with a full season of starting.

No. 18: Philadelphia 76ers

PG: Jrue Holiday

SG: Jodie Meeks

SF: Andre Iguodala

PF: Elton Brand

C: Spencer Hawes

Holliday broke out last season, while Iguodala stood out on a revived Philadelphia 76ers team. There are some questions about the frontcourt due to the age of one and the actual ability of the other. Evan Turner will battle Meeks for shooting guard responsibilities.

No. 17: Sacramento Kings

PG: Tyreke Evans

SG: Marcus Thornton

SF: John Salmons

PF: J.J. Hickson

C: DeMarcus Cousins

Watch out for the Sacramento Kings. Evans is a bona fide scoring point guard, and Cousins is only going to get better. Hickson finally found his groove last year, while Thornton has the ability to score with the best of them. Rookie guard Jimmer Fredette could find plenty of minutes and an occasional start, too.

No. 16: Atlanta Hawks

PG: Jeff Teague

SG: Joe Johnson

SF: Marvin Williams

PF: Josh Smith

C: Al Horford

The Atlanta Hawks are quietly one of the better teams in the East. They managed the fifth seed despite drops in points per game from Johnson and Horford, perhaps their two best players. Smith also got off to a hot start that was cooled as the year wore on. Keep an eye on the Hawks in a short season.

No. 15: Boston Celtics

PG: Rajon Rondo

SG: Ray Allen

SF: Paul Pierce

PF: Kevin Garnett

C: Jermaine O'Neal

This might be the last year for the current Boston Celtics starting five to make a deep run into the playoffs. Like the Hawks, a short season for Pierce, Allen and Garnett will be very advantageous. I have no clue why Davis was traded or why Rondo was rumored to be in trade talks, but I'm no pro.

No. 14: San Antonio Spurs

PG: Tony Parker

SG: Manu Ginobili

SF: Richard Jefferson

PF: DeJuan Blair

C: Tim Duncan

Last year's top seed in the West was worn down by the time they had to face the gritty, energetic Grizzlies in the playoffs. Once again, a shortened season is likely to help the knees of Ginobili, Jefferson and Duncan. The San Antonio Spurs are models of consistency and should always be feared.

No. 13: Orlando Magic

PG: Jameer Nelson

SG: Jason Richardson

SF: Hedo Turkoglu

PF: Glen Davis

C: Dwight Howard

I never understand why players willingly leave a contender for the flashy lights of a big city with a terrible team, but that's what Howard apparently want(s)(ed)(?). If he stays, he'll lead a strong Orlando Magic starting five that introduces Davis into their mix. Stick with Orlando, Dwight.

No. 12: Dallas Mavericks

PG: Jason Kidd

SG: Vince Carter

SF: Lamar Odom

PF: Dirk Nowitzki

C: Brendan Haywood

The defending champion Dallas Mavericks have successfully patched a good starting five together for the upcoming season. Odom has deserved to be a starter for years and will thrive with the passing ability of Kidd. The Mavs will need to find another three-point threat, but that can come off the bench.

No. 11: Golden State Warriors

PG: Stephen Curry

SG: Monta Ellis

SF: Dorell Wright

PF: David Lee

C: Andris Bierdrins

I present to you the best-scoring starting five in the NBA, the Golden State Warriors. Curry can score like a shooting guard. Ellis can assist like a point guard. Wright can drain threes, and Lee adds 17 per night. With the addition of Brandon Rush to the roster, though, I'll be interested to see what becomes of Ellis.

No. 10: Indiana Pacers

PG: Darren Collison

SG: Paul George

SF: Danny Granger

PF: David West

C: Roy Hibbert

I'm a believer in the Indiana Pacers. Top to bottom, they have one of the best starting fives in the league. They clearly think George can get the job done since they traded Brandon Rush, and if that's the case, they have as much potential at each position as any team.

