[MCRIZZParticipant]

 So I was reading an article on hoopsworld and with all the recent talk about point guards in the forum I thought this might be an interesting topic… Here is the list the site gave as the TOP 5 MOST PROMISING BACKCOURTS….

1. Do you guys agree with the list and what would you change? Rank your top 5…..

2. Any backcourt they left out you think should deserve an honarable mention?

Here they are, the top five most promising young backcourts in the NBA:

#5 – Darren Collison & Paul George, Indiana Pacers – While Collison had a relatively frustrating sophomore campaign as a starter in Indiana, he played significantly better after the midseason coaching change and should rebound quite well in his third season.  George took over the starting shooting guard role about that same time (the coaching change) and has some really smart basketball people wondering if he won’t be the best player on that team in a few years.  They’re still young and still have a lot to prove, but this backcourt holds a lot of promise.  They’d be higher on the list had they realized as much potential as some of the guys listed above them have.

#4 – Eric Bledsoe & Eric Gordon, L.A. Clippers – We know the future of this team lies in the hands of Blake Griffin, but Gordon is equally important.  He’s easily one of the hottest young shooters in the league, and paired with Bledsoe, who had a surprisingly successful rookie season last year, the "other" L.A. team has quite a bit of potential before even taking Blake into consideration.

#3 – John Wall & Nick Young, Washington Wizards – Young had a breakout season last year, finishing the year averaging 17.4 ppg, and Wall is obviously one of the brightest young point guards in the entire league.  Toss in Jordan Crawford, acquired from Atlanta at the trading deadline, and Washington really has a great young corps of guards with which to move forward.  They’ve got to win some more games before the rest of the league takes them seriously, but there’s absolutely no second-guessing these kids’ talent.

#2 – Ray Felton & Wes Matthews, Portland Trail Blazers – Switching out Andre Miller for Ray Felton very quickly turned Portland from a creaky, aging team to one with quite a bit of youthful promise.  Felton and Matthews both really came into their own last season, and while neither is an All-Star just yet, both could be in the discussion at some point in their careers.  They’re definitely among the most talented pairings in their conference, and one has to wonder what Portland could be if the rest of the roster were able to stay healthy.

#1 – Russell Westbrook & James Harden, Oklahoma City Thunder – Technically, Thabo Sefolosha is the starter, and with five years of experience he’s actually eligible for this list as well, so between him and Harden at shooting guard and a prolific point guard like Russell Westbrook running the offense, it should be pretty clear that there isn’t a better young backcourt in the entire NBA.  Imagine what we’d be saying were the Thunder still running Kevin Durant at the two!

Honorable Mention:

Jerryd Bayless & DeMar DeRozan, Toronto Raptors – Definitely the hardest duo to leave out of the top five, but their untapped potential still outweighs their tapped potential a little too heavily.  While Bayless floated around a little bit this early in his career, he seems to have found a home in Toronto, where he’ll undoubtedly take the helm whenever Jose Calderon moves on from the team.  He and DeRozan, one of the most freakish athletes in the league, are really exciting to watch together, and their collective youth means they’ll be together for a while.  That’s a good thing for the Raptors.

Jrue Holiday & Evan Turner, Philadelphia 76ers – They’re young, so they qualify, but only Holiday has really proven anything as a pro at this point.  His leadership, despite being one of the youngest players in the league, has been pleasantly surprising, and Philly loves him moving forward.  Turner, on the other hand, has been a huge disappointment thus far.  He has plenty of career left to turn it around, but he just hasn’t done enough yet to get him and his backcourt mate into the top five.

Toney Douglas & Landry Fields, New York Knicks – The Knicks had to give up a lot to bring in Carmelo Anthony, but luckily Douglas and Fields weren’t part of the deal.  While both players are more "above average" than "exceptional," they still are now a big part of New York’s immediate future.  What keeps them out of the top five is the fact that, on rosters with more internal competition, they might not get the same opportunities for playing time.  They also seem to be pretty close to their ceilings as players already, meaning their potential isn’t quite as great as some of their colleagues.  Both are solid young players, but other duos here are pretty obviously better.

