Top 10 NBA Backcourts: By The Numbers

Before we begin, there are so many devastating backcourts this season, there are a lot of dynamic duos that didn’t make the list: Miami’s Mario Chalmers and Dwayne Wade, Utah’s Trey Burke and Gordon Hayward, Atlanta’s Jeff Teague and Kyle Korver, and Milwaukee’s Brandon Knight and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

A simple formula was used to rate overall guard efficiency. Each starting backcourts combined points, assists, and steals minus their turnovers help to measure their combined effectiveness, or [ppg+apg+spg-tpg].

1. PG Goran Dragic and SG Eric Bledsoe—Phoenix Suns

Dragic (thru 36 games)

Chris Webber recently told Suns guard Isaiah Thomas that C-Webb thinks the Suns boast the best backcourt in the NBA, but their starters barely make this top 10. Since returning to the Suns in 2012, Dragic has blossomed into an efficient and consistent double-digit scoring threat, scoring a career-high 20.3 ppg last season and dropping a career-high 7.4 dimes the season before that. The Houston Rockets, who desperately need an upgrade at point guard if they want to make some noise in the playoffs, are reportedly targeting Deron Williams and Dragic.

Bledsoe (thru 38 games)

Bledsoe, too, has come alive since joining the Suns, about doubling his scoring, assists, and steals.

Off the bench, Dragic and Bledsoe are backed up by Gerald Green, 14.0 ppg, and Isaiah Thomas, 14.8 ppg and 3.7 apg, 1.0 spg. So, if you’re talking four-deep, the Suns probably do have the best backcourt, but certainly not the best starting backcourt. Although the Suns are playing good up-tempo basketball, they are too guard heavy and do not have enough defenders and shot blockers to be a threat in the playoffs, especially going in, as they are now, as the 8^th seed. Good thing the Suns acquired Brandan Wright to fill that shot blocking role. The Suns backcourt comes in at 40.8 (ppg+apg+spg-tpg).

9. PG Jrue Holiday and SG Tyreke Evans—New Orleans Pelicans

Holiday (thru 35 games)

Evans (thru 34 games)

Holiday and Evans have underachieved since joining the Pelicans, but their athleticism on the defensive end and unselfishness on offense has helped the Pelicans improve to the .500 mark (18-18) and the 14^th most unselfish team in the NBA. The Pelicans backcourt: 42.09.

8. PG Rajon Rondo and SG Monta Ellis—Dallas Mavericks

Rondo (thru 10 games)

Rondo’s scoring and three-point shooting have improved since joining the Mavs, which is no mystery. Playing with Dirk Nowitzki and the talent around him, Rondo is open more than he has been in years.

Ellis (thru 37 games)

As the 36-year old Nowitzki ages, Ellis is now the motor that runs the Mavericks. Ellis leads the team in scoring, gets the second-most steals, and second-most assists. And, the Mavs have played well since acquiring Rondo, despite dropping a 108-95 stinker against the Detroit Pistons. They held Rondo to 6 points, and Ellis to 16 on 6/17 shooting. The Mavs backcourt: 42.78.

7. PG Derrick Rose and SG Jimmy Butler—Chicago Bulls

Rose

He’s back…to earth that is. The former MVP Derrick Rose is a shell of his former self. He’s able to make some clutch shots, perhaps like Brandon Roy did even as he declined. Rose’s assists to turnover ratio (1.5) leaves a lot to be desired, since he trails Butler, Mike Dunleavy, Joakim Noah, and Kirk Hinrich in that area. Chris Paul’s ratio, by contrast, is 4.6. Unless there is more rehab and more improvement, this is not, nor will ever be the MVP Rose again. Despite his poor shooting, Rose has made a solid contribution on this 4^th place Eastern Conference team.

Butler (thru 33 games)

Fortunately for the Bulls, Jimmy Butler has taken his game to an All-Star level, becoming like a better-scoring Kawhi Leonard. The Bulls backcourt: 44.16.

