Ranking the NBA's Best Lineups Based on Colleges

As an avid basketball fan, it's always fun come NBA draft time to see which college players turn into studs and which college programs produce the best talent. I've had many a debate with friends and family over starting fives in the NBA from each college. 

I finally decided to sit down and rank those squads. This is only a current list of players in the NBA.

Honorable Mention: High School

PG: Monta Ellis

SG: Kobe Bryant

SF: LeBron James

PF: Kevin Garnett

C: Dwight Howard

Bench: Josh Smith, Amar'e Stoudemire, Tyson Chandler, Shaun Livingston

While this team isn't included in the rankings, it'd be far and away the best team. Scoring would be at a premium, and no team could match up talent-wise. You could even move LeBron to the PG spot and start Josh Smith, giving you an ultra-big lineup.

So many options, so not fair. 

Honorable Mention: International Players

PG: Tony Parker

SG: Manu Ginobili

SF: Rudy Fernandez

PF: Dirk Nowitzki

C: Pau Gasol

Bench: Luis Scola, Marc Gasol, Hedo Turkoglu, Nene

This team is another not included, but very talented. While they lack backcourt depth, the frontcourt is huge.

Both Gasols, Dirk, Hedo, Nene and Scola? No one, not even the high school squad, could match up with that.

10. Ohio State Buckeyes

PG: Mike Conley

SG: Evan Turner

SF: Michael Redd

PF: Kosta Koufos

C: Greg Oden

Bench: Deaquan Cook, B.J. Mullens

The problem with this lineup is the big men. They produce centers (not good ones, but centers), but not power forwards.

The backcourt would be a good one, especially with Cook coming off the bench. The lack of depth would certainly hurt them quickly.

9. Syracuse Orange

PG: Jonny Flynn

SG: Wes Johnson

SF: Carmelo Anthony

PF: Donte Green

C: Hakim Warrick

Bench: Andy Rautins, Etan Thomas

The only reason I put Syracuse ahead of Ohio State is because they have a more complete starting five and the fact that they have the best pure scorer in the league. Flynn and Wes are more than capable backups.

However, don't expect anyone off the bench to help.

8. Wake Forest Deacons

PG: Chris Paul

SG: Josh Howard

SF: James Johnson

PF: Al-Farouq Aminu

C: Tim Duncan

Bench: Ishmael Smith, Jeff Teague

There's a significant step up to this Wake Forest team from Syracuse.

This team has four legitimate starters at each position, and none are out of position.

And any team with Chris Paul and Tim Duncan has a fighting chance. Paul is the best PG in the league and can make any team look good, and Duncan still has some left in the tank.

7. Texas Longhorns

PG: T.J. Ford

SG: Avery Bradley

SF: Tristan Thompson

PF: Kevin Durant

C: LaMarcus Aldridge

Bench: D.J. Augustin, Daniel Gibson, Damion James, Maurice Evans

Wake Forest and Texas' teams are really close—in fact, Wake Forest's starting five is better.

However, the fact they wouldn't have anyone on the bench hurts them. Plus, Texas sports a veteran PG, the best player in the league and one of the best big men.

Tristan Thompson has looked good early on this year, but they only have PGs coming off the bench, which is why they're so low.

6. Arizona Wildcats

PG: Mike Bibby

SG: Jason Terry

SF: Andre Iguodala

PF: Jordan Hill

C: Channing Frye

Bench: Jerryd Bayless, Richard Jefferson, Luke Walton, Derrick Williams

This team is one of the best teams out there.

It's a team loaded with veterans and a perfect mix of backcourt players, forwards and big men.

The weakness, however, is that the bench isn't good except for Jefferson. Walton is seldom-used, Williams is young and improving, and Bayless isn't that good.

There's a significant drop-off in talent from starters to bench.

5. UNC Tar Heels

PG: Raymond Felton

SG: Vince Carter

SF: Marvin Williams

PF: Tyler Hansbrough

C: Brendan Haywood

Bench: Wayne Ellington, Antawn Jamison, Ty Lawson, Ed Davis

This spot right here is where you get to the great teams.

All five guys in this starting lineup are starters in the league. Carter is aging, and Haywood and Hansbrough may not be a fierce frontcourt, but they are a solid unit. Jamison and Davis off the bench provide them lots of big bodies as well.

There really isn't a weakness on this team, they just aren't as talented as other teams.

4. UCLA Bruins

PG: Russell Westbrook

SG: Arron Afflalo

SF: Trevor Ariza

PF: Kevin Love

C: Ryan Hollins

Bench: Matt Barnes, Darren Collison, Jordan Farmar, Jrue Holliday, Baron Davis 

This starting five is the best of any of the starting fives.

They have a great group, spearheaded by Westbrook and Love. Ariza is one of the more underrated players, and Afflalo is a great scorer.

However, as you can see, the bench is a bunch of point guards. As you could imagine, that'd be a problem. 

3. Connecticut Huskies

PG: Ben Gordon

SG: Ray Allen

SF: Rudy Gay

PF: Charlie Villanueva

C: Emeka Okafor

Bench: Kemba Walker, Rip Hamilton, Hasheem Thabeet, Caron Butler

I originally had this team second, but their lack of big men will hurt them.

Hasheem Thabeet is nothing more than the laughing-stock of the league anymore. He's a serviceable big man, but nothing more than that.

However, the backcourt is great. Gordon, Rip, Ray-Ray, Rudy Gay and Kemba are second to none.

2. Kentucky Wildcats

PG: Rajon Rondo

SG: John Wall

SF: Tayshaun Prince

PF: Chuck Hayes

C: Demarcus Cousins

Bench: Eric Bledsoe, Jodie Meeks, Nazr Mohammed, Patrick Patterson, Brandon Knight

I also had this team lower at first, but the more I looked at them, the more I liked them.

While Wall isn't a natural 2-guard, I couldn't put either Rondo or Wall on the bench. They are too dynamic a duo to not be on the floor at the same time.

The bench features everything you need and is a complete one. The only problem I see is a lack of a small forward and only one shooting guard.

1. Duke Blue Devils

PG: Kyrie Irving

SG: J.J. Redick

SF: Luol Deng

PF: Carlos Boozer

C: Elton Brand

Bench: Grant Hill, Chris Duhon, Corey Maggette, Shane Battier, Gerald Henderson, Josh McRoberts

Easily the most complete team.

The backcourt has a lot of depth, and the frontcourt does as well. Battier, Maggette and Hill can provide minutes at the 2 or 3, and Battier could even play some PF. McRoberts is supremely underrated and could provide valuable minutes as a backup to Boozer and Brand.

Kyrie Irving is bred to be a star in this league with his quickness and ability to get to the rack. Redick's numbers have improved steadily since entering the league, and he seems poised for a big year this year.

If all the teams squared off, my money would be on Duke.