D.J. Augustin & Gerald Henderson, Charlotte Hornets – With Gerald Wallace and Stephen Jackson gone, the onus for success in North Carolina has fallen on Augustin and Henderson, both of whom stepped up bigger last year than anybody ever would’ve thought possible.  Their talent (and in Augustin’s case, his size) are somewhat limited on the larger scale of things, but the heart and leadership is definitely there.  Those are great qualities in players so young.

Jimmer Fredette & Tyreke Evans, Sacramento Kings – Let’s be honest; a lot of us are skeptical about how well this backcourt is going to work together considering both Tyreke and Jimmer are accustomed to having the ball in their hands about 90% of the time.  Since there’s no such thing as 180% of a game with which to give each guy that many touches, it’s hard to guess how this thing will end up.  Still, both guys are individually very talented, as is young scorer Marcus Thornton, and that’s what gets them here.  We’re skeptical, but optimistically so.

Ty Lawson & Wilson Chandler, Denver Nuggets – Chandler and Lawson were both huge reasons that the Nuggets made such a splash in the regular season even after losing Carmelo Anthony.  Neither is a huge star, but both are immensely talented, mature players, and should Denver keep Chandler (he’s a free agent), they’ll be able to keep this duo together for a few more years.

Ricky Rubio & Wes Johnson, Minnesota Timberwolves – Johnson might technically be more of a small forward than a shooting guard, but he started at the two for Minnesota last season and his talent and potential are what carry this particular pairing in these rankings.  Rubio, a former top-five pick making his debut this upcoming season, was pretty awful in Europe last year, so there’s no telling what kind of NBA player he’ll be just yet.  That being the case, it’s impossible to sneak these pups into the top five.  Maybe we’ll think differently in a year, but until Rubio proves himself, they’ll stay in the land of honorable mention.

J.J. Barea & Roddy Beaubois, Dallas Mavericks – There’s no certainty that Barea will remain with the Mavericks after free agency comes and goes this offseason, but if he does, he and Beaubois are definitely the team’s hope in the backcourt moving forward.  They’re very talented young players, but they’re also both too far down the depth chart for now to be considered among the best in the league.  They’re worth mentioning, but they’re not quite up there with NBA’s best.  At least not yet.

Read more NBA news and insight: http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=20463#ixzz1TDWMeguU

[fliptonnParticipant]

i think tyreke evans and marcus thorton might be the most promising of all. john walll and nick young should take at least the number 2 spot in my opinion if only because john wall is nasty. and does derrick rose and ronnie brewer count? what about kemba and henderson or even kemba and augustine? knight and stuckey? also mike conely and tony allen/xavier henry. but the #1 by far that you missed is curry and ellis.

[fliptonnParticipant]

i think tyreke evans and marcus thorton might be the most promising of all. john walll and nick young should take at least the number 2 spot in my opinion if only because john wall is nasty. and does derrick rose and ronnie brewer count? what about kemba and henderson or even kemba and augustine? knight and stuckey? also mike conely and tony allen/xavier henry. but the #1 by far that you missed is curry and ellis.

[kslack24Participant]

I agree, the best backcourt has to be curry and ellis, but I doubt it counts as a promising backcourt with all the trade talk surrounding ellis.  But yes, i agree with everything you except id switch it to conley and mayo. 

[kslack24Participant]

I agree, the best backcourt has to be curry and ellis, but I doubt it counts as a promising backcourt with all the trade talk surrounding ellis.  But yes, i agree with everything you except id switch it to conley and mayo. 

[kslack24Participant]

I agree with some of these, although I think some honorable mentions will be better than some of the top 5.  Westbrook and Harden is by far the most promising 1-2 punch.  I wouldn’t think Felton and Matthews are #2, I’d be willing to drop then all the way down to 4, and have Wall/Young and Bledsoe/Gordon move up.  Im feeling a breakout year for Gordon this season, the Clippers can be a good team.  Collison is good, but not great.  The Honorable mentions I can see sliding into the top 5 are Rubio and Wesley Johnson, the tremedous passing ability and Johnson being able to get up and down the court and to the rim could be a great duo.  Also, I like a tandem who seem to have completely opposite games, which will fit nicely, and thats Jimemr and Tyreke.  Jimmer will stretch the floor with his range and shooting ability, causing defenses to stretch out, and thatll make room for Tyreke to get to the bucket, and also make Demarcus a great player down low.  Lawson and Chandler could also have a great season together and be great for the Nuggets.

