Best (And Worst) Backcourts + Zombies

With some epic performances by some great backcourt duos and individuals this season we take a look at some of the best (and worst) backcourts the game has to offer today and in yesteryears. We even tackle the much debated question: Which backcourt would survive the zombie apocalypse? So make sure you read all the way through to the end...of the world.

Best Offensive Backcourt

Jake

This Season: James Harden & Chris Paul

All-Time NBA: Stephen Curry & Klay Thompson

I really shouldn't need to justify Steph and Klay's place as the All-Time NBA Backcourt, but I'll just throw out a few stats: 3/4 Finals wins, 2 MVPs, 7x All Stars, 7x All-NBA, a career combined 44 points per game and they own 7 of the top 9 most made threes in a season records. It's simple, if you were constructing a Championship backcourt, these two would be on your speed dial.

That's correct, The Beard and The Hamstring are the best OFFENSIVE backcourt in the NBA right now - I guess the first thing I'll need to do here is make the case for why the Splash Bros don't make my top of the list this season. Really it's to do with durability and efficiency, Curry is prone to being knocked around every season which despite his deadly effectiveness from anywhere on the floor, has made him look a little more human this year. Klay on the other hand is having a career low in efficiency, which is very out of character though we've seen some incredible games from him as usual. I've picked Houston's backcourt here mainly because of James Harden, who's been absolutely ridiculous - posting the 7th highest regular season scoring average of all time (36.2 points per game) and flipping the entire league's view on unassisted baskets, he's just that damn good. When we're talking about offense we've got to include creating opportunities - something CP3 has made a career out of... despite averaging a career low 15.3 points, the Point God is still averaging 8.3 assists a game and has looked completely re-energized since returning from injury - honestly, he ought to be on a "Tim Duncan" style plan at this point in his career, but when he's this dangerous night-to-night I'm worried for any team that meets Houston in the Playoffs.

Chad

This Season: Stephen Curry & Klay Thompson

All-Time NBA: Stephen Curry & Klay Thompson

I mean there isn’t much to add here. You pretty much covered it. But in regards to this season, I wanna give a nod to James Harden for what he’s accomplished this year. He’s the hands down MVP if you ask me. Only Giannis can make a case otherwise and really I don’t think he’s that close. But as a whole backcourt I would still say Steph and Klay are the best in the league this year.

The best backcourt on the best team can get overlooked because of the individual season Harden is having but both Steph and Klay are better than CP3. While I would take Harden’s season over Steph and Klay’s individual season no doubt, I can’t say that his season is better than the duo that is the Splash Bros. Scoring isn’t everything and throwing out a points per game stat seems kind of lazy but consider that Steph is averaging 28.0PPG and Klay is at 22.5 while CP3 is around 15.6PPG. Harden is averaging 36.1 but I would much prefer the reliability of a high-powered duo than a one man show who has a decent supporting cast.

Best Defensive Backcourt

Jake

This Season: Elfrid Payton & Jrue Holiday

All-Time NBA: Isiah Thomas & Joe Dumars

Love or hate them, or love to hate them... this tandem was a killer defensively. They led the Bad Boys to back-to-back titles and nearly three-peated if it wasn't for the legendary Isiah Thomas "sprained ankle game". Even if Joe Dumars was basically a nice guy employed by the leagues "Evil" team, these two were still a nightmare defensively, with 5 All-Defense spots between them as well as 7 All-NBA appearances. I didn't really choose these two for their absolutely defensive potency but more for the scheme that they were part of - if the NBA was the Star Wars universe then the Bad Boy Pistons were The Empire, Isiah was Darth Vader and Dumars was Darth Maul with crazy ass lock down defense.

This season I'll give the nod to the Pelican's backcourt of Elfrid Payton and Jrue Holiday - both long-limbed, agile and willing defenders, despite their franchise's dysfunction they've played hard every night and play more lock down defense than any other backcourt in the NBA.

Chad

This Season: Russ & P.G.

