Best Little Men
Our League Passes have been purchased so the season is not too far away! Which is good news because when the leading stories out there are teams making key signings of 12th men, you know you’re running low on things to talk about.
So let’s adjust our macro focus of the last few posts and go micro: going into this upcoming season, which team has the best PG/SG combination in the NBA?
PG ideally PG by listed position/size (so no Lebrons). SG can be a tweener (SG/SF) as long as you can justify a replacement SF that makes sense in the lineup.
So let’s hear the best, and while we’re at it the worst too!
Courtside Notes 
naturalbornanalysts 1:39 pm on October 3, 2012 Permalink |
Purchased and the countdown is on!
This is tough… really tough…
Im going to start in the West and throw out some combos…
LAL- Nash/Bryant…on paper this is one of the most intimidating backcourts ever. Obviously age is going to come into play, but you have to think that these two could finally get Nash that ring.
OKC- Westbrook/(Sefolosha) Harden …obviously for this we will ignore the fact that Harden doesnt start, considering he plays most of the game anyway. Young and explosive… but Im not as high on Westbrook as most, because I dont feel his decision making is where you want it for a point guard, and his outside shooting isnt great. His explosiveness and athleticism is his biggest strength, but is also the most vulnerable aspect of his game. Harden, I was massive on all of last season, and still think he can be a top 5 player in the league in the future, but last years finals certainly threw up some questions.
LAC – CP3/Billups … wow do I love Mr. Billups… so much in fact that I would be willing to name my first born son Chauncey… hell my first born daughter too. Underrated player and leader… I hope he can come back from the achilles injury. Obviously CP3 is a great, great PG, but he frustrates me when he just fades to the background in games. He could take over just about any game he wants.
GSW- Curry/Thompson…This is a big if… but IF Steph Curry stayes healthy, and Klay Thompson continues to improve the way he did last year, this could be an incredibly dynamic backcourt duo… The Warriors are taking big risks with guys who are injury prone, but have drafted well the last two years, and could definitely make an 8vs1 playoff push again that got the Doctor so excited all those years ago!
MIN- Rubio/Roy… Ahhh my beloved wolves… so many questions, so many white Euros. All season ticket holders should have honorary Eurozone Passports. But I digress… Much like your bulls, a lot of the teams success will ride on the return of the injured PG, and you only had to look at the slide, post Rubio to see how much of an impact he had on the Wolves. If he can come back and play at the level he was, and IF (more IF’s in there than the Warriors) Roy can get back to even 70% of what he was, we might have one of the canniest and most cerebrial back courts in the league.
Ok now to the East.
MIA- I want to say Wade and Ray, but I doubt that will be the starting Combo. So insert Chalmers and you lose a bit in my eyes, and they certainly dont become the best backcourt duo.
Boston- Rondo/Bradley… I love Rondo, and think he could become the best all around PG in the game, but I cant see this combo being that influential, especially with Bradley coming back from a dodgy shoulder.
CHI- Rose/ Hamilton… I think Rip has past his used by date as a starter, and you could see more and more of Rose Hinrich when Rose is back and healthy. You are more of an expert on all things Bulls so I will leave this one to you.
BROOKLYN- Williams/Johnson… well if money means success then HOV should remove some of his jewellery in anticipation. In my eyes, if these two can find a balance and chemistry, they WILL BE THE BEST IN THE LEAGUE! There is no question in my mind. Williams gets a fresh start without having to move cities, and JJ doesnt have to be the man… he can go back to his PHO days of just playing off the ball and shooting. My big question… what happens to Marshon Brooks, who was a hell of a rookie.
NYK- Kidd/Felton… You know what you are getting with Kidd, and Felton played some of the best ball of his career in Orange and Blue.. but who is the SG? Or do they move Felton to the bench and the Shump plays SG… they have a lot of figuring out to do… also …POP QUIZ.. without looking it up… how big is Steve Novak?
I know I left out the Spurs/Pacers/Wizards (Who could have a great backcourt this season), Philly etc…
but my top five would be:
1. LAL
2. BKN
3. OKC
4. LAC
5. MIA
GO!
jk41 3:26 pm on October 3, 2012 Permalink |
Definitely tough! Even as I was writing that intro and thought about it, I only had the Nets (D-Will/JJ) and Lakers (Nash/Kobe) which stuck in my mind.
Here are my thoughts on the ones you mentioned:
WEST
LAL – I definitely think they’re the best. They need to stay healthy and essentially pace themselves for playoffs so I wouldn’t be surprised if they started slow. But the amount of hardware between these guys is amazing, and I like the fact that they’re a true point and shooting guard.
OKC – I actually think Westbrook is more a SG. He’s a big time slasher that gets to the rim, but has questionable judgement. I think there’s definite questions on Harden after the Finals last year, which is a shame because he was so great all season. These two are definite great players even if they don’t meet the conventional PG/SG, Starter/Bench mix that we were looking for.