6. PG John Wall and SG Bradley Beal—Washington Wizards

Wall (thru 35 games)

Wall continues to lead his team, now 2^nd in the East at 25-11, as he makes his case for another All-Star selection. To add to his case, Friday night, Wall and the Wizards finally beat Derrick Rose’s Bulls in a 102-86 rout.

Beal (thru 26 games)

Beal has a similar game to Klay Thompson last season, but Beal’s shooting percentage leaves something to be desired. In regards to Beal’s comment about which teams has the best backcourt, Warriors guard Stephen Curry responded, “everybody’s got to be confident.” But, the Wizards backcourt trails the Warriors in production, tallying only: 43.47.

5. PG Damian Lillard and SG Wesley Matthews—Portland Trailblazers

Lillard (thru 36 games)

Lillard started the season slowly, but seems to be regaining his All-Star form, while playing very efficient basketball.

Matthews (thru 36 games)

Matthews hasn’t missed a game this season, and he’s putting up career-high numbers in points per game. The Portland duo: 45.66.

4. PG Patrick Beverly and SG James Harden—Houston Rockets

Beverly

Third year guard Beverly is enjoying his best season, posting career-highs in points, assists, rebounds, and three-point percentage, 40%, up from 36.1% last season.

Harden

It’s been an odd season for James Harden. The scoring phenom has had his shot rejected by more than a couple defenders, undeterred by his sly step and his dazzling euro-step. Harden has been held to 16.0 or less ppg in games against the New Orleans Pelicans, the Los Angeles Clippers, and Phoenix Suns. Yet, Harden’s remarkably efficiency has him ranked 5^th in league, behind Anthony Davis, Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry.

The 5^th ranked Houston Rockets, 25-11, are barely treading water in the highly competitive West, despite their recent moves, adding Trevor Ariza, Josh Smith, Corey Brewer, and Jason Terry. The Rockets backcourt production comes in at 46.03.

3. PG Chris Paul and SG J.J. Redick—Los Angeles Clippers

Paul

Redick

Mainly due to Paul’s excellence, this ‘duo’ earns this high ranking. Redick finally seems to be fitting into the Ray Allen-type role Coach Doc Rivers had once envisioned, averaging a career-high in scoring. And, Paul is putting up another amazing season. The Clippers’ starting backcourt averages the fewest turnovers (3.4 tpg) of any duo on this page. Clippers’ rank: 47.89.

2. PG Kyle Lowry and SG DeMar DeRozan—Toronto Raptors

Lowry (thru 35 games)

Tenth year guard Kyle Lowry is also having a breakout season and deserves serious All-Star consideration. Forget that. He deserves to be an All-Star, end of story. Lowry is posting career-highs in points, assists, and rebounds. He’s never been an All-Star, but it looks like his time.

DeRozan

After recovering from injury, DeRozan is regaining his form, but shooting a career-low. The backcourt of the Raptors has led them to a 25-11 record, 1^st in the Atlantic and 2^nd in the Eastern Conference. Their scoring and distributing mainly give them a rating of 48.95.

1. PG Stephen Curry and SG Klay Thompson – Golden State

Curry (thru 33 games)

Curry’s shooting and handles are the tops in the league, like a quicker and better scoring Steve Nash. Check out this sweet handle Curry showed off recently in a game against the LeBron-less Cavaliers.

Thompson

After his experience with Team USA, Thompson has taken his game to a new level with his increased confidence and ability to mix it up on offense and do more than just shoot from distance. His backcourt teammate Curry calls him, “almost impossible to guard if he can [put the ball on the floor and make plays]

The Warriors are 1^st place in the West and the Pacific Division at 29-5. Combined the two guards score more than any other tandem (44.5 ppg) and are second in steals behind John Wall and Bradley Beal. Warriors backcourt: 53.56.