Best Guard Tandem

[1Parker1]

From Yao Ming to Earl Boykins, every NBA player of every size has something to contribute. That said, a case can be made for a ball club's guard corps as being the most important players on any roster.
Let's first take a close look at what guards are supposed to do, and then present the teams that respectively field the best and the worst at these vital positions.

Point guards are usually among the league's smallest players — with Magic Johnson having been the most colossal exception. These days, Shaun Livingston, Marko Jaric, and Joe Johnson measure 6-7 and are the most elevated points extant. All other skills being equal, big smalls enjoy a considerable advantage in being able to see over the heads of their defenders and therefore command the passing lanes.

Point guards are also the most accomplished ball-handlers, and indeed, one of their primary duties is to carry the ball safely across the time line. The position likewise requires players who are both extremely fast (straight ahead and end-to-end speed) as well as quick (laterally with and without the ball, including spins and reversals).

In addition to these transcendent skills, the duties of those who play the No. 1 include triggering any fast-break opportunities and initiating the halfcourt offense. This means that points must make impeccable decisions especially on the run: They must be aware of exactly who is filling the adjacent lanes; which player wants what kind of pass at what point in his shot preparation; which player is more comfortable (and more effective) on which side of the court; who has good hands and who doesn't; who is a top-notch finisher and who isn't, and what the capabilities of the defenders might be.

Any mistake leads to a botched opportunity or, worse, a turnover.

Decision-making (which includes an awareness of both timing and spacing) is also crucial in halfcourt sets. If centers are only vaguely cognizant of which of the opponents' guards happen to be on the floor, the points must have a firm grasp not only of all the matchups, but of every player's tendencies at both ends of the court.

This is why the No. 1 spot is the toughest for young players to learn.

The point guard is also his team's first line of defense — unfortunately, point guards are the most difficult players to defend. And once a point has beaten his defender, then the entire defense is forced to rotate and make other risky adjustments. Accordingly, points who can defend are extremely valuable.

The job description of shooting guards (No. 2s) is simpler: Handle well enough to cool out a press, get into the paint, and also create makeable shots. Move crisply and efficiently without the ball, utilize picks, be able to catch and shoot, be able to finish in traffic, and play sufficient defense to at least outscore his opponent.


Best guard combos
1. Tony Parker-Manu Ginobili (San Antonio): This pair represents a wonderful blend of speed, quickness, creativity, and excelling in clutch situations. If Parker's decision-making is sometime askew, and if Ginobili's defense isn't up to par, the Spurs' frontcourt has the knack of erasing mistakes and turning them into advantages. The point being that backcourts never function in a vacuum.

2. Chauncey Billups-Richard Hamilton (Detroit): Nobody moves better without the ball than Hamilton, and nobody is tougher than Billups. The latter is an example of a scorer who learned how to add playmaking to his repertoire. Both are money players who work in perfect harmony. Defense is Hamilton's primary weakness.

3. Ray Allen-Luke Ridnour (Seattle): Like John Wesley Harding, Ridnour rarely makes a foolish move. He's the perfect facilitator, the Sonics' on-court surrogate coach. Allen is a scorer extraordinaire — from outside, inside, and always in the clutch. Neither is an exceptional defender. I don't think they're #3. Kidd and Carter are better!

4. Jason Kidd-Vince Carter (New Jersey): Kidd is arguably the NBA premier point guard, and this duo ranks first in sheer explosiveness. Their only drawbacks are the step Kidd has lost since his knee surgery, and Carter's la-dee-da defense and his tendency to vanish in the playoffs.

5. LeBron James-Eric Snow/Damon Jones (Cleveland): James provides enough spectacular offense to carry Snow, and enough ability to penetrate to compensate for the rather stationary Jones. The problems are James' increasing tendency to force shots, and the trio's utter lack of defense.

Getting closer: Dwyane Wade-Jason Williams (Miami), T.J. Ford-Michael Redd (Milwaukee), Gilbert Arenas-Antonio Daniels (Washington).