All-Time NBA: Ron Harper & Michael Jordan

First, I obviously have to explain my “This Season” choice being that P.G. is a small forward on Oklahoma City. I know I pushed the rules a bit here but Paul George was a shooting guard earlier on in his career and would still be if the NBA hadn’t gone sooo small. Considering both of the Thunder teammates are averaging over two steals per game and seem to be clicking in a way that is resulting in a ton of wins gets my vote for best something. Anything. I almost pushed the rules back and made them my best backcourt in the entire league.

As for all-time though…

I can’t argue that my backcourt is better defensively than The Bad Boys duo that you selected, especially since Dumars was one of the toughest guys for Jordan to play against, but Jordan was one of the greatest defenders of all-time. He’s one of the only players in NBA history to win league MVP, scoring champion, and defensive player of the year. Harper’s defense wasn’t something to be laughed at either. This choice is kind of like Harden and Paul for best duo in the league. Jordan clearly carries the heavy weight but Harper averaged over two steals per game for the first five years of his career as well as one more season and was averaging over one block per game as well. He was fading in those categories a bit when he finally linked up with M.J. but still was no slouch. Especially considering Jordan and Pippen stole literally, a lot of steals and blocks from the Ohio Flyer.

Most Athletic Backcourt

Jake

This Season: Russell Westbrook & Terrance Ferguson

All-Time NBA: Baron Davis & Jason Richardson

This seasons choice was easy really, despite some crazily athletic backcourts for other teams like... well, none... I can't think of any other backcourt pairing where both players have the potential to break rims. Russell Westbrook must have some kind of childhood trauma involving basketball rims because the dude HATES THEM. I've been following Terrance Ferguson since he was back in Australia and his Instagram page was always filled with ridiculous dunks, but the fact that he pulls those high flying acrobatics out in games is just unreal, if he was on a team that allowed him to handle and shoot the ball more I could seriously see some Zach LaVine style basketball being played.

Baron Davis and Jason Richardson are also a super easy pick for the most athletic backcourt of all time, these two had the potential to shut down a whole building by posterizing whoever was stupid enough to meet them at the rim. Despite their lack of defensive potency they were the type of duo that had the whole building standing in their seats while they ran on a fast break. Their time together was short and led to a crazy upset against the no.1 seeded Dallas Mavericks, but they never quite looked like the same players after that season.

Chad

This Season: Khris Dunn & Zach Lavine

All-Time NBA: No Argument

I’ll be straight up about this. I had Russ and Ferguson as my backcourt here as well but just to be different I’m going with Zach Lavine and…well…really it’s all about Lavine. The dude can fly. If my VPN was working (Jake and I write this blog from China in case you weren’t aware) I’d insert some hyperlinks of Lavine dunk contest dunks but alas, you’ll have to look them up yourself. But really though, Lavine can jump from the free throw line, go between the legs, and effortlessly flush the ball through the hoop. I’m not arguing he’s more athletic than Russ. I don’t think any or at least many people are. But that dunk is something I feel confident in saying Russ can’t do. And Khris Dunn isn’t a poor athlete by any means either. I don’t have much to say about his athleticism but he’ll hold things down well enough to be the second best (maybe…) duo behind Russ and Ferguson.

I have no argument for Baron Davis and Jason Richardson. Well done research right there. Not sure I would’ve even thought of them but now that I have I can’t think of a better back court. I searched through M.J.’s squads, checked just to make sure Dominique and Dr. J were small forwards, looked over Clyde the Glide’s teams in Portland and Houston, and even went back to David Thompson. None of those guys were paired with another elite level athlete or at least not one that I could find video footage of. I can’t exactly make a case for David Thompson and Jim Price when I don’t even know who Jim Price is. So after doing my due diligence, I think you got this one exactly right. So right I can’t even push the limits of the question to give another answer.

Best Ever Backcourt

Jake

All-Time NBA: Stephen Curry & Klay Thompson

I'm not even going to take the time to justify this one. I'd love to throw a spanner into the works and pick a backcourt like Kobe and Fisher or Manu and Parker but I just can't bring myself to snub these two, they've earned their reputation as the deadliest duo in NBA backcourt history.