The ones i see compeltely flopping in this list are Barea and Beaubois, they wont be anything special.  Augistin and Henderson won’t be good as Kemba is now there in Charlotte, and Henderson isnt anything but pocket lint.  Holiday and Turner may be something down the road if each can improve their shooting.  Same goes for Douglas and Fields.  Im not keen on Douglas, but he could surprise. 

[kslack24Participant]

I agree with some of these, although I think some honorable mentions will be better than some of the top 5.  Westbrook and Harden is by far the most promising 1-2 punch.  I wouldn’t think Felton and Matthews are #2, I’d be willing to drop then all the way down to 4, and have Wall/Young and Bledsoe/Gordon move up.  Im feeling a breakout year for Gordon this season, the Clippers can be a good team.  Collison is good, but not great.  The Honorable mentions I can see sliding into the top 5 are Rubio and Wesley Johnson, the tremedous passing ability and Johnson being able to get up and down the court and to the rim could be a great duo.  Also, I like a tandem who seem to have completely opposite games, which will fit nicely, and thats Jimemr and Tyreke.  Jimmer will stretch the floor with his range and shooting ability, causing defenses to stretch out, and thatll make room for Tyreke to get to the bucket, and also make Demarcus a great player down low.  Lawson and Chandler could also have a great season together and be great for the Nuggets.

The ones i see compeltely flopping in this list are Barea and Beaubois, they wont be anything special.  Augistin and Henderson won’t be good as Kemba is now there in Charlotte, and Henderson isnt anything but pocket lint.  Holiday and Turner may be something down the road if each can improve their shooting.  Same goes for Douglas and Fields.  Im not keen on Douglas, but he could surprise. 

[lbj_6]

Hey I agree with your promissing backourt, (you made one error saying charlotte hornets, hey, now it’s bobcats!) I would put rocket’s new backourt: flynn-lee. I would put the same as yours except change the fourth and put it 5th and put the backourt Jennings-Douglas Roberts at 4. And maybe change Fredette by Thornton. You’ve made a pretty good job… Nice topic though.

[lbj_6]

Hey I agree with your promissing backourt, (you made one error saying charlotte hornets, hey, now it’s bobcats!) I would put rocket’s new backourt: flynn-lee. I would put the same as yours except change the fourth and put it 5th and put the backourt Jennings-Douglas Roberts at 4. And maybe change Fredette by Thornton. You’ve made a pretty good job… Nice topic though.

[lbj_6]

I could have put curry and ellis put ellis is already part of the nba stars, and his progression is now quite over… As for the bulls backourt, brewer and rose: brewer has too much played in the nba too figure in the promising list… Tyreke Evans and Marcus Thornton is the best; I agree.

[lbj_6]

I could have put curry and ellis put ellis is already part of the nba stars, and his progression is now quite over… As for the bulls backourt, brewer and rose: brewer has too much played in the nba too figure in the promising list… Tyreke Evans and Marcus Thornton is the best; I agree.

[Allen_Iverson_3Participant]

Sorry but Jennings-CDR is not more promising than many other backcourts and maybe doesn’t even deserve a mention. However, if you consider Jax a SG, then Jennings-Jax, if not promising cause of Jax’s age, is a strong backcourt. Also Flynn is not, as of right now, the Rockets’ starter: it’s Kyle Lowry and he’s playing well. As for Lee, I don’t qualify him as a promising player, at least not on the other player’s scale, since he’s now 26 and he hasn’t showed many signs of progress.

MCRIZZ, I also disagree with the Barea-Beaubois backcourt cuz 1) Barea is 27 2) Both of them are considered as very small for PGs so imagine the matchup problems if one of them faces Kobe! 3) Both of them aren’t special playmakers, more of shoot-first PGs.

