Top 5 Backcourts In The NBA

Stats are listed as: Points/Assists/Rebounds/Steals


For more information on PER click here


5. INJURY TIE
San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Clippers, and Chicago Bulls

       

Each of these teams would easily have a top 5 backcourt in the NBA if they were at full strength. 

The Spurs, when healthy, have the best duo in Parker and Ginobili, but Manu went down with yet another injury. Parker has been playing out of his mind lately, and somehow the Spurs keep winning even with an old Tim Duncan and a bunch of no-name role players (Besides Richard Jefferson, but let's face it he isn't the same player he once was).

Chris Paul is one of, if not the best, point guard in the league. With Paul and Billups, the Clippers had a great backcourt duo until Billups was lost for the season to an achilles injury. Mo Williams and Randy Foye are filling in nicely, but aren't near the player Billups is.


Chicago's biggest concern in the off season was to sign a shooting guard to complement MVP Derrick Rose. They found that in Richard Hamilton, but it was short lived as Hamilton has struggled all season with injuries. Ronnie Brewer has done well in Hamilton's absence, but if Chicago wants to get past Miami, they will need Rip to be healthy.

          

4. Boston Celtics

Rajon Rondo                                      14.8/9.5/4.9/1.6    18.92  PER
Ray Allen                                           14.5/2.8/3.1/0.8    15.30 PER
  

Rondo is one of the best passers in the league, ranking 2nd in assists per game. He has a great basketball IQ, but the only thing holding him back from becoming an elite point guard is his perimeter shooting. When teams flat out don't guard you from the free throw line and out, you know you have a problem.


Ray Allen is one of the all-around good guys in the league. No matter how old he gets he continues to be consistent from the 3-point line, leading all guards in 3P% at 49%. He is also lights out from the free throw line where he is shooting 92%. 

3. Golden State Warriors

Monta Ellis                                         22.4/5.8/3.4/1.5    19.43  PER                  
Stephen Curry                                    16.5/6.2/3.7/1.8    21.70  PER

Ellis and Curry are two of the most underrated players in the league, trying to keep a struggling team that lacks size competitive. The Golden State Warriors are a big man away from contending, but are hindered by starting center Andris Biedrins who averages 2 points and 5 rebounds per game while making $9 million (yikes!).

Ellis averages the most points per game of any player that was not named an All-Star, and Curry is in scoring range once he crosses the half court line. If management and new coach Mark Jackson can put some talent around these two they will be tough to beat.

2. Miami Heat

Dwyane Wade                                      22.4/4.8/4.4/1.7    28.14 PER
Mario Chalmers                                    11.1/3.6/2.5/1.3    16.07  PER

Dwyane Wade is a spectacular player that has an all-around game, and as he goes, so do the Heat. He is the leader, he is batman, the Heat is still his team, and will be until LeBron learns how to play in the 4th quarter and finish games.

Chalmers is a great player, but gets lost in the mix because his teammates are James, Wade, and Bosh. He is a great point guard with range (46% from 3) that benefits from open shots because of the focus other teams put on his teammates. His assist numbers could be higher because of who he gets to pass to, but LeBron and Wade dominate the ball when they should let Chalmers run the offense.

1. Oklahoma City Thunder

James Harden                                     16.8/3.6/4.1/1.0     21.03  PER
Russell Westbrook                               23.5/5.5/4.8/1.9     23.30  PER

James Harden should be a starter. I realize that Scott Brooks doesn't start him because he makes Oklahoma City's bench significantly better, but is there a player more deserving of a starting spot than James Harden? The man is lethal from distance, and is a perfect complement to Durant and Westbrook. Expect to see him make the All-Star roster in the near future.


Westbrook is a freak athlete that can score the basketball...the only problem is that is all he wants to do. With Kevin Durant on the team, Westbrook will eventually have to learn to take a back seat to him. If he does, and becomes a true point guard, Oklahoma City will be that much scarier for a very long time.