Phoenix Suns backcourt compared to the top tier
The Phoenix Suns belong up here, but not exactly at this level’s peak. However, that more so speaks to the incredible talent displayed at this tier, rather than any knock against the Suns.
These three teams all enter the 2021-22 season as locks for the postseason almost distinctly due to their backcourt talent. This class has combined for whopping 34 All-Star appearances and 16 All-NBA First Team selections.
Portland Trail Blazers – Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum
Seen by most as the league’s second best point guard, Damian Lillard stood on the MVP conversation’s cusp for the entire 2020-21 season. Known as “Logo Lillard” for good reason, Lillard possesses the ability to literally score from anywhere on the court. Also acknowledged by many as the NBA’s most clutch player right now, Lillard makes any team immediately competitive with his talents.
CJ McCollum deputises the team by Lillard’s side, averaging 23.1 points and 4.7 assists per game, while shooting a crisp 40.1 percent from deep. These clock in as incredible numbers for any team’s secondary option, making this backcourt incredibly lethal.
Collectively, Portland’s duo outscored Phoenix’s last year by 9.9 points per game, and also attained a higher assist to turnover ratio by 0.53 points. They also shot more efficiently from beyond the arc.
Yes, the Blazers and their esteemed backcourt lost to the same Denver Nuggets team which the Suns swept during the postseason, but that largely occurred due to Deandre Ayton’s ability to slow down Nikola Jokic. Portland struggled though, with Jusuf Nurkic unable to play effectively.
It makes no sense to fault Lillard and McCollum for possessing a less-adept team while matched up against the Nuggets, so that loss hold minimal importance in relation to these rankings.
Golden State Warriors – Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson
Klay Thompson’s health is the only thing keeping the Golden State Warriors away from ascending to the NBA’s backcourt throne. Based on all which they accomplished beforehand, Thompson and Curry will go down as one of the greatest backcourts to ever play the game, but if they want to continue their excellence into this new decade, Thompson must return to form.
During his most recent season, Thompson averaged 21.5 points and 2.4 assists per game. He also served as a widely feared perimeter defender for Golden State, averaging 1.1 steals per game.
Stephen Curry holds the NBA’s “best point guard” mantle right now, no doubt about it. Even though he finished third place for it, Curry miraculously surpassed his scoring averages from his unanimous MVP season, contributing with 32.0 points per game last year. He dished out 5.8 assists and snagged 1.2 steals per game as well. Curry also scored at least 50 points in a single game during three seperate occasions, the most amongst all NBA players.
Curry’s numbers far exceed that of Paul’s, while Klay Thompson’s coast in slightly behind Booker’s. This makes things tip slightly toward Golden State’s side once things begin to cancel each other out, as Curry’s insane production just carries too much weight.
If Thompson returns as a shell of himself, then things might switch up, but until we see him actually digress, the legendary Splash Bros still reign supreme out West.
Brooklyn Nets – Kyrie Irving and James Harden
The Brooklyn Nets redefine the word “spoiled” when it comes to their backcourt. Like the Warriors, the possess two certain Hall of Famers with Kyrie Irving and James Harden aboard.
Before his injury last year, Harden looked on pace to earn his second career MVP award, averaging a career-high assists per game, rebounds per game, field goal percentage, and three-point percentage.
Irving however just finished off a season for the ages from an efficiency standpoint. While scoring 26.9 points per game, Uncle Drew became the ninth player to join the 50/40/90 club after shooting 50.6 percent from the field, 40.2 percent from 3-point territory, and 92.2 percent from the free-throw line.
Needless to say, Brooklyn’s backcourt supplies box office entertainment. Phoenix’s does to a certain degree as well, but the Irving and Harden duo averages significantly more points and and assists per game than Booker and Paul. They also combine for a better field goal and 3-point percentage.
Both Paul and Booker defend at a higher level than Irving and Harden, but Brooklyn’s guys still combine to form arguably the most efficient and prolific offensive backcourt ever put together. Unfortunately, nothing outweighs that.
Conclusion:
At this point, we know Phoenix’s backcourt remains one not to trifle with. But the Portland Trail Blazers, Golden State Warriors, and Brooklyn Nets backcourts all slightly stand above them at this point. That names them as the NBA’s fourth best point guard/shooting guard duo.
But given all the room still available for Booker to improve, Phoenix might catch all three teams as the upcoming season progresses. Paul needs to keep things together with his health as well. But if all that all comes into fruition, keep an eye out for an updated list.