Chad

All-Time NBA: John Stockton & Michael Jordan

Well, there’s definitely a trend here. You’ve done such a good job in picking these duos that I can’t come up with better options without fudging the rules. So with my choice I’m having to go with the 1992 United States Olympic Dream Team. The first time ever the world had seen the best basketball athletes on the world stage and they were led by Stockton at point who is renowned as the NBA’s overwhelming leader in both career assists and steals (likely to never be matched) and M.J. himself. And actually, come to think of it, Magic may have started those games for the Dream Team. So if I’m choosing between a backcourt of Jordan beside Magic or Stockton I’m feeling pretty good even if this wasn’t exactly a fair fight.

*Shrugs shoulders and throws hands up like M.J.*

Worst Ever Backcourt

Side Note: That's the first image that comes up when you Baidu "Luke Kennard" and no pictures of the actual Luke Kennard show up on the first page of results.

Jake

This Season: Reggie Jackson & Luke Kennard

All-Time NBA: George Hill & Patrick Christopher

I nearly had Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson in this spot, but Sexton's recent play has shown doubters that he does have potential in this league beyond driving into seven-footers and throwing the ball out of bounds every other possession. For my All-Time, I've got a special one for you - George Hill is by no means a bad starter, but Patrick Christopher is another story... Who? You ask? Well, Patrick Christopher was called up from the G-League and started one game for the Jazz alongside George Hill, dislocated his kneecap and never played another minute for them. I'd call that the definition of worst EVER, even under sad circumstances.

Chad

All-Time NBA: Freddie Boyd & Fred Carter

So, who are Fred & Freddie? Possibly the inspiration for Ed, Edd, and Eddy? Who knows? But that would be a better claim to fame than their 1972-1973 season where they led the Philadelphia 76ers to 9 wins. Yes, that’s 9 wins in a full 82 game season. And get this… They had four wins heading into February, rattled off five wins out of seven games from Valentine’s Day until the end of February and then lost out the remainder of the season. Sounds miserable if you ask me. But at least with a win on Valentine’s Day they may have been cheery for their significant others which will call a moral victory in the careers of these historically great non-winners (even when it’s true, “losers” just sounds too mean).

Dishonorable Mention: Kendall Marshall & Jodie Meeks of the 2013-2014 Lakers.

Meme-worthy Backcourt

Jake

This Season: John Wall & Bradley Beal

All-Time NBA: JR Smith & Kyrie Irving

For my take this season - it's absolutely got to be the most dysfunctional pairing in the entire league, Wall and Beal have a historically tense and awkward relationship both on and off the court. Beal's play is almost transcendent when Wall doesn't play alongside him and both players have spent years claiming their relationship is fine - everybody knows it's not. I feel like memes are built from this kind of dysfunction so keep up the good work guys.

For my All Time take I had to go with JR... how can you not?! The guy has memes all over the internet already and is known for his ridiculous antics - i.e. turning up pre game on a hoverboard, taking his shirt off whenever humanly possible and perhaps the dumbest play in basketball history. You do you JR, we love it. Next to him I'll gladly take Mr Flat Earther himself, Kyrie Irving. This guy might not have so many meme worthy moments but his one liners could keep me amused for a LIFETIME.

Chad

This Season: Russell Westbrook & Terrance Ferguson

All-Time NBA: Allen Iverson & Anyone

This season and every season currently I gotta go with Russ. Ferguson is a non-factor here. Russ’ faces he makes when giving interviews and doesn’t approve of a question are epic meme material. The level of disgust is on another level. And if you need some kind of meme or GIF to demonstrate just how pumped you are for something there’s nothing better than a post-Westbrook-dunk flex session with scowl plastered all over his face.

