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Johnson and Valanciunas are both two of the NBA’s better pick-and-roll screeners, and they’re taking advantage of playing with Lowry and Vasquez. Johnson, a ninth-year pro, said he’s never played so much with two point guards simultaneously.

“Not quite like this, when you have two guards on the floor that are threats,” Johnson said. “It’s just so dangerous. When you swing the ball, I can go set a pick-and-roll with Vasquez. If you swing it, I can go set a pick-and-roll with Kyle and attack. And then you’ve got shooters. It’s kind of a good weapon.”

Having two point guards who can throw entry passes also helps Valanciunas’ post-up game. Lowry and Vasquez can throw the ball around the perimeter, quickly changing entry-pass angles that become difficult to defend.

“They see the floor,” Valanciunas said. “It’s easy for me to be under the basket, represent myself.”

“It’s easy to play with another point guard,” Lowry said. “G is an unbelievable playmaker. He knows the game, knows how to play.”

Lowry could be speaking for himself there, which is exactly why this pairing works so well.

It sounds great in theory: have two young, quick point guards split time in the backcourt on a fast-paced, up-and-coming team.

But making it work on a tangible level is another issue entirely.

Rarely, if ever, do you see a backcourt whose efficiency is, essentially, parallel.

But what is it about Dragic and Bledsoe, specifically, that has led to the increased productivity?

It starts with their respective skill sets. If a tandem, interchangeable backcourt is to work, both point guards must possess the ability to see the floor and score the ball at an operative rate. Rather, they not only need to create offense for their teammates but also for themselves while maintaining pace, control and fluidity.

Dragic and Bledsoe do exactly that.

But it also requires both players to make a sacrifice for the betterment of the team. Indeed, Dragic and Bledsoe could likely average more points or assists in a different system, but sharing the ball and playmaking abilities for the Suns this year has led to immediate, real success.

And that makes everyone happy.

The backcourt of Dragic and Bledsoe has given the Suns an indelible identity – one of camaraderie, hard work and a collective belief in each other.

All more than fitting characterizations of the Suns’ season.

In actuality and with all due respect to Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry, Bledsoe and Dragic are the best backcourt duo in the Association right now. There’s no other duo in the league that provides the versatility, leadership, and play-making ability that Bledsoe and Dragic do for this Suns team consistently. Wednesday night was just another example of their prowess, but if I’m drafting a team in a must-win game and have to select a current backcourt pair, Bledsoe and Dragic are the two I’m getting to suit up.

cw3k wrote:KEYWORDS: SACRIFICE and SHARING

Not going to happen with this team, not under McHale anyway.

MaxRider wrote:

cw3k wrote:KEYWORDS: SACRIFICE and SHARING

Not going to happen with this team, not under McHale anyway.

mchale game plan is keep passing the ball
problem is haren
can't blame him
he has to