Top five teams with the best bench in the NBA

Feb 7, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; General view of basketball sitting on the court during the 2nd half of a game between the Michigan State Spartans and the Illinois Fighting Illini at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 7, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; General view of basketball sitting on the court during the 2nd half of a game between the Michigan State Spartans and the Illinois Fighting Illini at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 15, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili (20) celebrates as he comes off the court in game five of the 2014 NBA Finals against the Miami Heat at AT&T Center. The Spurs beat the Heat 104-87 to win the NBA Finals. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 15, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili (20) celebrates as he comes off the court in game five of the 2014 NBA Finals against the Miami Heat at AT&T Center. The Spurs beat the Heat 104-87 to win the NBA Finals. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

1. San Antonio Spurs

How can you talk about the best benches in the NBA without mentioning the San Antonio Spurs. Throughout the past 15 years, there hasn’t been a single team in the NBA that has been a serious title contender consistently over that time span than the Spurs. And while they do have future hall of famers like Tim Duncan and Tony Parker leading the way, the Spurs bench is one of the best the NBA has to offer.

Greg Popovich is a strong proponent of resting his aging stars for extended periods of time during the regular season because he knows as well as anyone how meaningless 82 games are. As long as the Spurs can squeeze their way into the playoffs, they will always have a shot at winning a championship. But besides giving the ancient Tim Duncan a much needed break from the grueling NBA season, it also prepares his bench to produce in the playoffs. Giving his bench players quality minutes during the regular season gives him a certain confidence that he can trust them down the stretch if necessary in a playoff series.

This year more than ever, the Spurs bench has been clicking. Combining sharp shooter Marco Belinelli with Manu Ginobili and Patty Mills, what’s not to love about the second squad on the Spurs? They are currently fourth in the NBA for scoring (40.3 points per game) and first in assists.

We all know what the reigning champs can do come playoff time. And with their bench better than ever this year. Who knows? Maybe they can get Tim Duncan and Greg Popovich that coveted sixth NBA championship ring.

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