No. 9: Denver Nuggets

PG: Ty Lawson

SG: Arron Afflalo

SF: Danilo Gallinari

PF: Al Harrington

C: Nene

If this was a list of deepest teams in the NBA, the Denver Nuggets would be the top team. Still, they field a terrific starting group with the recent re-signing of Afflalo and Nene. Harrington needs to get back to scoring 14 to 15 points per night in order for the team to go far.

No. 8: Portland Trail Blazers

PG: Raymond Felton

SG: Wesley Matthews

SF: Gerald Wallace

PF: LaMarcus Aldridge

C: Marcus Camby

The emergence of Aldridge sparked the rest of the Portland Trail Blazers to make the playoffs last year. Now with the addition of Felton and Wallace, they are throwing out a defensively disciplined, capable scoring lineup. Aldridge's heart issues are a cause for concern, but if that gets worked out, Portland should be ready for another playoff run.

No. 7: Memphis Grizzlies

PG: Mike Conley

SG: O.J. Mayo

SF: Rudy Gay

PF: Zach Randolph

C: Marc Gasol

The Memphis Grizzlies showed the NBA what they can do last year. Conley and Mayo/Sam Young/Tony Allen provided enough outside support to make way for Randolph and Gasol underneath. Gay returns from injury, which will provide a huge boost to the Grizzlies' postseason hopes.

No. 6: Los Angeles Clippers

PG: Chris Paul

SG: Chauncey Billups

SF: Caron Butler

PF: Blake Griffin

C: DeAndre Jordon

I was vehemently against the Los Angeles Clippers' trade for Paul at the beginning, but it's starting to grow on me. Billups is a capable shooter and is now the best passing 2-guard in the NBA. Butler was a beautiful signing, and Jordan will get more minutes to rebound and block shots. There's nothing new to add for Griffin...

He's just a monster.

No. 5: Los Angeles Lakers

PG: Derek Fisher

SG: Kobe Bryant

SF: Matt Barnes

PF: Pau Gasol

C: Andrew Bynum

While people are understandably gushing over the Clippers, the Los Angeles Lakers are still the better starting five. We get used to seeing Bryant fill it up every night and think 10 rebounds is easy for Gasol. If Bynum can stay healthy, the Lakers are still top dog in LA.

No. 4: Miami Heat

PG: Mario Chalmers

SG: Dwayne Wade

SF: LeBron James

PF: Chris Bosh

C: Joel Anthony

The mediocrity of Chalmers and Anthony of the Miami Heat is more than compensated for by the Big Three of Wade, James and Bosh. They're great, and you know it. A year of playing together has only made them stronger.

No. 3: New York Knicks

PG: Baron Davis

SG: Landry Fields

SF: Carmelo Anthony

PF: Amar'e Stoudemire

C: Tyson Chandler

When the New York Knicks signed Davis, their ranking in this list took a quantum leap. It's not that Davis is still a top-five point guard, because he's not. It's because he'll contribute seven assists per night from a position that would've been manned by Toney Douglas the entire year. He has to deal with an injury for the first several weeks, but you'll see the difference he makes.

No. 2: Oklahoma City Thunder

PG: Russell Westbrook

SG: Thabo Sefolosha

SF: Kevin Durant

PF: Serge Ibaka

C: Kendrick Perkins

Westbrook and Durant have found a way not only to coexist but to improve one another. Ibaka is poised for a breakout season, and Sefolosha provides solid defense on this high-scoring offense. The Oklahoma City Thunder are the West's best starting five.

No. 1: Chicago Bulls

PG: Derrick Rose

SG: Richard Hamilton

SF: Luol Deng

PF: Carlos Boozer

C: Joakim Noah

The best starting five is the Chicago Bulls. They are one of the few units that play as hard on the defensive end as the offensive, and their lineup is built perfectly to do so. A better shooting guard would make this ranking a no-contest, but in any event, they're tops.

Enjoy the season, everyone!