LAC – Love both these guys, but I’m not so sure Chauncey can bounce back after such a serious injury at his age. You’d love to see CP3 play with a devastating scorer so you could just sit back and admire the vision and smarts. A scorer like Kobe? Oh wait…
GSW – I think too soon for these guys and I haven’t liked how fragile Curry has been.
MIN – So much faith in Mr. Roy! Let’s face it, if he were on the Bulls I’d be thinking the same. But it might be two too many injured knees to be called the best this season, maybe next though.
EAST
MIA – I was actually impressed with Chalmers in the Finals. He had some big games. From memory I don’t think he’s a big assist guy, so he seems a bit more combo guard. You’d love him to develop more smarts and vision and ‘see’ the court better.
BOS – Again, injury comes into play here. Bradley was great before he got hurt, but now we must wait. I’m not sure they would have enough scoring in them either, if we were to for example pit all these duos against each other in 2-on-2 games. (Actually, I’ll scribble this down to use in a post somewhere this season!)
CHI – Did someone say injured? Not just the guy who tore his ACL, but the other guy who after four games into the season missed 4 games…then 8, then 13, and then 14 and it was only a 66 game season! So no given the fact that if Rip does get injured early this season our backcourt is Hinrich and Nat Robinson? (Officially scared of the train wreck that will be).
BKN – I’m handing these guys my mantle of best backcourt in the league. D-Will: motivated, excited is scary and just as good if not better than CP3. JJ has the pressure off and can rain those 3’s with free reign. And on the defensive end, they both hold their own. Brooklyn in da house!
NYK – An old guy and a guy who always looks chubby? Nah, not for me. As for Novak I’m gonna say 6’8 cos I remember watching him play some 3 last year….(googling)…..shit 6’10! He’s almost Ryan Anderson like!
So here’s my rankings, not too dissimilar:
1. BKN
2. LAL
3. OKC
4. SAS (see below)
5. LAC
OTHERS
So I’m going to throw a couple others at you…let me know if they interest you in any way….
PHI – Jrue and Evan Turner. As much as I didn’t like them, they gave us fits in the first round last year. Jrue definitely sees the court well I think, and Turner is your slashing, almost Manu like slasher being creative in there.
MIL – Bit of Jennings/Monta? Definitely quick and exciting, but probably too small on the defensive end.
DAL – Collison and OJ Mayo. I think they can show something this year. Both had their years in the league, fresh start, neither expected to carry the load, but have shown they can carry when needed (Collison in NOH with CP3 out, Mayo at the Grizz with Rudy Gay out)
SAS – No love for Parker and Manu? Could argue they are All-Stars at both positions while MIA are only at one, and TP had a great year last year.
CLE – Kyrie and Dion Waiters I guess. Never seen any of Waiters, but I do like Kyrie. Hopefully that hand is all good for the season’s start.
NOH – And even younger, Mr. Austin Rivers and Eric Gordon. Tempting! Maybe next year…or the year after…
naturalbornanalysts 12:26 pm on October 4, 2012 Permalink |
We did have a similar list… and I think a lot of people are expecting big things out of Brooklyn… they have three max guys after all dont they?
Your others:
PHI- I think Evan Turner is finally starting to get the hang of this NBA thing right? He started to look pretty good last season, and I think a solid off season under his belt he could be set for big things… Im sure Philly certainly think he can replace the production they got out of Iggy.
MIL- Shouldnt have left these two off…nobody else touches the ball in Wisconsin, but these two could rack up the points playing small ball.. who needs to play D when you can have 40 each?
DAL- I dont think Collison is starter quality… he is perfect for that energy off the bench type…and Mayo is still an enigma… Im not sold on Cubans plan…
SAS- I know I left them off and I know I shouldnt have…. poor form… Parker and Manu are like an older more wiley version of Westbrook and Harden…. I have almost as much love for Manu as I do for Chauncey. Do they make another move with the cap space they have from TD taking a 50% cut or whatever it was!?
CLE- Kyrie and who? haha nah Dion Im playing son… Kyrie will be top 3 PG in 2 seasons…I guess we have to wait and see what Dion does.
NOH- Not a fan of either of these guys to be honest… I dont like Gordon much at all… and Rivers… seems arrogant… Hopefully they prove me wrong, because the way the Saints are playing this season they need a little pick me up in that city…
Can I throw one more out that Im sort of excited to see????
WAS- Wall and Beal… This could be a really nice backcourt… great defense from both and some fantastic passing. Wall wont need to shoulder scoring… which he is not good at… he is a poor mans Rondo.. let him create plays with his vision… not ask him to score 20 a night and he will be a great PG…. or maybe im just a Kentucky flamer?!
jk41 5:47 am on October 5, 2012 Permalink |
Yeah, Wall seems like one of those guys who will have a break out this year. His injury is a setback though which is unfortunate. How can you deny someone like this though:
With the rookies it’s going to be tough to pick this year because it was a pretty deep draft and a few gambles here and there. So I think we might need to put Wall and Beal into the future bucket.
Either way, our top 5 lists are pretty juicy already, we’ll need to circle these on the calendar when they go head to head!
JK