Ranking the five best backcourts in the NBA for 2015-2016
By Brad Rowland
4) Miami Heat – Goran Dragic and Dwyane Wade
Here is another pairing with a wide range of outcomes, but both players are capable of big things.
Wade was very good (again) in 2014-2015, even if we can assume he’ll miss 20 games per season. The now 33-year-old averaged 24.3 points, 5.5 assists and 4.0 rebounds per 36 minutes last season, and even with a dip in his efficiency (53.4% true shooting), he managed to post a 21.4 PER for Miami. Throw in the fact that the Heat were battered with injuries to Chris Bosh and others throughout the season, and Wade can reasonably be slotted into a slightly diminished role that will allow his trademark efficiency to rebound.
Dragic isn’t quite the player that he was in 2013-2014 (20.8 points per 36 minutes), but he is a solidly above-average point guard. That solid across-the-board performance returned in Miami after he exit from Phoenix, and if he can return to 36% shooting (his career average) from three-point range, the Heat will be terrifying offensively.
At this point, the “upside” of Wade and Dragic isn’t as high as the groups from Washington or Houston can provide, but both players are going to be quite effective when on the court and that safety is valuable.
Next: 3. LA Clippers