Top 10 NBA Backcourts of the Last 25 Years
Let's take a look at the most dominating guard tandems since the turn of the century. Here are the top ten backcourts of the last 25 years!
MADRID, SPAIN - September 14th 2014 : STEPHEN CURRY of USA during the Final game of FIBA BASKETBALL WORLD CUP 2014 at Palacio de los Deportes Arena
Credit: Marcos Mesa Sam Wordley
By: Joshua Martin
Lately, anytime the Dallas Mavericks are on television, it feels as though there’s a national conversation about the best backcourts in NBA history. And rightfully so! The Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving pairing is one of the most explosive offensive backcourts the game has ever seen. But are they the best?
We can't forget the Splash Bros. who shattered shooting records during the 2010’s, or the massively successful duo of Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher. What about Tony Parker and Manu Ginoboli or the Grindhouse Grizzlies with Mike Conley and Tony Allen. Billups and Hamilton, Teague and Korver, CP3 and Harden? There are so many great duos to choose from.
Nothing incites sports fans more than a good ole top ten list. Let's take a look at the most dominating guard tandems since the turn of the century. While there may be an obvious number one, the criteria for this list was simple. Sustained on-court success, whether or not the duo won championships and also the lasting impact the two had on the court were taken into account.
Don't like our list? Let us know!
Honorable Mentions:
Jeff Teague and Kyle Korver: This All star duo led the Hawks to its franchise's only 60 win season before losing in the playoffs to Lebron and the Cavs.
Jason Kidd and Vince Carter: These two were deadly in the open court. VInce’s high flying style blended perfectly with Kidd’s pinpoint passing. Injuries and new blood in the Eastern conference stymied this duo's ascension.
Tony Allen and Mike Conley: Conley is a steady scorer and passesr while Allen became known as one of the scariest defenders in the league. Consistent duo that lacked nationwide exposure.
10.) Chris Paul and James Harden
Their time was short-lived but quite successful. The MVP version of the Beard and the Point God pushed the Golden State Warriors to Game 7 in the 2018 conference finals. If it wasn’t for a CP3 injury this team would’ve advanced to the Finals.
9.) Bradley Beal and John Wall
Oh what could’ve been. Wall’s athleticism and smooth passing skills made him an instant star in Washington. Beal, a sturdy scoring guard with range from deep, made him the perfect complement to Wall’s attacking, downhill style. The injury bug may be the biggest culprit behind why this duo didn't see more success on the court.
8.) Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum
Another duo that garnered success smack dab in the middle of the Warriors historic run. This duo routinely posted incredible counting stats during the regular season but lacked the critical support to compete with the better teams in the West. A conference finals appearance and the longevity of the run gives them the spot here.
7.) Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving
Luka is a walking 30 point triple double nuclear time bomb. Kyrie has the smoothest handles in the game and can easily pour in 50 on any given night. These two have enjoyed a stellar playoff run so far. A championship will boost them up this list but until then these other backcourts have won more and played together longer.
MADRID, SPAIN - September 14th 2014 : KYRIE IRVING of USA celebrates scoring during the Final game of FIBA BASKETBALL WORLD CUP 2014 at Palacio de los Deportes Arena
Credit: Marcos Mesa Sam Wordley
6.) Demar Derozan and Kyle Lowry
These two brought sustained success to a once moribund franchise. Their run unfortunately coincided with Lebron’s historic playoff reign over the Eastern Conference. Lowry, a feisty diminutive point, and Derozan, a mid range dynamo who also excelled at attacking the rim, accrued multiple all star appearances and the led Raptors to the playoffs 5 consecutive times during the 2010’s.
5.) Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo
Rondo was a do-it-all versatile threat while Allen, before Curry, was known as the greatest shooter in league history. Rondo’s strengths and weaknesses made him a perfect fit with Ray. The two went on to win a title with the C’s and carve out impressive Hall of Fame careers.
4.) Chauncey Billups and Richard Hamilton
These two pulled off one the biggest upsets in NBA Finals history. Mr. Big Shot’s clutch play and Rip’s smoothe shooting stroke spearheaded the Bad Boys 2.0 offensive attack during their improbable ‘04 title run. These two led the Pistons to six consecutive conference finals, winning 1 title while in Detroit.
3.) Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher
These two complementend each other's game perfectly. Kobe was a ball dominant scorer and Fish was more of a spot up shooter. The third ranked duo on the list propelled the Lakers to 5 NBA Titles. Fisher was also a deadly clutch shooter just as much as Kobe. With the game on the line either one could burn you.
