Ranking the five best backcourts in the NBA for 2015-2016
By Brad Rowland
5) Houston Rockets – Ty Lawson and James Harden
Admittedly, this pairing has some uncertainty.
Ty Lawson arrived in an off-season trade from Denver, and his value has plummeted to the point of no return after yet another DUI arrest. Still, the now 27-year-old has averaged 16.3 points and 9.2 assists per game over the past two seasons combined, and there is no one who questions his ability as an above-average point guard if the off-court issues subside.
With that out of the way, James Harden is the best shooting guard in the league and it isn’t particularly close. The runner-up for the 2014-2015 MVP award made huge strides last season on the defensive end, and his offensive production (27.4 points, 7.0 assists per game) speaks for itself.
Harden and Lawson would likely land second overall on this list if not for Lawson’s issues, and if things go well from a “fit” perspective, the sky is the limit. Expectations must be couched a bit, both by those off-court dealings and the presence of Patrick Beverley, but Lawson is a top-15 point guard in the NBA when he’s right and Harden’s greatness carries the pair to the top five.
Next: 4. Miami Heat