Cry Havoc
12-30-2010, 01:00 PM
Now, I realize it's pretty early on in the season to be talking about a team from a historical perspective, especially in the NBA where people always tend to forget what happened 3 years ago (for instance, a lot of people don't remember just how much of a BEAST Tracy McGrady was circa 2002. Go look up his stats and then pick your jaw up off the floor). But I digress. The Spurs aren't even halfway into the season, but I'm already having to clean my glasses off to make sure they aren't homer-fogged yet.
I have to honestly say that this is one of the best backcourts I've ever seen in the NBA. Yes, Neal and Anderson are completely unproven players. However, Manu, Parker, and Hill have all stood in the forge. They're tested. Who saw Hill as a legitimate Kobe-defender when he first came to San Antonio? I know we bandied the hype last year about how long he is on defense, but this is a legit 6th man of the year candidate... he probably won't get it due to less than mind-blowing stats, but even so...
I honestly have to fumble around for a while to remember a team that was so loaded at the guard position. The Bulls team obviously, because they had Jordan and he was more than enough made them formidable by his lonesome. But I think back... the Lakers are out, because they have no one at PG (and haven't for a while). The Pistons were pretty awesome, but who would take Rip and Chauncey over Parker and Manu? Ray Ray came to the Celtics past his prime, and is aging now that Rondo has come into his.
Think back. If the backcourt continues to play like this, don't they deserve some recognition?
Even with limited games as a sample size, James Anderson gives the Spurs FIVE guards who average more than 7 points per game. Hill, Parker, and Manu average 11+ a game, and the 3 combined shoot around 48% from the field, including threes. They combine to average 14 assists per game with only 6 turnovers, despite being the creation for most of the offense. And they're doing this in around 31 minutes per game average.
In a guard dominated league, doesn't this make a kind of sense? The Spurs have arguably (or perhaps not) the best backcourt in the NBA right now, and the best record.
What backcourts in the past stick out in your mind, and how do they compare to Parker, Manu, Hill, Neal, and soon to be Anderson?
I have to honestly say that this is one of the best backcourts I've ever seen in the NBA. Yes, Neal and Anderson are completely unproven players. However, Manu, Parker, and Hill have all stood in the forge. They're tested. Who saw Hill as a legitimate Kobe-defender when he first came to San Antonio? I know we bandied the hype last year about how long he is on defense, but this is a legit 6th man of the year candidate... he probably won't get it due to less than mind-blowing stats, but even so...
I honestly have to fumble around for a while to remember a team that was so loaded at the guard position. The Bulls team obviously, because they had Jordan and he was more than enough made them formidable by his lonesome. But I think back... the Lakers are out, because they have no one at PG (and haven't for a while). The Pistons were pretty awesome, but who would take Rip and Chauncey over Parker and Manu? Ray Ray came to the Celtics past his prime, and is aging now that Rondo has come into his.
Think back. If the backcourt continues to play like this, don't they deserve some recognition?
Even with limited games as a sample size, James Anderson gives the Spurs FIVE guards who average more than 7 points per game. Hill, Parker, and Manu average 11+ a game, and the 3 combined shoot around 48% from the field, including threes. They combine to average 14 assists per game with only 6 turnovers, despite being the creation for most of the offense. And they're doing this in around 31 minutes per game average.
In a guard dominated league, doesn't this make a kind of sense? The Spurs have arguably (or perhaps not) the best backcourt in the NBA right now, and the best record.
What backcourts in the past stick out in your mind, and how do they compare to Parker, Manu, Hill, Neal, and soon to be Anderson?