Kobe Bryant & Derek Fisher - All We Do Is Win
2.) Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili
Parker and Ginobili were the driving force behind some historic Spurs teams. TP was a tad more consistent but the Spurs were unbeatable when Ginobili went off. This dynamic duo won 4 titles and combined with Duncan made one of the greatest teams of all-time.
1.) Steph Curry and Klay Thompson
The Splash Brothers are widely regarded as the greatest shooting backcourt of all time. There’s no debating that but what makes them greatest period is all the accolades between the two. Steph Curry is a two time MVP, multiple time scoring champion and single handley revolitonzied the game of basketball. Klay is the epitome of a quintessential ‘3 & D wing’ with the range and shooting touch that rivals his backcourt mate. 5 championships and a 73-9 season earns them this spot without question.
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2024 NBA All-Star Weekend Recap
The 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis has wrapped up with a multitude of record-breaking events. From the All-Star Game to State Farm All-Star Saturday Night, these were the standout moments from an eventful weekend in Indianapolis. We discuss it here!
Damian Lillard pulls up from half court during the 2024 NBA All Star game in Indianapolis.
Photo Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
By: Joshua Martin
The NBA once again brought out the game’s brightest stars in its annual celebration of basketball and its legends. For those anticipating an epic showdown between “Nap-Town” native Mike Epps and Shannon Sharpe however, were highly disappointed. But, if you came to “The Hoosier City” to enjoy some hoops, you were undoubtedly entertained despite the lack of a defensive presence in Sunday night’s main event. Lets recap the biggest moments from this year’s NBA all star weekend.
Friday Night - Celebrity Game and Rising Stars
The NBA kicked off the weekend's festivities with the Celebrity Game which featured some of today’s biggest stars in all forms of entertainment. That list included popular streamer Kai Cenet, Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, musician SiR and others. Micah Parsons was the games biggest standout, pouring in 37 points and grabbing 16 rebounds leading team Shannon Sharpe over team Stephen A. Smith. A two sport athlete in highschool, Micah dominated the event becoming the second consecutive NFL player to win the contests MVP and the fourth overall.
The Rising Stars challenge was a bit different this year. A total of four teams were created from the available pool of players and were coached by former NBA and WNBA standouts. Pacers forward Benedict Mathurin won the tournament's MVP award giving Indiana fans something to cheer about while also giving us quite a bit of trash talk throughout the evening. Most notably his exchange with Pistons guard Jaden Ivey.
Side note - White the NBA stars were drafted by their respective coaches, Team Detlef was comprised of all G-League players. They were massive underdogs in the first round against team Pau and Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama but pulled off the upset with a game-winner by potential 2024 lottery pick Matas Buzelis. The G Leaguers took advantage of the moment.
Saturday Night - All Star Saturday Night
Let me start this by saying the league’s new all-LED floor was a huge win. The possibilities are endless, I can't wait to see how far they take it although it does seem to be more of a novelty than an All Star Saturday night staple.
The stage was set for Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton to potentially have a monumental night and he didn't dissapoint. Leading Team Pacers to victory in the Kia Skills Challenge.
Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard became the seventh player to successfully repeat as champion in the Starry 3-point Contest winning the star studded tournament with his last shot. Lucas Oil Stadium was set ablaze as hit the moneyball two point shot on the final rack to secure the victory.
G-Leaguer Mac McClung vaulted over 7 foot 1 NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal for a perfect score of 50, joining Dame as repeat champion in the AT&T Slam Dunk contest. The 25 year old was able to display his vertical athleticism and supreme body control, leaving many to wonder why he hasn’t been able land a full time role in the league.
Last but not least, the NBA decided to debut a brand new event that stole the show. Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry outdueled WNBA superstar Sabrina Ionescu in a historic 3-point challenge that featured two of the game's greatest sharpshooters.
“This couldn’t have gone any better in the sense of us two taking the chance in front of this stage, running around with all the hype, and to deliver like that, she set the bar, it was unbelievable to watch. So, this might be something - I don’t know if anybody can fill these shoes but it might be something that we need to do more often.”
With the success Steph vs. Sabrina had, it's highly probable the NBA will follow Chef Curry’s advice and look to bring back in 2025.
Sunday Night - All Star game
Dame Lillard's impressive weekend continued into Sunday night’s main event. Despite some of his well publicized struggles with his new team, Dame Dolla was on point for most of the evening draining logo threes with ease, pouring in 39 points with 11 made from deep. Capturing the coveted NBA All-star Game Kobe Bryant MVP award for the time in his career.
