The Backcourt Template

[tugs]

I think we should continue here the interesting discussion that was started in the game thread. Chances are we'll be keeping our young core. Let's assume the starting PG and SG will be Russell and Clarkson next year, which duo is the ideal template based on their skill set?

Scenario A: Russell (PG), Clarkson (SG)

Billups-Hamilton
Arenas-Hughes
Nash-Richardson
Lowry-DeRozan


Scenario B: Clarkson (PG), Russell (SG)

Francis-Mobley
Wall-Beal
Hardaway-Scott

Any of those good models for their games?

[ALL HAIL]

Who is Hardaway-Scott?

[El Hardee]

With JC at PG they could be like a homeless mans version of Isaiah/Dumars with some size.

[El Hardee]

Hardaway/Scott is a good one cause the size.

[ALL HAIL]

With JC at PG they could be like a homeless mans version of Isaiah/Dumars with some size.

If this is true, then every player in the NBA is "a homeless man's version" of somebody great.

Thomas and Dumars was the best backcourt ever. There really shouldn't be any comparison with them at all.

Truthfully, it's hard enough finding good comparisons with just individual players, harder even still to compare two separate players and their collective chemistry.

Even more, trying to find a good model for a backcourt that has never had any chemistry to speak of only keeps a dream alive when, in reality, we really need to just wake up.

[El Hardee]

I was hoping you'd be able to see the logic in this instead of immediately going the hater route. The comparison comes from JC's ability to get inside the D, and Dlo's ability to break off a screen and spot up. Also the fact that like Dumars, Dlo can give you some back up burn at PG.

[El Hardee]

TBH though I think our backcourt is trash. Id like to ship both those bums out.

[tugs]

Penny Hardaway and Dennis Scott.

Yes the team is in shambles but hey, can we at least try to be optimistic?

Going back, given the tools I think they fit the Wizards '05 duo. DLo with Arenas shooting, less athletic though. Clarkson could be a more disciplined version of pre injury Larry Hughes.

[ALL HAIL]

The Steve Smith - Kevin Edwards backcourt circa early nineties Heat.

Russell (obviously) plays the part of Steve Smith (big, unselfish, jump shooting PG who is misplaced) while Clarkson plays the role of Kevin Edwards, who, although I'm sure is a rather obscure name for most, was a similar tunnel vision-type undersized guard with good athleticism and scoring instincts. Edwards, like Clarkson to Russell, was four years older than his counterpart and, also like Clarkson, played his best ball in his rookie year when the team was horrible and he was able to have lots of freedom on offense.

That's about as accurate as you'll get El.

[dockingsched]

Penny Hardaway and Dennis Scott.

Yes the team is in shambles but hey, can we at least try to be optimistic?

Going back, given the tools I think they fit the Wizards '05 duo. DLo with Arenas shooting, less athletic though. Clarkson could be a more disciplined version of pre injury Larry Hughes.

Backcourt was Penny and Nick Anderson

[kblo247]

Scenario A: Russell (PG), Clarkson (SG)

Billups-Hamilton
Possible but it requires Russell to develop a 3 point shot that is reliable, draw free throws, change pace, and become stronger. Requires Clarkson to play off rthe ball and become a mid range finisher who runs off screens.

Arenas-Hughes
Not even close. Arenas could drop 30 a night. Russell ain't the truth like that at all. Hughes was a 20/5/5 player. HE scored, ball handled, ran the offense, and he defended the best perimeter guy. That ain't happening for JC

Nash-Richardson
NAsh had great handles, Nash could change tempo and turn a corner, Nash could shoot the ball, and Nash could run all day. That's everything Russell can't do. Clarkson also isn't in the athletic realm of Richardson as a finisher, not does his catch and shoot 3 ball fall like that. J-Rich could also slide down to the 3 or small ball 4 if needed back in PHX and GS

Lowry-DeRozan
Russell isn't string enough, smart enough, tenacious enough to copy Lowry. Clarkson lacks size, strength, and the ability to replicate a go to move every trip down like Derozan.

Scenario B: Clarkson (PG), Russell (SG)

Francis-Mobley
Plausible. JC is an athlete and he can finish at the rim. Russell would need to develop his 3 ball and ability to post.

Wall-Beal
Those two are just different animals. Even when they are hurt, they are better and more athletic 9/10 nights. Won't happen

Hardaway-Scott
Anderson started next to Penny. And thats a shot and slight to MAgic Penny in all honesty as he was the type of dude who could take you to the finals, who could go in Chicago and challenge 23/33, and who would go at GP, Kidd, Stockton every night

Any of those good models for their games?

I mean I guess you could sight Marbury and old post microfracture Penny in Phoenix too.
Clarkdson has a similar IQ and over fondness of dribbling. Russell has a similar speed, level of athletic ability, and shaky shot. They might be the path to look at.

I can't personally compare them to any team that starts Gary Payton, Jason Kidd, or Stockton though. It's just too cringe.

[Landsberger]

Thomas and Dumars was the best backcourt ever. There really shouldn't be any comparison with them at all.

I would say Hardaway/Richmond, Drexler/Porter and Magic/Nixon - Magic/Scott were some damn good backcourts as well. Magic and Nixon put up over 16 Assists a game in the years they played together while each averaging at least 17ppg while going to a couple championships.