Golden State Warriors: 5 Best Lineups for Mark Jackson to Use

While other playoff hopefuls begin tinkering with their second units and rotations, the Golden State Warriors are one of the few NBA teams whose second unit is set in stone. And productive.

The problem for the Warriors, however, is that the questions they're avoiding about their reserves, are at the forefront of another more prominent area: their starting five.

The root of these problems is complex and hard to define. Is it the team's decision to bring in a defensive minded coaching staff with an offensive minded roster? Is it the club's inability to strike lottery gold despite having lottery selections year after year? Maybe, it's the fact the team has yet to lure any big name free agents to the Bay Area.

No matter the cause of the problem (certainly everything mentioned above and then some), the solution(s) needs to come soon because it's the reason that these Warriors are owners of the second-worst record in the Western Conference (5-10) with little hope of turning this season around.

If the Warriors hope for any postseason discussion (Mark Jackson certainly has yet to give up playoff hopes) this may be their last chance to make a run. They kicked off a stretch of 10 home games in their next 12 contests with Friday's 94-91 home loss to the Indiana Pacers that, in a strike-shortened schedule, comprises nearly one-third of their home games this season.

While there remains a clamoring for a Warriors tanking to salvage their top-seven protected draft pick in what is shaping up to be one of the deepest draft classes in recent history, it's hard to imagine Jackson or team owner Joe Lacob waving the white flag just yet.

If the Warriors want to keep those playoff dreams alive, here are some options for Jackson to consider with his current roster.

The Don Nelson Favorite

Any fan with fond memories of Corey Maggette or Matt Barnes logging major minutes as a power forward may appreciate Jackson taking a nostalgic approach with this current Warriors squad.

PG: Stephen Curry

SG: Nate Robinson

SF: Brandon Rush

PF: Dorell Wright

C: David Lee

First off, there's one glaring omission from a run-and-gone offense: Monta Ellis.

Before logging this under another of the countless anti-Ellis articles, the reason for his absence here is more to do with the style of play than anything. This club has to push the tempo at every opportunity and needs crisp ball movement to keep their offensive output well ahead of their defensive deficiencies.

The club's offense tends to get stagnant when Ellis dominates the ball and a power forward/center combination of Wright and Lee would get manhandled in the slower pace resulting from Ellis vs. the world.

This could only work in stretches, but if the team gets some streaky shooting from Curry, Robinson, Rush and Wright with Lee's ball movement at its best on the offensive end and tenacious defense from Robinson, Rush and Wright at the other, it could help the Warriors erase early deficits and stay in games against elite teams. This lineup could even turn a slight lead into a blowout against weaker opponents that the Warriors have often struggled to put away.

The Pick Your Poison

Unless Dorell Wright (9.6 points in 30.2 minutes) or Brandon Rush (9.0 in 24.9) finds some consistency to their game, this could end up being the Warriors starting backcourt sooner than later.

PG: Stephen Curry

SG: Monta Ellis

SF: Klay Thompson

PF: Ekpe Udoh

C: Jeremy Tyler

If a Curry-Ellis backcourt will ever succeed, it's going to take Tyler realizing his potential as a shot-blocker and Udoh becoming a solid rebounder. But if Jackson (and Mike Malone) keep working on this club's rotations in the zone, this is the type of rim protection that Ellis and Curry have needed since the duo formed in 2009.

Surrounding Ellis with the two best shooters on the perimeter (Rush currently leads the team at 53.7 percent, but the shooting forms of the three suggest that he'll finish no better than third) will force him to continue to develop as a playmaker.

Curry or Ellis can also run the pick-and-roll with solid screens from Tyler's wide body with the option to let him use his athleticism to finish at the basket. Thompson should also benefit running off screens set by the more physical duo of Udoh and Tyler.

The Anti-Nellie Ball

It's hard to imagine which veteran Nelson would have disliked more: Dominic McGuire or Kwame Brown. But with Brown likely out for the season with a shoulder injury, the anti-Nellie ball lineup will take one of Nellie's all-time favorite Warriors to fill his place.

PG: Nate Robinson

SG: Brandon Rush

SF: Dominic McGuire

PF: Ekpe Udoh

C: Andris Biedrins

If there's one word to define this lineup it's this: active. It describes the active hands of Robinson, Rush and McGuire on the perimeter, curtailing penetration and closing passing lanes. It's also the activity of Udoh as a weak-side shot blocker and Andris Biedrins attacking the glass for rebounds or tipped balls.

If forced to pick another word for this lineup it'd be this: frustrating. For all of the reasons listed above, it'd be frustrating for any opposing offense. Of course, it could be equally as frustrating with the offensive limitations this lineup would bring.

An efficient Robinson and aggressive inside-out combo of Rush and Udoh could help this unit score enough points to play for long stretches at a time. But a passive Rush or an out-of-control Robinson could severely curtail this group's minutes together.

The Best of Both Worlds

Depending on matchups, the Warriors will sometimes need a lot of offense, sometimes a lot of size, but generally just need a nice balance. This lineup should give them exactly that.

PG: Stephen Curry

SG: Monta Ellis

SF: Dominic McGuire

PF: David Lee

C: Ekpe Udoh

The small forward slot is almost interchangeable here with Rush or Wright easily slotting in, but McGuire has shown that he's the club's best perimeter defender. Udoh could also be swapped out with Biedrins (or perhaps Tyler if he realizes any of his potential), but right now gives the club its best shot-blocking presence and best (albeit inconsistent) post offense.

The trio of Curry, Ellis and Lee have the playmaking ability to dominate the flow of the offense, while Udoh and McGuire can minimize the opposition's top perimeter and post threat.

The Warriors reserves make this the deepest Warriors roster since at least the 'We Believe' team in 2007. But even with the improvements to this roster, this team needs Curry, Ellis and Lee at their best to compete with the upper echelon teams.

The Future

At what point in a 66-game season is it time to concede the season? And does that point come sooner than later when considering the aforementioned lottery pick situation.

With the season less than 25 percent complete, it's still early to be thinking about tanking. But if nothing is going to happen this season, maybe Mark Jackson considers this lineup with an eye for the future.

PG: Monta Ellis

SG: Klay Thompson

SF: Brandon Rush

PF: David Lee

C: Jeremy Tyler

If the club goes into tank mode, it's likely that Ellis or Lee (or both) are moved for expiring contracts or draft picks. But if Lacob's thoughts of tanking involve the shelving of Stephen Curry, maybe it makes sense to play Monta full time at the point guard spot to continue his development as a facilitator. This could also give the club a long look at whether it's better for the team to move the more valuable (and injury-prone) Curry instead of Ellis.

And as for Lee, his contract will be next to impossible to move so it may prove beneficial down the line for him to develop chemistry with the club's young core. This also allows the club a strong look at Thompson and Tyler, and a chance to decide if Rush is part of the future or was simply a stop-gap option when this club planned (or dreamed) for postseason play,