Ranking the five best backcourts in the NBA for 2015-2016

1 of 7

Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) and guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates with the Larry O’Brien Trophy after beating the Cleveland Cavaliers in game six of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Remember when there was a raging debate about the “best backcourt in the NBA”?

It hasn’t been that long since the conversation was a hot topic, but with a full season in the books since the peak of that discussion, it is time to revisit things. For the sake of amusement, Dion Waiters was at the center of the debate last time around, and the former Cavaliers shooting guard is now languishing in relative obscurity with the Thunder as a role player. That combined with the maturation of other young players across the league and the prominent return of some injured “stars” has created an explosion of talented duos, and that is what makes this fun.

For the sake of clarity, this is a discussion concerning starting backcourts only. Depth is exceedingly valuable across the league, but using the San Antonio Spurs and their three-headed backcourt of Tony Parker, Danny Green and Manu Ginobili as an example, that depth won’t be rewarded here.

This ranking should certainly generate discussion, especially with one prominent duo landing outside the top five, but keep in mind that the list also reflects how the backcourts act right now and it is not a future projection over the next handful of seasons. With the criteria out of the way, let’s take a look at the quintet of backcourts, beginning with the pairings that just missed the cut.

Next: Best of the Rest

Home/Chicago Bulls