[Allen_Iverson_3Participant]

Sorry but Jennings-CDR is not more promising than many other backcourts and maybe doesn’t even deserve a mention. However, if you consider Jax a SG, then Jennings-Jax, if not promising cause of Jax’s age, is a strong backcourt. Also Flynn is not, as of right now, the Rockets’ starter: it’s Kyle Lowry and he’s playing well. As for Lee, I don’t qualify him as a promising player, at least not on the other player’s scale, since he’s now 26 and he hasn’t showed many signs of progress.

MCRIZZ, I also disagree with the Barea-Beaubois backcourt cuz 1) Barea is 27 2) Both of them are considered as very small for PGs so imagine the matchup problems if one of them faces Kobe! 3) Both of them aren’t special playmakers, more of shoot-first PGs.

[FritzParticipant]

Its the Charlotte Bobcats I hear announcers make this mistake all the time they left almost a decade ago, stop reminding us of our long lost hornets.

And anyway for promising backcourts it should be Kemba and Henderson not DJ and Henderson.

[FritzParticipant]

Its the Charlotte Bobcats I hear announcers make this mistake all the time they left almost a decade ago, stop reminding us of our long lost hornets.

And anyway for promising backcourts it should be Kemba and Henderson not DJ and Henderson.

[MCRIZZParticipant]

Like I posted in the original message this is not my list, this originally came from hoopsworld it was more of a conversation starter…

My personal top 5 wouldve been

5  jrue holiday and evan turner 

4  Collison and George 

3  Tyreke and thornton 

2 Conley and Mayo 

1 Westbrook and Harden

 

[MCRIZZParticipant]

Like I posted in the original message this is not my list, this originally came from hoopsworld it was more of a conversation starter…

My personal top 5 wouldve been

5  jrue holiday and evan turner 

4  Collison and George 

3  Tyreke and thornton 

2 Conley and Mayo 

1 Westbrook and Harden

 

[Anton123Participant]

 Felton and Matthews will only be promising if Felton can survive the lockout without becoming a huge fat guy.

[Anton123Participant]

 Felton and Matthews will only be promising if Felton can survive the lockout without becoming a huge fat guy.

[NO EZ BUCKETSParticipant]

Ellis hasn’t been traded yet so I think him and curry are a lock for top 2 with harden/westbrook. There is no garuantee that they will or will not trade him either

[NO EZ BUCKETSParticipant]

Ellis hasn’t been traded yet so I think him and curry are a lock for top 2 with harden/westbrook. There is no garuantee that they will or will not trade him either

[tdav005Participant]

1. R.Westbrook & J.Harden

2. S.Curry & M.Ellis

3. J.Wall & N.Young 

4. T.Evans & M.Thorton

5. J.Holiday & E.Turner / E.Bledsoe & E.Gordon  

[tdav005Participant]

1. R.Westbrook & J.Harden

2. S.Curry & M.Ellis

3. J.Wall & N.Young 

4. T.Evans & M.Thorton

5. J.Holiday & E.Turner / E.Bledsoe & E.Gordon  

[fliptonnParticipant]

well, any back court with derrick rose is promising to me hah doesnt really matter who else it is. but ronnie brewer is younger than raymond felton and hasnt gotten the chance to start yet so i definitely think he could get better. but yeah, ellis is still getting better defensively and at sharing the ball. theyre both very promising. you could even consider rondo and avery bradley as promising…some day of course

[fliptonnParticipant]

well, any back court with derrick rose is promising to me hah doesnt really matter who else it is. but ronnie brewer is younger than raymond felton and hasnt gotten the chance to start yet so i definitely think he could get better. but yeah, ellis is still getting better defensively and at sharing the ball. theyre both very promising. you could even consider rondo and avery bradley as promising…some day of course

[MJBrownParticipant]

#1 — Westbrook/Harden

#2 — Curry/Ellis

#3 — Wall/Young

#4 — Lawson/Chandler

#5 — Evans/Thornton

[MJBrownParticipant]

#1 — Westbrook/Harden

#2 — Curry/Ellis

#3 — Wall/Young

#4 — Lawson/Chandler

#5 — Evans/Thornton

[Jlv2011]

Tyfreak and the Jimmernator is irrelevant.

[Jlv2011]

Tyfreak and the Jimmernator is irrelevant.

