Fansided

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

By Brad Rowland

Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) celebrates a scoring play with guard Stephen Curry (30) against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half in game two of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) celebrates a scoring play with guard Stephen Curry (30) against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half in game two of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) is greeted by Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) after scoring during the second overtime period against the Milwaukee Bucks in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) is greeted by Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) after scoring during the second overtime period against the Milwaukee Bucks in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

2) Chicago Bulls – Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler

Which Derrick Rose are we getting?

That is perhaps the biggest question on this entire list.

Rose wasn’t particularly good in 2014-2015, struggling with his jump shot (28% 3-PT) on the way to a 49% true shooting. Still, he looked to be explosive at times and his raw per-game numbers (17.7 points, 4.9 assists per game) are certainly acceptable. This ranking builds in a bit more from Rose on the heels of reports that he looks fantastic from an athletic standpoint this summer, but aside from the obvious caveat of health, Rose must get back to his aggressive, basket-attacking ways in order to reascend among point guards.

Butler, on the other hand, had a coming-out party in 2014-2015 and it looks to be legitimate. The 25-year-old swingman was the recipient of the NBA’s Most Improved Player award after averaging 20.0 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, and his shooting improvement (37.8% 3-PT) was enormous. Butler is a rare player who can greatly impact the game on both ends, and after Harden, he is firmly in the mix among the next tier of high-end shooting guards in the league.

If Derrick Rose is the same player that he was in 2014-2015, this ranking is probably too high. Still, there is reason to believe he will be better as the injury concerns move further away, and Jimmy Butler is a full-blown stud.

Next: 1. Golden State Warriors

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