Worst guard combos
1. Speedy Claxton-J.R. Smith (New Orleans): The former is an injury looking for a body part to happen. The latter still hasn't been able to differentiate a good shot from a bad one. Perhaps the development of rookie Chris Paul will help the situation — except that rookie points always struggle.


Sebastian Telfair is No. 1 on a list you really don't want to be a part of. (Rick Bowmer / Associated Press)

2. Sebastian Telfair-Juan Dixon (Portland): Young Telfair can pass with anybody, but has no shooting range, and can't defend. For a shooting guard, Dixon misfires too often and is likewise an inferior defender. With his pockets full of lead, Dixon weighs 170 pounds, and therefore gets bullied by most of his opponents.

3. Milt Palacio/Keith McLeod and Devon Brown/Gordan Giricek (Utah): McLeod and Brown are the only live bodies in this mix — and both are still learning how to play. Palacio is a career backup, and Giricek is a sturdy player at both ends of the game who hasn't found favor with Jerry Sloan.

4. Troy Hudson/Marko Jaric and Trenton Hassell (Minnesota): Hudson only has eyes for the hoop. Jaric is smart but slow. Hassell can D but can't O. Put them all together and they'd make one terrific shooting guard.

5. Stephon Marbury and Jamal Crawford (New York): There's no questioning the sheer offensive talents of this less-than-dynamic duo. But what about defense? Court awareness? Unselfishness? Consistency? Fugetabou !

On the precipice: Damon Stoudamire-Mike Miller (Memphis) and Mike Bibby-Bonzi Wells (Sacramento).


http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/5021242

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

"and if Ginobili's defense isn't up to par"?

I'm always up for someone picking Spurs as a number 1 anything, but this kind of ticked me off. Where has the vicious myth that Manu isn't a good defender come from? He can pick pockets very well, he's possibly the best in the league at drawing charges, and is otherwise a good all around defender. With that said, I don't know how much I agree with the pairings of Ray and Luke, and Lebron and Eric/Damon. Where the 1, 2, and 4 ranked pairs are guys with comparable talent levels, but different strengths, those are kind of one man shows where you could fill it in with any number of guys and they'd still look great. I think Ridenour could be a very good PG someday, but I think it's a little too soon to be ranking him and Ray ahead of Kidd/Carter.

[spursfaninla]

I don't know that Marbury deserves to be held in such low esteem. I think he is very capable. His offense alone should say alot.

I also think its interesting to see the Sac. backcourt rated so low. Wells has bounced around a good bit for a reason, I'm sure.

[mookie2001]

I cant believe Kirk Hienrich and Ben Gordon arent even mentioned

those dudes are gonna regulate this season

[DesiSpur_21]

I am surprised NBA doesn't show case an impressive list of (successful/potential) 1+2 this season. Barring the first 4 (well not so sure about ray+luke), they look really ordinary.

[DesiSpur_21]

I cant believe Kirk Hienrich and Ben Gordon arent even mentioned

those dudes are gonna regulate this season

[1Parker1]

I am surprised NBA doesn't show case an impressive list of (successful/potential) 1+2 this season. Barring the first 4 (well not so sure about ray+luke), they look really ordinary.

That is exactly what I was thinking! At first I was a little suprised that Manu and Parker were #1. But then as I looked through the list......there really wasn't that much compe ion (aside from the Pistons backcourt).

Most of the other tandems mentioned have All Star SG's paired with average PG's.

[Supergirl]

Jason Kidd and Vince Carter at number 4? Behind Luke freaking Ridnour? Oh, how the mighty have fallen.

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

Jason Kidd and Vince Carter at number 4? Behind Luke freaking Ridnour? Oh, how the mighty have fallen.

I still don't understand why Luke and Ray are up there, but if I had to make a guess why Vince and Kidd aren't higher it's because they probably won't play 82 games combined this year.

[Leetonidas]

Why do they keep spelling Devin's name wrong ???