[BasketBalAllanParticipant]

It shames me to know you are a Kings fan.

[BasketBalAllanParticipant]

It shames me to know you are a Kings fan.

[Jlv2011]

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/07/20/video-jimmer-fredette-has-nba-range-on-his-shot/

[Jlv2011]

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/07/20/video-jimmer-fredette-has-nba-range-on-his-shot/

[kevnix5Participant]

#1 – Westbrook/Harden – this is too easy both players have star potential and Westbrook already is.

#2 – Curry/Ellis – these two can probably become #1 on this list if they stay together and improve their defense.

#3 – Bledsoe/Gordon – Gordon has the potential to become a perennial all star and Bledsoe could become a top 15 PG in the league within the next couple of years.

#4 – Wall/Young – Wall is going to become one of the best PG’s in the league very soon but I think Nick Young is overrated by alot of people. I’m not sure he can be a good player on a good team.

#5 – Evans/Thornton (Fredette) – These guys will be able to flat out score but none of them are great distributors and none of them are true PGs.

[kevnix5Participant]

#1 – Westbrook/Harden – this is too easy both players have star potential and Westbrook already is.

#2 – Curry/Ellis – these two can probably become #1 on this list if they stay together and improve their defense.

#3 – Bledsoe/Gordon – Gordon has the potential to become a perennial all star and Bledsoe could become a top 15 PG in the league within the next couple of years.

#4 – Wall/Young – Wall is going to become one of the best PG’s in the league very soon but I think Nick Young is overrated by alot of people. I’m not sure he can be a good player on a good team.

#5 – Evans/Thornton (Fredette) – These guys will be able to flat out score but none of them are great distributors and none of them are true PGs.

[iguapops420Participant]

 John Wall/and either Young or Jordan is #1 in my book. Wall s going to be THAT good.

[iguapops420Participant]

 John Wall/and either Young or Jordan is #1 in my book. Wall s going to be THAT good.

[PureshooterParticipant]

Felton/Matthews at #2 is completely bizarre to me.  Where are Curry and Ellis?

[PureshooterParticipant]

Felton/Matthews at #2 is completely bizarre to me.  Where are Curry and Ellis?

[WizardofOzParticipant]

Poopsworld usually makes sh*tty articles, but this one’s pretty solid. I disagree with Felton/Matthews at #2 though.

But I think people are sleeping on Bayless/Derozan. Bayless and DeRozan were also the 2nd highest scoring backcourt in the league in the short time they had together when Bayless was starting.

[WizardofOzParticipant]

Poopsworld usually makes sh*tty articles, but this one’s pretty solid. I disagree with Felton/Matthews at #2 though.

But I think people are sleeping on Bayless/Derozan. Bayless and DeRozan were also the 2nd highest scoring backcourt in the league in the short time they had together when Bayless was starting.

[festar35Participant]

Joel Brigham who wrote the article for Hoopsworld says at the start that the players he is picking from had 5 or fewer years in the NBA. Monta Ellis has had 6years so that is why he has not been listed with Curry.

[festar35Participant]

Joel Brigham who wrote the article for Hoopsworld says at the start that the players he is picking from had 5 or fewer years in the NBA. Monta Ellis has had 6years so that is why he has not been listed with Curry.

[iguapops420Participant]

 Not a fan at all of Felton/Mathews at 2. It’a not ike we’re talking prime Roy with Felton. Funny how Felton has managed to become one of the most overrated players thanks to one half a season of fast paced SSOL basketball and sudeny he’s a game changer in Portland. Apparently people easily forget his time in Charlotte.

[iguapops420Participant]

 Not a fan at all of Felton/Mathews at 2. It’a not ike we’re talking prime Roy with Felton. Funny how Felton has managed to become one of the most overrated players thanks to one half a season of fast paced SSOL basketball and sudeny he’s a game changer in Portland. Apparently people easily forget his time in Charlotte.

[MCRIZZParticipant]

To reiterate your point

People have slept on bayless his whole career and when given the minutes the guy can produce…

Check the last 8 games of the season for rapts when Bayless was given the starting job….