The biggest takeaway from the game however was the lack of defensive intensity by the Western Conference. The game basically turned into a glorified 3-point contest but onlookers expected a better showing from a team stacked with future Hall of Famers. Karl Anthony-Towns led the way for the West with an absurd 50 points but outside of the occasional shooting spurts from the games greatest and the anticipation of a strong Tyrese Haliburton appearance, the game itself left much to be desired.
Interesting All star weekend stats
**This is the third time in league history the same players have won the 3-point contest and Slam Dunk contest in back to back years.
87-88: Larry Bird, Michael Jordan
02-03: Peja Stojakovic, Jason Richardson
23-24: Damian Lillard, Mac McClung
**The 67 combined made 3-pointers set an All-Star game record, besting the previous record of 62 set in 2019. The teams combined to attempt five free throw attempts.
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Damian Lillard Trade Shakes Up NBA Landscape
Portland Trail Blazers trade Damian Lillard in a surprising move, shaking up the NBA and sparking anticipation for the upcoming season. We discuss it here!
Former Portland Trail Blazers Damian Lillard looks on during the third quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Moda Center on April 09, 2023 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
By: Joshua Martin
The moment sports fans have begrudgingly been waiting for has finally happened but not to the destination many of us thought. In a surprising move the Portland Trail Blazers finally parted ways with the organization's brightest star, in a 3 team deal that had the entertainment world buzzing.
Camron and Snoop Dogg offered their thoughts as soon as word of the trade began to circulate.
“Going to the East, nephew. Ball out. You got Giannis on your squad now. Ugh! The East just got nasty. Lakers, we know what we gon’ do. But congrats to my nephew, Dame Lillard. Dame Time. Go get yours, nephew.”
The trade officially went down on Wednesday between the Bucks, Portland Trail Blazers, and Phoenix Suns. In exchange for Dame D.O.L.L.A., the Blazers received Jrue Holiday, DeAndre Ayton, Toumani Camara along with future draft picks with many believing Holiday will soon be traded. The Suns received Jusuf Nurkic, Grayson Allen, Nassir Little, and Keon Johnson, all of whom will join a squad that bolsters a roster featuring Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and their latest addition Bradley Beal. In my opinion all three teams made out well, with Milwaukee instantly becoming title favorites.
Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo
Photo Cred: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images; Megan Briggs/Getty Images
Lillard joining focus with Giannis Antetokounmpo will mark the first time that two players have joined forces after both averaging 30 points per game the previous season. With arguably the second greatest range shooter of all time paired with the Greek Freak, the upcoming season just got a lot more interesting. It’s very likely the Bucks will snag their second championship in four years.
Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo's points per game last season for the Trail Blazers and Bucks respectively:
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) September 28, 2023
Dame 👉 32.2 PPG
Greek Freak 👉 31.1 PPG
They are the only players in NBA history to each average 30+ PPG in the previous season & become teammates the next… pic.twitter.com/xAE2sLnc5x
Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers waves goodbye to the Oklahoma City Thunder after hitting a last second 37 foot game winner to end Game 5 of the Western Conference quarterfinals during the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Moda Center on April 23, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. The Blazers defeated the Thunder 118-115. (Dykes/Getty Images)
Damian Lillard leaves Portland after spending his entire NBA career with the organization. Over the past 11 seasons, he powered his squad to eight playoff appearances and one Western Conference Finals appearance during the 2018-2019 season. Dame throughout the years often spoke against jumping ship to join a superteam, opting to remain committed to the Trail Blazers despite not having a real shot at a title.
The athlete/rapper took the on brand approach and addressed the trade in his latest track “Farwell” which dropped immediately after news broke of the trade.
Dame D.O.L.L.A. - Farewell
Dame left it all on the court. Carving out a unique role for himself as an unstoppable efficient range shooter with the ability to facilitate and attack the basket with ease.
In summation, the NBA does an excellent job at remaining in the news cycle year round. This recent deal only intensifies the anticipation for the upcoming season. With the biggest domino finally on the move, even the casual fan can’t help but wonder who’s next? James Harden? Joel Embid? Trae Young? Karl-Anthony Towns? We’ll just have to wait and see.
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Recap of the 2023 NBA All Star Weekend in Salt Lake City
Recap of the 2023 NBA All-Star Weekend in Salt Lake City featuring Rising Stars Challenge, Celebrity Game, HBCU Classic, Skills Challenge, 3-Point Contest, Slam Dunk Contest, and the All-Star Game with Jayson Tatum as MVP.
