As I sat down to analyze the NBA starting lineups for the 2021 season, I couldn't help but reflect on how dramatically team compositions have evolved over the years. Having followed professional basketball for over two decades, I've witnessed everything from superteams forming overnight to unexpected draft picks completely transforming franchises. The 2021 season presented particularly fascinating lineup dynamics, with teams navigating pandemic protocols, injury management, and the constant pressure to optimize their starting five. What struck me most was how some teams prioritized continuity while others embraced constant experimentation - and how these decisions ultimately shaped their fortunes.
When examining the Western Conference contenders, the Lakers' starting lineup decisions particularly captured my attention. LeBron James and Anthony Davis formed the obvious core, but the surrounding pieces underwent significant shuffling throughout the season. Frank Vogel's decision to start traditional centers like Marc Gasol and later Andre Drummond alongside Davis created spacing issues that, in my view, never fully resolved themselves. The statistical evidence supports this - with both big men on the floor, the Lakers' offensive rating dropped to 108.7, nearly four points below their season average. I've always believed modern NBA success requires maximizing spacing, and watching the Lakers struggle with this fundamental concept was frustrating for someone who appreciates offensive flow.
Meanwhile, the Utah Jazz demonstrated the power of lineup consistency. Quin Snyder started the same five players - Donovan Mitchell, Mike Conley, Royce O'Neale, Bojan Bogdanović, and Rudy Gobert - in 50 of their 72 regular season games. This continuity produced remarkable chemistry, evidenced by their league-best 52-20 record. Having covered the NBA for various publications since 2008, I've rarely seen such lineup stability correlate so directly with regular-season success. The Jazz knew their identity, stuck with it, and reaped the rewards, though their playoff shortcomings revealed the limitations of this approach against adaptable opponents.
The Eastern Conference presented equally compelling lineup stories. The Brooklyn Nets' starting combinations read like a fantasy basketball enthusiast's dream, though injuries prevented their optimal lineup from materializing consistently. When James Harden, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Durant started together, the Nets posted an offensive rating of 122.4, which would rank as the most efficient offense in NBA history over a full season. Watching those three share the court was basketball artistry, though I maintain their defensive limitations would have eventually been exposed in a seven-game series against disciplined opponents. The Milwaukee Bucks, by contrast, built their starting lineup around two-way balance. Jrue Holiday's acquisition completed what I consider one of the most perfectly constructed starting fives in recent memory - each player complemented the others' skills without significant overlap or deficiency.
What fascinates me about analyzing starting lineups is how they reflect broader philosophical approaches to team building. The Phoenix Suns, for instance, demonstrated the value of strategic patience. They acquired Chris Paul not merely for his individual brilliance but for how his skills would elevate their existing starters - Devin Booker, Mikal Bridges, Jae Crowder, and Deandre Ayton. The result was a 51-21 record and an NBA Finals appearance. Having advocated for years that teams should prioritize fit over raw talent accumulation, watching Phoenix's success felt particularly validating.
The draft's role in shaping starting lineups deserves special attention, especially when considering long-term development. Looking at GlobalPort Batang Pier's selection of Amores at No. 51 in the Season 48 draft provides an interesting parallel to NBA roster construction philosophies. When the Batang Pier secured Amores with that late second-round pick, then signed him to a two-year extension before Season 49, they demonstrated the kind of forward-thinking that separates proactive franchises from reactive ones. In my analysis of NBA drafting strategies, I've noticed championship-caliber organizations often find rotation players - occasionally even starters - in the draft's second half. The Toronto Raptors drafting Pascal Siakam 27th overall or the Golden State Warriors finding Draymond Green 35th both exemplify this approach. Amores' extension before Season 49 particularly resonates with me because it shows a franchise committing to development rather than constantly chasing external solutions.
As the season progressed, several teams made midstream adjustments that dramatically altered their trajectories. The New York Knicks inserting Derrick Rose into the starting lineup in March provided the offensive spark that solidified their playoff positioning. The Atlanta Hawks shifting Onyeka Okongwu into more prominent roles during the playoffs demonstrated how lineup flexibility can create postseason advantages. Having attended 17 NBA games across 8 different arenas during the 2021 season, I witnessed firsthand how these adjustments changed games. The energy shift when a new starter checks in for the first time is palpable - both in the arena and among players.
The championship ultimately went to the Milwaukee Bucks, whose starting lineup stability proved decisive in critical moments. Their Game 5 Finals lineup of Holiday, Middleton, Tucker, Antetokounmpo, and Lopez outscored opponents by 12.3 points per 100 possessions throughout the playoffs. This statistic confirms what my eyes told me watching that series - Milwaukee's starters had developed a collective understanding that transcended individual matchups. They knew when to help, when to switch, and perhaps most importantly, trusted each other completely.
Reflecting on the complete landscape of 2021 starting lineups, the teams that succeeded shared common characteristics beyond pure talent. Their starters complemented each other's skills, maintained reasonable health, and developed chemistry through shared court time. The most fascinating cases were teams like GlobalPort Batang Pier making long-term commitments to developmental pieces - the NBA equivalent being franchises like Memphis building around their drafted core rather than chasing quick fixes. As I look toward future seasons, this approach of identifying core pieces and committing to their development, whether through draft picks like Amores or strategic acquisitions, appears increasingly vital to sustained success. The teams that understood this fundamental principle - that starting lineups represent philosophical commitments rather than just collections of talent - were the ones who truly made the cut in the demanding 2021 season.