As for my all-time selection… Again the other guard doesn’t matter. It’s all about A.I. and really only one moment. The “We’re talking about practice” is the single greatest meme-worthy moment in NBA history as far as I’m concerened. Kids who don’t even know what Iverson was like as a player quote that interview. I know this from experience coaching high school aged kids. Iverson will live forever in internet lore for that one.

"Could Survive a Zombie Apocalypse" Backcourt

Jake

This Season: James Harden & Chris Paul

All-Time NBA: Also The Beard & CP3

The Houston Rockets backcourt could not only survive a zombie apocalypse - it would thrive. In the catastrophic event that the undead rise in ranks Game of Thrones style and begin to take out the general population, I envision Chris Paul and James Harden living their best life in the Staples Center. "The Staples Center?" you might say. That's right, Chris Pauls old stadium holds the key to their survival because if by chance the zombies got through the multiple gates and heavy duty doors in their swarms, CP3 would calmly take Harden down to the secret tunnels he so famously knows about under the Center. Also I believe James Harden's beard has enough storage room for months of rations and supplies. If it all fails dramatically and they end up in a showdown face-to-face with the zombies, let's just hope it's an undead Rajon Rondo so we can see a LA vs HOU Throwdown Part 2.

Chad

This Season: Russell Westbrook & Terrance Ferguson

All-Time NBA: Samesies

I don’t think there is a backcourt duo in the league now or ever that could survive the zombie apocalypse. OKC is no different. “But wait, you picked Russ and Ferguson?” True, but both of them aren’t surviving and only one is making an extensive stay in zombie land. Ferguson is a lucky man to be teamed up with a monster type athlete in Russ who has just enough screws loose to hallucinate that a zombie was holding a phone in his face and then completely losing it and going into zombie destruction mode. Like real life Call of Duty. But ultimately everyone perishes in Zombie Mode. So while Russ buys Ferguson several weeks before the next swarm of zombies invades the midwest, without Russ as protection, Ferguson is toast with Brodieberry jelly.

"Most Likely To Get Hazed Despite Being Seasoned Veterans" Backcourt

Jake

This Season: Reggie Jackson & Luke Kennard

All-Time NBA: Mario Chalmers & any guard not named D-Wade

This was a tough one. Because having the "backcourt" theme implies it must be two players worthy of hazing at the guard spot... which is difficult considering the trend towards youth that the league has taken. So I went with everybody's favourite nobody, Reggie Jackson - this dude has complained his whole career in OKC about not getting the recognition or minutes he deserves, all because he balled out for like 3 games in the playoffs one time... but now he's trash, probably the trashiest starting guard in a league where Ron Baker gets starts in NYC. I like Luke Kennard but Reggie Jackson has to be my pick and Luke Kennard just happens to share the backcourt with him. I feel like with strong personalities like Blake on the Pistons that Reggie is commonly on the donut-run.

For All-Time, give me Mario Chalmers and any other Heat guard who played next to him except the man himself, D-Wade. Chalmers was the Heat's big-three's favourite scapegoat and although he had a "fight-back" attitude I feel like the pressure of all the veterans the Heat used to restock each year as cogs in the Big-Three machine probably meant Chalmers got most of the Rookie Duties. Still, if it made me a three time Champion - I'd carry anybody's bags to the bus.

Chad

This Season: Lonzo Ball & Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

All-Time NBA: Smush Parker. (That should be read as Smush Parker PERIOD)

I’ll keep this short. Lonzo should be self-explanatory and not necessarily because of him but because of the attention his family brings to the equation and I guess potentially he could get hazed for his rap music. I’ve never listened to it but I know people like to hate on hoopers that rap. And then Kentavious Caldwell-Pope…is he still on the team?

Smush… Oh man, Smush. Kobe notoriously hated this kid. His fourth and fifth seasons were with L.A. and they had to be torture being alongside one of the most ruthless competitors the game has ever seen who was still at a point in his career where he hadn’t figured out how to lead. I can only imagine the hazing, verbal abuse, and much more Smush had to endure during those seasons.

On that sad note, if you have any other suggestions for duos that we missed please send them our way in the comments.