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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 – JUNE 13: Danny Green #14 of the Toronto Raptors is defended by Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors in the first half during Game Six of the 2019 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 13, 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) /

3. The Bottom Line

Ultimately, the Warriors could still very well have the best backcourt in the NBA. No, they’re not as talented as Harden and Westbrook and they don’t have the chemistry that Lillard and McCollum have, but the duo of Curry and Russell has the potential to be the best in the league.

Curry is still Curry and nothing will change that. And Russell should be able to provide a whole new element to the Warriors’ offensive gameplan that should include more of a pick-and-roll-based attack.

Where the unit could struggle, however, is defensively.

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The Warriors will really feel the absence of Thompson on the defensive side of the court as neither Curry or Russell could match Thompson’s defensive pedigree. But from an offensive standpoint, they should be able to match the production, albeit in different ways.

So then what’s the consensus? Really there is none — at least not yet.

If Harden and Westbrook work out in the way that the Rockets are hoping that they will, then it’s going to be hard to defeat that backcourt. But the bold aren’t always rewarded and Houston could find that out the hard way this season.

If Curry and Russell could improve defensively and if Russell could build off of his breakout 2018-19 campaign, then the Warriors’ backcourt could once again claim the top prize.

And if neither happens, the always steady duo of Lillard and McCollum should still be in the running to receive the prestigious title.

The 2019-20 season should serve as an answer for many of the questions that remain unsolved. For now, all we could do is speculate.

Next. Golden State Warriors: 3 players facing the most pressure going into 2019. dark

But make no mistake about it, the duo of Curry and Russell should be right up there with the best in the NBA regardless of what happens.

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