Who really has the best backcourt in the NBA?
All photos and pictures are credited to Tom Bernardi and NBAhoopsreview
Ahhh who doesn’t love the NBA in October? The start of the training camps and the various media days give players around the league the opportunity to talk up themselves and their teams before the start of the regular season. Recently it was John Wall who exclaimed that the young Washington Wizards boast the ‘best backcourt in the NBA’. Dion Waiters quickly fired back saying that the duo of Kyrie and Dion was superior to Wall and Beal. A number of others around the league also had their own opinions on who was the best backcourt in the NBA, most often stating their respective team.
So with all the big talk being thrown around, the question is who really has the best backcourt in the NBA? To answer the question I picked the six best backcourts in the NBA and looked at some simple and more advanced stats to decide which backcourt was the most effective on defence, deadly on offense and which lifted their team the highest during the regular season last year.
Who missed out?
With 30 teams in the NBA and only six being picked for the list there are obviously some talented backcourts that have been left out of the list. This may be because of age, playing time, injuries or lack of an all-round game. The following are some teams who just missed out on the list.
Jrue Holiday & Eric Gordon (NOP)
This backcourt has unlimited potential. Both are All Star calibre players with complete offensive games. Sadly they have both struggled with injuries and so last year we didn't really get to see them at full strength. Hopefully this season we get to see them fully fit and at their dangerous best, for it will certainly make for entertaining viewing.
Derrick Rose & Jimmy Butler (CHI)
Rose’s knees… need I say more? In all honesty, this young backcourt could be something special, Butler’s intense D mixed with Rose’s ability to get to the ring and finish with contact give them a special edge. There are just two major concerns, the obvious being whether the former MVP’s knees can hold up in the strenuous NBA season. The other major concern is whether the two can fix their shooting numbers, especially from deep, to truly be unstoppable offensively.
Kyrie Irving & Dion Waiters (CLE)
Well sorry Dion but I have to disagree with you this time. While I do believe this backcourt has the potential to be the best in the league, they just aren’t there yet. Offensively they are amazing, as both have the ability to get to the ring or step out and hit the outside shot; they are unstoppable at their best. However defensively, these two have to be among the worst guards in the NBA, consistently getting blown by and struggling to stay in any sort of team system. This has the potential to change, but is a long way from where it needs to be for them to be in the discussion of best NBA backcourt.
Okay now on to the real list of best backcourts. To comprise the list I put together some stats, which take both offense and defence into context. The per game stats included: points, FG%. 3P FG%, assists and steals. There are also advanced stats that often tell a better picture of the player’s effect on the team. These are as follows:
- Efficiency: takes into account all of a player stats and their total worth as a player
- True shooting: total shooting performance including free throws
- Off rating: points scored per 100 possessions player has
- Def rating: points allowed per 100 possessions player defends
- Win shares: total wins that a player brings to a team
I then ranked each team from 1-6 on where they stood against the other five teams in the list. This allowed me to see where a team stood out and which team was consistently in the top of every field.
6. John Wall and Bradley Beal
All photos and pictures are credited to Tom Bernardi and NBAhoopsreview
Ahhh who doesn’t love the NBA in October? The start of the training camps and the various media days give players around the league the opportunity to talk up themselves and their teams before the start of the regular season. Recently it was John Wall who exclaimed that the young Washington Wizards boast the ‘best backcourt in the NBA’. Dion Waiters quickly fired back saying that the duo of Kyrie and Dion was superior to Wall and Beal. A number of others around the league also had their own opinions on who was the best backcourt in the NBA, most often stating their respective team.
So with all the big talk being thrown around, the question is who really has the best backcourt in the NBA? To answer the question I picked the six best backcourts in the NBA and looked at some simple and more advanced stats to decide which backcourt was the most effective on defence, deadly on offense and which lifted their team the highest during the regular season last year.
Who missed out?
With 30 teams in the NBA and only six being picked for the list there are obviously some talented backcourts that have been left out of the list. This may be because of age, playing time, injuries or lack of an all-round game. The following are some teams who just missed out on the list.
