The NBA’s Top 10 Backcourts

[duncan228]

The NBA’s Top 10 Backcourts
By Austin Burton
Dime

While you were scrutinizing the Heat, fawning over the Lakers, begrudgingly respecting the Celtics and jumping on the Hornets bandwagon, the Spurs snuck into the “Best Team in the NBA” conversation like the hooded dude from Assassin’s Creed.

Last night’s come-from-behind win over the Bulls on national TV, their eight W in a row, improved the Spurs’ record to 9-1. It was also the fourth time in the last six games where Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili scored at least 20 points apiece as a starting backcourt.

While Tim Duncan is still the Spurs’ coach on the floor and still a go-to guy in crunch time, Parker (18.6 ppg, 7.6 apg) and Ginobili (21.2 ppg, 4.4 apg) have been the team’s co-MVP’s this season. Previously written off as aging and disintegrating following an unprecedented first-round playoff exit in 2009 and a surprising four-game sweep at the hands of the Phoenix Suns in the 2010 conference semis, Parker and Ginobili look better than ever, and are the best backcourt in the NBA right now. The Top 10…

1. TONY PARKER & MANU GINOBILI, Spurs — They’ve won three NBA championships together, and this year are carrying the offensive load for the best-executing offense in the League while Duncan has his minutes managed. They’re both proven crunch-time performers, and individually, TP and Manu are among the best players in the NBA at getting to the rim and finishing.

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The rest of the list, hit the link for the write-ups.

2. RAJON RONDO & RAY ALLEN, Celtics
3. ANDRE MILLER & BRANDON ROY, Trail Blazers
4. STEPHEN CURRY & MONTA ELLIS, Warriors
5. DEREK FISHER & KOBE BRYANT, Lakers
6. STEVE NASH & JASON RICHARDSON, Suns
7. RUSSELL WESTBROOK & THABO SEFOLOSHA, Thunder
8. CHRIS PAUL & MARCO BELINELLI, Hornets
9. JAMEER NELSON & VINCE CARTER, Magic
10. MIKE BIBBY & JOE JOHNSON, Hawks

Honorable mention — Carlos Arroyo/Dwyane Wade (Heat), Brandon Jennings/John Salmons (Bucks), Aaron Brooks/Kevin Martin (Rockets), John Wall/Gilbert Arenas (Wizards), Jason Kidd/Caron Butler (Mavericks).

http://dimemag.com/2010/11/the-nbas-top-10-backcourts/

[ElNono]

Nash/Richardson should be at least 3, IMO.
I would also place Curry/Ellis over Miller/Roy.

[jeebus]

Carlos Arroyo/Dwyane Wade (Heat)

[Mel_13]

I can't think of a better backcourt in NBA history.

Frazier/Monroe

[MaNu4Tres]

Cueing TD21....

[gospursgojas]

Have Wall and Arenas even played together yet?

Now they're just throwing popular names together

[ajballer4]

I would definitely put Brooks and Martin on the list over some of the other guys

[dunkman]

I can't think of a better backcourt in NBA history.

Isaiah / Dumars

[kace]

I can't think of a better backcourt in NBA history.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/3...in-2010#page/1

from this article, Frazier/Monroe, Thomas/Dumars, Sharman/Cousy, West/Goodrich

ranking of the 30 NBA backcourt this season, with TP/manu at n°1

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/4...the-nba#page/2

[Solid D]

I can't think of a better backcourt in NBA history.

Besides Frazier and Earl the Pearl and Zeke and Joe D, I would submit:
West and Goodrich

Sam Jones and KC Jones (not because of scoring, just a great backcourt at both ends)

Oscar Robertson with John McGlocklin bombing away in 1970-71 was also one of the best winning backcourts I ever witnessed.

I'm surprised Phila_Chamberlain didn't mention Cheeks and Toney. That 1982-83 team only lost 1 playoff game. That backcourt was incredible, especially when Dr. J swung to the 2-guard on certain occasions.

Then there is the concept of anyone paired with Magic (i.e. Byron Scott) and Jordan (i.e. Paxson, Armstrong, Kerr, etc.) automatically made that backcourt one of the greatest.

[jestersmash]

Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, when healthy, are the league’s best combination of point guard and shooting guard no questions asked. Former NBA champions and multiple all-star selected players, the duo can play at an extremely high level.