By: Joshua Martin
Lebron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jayson Tatum, Joel Embiid, Ja Morant, and more!!
Salt Lake City, Utah was this year's destination the entire NBA world ascended upon for this year’s All-star weekend. The NBA’s brightest stars and celebrities alike were center stage as they showcased their abilities across a packed weekend full of exciting events for basketball fans.
Friday Night
The Jordan Rising Stars Challenge featured four teams coached by former NBA stars. Team Pau, Team Deron, Team Joakim and Team Jason competed in a mini tournament involving 21 rookie and second year NBA players along with a few players from the G League. Team Pau won the tournament while Pelicans Guard Jose Alvarado took home the tournament MVP trophy. .
The NBA Ruffles All Star Celebrity game featured a cross section of athletes and entertainers, which included Grammy Award winning rapper 21 Savage, musicians Cordae and Jonelle Monae, NFL Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson and recently retired MLB player Albert Pujols. The MVP of the game, D.K. Metcalf, was a clear overwhelming presence on the court and instantly became a crowd favorite with his powerful dunks. Team Dwayne Wade, NBA Legend, defeated Team Ryan Smith, Governor of Utah, in a highly competitive game that came down to a half court heave at the buzzer.
Saturday Night
NBA x HBCU Classic
The highly anticipated NBA HBCU Classic between Grambling State University and their long time rival Southern University gave a much needed spotlight to Historically Black Colleges. On the campus of the University of Utah, Grambling captured the victory as NBA analyst Stephanie Ready and Hall of Famer Grant Hill called the game. Southern Head coach Sean Woods applauded the NBA for the exposure.
“The NBA has given us this platform, but this isn’t the end. We’re getting more TV exposure, so you’re starting to see really big-time games. And with the transfer portal now, we’re getting transfers coming in from Power 5 schools. The talent pool is rising in our league.”
As part of their ongoing commitments to HBCUs, NBA and AT&T each donated $100,000 to Grambling State and Southern University.
In the 2023 KIa Skills Challenge, Team Jazz (Jordan Clarkson, Walker Kessler, and Collin Sexton) defeated Team Antetokounmpo (Thanasis and Alex Antetokounmpo, along with Jrue Holiday) and Team Rooks (Paolo Banchero, Jaden Ivey, and Jabari Smith) in front of their hometown crowd after trailing early.
The 2023 Starry 3-Point Contest featured some of the best shooters in the league today. The 8-man field included Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers, Tyler Herro of the Miami Heat, Buddy Heild of the Indiana Pacers, Kevin Hueter of the Sacramento Kings, Lauri Markkanen of the Utah Jazz, Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics, Julius Randle of the New York Knicks, and the eventual champion Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers. “Dame Dolla” defeated Buddy Heild with a moneyball on his last rack in the final round. Lillard, who is a superstar in this league, said winning the event undoubtedly made him one of the greatest shooters ever.
“I think all the best shooters in the history of our game, most of them have one of these… I just wanted to get it done at least one time. So I’m happy I got it, now I can retire from it.”
Damian Lillard | Patrick T. Fallon via AFP
Initially viewed as an afterthought, The 2023 AT&T Slam Dunk Contest was the best it's been in years. Philadelphia 76ers guard dazzled the crowd with his gravity defying dunks and creativity. Not to mention he completed all of his attempts on the first try. Houston Rockets forward Kenyon Martin Jr., New York Knicks big man Jericho Sims and New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III held their own but were no match for McClung who sealed his impressive night with an incredible 540.
Sunday Night
For the first time in All Star game history, the main event featured a pre draft where captains Lebron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo picked their teams. Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum led team Giannis to victory while also capturing the Kobe Bryant All Star MVP trophy by dropping 55 points, an all star game record previously held by Lakers forward Anthony Davis. The lack of defense and effort was jarring as the game has unfortunately dissolved into a glorified shootaround but that didn't stop JT from going after the award in honor of his childhood idol Kobe Bryant.
“It’s extremely special to me. My first All-Star Game was in Chicago in 2020 when they renamed the MVP after him and I remember telling myself that someday I got to get one of those.”
The captains played limited minutes because of minor injuries.
Overall, on a scale from 1 to 10, I'll give this year's All Star weekend a 7 with a few surprises here and there. The fans were amazing and in full force but maybe the NBA should look into some warmer locations. With no set destination for 2025, L.A. would be a dope changeup!! Let’s make that happen NBA!!
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Email: Joshua@247LCTV.com