Jrue Holiday & Eric Gordon (NOP)
This backcourt has unlimited potential. Both are All Star calibre players with complete offensive games. Sadly they have both struggled with injuries and so last year we didn't really get to see them at full strength. Hopefully this season we get to see them fully fit and at their dangerous best, for it will certainly make for entertaining viewing.
Derrick Rose & Jimmy Butler (CHI)
Rose’s knees… need I say more? In all honesty, this young backcourt could be something special, Butler’s intense D mixed with Rose’s ability to get to the ring and finish with contact give them a special edge. There are just two major concerns, the obvious being whether the former MVP’s knees can hold up in the strenuous NBA season. The other major concern is whether the two can fix their shooting numbers, especially from deep, to truly be unstoppable offensively.
Kyrie Irving & Dion Waiters (CLE)
Well sorry Dion but I have to disagree with you this time. While I do believe this backcourt has the potential to be the best in the league, they just aren’t there yet. Offensively they are amazing, as both have the ability to get to the ring or step out and hit the outside shot; they are unstoppable at their best. However defensively, these two have to be among the worst guards in the NBA, consistently getting blown by and struggling to stay in any sort of team system. This has the potential to change, but is a long way from where it needs to be for them to be in the discussion of best NBA backcourt.
Okay now on to the real list of best backcourts. To comprise the list I put together some stats, which take both offense and defence into context. The per game stats included: points, FG%. 3P FG%, assists and steals. There are also advanced stats that often tell a better picture of the player’s effect on the team. These are as follows:
- Efficiency: takes into account all of a player stats and their total worth as a player
- True shooting: total shooting performance including free throws
- Off rating: points scored per 100 possessions player has
- Def rating: points allowed per 100 possessions player defends
- Win shares: total wins that a player brings to a team
I then ranked each team from 1-6 on where they stood against the other five teams in the list. This allowed me to see where a team stood out and which team was consistently in the top of every field.
6. John Wall and Bradley Beal
When Wall said that Washington had the best backcourt in the league he wasn’t too far off, however they still have some work to do to be considered the best in the league. The Wizards rank among the worst in most of the scoring stats including points, FG% and offensive rating. This is most likely due to John Wall's poor outside shooting and Beal’s inefficient scoring. However we do see that the wizards come to their own in other stats, registering third in steals, second in defensive rating and also second in assists.
Now in saying this, the Wizards clearly have the tools to be a great duo. John Wall’s athleticism and court vision paired with Beal’s outstanding ability to shoot the ball and beat his opponent one on one all contribute to what could be a killer one two punch. Their defence is also underrated and will only improve with age.
At 24 and 21, if these two stick together and continue to improve on the offensive end, we will expect to see amazing things in the future.
5. Damian Lillard and Wesley Matthews
Now in saying this, the Wizards clearly have the tools to be a great duo. John Wall’s athleticism and court vision paired with Beal’s outstanding ability to shoot the ball and beat his opponent one on one all contribute to what could be a killer one two punch. Their defence is also underrated and will only improve with age.
At 24 and 21, if these two stick together and continue to improve on the offensive end, we will expect to see amazing things in the future.
5. Damian Lillard and Wesley Matthews
There is a lovely balance between Lillard and Matthews play. On one hand you have Lillard, the former rookie of the year, who has one of the most complete offensive games for a young star in the league. He’s athletic, attacks the rim and can knock down the 3 point shot at almost 40%, an outstanding mark for a second year player. He lacks though in his defence and this can sometimes hurt his team.
However, Matthews compliments this beautifully, by being a brilliant knockdown three point shooter, off ball shot creator and relentless defender. It works perfectly as Matthews doesn't have to have the ball in his hands to do damage, and can wait for Lillard to create an open look for him.
Obviously all this means that the trailblazing backcourt ranks high in 3fg% and offensive rating but is last in steals, defensive rating and efficiency. As for potential it seems that at 27, Matthews is playing at his prime, so the growth of this pair really depends on how good Lillard is going to be in this is third NBA season and many have tipped him to have a big one.
4. Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan
However, Matthews compliments this beautifully, by being a brilliant knockdown three point shooter, off ball shot creator and relentless defender. It works perfectly as Matthews doesn't have to have the ball in his hands to do damage, and can wait for Lillard to create an open look for him.
