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NBA: Top 5 Backcourts So Far in 2014

By Daniel Tran

November 1, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) high-fives guard Klay Thompson (11) during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Lakers 127-104. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
November 1, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) high-fives guard Klay Thompson (11) during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Lakers 127-104. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 4, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) high fives guard Klay Thompson (11) after a basket against the New Orleans Pelicans during the fourth quarter at Oracle Arena. The Golden State Warriors defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 112-85. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) high fives guard Klay Thompson (11) after a basket against the New Orleans Pelicans during the fourth quarter at Oracle Arena. The Golden State Warriors defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 112-85. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

What are the NBA‘s top five backcourts for 2014?

In the NBA, evolution of the game is inevitable. Initially, teams in the NBA with the biggest players usually saw the most success. Big players like George Mikan, Bill Russell, and Wilt Chamberlain dominated the landscape and gave credence to the phrase “bigger is better.”

The guard positions always had talent like Jerry West and Oscar Robertson, but they were an afterthought; more complementary pieces that completed a team rather than positions to build around. However, with the inclusion of the three-point shot in 1979, perimeter players were becoming more of a factor in the NBA.

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Then a skinny kid from North Carolina named Michael Jordan joined the NBA and made shooting guard the trendiest position in the league. His dominance from the perimeter intrigued team general managers enough for them to start taking risks on guards with the potential to produce like him.

The NBA then outlawed hand-checking, opening up the floodgates for guards to assert their dominance in the league. Guards did not have to deal with the constant pull of a defender impeding their progress with their hands so they were getting the basket with less resistance and, in turn, drew more fouls in their favor.

In today’s NBA, the two guard positions have evolved to be arguably the most important positions to fill with quality talent. To have two players that can create themselves as well as others from the perimeter is beginning to be an important part of the championship formula for many teams. Here are the league’s top five backcourts.

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