In the past couple days, media days are in full swing and training camps have just started, which means it’s time for some major trash talk. LET’S SETTLE IT FELLAS.
As of late, Bradley Beal and Dion Waiters have started some controversy as to who really is the BEST backcourt in the NBA. Bradley Beal started off by telling Washington Wizards Media “We’re definitely the best backcourt in the league”. But Dion wants none of that. Claiming Bradley Beal’s comments are ‘Nonsense’. Then, Beal’s teammate and All-star John Wall, took a shot at Waiters saying ‘ You gotta win a playoff game first’ he continued on to say ‘ and you gotta be a starter first’.
Harsh words from Wall who had his post-season debut just last year, but it makes this season a lot more interesting in the eastern conference.
But enough with the bickering and talking, lets get to the real discussion. Which guard-duo is the best backcourt in the NBA? Here is our top 10:
1) Stephen Curry & Klay Thompson– Golden State Warriors
Sorry Dion, Sorry Wall, but the Splash Brothers take the cake in terms of best backcourt. Curry is probably the best shooter in the NBA right now and is still really young. His sidekick Klay Thompson isn’t too shabby either, making a name for himself as one of the best Shooting Guards in today’s game. Is there an argument? No. When you have a superstar in Stephen Curry, and two splash brothers that can cause a trouble for any defense, at any time, YOU ARE THE BEST.
2) Goran Dragic & Eric Bledsoe – Phoenix Suns
Goran Dragic was arguably the biggest snub from last year’s all-star game. Dragic put the suns on his back last year, getting them an abundance of wins, shooting 50.5% from the field and 40.8% from behind the arc per NBA.com, he was a killer on the offensive end. Teamed up with Eric Bledsoe one of the most explosive combo guards in the NBA you have a reason to say you are one of the best backcourts in the NBA. They still got improvement to do if they want to be number one, they need to take over games and help each other become the best backcourt. With Isiah Thomas, Zoran Dragic , and Tyler Ennis coming off the bench, the Suns coaching staff is going to have a hard time giving all these guys minutes. Either way the future is bright for the Suns and their backcourt.
3) John Wall & Bradley Beal– Washington Wizards
Don’t worry; I wasn’t going to keep you guys off the list entirely. In all seriousness this pandemonium causes a headache for defenders. With Beal’s perimeter shot and Walls quickness you just don’t know how to guard them. But there is still TONS of room to grow. John Wall and Bradley Beal have grown a lot, especially in their off-season run last year that got them to the second round beating the Chicago Bulls. It’s time for both players to move on to the next stage; Superstar status. Both have major potential to become superstars in today’s game and they are too much fun to watch, this puts them in the top 3 backcourts in the NBA.
4) Chris Paul & J.J. Redick– Los Angeles Clippers
It was love at first sight when Chris Paul and J.J Reddick met. Two players that compliment each other so well, is a menace for defenders to handle. The versatile and strategic Chris Paul is the perfect person to find J.J. Reddick, one of the best spot up shooters in the NBA, anywhere he wants. On the other hand, J.J. Reddick finally has a point guard that can find him where he likes and Chris Paul has someone to kick out to on the perimeter. True love story right?
5) Damian Lillard & Wesley Matthews– Portland Trailblazers
Remember when I was talking about love at first sight? This is almost as close of a story. Another versatile but offensive minded Point Guard in Damian Lillard is paired up with a 3-point specialist in Wesley Matthews. Not only can Matthews shoot the spot up jumper, he can create shots for himself. With Lillard comes the potential of stardom and for both the Trailblazers and Lillard to move up, he must become a superstar.
6) Derrick Rose & Jimmy Butler– Chicago Bulls
A former MVP and possibly one of the only players who can give LeBron James some trouble on defense, is a good resume for a backcourt that is defensive minded. Derrick Rose’s versatility and athleticism are still intact after two knee injuries, and hopefully he can come back to being his dominant self once the season starts. That is what they need in order to compete in the east with Cavaliers and other teams. Let’s hope Derrick Rose is back and healthy, and Jimmy Butler can still be a defensive stopper.
7) Russell Westbrook & Reggie Jackson– Oklahoma City Thunder
Too… much… athleticism. With the combination of Russell Wesbrook, which is claiming to be the BEST Point Guard in the NBA and Reggie Jackson a crafty guard himself. This athletic duo puts themselves on the list because of their scoring ability and their ability to create shots for themselves. But in order for them to move up in the backcourt battle Reggie Jackson needs to grow as a player.
8) Kyle Lowry & DeMar DeRozan– Toronto Raptors
The Raptors were a huge surprise and a lot of fun to watch last season, and they are hoping to continue that same chemistry and momentum into this season. They won’t be able to do it without their dominant backcourt of Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan. An All-Star in DeMar, has a lot of room for growth in terms of his shooting and shot selection, but he has definitely become one of the best Shooting Guards in the NBA while winning a gold medal this year for the U.S.A national team. Lowry on the other hand, is a snubbed all-star who worked his way from circulating trade rumors to becoming a bulldog on the floor for the Raptors. Expect for the Raptors to shake things up in the East, especially with their young and talented backcourt.
9) Kyrie Irving & Dion Waiters– Cleveland Cavaliers
Now the argument is settled. Dion Waiters claims that they are the best backcourt, but in all seriousness the Cleveland backcourt has some work to do before it gets on the same level as Beal and Wall. Kyrie Irving has had flashes of brilliance and has been dominant as of late, but Dion Waiters inconsistency has put the Cleveland Duo behind the other backcourt duos.
10)James Harden&Patrick Beverley– Houston Rockets
The Rockets are coming off a disappointing post-season loss to the Trailblazers, but they are hoping to bounce back with the help of James Harden and Patrick Beverley. With the offensive touch of Harden, and the nitty-gritty play of Beverley, the Rockets finish off the top 10 backcourts.
Honorable Mentions:
- Jeremy Lin & Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers)
- Deron Williams & Joe Johnson (Brooklyn Nets)
- Mike Conley & Tony Allen (Memphis Grizzlies)
- Tony Parker & Danny Green (San Antonio Spurs)
Now that the dust has settled and we know whom the best backcourt in the NBA is now. The trash talking is fun, and gets fans (including me) excited for the season. Let’s hope there’s more to come.
