RealGM

Curry and Jordan is almost surely the best backcourt you could have when you consider the fit advantage over someone like Magic

What's the next best backcourt - you can't use either Curry or Jordan.

CP3-Kobe would be a good fit.

CP3 can have tremendous value without putting up a lot of shots.

Magic-Kobe also an option.

TheGOATRises007 wrote:CP3-Kobe would be a good fit.

CP3 can have tremendous value without putting up a lot of shots.

Magic-Kobe also an option.

I agree on CP3-Kobe.

Very late prime CP3 was insanely effective next to Harden. Kobe is better AND more effective off-ball with Harden, he'd have been tremendous next to a peak Paul.

'15 CP3 and '08 Kobe.

Dame & Kobe

Magic Johnson and Dwyane Wade/Kobe Bryant depending on how many years it is for. I feel that Magic's FT% and late 3 pt %'s show he could have easily adapted as a spot up shooter, and as choppy as Kobe's 3 pt % could be, nobody is giving him open 3's. Pretty easy IMO.

ardee wrote:

TheGOATRises007 wrote:CP3-Kobe would be a good fit.

CP3 can have tremendous value without putting up a lot of shots.

Magic-Kobe also an option.

I agree on CP3-Kobe.

Very late prime CP3 was insanely effective next to Harden. Kobe is better AND more effective off-ball with Harden, he'd have been tremendous next to a peak Paul.

'15 CP3 and '08 Kobe.

We saw 21/22 Booker and Paul pan out very well together too, so all the more support

From a two way player perspective, Wade and Jerry West would be absolutely tantalizing together.

I like tall guards, Magic playmaking with Gervin scoring would be a formidable combo. with tremendous matchup

Relative to era, it's easily West and Oscar. Both have good size, athleticism, playmaking, scoring, Oscar is a big physical defender while West is a quick steal machine. Both have elite rts% and good playoff performances as well.

Relative to era, it's easily West and Oscar. Both have good size, athleticism, playmaking, scoring, Oscar is a big physical defender while West is a quick steal machine. Both have elite rts% and good playoff performances as well.

Dr Positivity wrote:Curry and Jordan is almost surely the best backcourt you could have when you consider the fit advantage over someone like Magic

What's the next best backcourt - you can't use either Curry or Jordan.

I'm not sure I can grant the premise.

If I'm building the best possible backcourt, I'd like to have one of the great geniuses of playmaking out there, and neither Jordan or Curry qualify.

My instinct would probably be to pair one of Jordan/Curry with one of Magic/Nash if we're just going with the best offense.

If I were to do it without Jordan or Curry? Hmm, I'll say:

Magic (or Nash) and Jerry West

West can play on or off ball, can play read & react, can drive, and has range I'm confident would extend beyond the arc.

I may roll out something like LeBron/Kawhi in terms of Peaks.

Magic/Kobe or CP3/Kobe

Oscar/West or Magic/Wade.

1990 Magic + 2008 Kobe.

I also think an offense with 1990 Magic and Curry might have a higher regular season ORtg than an offense with Curry and 1991 Jordan, though I would take the latter pair because as we all know regular season offense ≠ playoff offense.

Magic's passing in the halfcourt in this era would be even more devastating than Jokic. Magic alongside Curry is a cheat code to manufacture open 3pt looks for the best shooter ever. With the 3pt shot Magic developed later in his career he would even be able to present the spacing value that is so critical in modern offense.

2013 LeBron and 1966 Jerry West.

Or, 2013 LeBron and 2008 Kobe.

LeBron is a cheat code in these kinds of backcourt discussions.

Magic/West

Magic/LeBron are the best from a pure talent perspective. Pair them with a couple 3&D players and a rim protector/lob threat and you're golden.

Sadly, I'm not really familiar with Oscar or West's game (or that era in general).

I'll just throw in Magic Johnson + Reggie Miller, which is admittedly a more offense-driven backcourt. Imagine how much of a headache that would be for defenses with the GOAT on ball playmaker PG + best non-Steph Curry off ball shooter of all time playing together. Obviously Magic has been mentioned a bunch here, but I'm surprised Reggie Miller hasn't been mentioned at all.

If we weigh defense more heavily, I'll consider Kidd + Miller for a bit of balance, which is probably going to be an unpopular opinion.

SilentA wrote:Sadly, I'm not really familiar with Oscar or West's game (or that era in general).

I'll just throw in Magic Johnson + Reggie Miller, which is admittedly a more offense-driven backcourt. Imagine how much of a headache that would be for defenses with the GOAT on ball playmaker PG + best non-Steph Curry off ball shooter of all time playing together. Obviously Magic has been mentioned a bunch here, but I'm surprised Reggie Miller hasn't been mentioned at all.

If we weigh defense more heavily, I'll consider Kidd + Miller for a bit of balance, which is probably going to be an unpopular opinion.

GOAT on ball playmaker is Stockton, Nash probably second, maybe Paul enters the mix if you want a low turnover offense which is certainly a consideration. Magic brings a massive toolkit of rebounding, post play, versatility, etc. that neither Stockton or Nash can approach which is why he's the GOAT PG but if you are only looking at the ability to get the ball to teammates in their best position to score, it's Stockton and Nash.

Kidd and Frazier are the GOAT defensive PGs but I'd have Frazier above Kidd overall fairly easily for his superior rts%, ability to get his own shot, off ball play, and clutch performances particularly in the two finals series. Kidd gets more rebounds and assists but not by such a margin as to make up for Frazier's advantages. IF you are talking length of career, then that gives Kidd another advantage though I'd still take Frazier for career value as Kidd's great defensive days don't match up with his competent outside shooting days terribly well.