Bayless and derozan playing alongside one another put up some real nice stats

BAYLESS last 8:
vs miami april 13
21 pts, 4 assits, 3 rebounds, 1 block, 42 mins

vs milwakee april 11
20 pts, 5 assists, 4 rebouns, 4 steels, 43 mins

vs new jersey april 10
19 ponts, 4 assits, 2 rebounds, 41 mins

vs philli april 8
24 pts, 8 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steals, 42 mins

vs cleveland april 06
28 pts, 2 assists, 2 rebounds, 1 steal, 30 mins

vs new york april 5
23 pts, 8 assists, 2 rebounds, 1 steal, 32 mins

vs orlando april 3
23 pts, 8 assists, 2 rebounds, 1 steal, 35 mins

vs chicago april 2
26 pts, 8 assists, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, 38 min

DEMAR last 8 

vs miami april 13
18pts, 3 assists, 4 rebounds, 41mins

vs milwakee april 11
17 pts, 2 assists, 4 rebounds, 38 mins

vs new jersey april 10
18 ponts, 3 assists, 5 rebounds, 38 mins

vs philli april 8
27 pts, 3 assists, 2 rebounds, 42 mins

vs cleveland april 06
19 pts,  0 assists,  5 rebounds, 38 mins

vs new york april 5
36 pts, 3 assists, 10 rebounds, 39 mins

vs orlando april 3
24 pts, 2 assists, 5 rebounds, 42 mins

vs chicago april 2
26 pts, 2 assists, 4 rebounds, 39 mins

[MCRIZZParticipant]

To reiterate your point

People have slept on bayless his whole career and when given the minutes the guy can produce…

Check the last 8 games of the season for rapts when Bayless was given the starting job….

Bayless and derozan playing alongside one another put up some real nice stats

BAYLESS last 8:
vs miami april 13
21 pts, 4 assits, 3 rebounds, 1 block, 42 mins

vs milwakee april 11
20 pts, 5 assists, 4 rebouns, 4 steels, 43 mins

vs new jersey april 10
19 ponts, 4 assits, 2 rebounds, 41 mins

vs philli april 8
24 pts, 8 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steals, 42 mins

vs cleveland april 06
28 pts, 2 assists, 2 rebounds, 1 steal, 30 mins

vs new york april 5
23 pts, 8 assists, 2 rebounds, 1 steal, 32 mins

vs orlando april 3
23 pts, 8 assists, 2 rebounds, 1 steal, 35 mins

vs chicago april 2
26 pts, 8 assists, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, 38 min

DEMAR last 8 

vs miami april 13
18pts, 3 assists, 4 rebounds, 41mins

vs milwakee april 11
17 pts, 2 assists, 4 rebounds, 38 mins

vs new jersey april 10
18 ponts, 3 assists, 5 rebounds, 38 mins

vs philli april 8
27 pts, 3 assists, 2 rebounds, 42 mins

vs cleveland april 06
19 pts,  0 assists,  5 rebounds, 38 mins

vs new york april 5
36 pts, 3 assists, 10 rebounds, 39 mins

vs orlando april 3
24 pts, 2 assists, 5 rebounds, 42 mins

vs chicago april 2
26 pts, 2 assists, 4 rebounds, 39 mins

[cbelfordParticipant]

really jimmer and rubio is on this list. i will take kobe and whoever and d. rose and whoever over those serious and felton and matthews is solid.

[cbelfordParticipant]

really jimmer and rubio is on this list. i will take kobe and whoever and d. rose and whoever over those serious and felton and matthews is solid.

[esperanzafleet69Participant]

no monta ellis and curry ?? wierd.. probably the most promising young backcourt in the league..

[esperanzafleet69Participant]

no monta ellis and curry ?? wierd.. probably the most promising young backcourt in the league..

[festar35Participant]

Ellis didnt qualify he has been in league 6years, list is of players 5years or fewer in NBA.

[festar35Participant]

Ellis didnt qualify he has been in league 6years, list is of players 5years or fewer in NBA.

[BasketballGuru24Participant]

 I think Ellis and Curry could be number 2 if not number 1. Thats a high scoring backcourt 

[BasketballGuru24Participant]

 I think Ellis and Curry could be number 2 if not number 1. Thats a high scoring backcourt 

[Author]

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