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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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Apr 25, 2014; Portland, OR, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) loses the ball as Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) and guard Wesley Matthews (2) defend during the first quarter in game three of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Portland Trail Blazers – Damian Lillard and Wesley Matthews

Both Lillard and Matthews make up the leagues best backcourt that no one talks about. While NBA analysts are fawning over any of the other backcourts on this list, the Lillard-Matthews combination stays hidden in the quiet northwestern region of the United States. In some ways, that is appropriate for these guards.

Lillard was relatively unknown coming out of Weber State and a lot of people wondered why he was drafted with the sixth overall pick in 2012. He went on to prove why the Trail Blazers picked him so high by winning rookie of the year.

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One way the Miami Heat can easily improve their offer for Damian Lillard /

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    • If Lillard was relatively unknown, Matthews was essentially nonexistent aside from being Wes Matthews’ son. After playing four years at Marquette, Matthews went undrafted in 2009 and was signed by the Utah Jazz. He joined the Portland Trail Blazers the next season where he showcased his deadeye shooting.

    Matthews continues show his sniper-like accuracy from beyond the three-point line in 2014, shooting 38.8 percent from that range this year. It is also his accuracy from inside the arc that has made the difference this year. Matthews is shooting a career-best 61.7 percent on his two-point field goals, helping him score a career-high 16.5 points this season.

    Lillard can penetrate in the lane well and find open shooters like Matthews all game long, but his offensive prowess is something to marvel at as well. Lillard averages 2.5 threes per game while shooting 38.2 percent from the three-point line. He has been ridiculous finishing at the basket, shooting 67.9 percent within three feet, which has been the main contribution to his 20.4 points per game.

    With Lillard coming off an All-Star appearance and Matthews as steady as ever from the outside, the Portland backcourt is quietly killing opposing teams this year.

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