Obviously all this means that the trailblazing backcourt ranks high in 3fg% and offensive rating but is last in steals, defensive rating and efficiency. As for potential it seems that at 27, Matthews is playing at his prime, so the growth of this pair really depends on how good Lillard is going to be in this is third NBA season and many have tipped him to have a big one.
4. Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan
The Toronto Raptors would probably be the most underrated backcourt in the league. Kyle Lowry is the undisputed leader of the Raptors, he plays harder than most in the league on both ends of the floor and is rarely beaten. He is an unselfish player averaging over 7 assists and is also an efficient scorer, especially form deep. He was unlucky not to play an in an all-star game last season.
DeRozan on the other hand is a flat out scoring machine. He was in the top 10 for scoring last season and also managed to play in an all-start game. He added a nice mid-range jump shot to his game, and managed to step up his defence. The only knock on DeRozan is that he is often an inefficient scorer, shooting just 43% FG and 30% from downtown.
The surprising stat that the Raptors duet can lay claim to is having the most win shares. Together they combined for over 20 wins, a massive effort which managed to trump even the teams that put up considerately more wins. Other than that the Raptors ranked in the middle for most other stats.
Look for the Raptors to have a huge 2014/15 season which includes a breakout All Star season for Lowry.
3. Chris Paul and J.J Redick
DeRozan on the other hand is a flat out scoring machine. He was in the top 10 for scoring last season and also managed to play in an all-start game. He added a nice mid-range jump shot to his game, and managed to step up his defence. The only knock on DeRozan is that he is often an inefficient scorer, shooting just 43% FG and 30% from downtown.
The surprising stat that the Raptors duet can lay claim to is having the most win shares. Together they combined for over 20 wins, a massive effort which managed to trump even the teams that put up considerately more wins. Other than that the Raptors ranked in the middle for most other stats.
Look for the Raptors to have a huge 2014/15 season which includes a breakout All Star season for Lowry.
3. Chris Paul and J.J Redick
Make no mistake, the only reason the Clippers are this high is because of the undisputed best point guard in the NBA, Chris Paul. You could pair about 20 other NBA Shooting Guards with Chris Paul and they would probably rank higher than number three. Paul has lead the league in assists for three straight years and also ranked first in steals in six separate seasons. He has outstanding court vison, ball handling, passing and can score the ball at amazing efficiency. He also led all Point Guards for efficiency rating at 25.9.
Redick is a great knockdown shooter. He hit almost 40% of his threes last season and was also a pesky defender whilst dealing with less than average athleticism. The knock on Redick is that he’s very limited in what he can do. He will never be a shutdown defender; he can’t create his own shot and relies on Paul’s ball movement to get an open shot and as a ball handler or distributer he is less than average. After all of that he does compliment Paul’s game nicely and the pair have created a nice chemistry in the starting backcourt.
The Clips backcourt rank first for assists, steals and offensive rating and all of this is due to Paul’s lofty stats in each category. They also rank last for points as they just aren’t as deadly at creating shots and also don’t take as many shots as many of the other duos.
2. Eric Bledsoe and Goran Dragic
Redick is a great knockdown shooter. He hit almost 40% of his threes last season and was also a pesky defender whilst dealing with less than average athleticism. The knock on Redick is that he’s very limited in what he can do. He will never be a shutdown defender; he can’t create his own shot and relies on Paul’s ball movement to get an open shot and as a ball handler or distributer he is less than average. After all of that he does compliment Paul’s game nicely and the pair have created a nice chemistry in the starting backcourt.
The Clips backcourt rank first for assists, steals and offensive rating and all of this is due to Paul’s lofty stats in each category. They also rank last for points as they just aren’t as deadly at creating shots and also don’t take as many shots as many of the other duos.
2. Eric Bledsoe and Goran Dragic
Phoenix truly are one of the first teams to hit the jack pot with the dual PG system. Bledsoe and Dragic were able to open up defences with their incredible driving abilities and amazing court vision and both being better than average shooters gave them the ability to take advantage of any space given by the defence.
Bledsoe only played half the season but when he played he was phenomenal. His attack at the rim and ridiculous athleticism opens up all options for his team. He averaged 18 points on 48% fg while also dishing of over 5 dimes and playing great defence.