Coming off the bench is George Hill, who has shown he will be an all-star player very early in his career. His productivity, shooting, ball-handling, defense, speed, and basketball IQ is very impressive for a young player. He will only continue to grow and someday become the next Tony Parker for the Spurs.

Another formidable acquisition for the Spurs was sharpshooter James Anderson. Anderson will need to mature as a player before he reaches his potential. But what better way to mature than next to former NBA champions and all-stars?

Although not the dynasty they once were, they are still a very good team which success will depend on this formidable backcourt.

[Cry Havoc]

Isaiah / Dumars

Uh, I'd take a healthy Parker/Manu over those two ANY day.

Manu is one of the most effective players in NBA history in terms of efficiency when he's on the court. Parker is one of the best penetrating guards of all time.

That said, I would probably take BJ Armstrong and Michael Jordan over any other backcourt in history.

[dunkman]

Uh, I'd take a healthy Parker/Manu over those two ANY day.

Manu is one of the most effective players in NBA history in terms of efficiency when he's on the court. Parker is one of the best penetrating guards of all time.

That said, I would probably take BJ Armstrong and Michael Jordan over any other backcourt in history.

I saw them play, they were much better.

[Chieflion]

MJ and Magic were great in their own way, but their other guard next to them weren't even All-Stars. Tony in 07-08 was the best point guard in the league, Manu for years has been one of the most productive players and a top 3 off-guard. And I honestly think if their of them were the best player on a .500 team they would compete for scoring les.

You don't want BRHornet45 to come in here and give you the goods.

[ALVAREZ6]

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

About time someone in the media recognised this. Manu and TP have been one of the 3 best backcourts in the NBA for most of the last 5 years (injuries aside).

[Manufan909]

Depends how they do this
If Jordan is 100 and BJ was 65
and if Manu is 85 and Parker is 85

Than Spurs > Bulls

If they simply did 100 > 85, that would be a different list.

What do the numbers stand for?

[NASpurs]

What do the numbers stand for?

I'm guessing he's using NBA 2k ratings for individual players.

[jestersmash]

What do the numbers stand for?

It's just an opinion. If Jordan sets the standard by representing "100%", then Ginobili is "85%" of the player Jordan was.

The numbers don't actually matter. His point was that Jordan in his prime was clearly better than either Ginobili or Parker, but both Ginobili and Parker are better than BJ; thus, he's arguing that collectively Ginobili/Parker are better than Jordan/BJ.

Individually, of course, no one guard can touch Jordan.

[ezau]

It's just an opinion. If Jordan sets the standard by representing "100%", then Ginobili is "85%" of the player Jordan was.

The numbers don't actually matter. His point was that Jordan in his prime was clearly better than either Ginobili or Parker, but both Ginobili and Parker are better than BJ; thus, he's arguing that collectively Ginobili/Parker are better than Jordan/BJ.

Individually, of course, no one guard can touch Jordan.

How do you think would a prime Bowen fared against a prime Jordan?

[ALVAREZ6]

I'm guessing he's using NBA 2k ratings for individual players.

Incorrect guess. I play the 2K series.

[Cessation]

jordan with armstrong or harper = 6 championships, no doubt better than ginobli/parker, with 3 championships, jordan would also torch bowen

[romain.star]

other than the Spurs backcourt, i'm really not impressed by the rest of the league backcourt tandems

[eric365]

Aaron Brooks/Kevin Martin should be in the Top 10. Maybe even the Top 5.

[Solid D]

No other backcourt in history has 3 championships, a gold medal, a euroleague le and a finals MVP between them. No other backcourt has been as deadly and together as long as Manu and Tony have and will be. No other backcourt has had the ability for either of their guards to go off for huge scoring nights or huge assists nights. Manu should have won a finals MVP in 2005, Tony did win one in 2007. Tony is one of few players that have ever averaged 18 points, 5 assists and shot over 50% from the field while also being in the top 5 players in points scored in the paint. And no other backcourt had the combined passion of Tony and Manu.

MJ and Magic were great in their own way, but their other guard next to them weren't even All-Stars. Tony in 07-08 was the best point guard in the league, Manu for years has been one of the most productive players and a top 3 off-guard. And I honestly think if their of them were the best player on a .500 team they would compete for scoring les.

When given that set of criteria, you make a compelling argument.