Hoops Habit
Fansided

NBA: Top 5 Benches Thus Far in 2016-17

By Colby Giacubeno

Nov 2, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson (6) celebrates a play with forward Brandon Ingram (14) as Atlanta Hawks forward Mike Muscala (31) is shown on the play in the fourth quarter of their game at Philips Arena. The Lakers won 123-116. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson (6) celebrates a play with forward Brandon Ingram (14) as Atlanta Hawks forward Mike Muscala (31) is shown on the play in the fourth quarter of their game at Philips Arena. The Lakers won 123-116. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
Nov 22, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler (R) and forward Kenneth Faried (L) before the game against the Chicago Bulls at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 22, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler (R) and forward Kenneth Faried (L) before the game against the Chicago Bulls at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Denver Nuggets

PPG: 42.3 (4th)
RPG: 21.1 (1st)
APG: 9.2 (5th)
BPG: 1.4 (25th)

Despite a 6-10 record, the Nuggets are one of the exciting teams to watch. They have a mixture of very young, speedy players to go with more experienced guys that make for an interesting process to watch unfold.

Their bench rotation is led by eight-year veteran Wilson Chandler who is leading the team in scoring a career-high 18.3 points per game. For this particular team, Chandler is perfect to come in and play essentially starter’s minutes because of his ability to score.

Kenneth Faried has also made his transition to coming off the bench. There have been rumors that he will get traded at some point to be a starter elsewhere, but he hasn’t let his production slip. Faried is averaging 9.2 points and leading the team with 9.2 rebounds per game.

Faried had his days as a starter, but in today’s game, he will be an extremely effective option off the bench and head coach Mike Malone has proved just that.

Jamal Murray has gotten off to a pretty good start to his NBA career. Murray was selected seventh overall in this year’s draft. The 19-year-old is averaging 10.5 points on 39.9 percent shooting from the field and 42.3 from three.

There was debate between Murray and Buddy Hield on who would be the better selection. So far, Murray is proving his worth as the better choice.