Dragic capped off his extraordinary year with a Most Improved Player Award. He was able to average over 20 points while shooting over 50% FG and over 40% from the perimeter. Those are some amazingly efficient scoring numbers. He also assisted almost 6 times a game and helped out significantly on defence.
The Suns had probably the most even duo in terms of numbers and effect on the game. They ranked first for fg% and TS% whilst also putting up great numbers in points, steals, and efficiency. They really don’t have many weaknesses and given a whole year to play together I expect these two could put themselves up one place on this list come next year.
1. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson
Bledsoe only played half the season but when he played he was phenomenal. His attack at the rim and ridiculous athleticism opens up all options for his team. He averaged 18 points on 48% fg while also dishing of over 5 dimes and playing great defence.
Dragic capped off his extraordinary year with a Most Improved Player Award. He was able to average over 20 points while shooting over 50% FG and over 40% from the perimeter. Those are some amazingly efficient scoring numbers. He also assisted almost 6 times a game and helped out significantly on defence.
The Suns had probably the most even duo in terms of numbers and effect on the game. They ranked first for fg% and TS% whilst also putting up great numbers in points, steals, and efficiency. They really don’t have many weaknesses and given a whole year to play together I expect these two could put themselves up one place on this list come next year.
1. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson
At last we come to the number one place, and was it really a surprise? Stephen Curry and Klay Thomson are the undisputed best tandem on this list and it wasn't even that close.
Klay has an amazing shooting touch. He was second in the league in three pointers made, surpassed only by his teammate. He knocked down 223 threes at almost 42%, which is unbelievable numbers. Apart from his shooting ability he also is a terrific on-ball defender, with an ability to shut down opposing guards and wings. Last season he also developed a nice game attacking the rim, something that has been missing form his game for a while.
Stephen Curry is flat out one of the best scorers in the NBA. When he is hot, he is practically a scoring machine and impossible to defend as he has just about the quickest release in the NBA. He led the league in three points made and did this at an unbelievable 42.5%. Not only is he deadly from beyond the arc but he also has a crazy pull-up game. The dribble pull-up is the hardest shot to defend in the game, and Steph shoots this at around 44% which is enough to lead the league. Oh yeah he’s also a pretty talented passer too, averaging over 8 assists a game last season. Curry was the only player in the NBA last season to be top 10 in both scoring and passing, so yeah the guy can play.
It’s not surprise that together they lead the list in points and three point %, but it may shock you that they also had the best defensive rating and the best efficiency, proving that this tandem can do everything and anything on the court. Some teams have been great defensively and others have been unstoppable on offense, but the golden state duo get both done better than any other team in the league.
It’s no question, Steph and Klay are the best backcourt in the NBA.
- Tom Bernardi (NBAhoopsreview)
Klay has an amazing shooting touch. He was second in the league in three pointers made, surpassed only by his teammate. He knocked down 223 threes at almost 42%, which is unbelievable numbers. Apart from his shooting ability he also is a terrific on-ball defender, with an ability to shut down opposing guards and wings. Last season he also developed a nice game attacking the rim, something that has been missing form his game for a while.
Stephen Curry is flat out one of the best scorers in the NBA. When he is hot, he is practically a scoring machine and impossible to defend as he has just about the quickest release in the NBA. He led the league in three points made and did this at an unbelievable 42.5%. Not only is he deadly from beyond the arc but he also has a crazy pull-up game. The dribble pull-up is the hardest shot to defend in the game, and Steph shoots this at around 44% which is enough to lead the league. Oh yeah he’s also a pretty talented passer too, averaging over 8 assists a game last season. Curry was the only player in the NBA last season to be top 10 in both scoring and passing, so yeah the guy can play.
It’s not surprise that together they lead the list in points and three point %, but it may shock you that they also had the best defensive rating and the best efficiency, proving that this tandem can do everything and anything on the court. Some teams have been great defensively and others have been unstoppable on offense, but the golden state duo get both done better than any other team in the league.
It’s no question, Steph and Klay are the best backcourt in the NBA.
- Tom Bernardi (NBAhoopsreview)