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Could the Golden State Warriors still have the NBA’s best backcourt?

By Justin Fried

TORONTO, ONTARIO - JUNE 10: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts against the Toronto Raptors in the second half during Game Five of the 2019 NBA Finals at Scotiabank Arena on June 10, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ONTARIO - JUNE 10: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts against the Toronto Raptors in the second half during Game Five of the 2019 NBA Finals at Scotiabank Arena on June 10, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Golden State Warriors
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – MAY 08: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets stands on the court during their game against the Golden State Warriors in Game Five of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at ORACLE Arena on May 08, 2019 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Golden State Warriors (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

1. The Primary Competition

So the question remains, are the Warriors still the kings of the backcourt? They’ll certainly have some increased competition this year.

Chief among those will be the insanely talented duo of James Harden and Russell Westbrook on the Houston Rockets.

The duo has made a combined 15 All-Star appearances, been selected to seven first-team All-NBA teams, and are the only backcourt duo to have each previously won an MVP award.

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On top of that, from 2015-2019, either one of Harden or Westbrook has reigned as the NBA’s scoring champion with the exception of the 2016 season.

On paper, the Rockets have the most talented backcourt and it’s hard to argue that. But what can be argued, however, is Westbrook’s fit in Houston’s system.

Both Harden and Westbrook are ball-dominant players and it will be interesting to see how the duo coexists in head coach Mike D’Antoni‘s system.

They’re each owners of two of the highest-usage seasons in NBA history. The offensive firepower should be limitless, but so should the turnovers.

Essentially, the Rockets will be asking two players who have seen their respective offenses run exclusively through them to share the ball. It could work, but it could also blow up in their face.

But from a pure talent standpoint, it’s hard to find a better backcourt duo than Harden and Westbrook.

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