In nearly every regard, free agency in the summer of 2019 drastically reshaped the landscape of the NBA. The superteam era came to an end with Kawhi Leonard, Anthony Davis and Jimmy Butler all making moves to either set up new dynamic duos or to end a superteam.
While much has been made about the end of the superteam era, the shakeup to the vast majority of rosters has led to all sorts of new combinations. In New Orleans, for example, the entire lineup and roster underwent wholesale changes leading to a new backcourt of Jrue Holiday and Lonzo Ball, new wings in Brandon Ingram and JJ Redick and a new star to build around in Zion Williamson.
That Holiday and Ball backcourt combo present an intriguing pairing with two of the better backcourt defenders in the league. In fact, the shortlist of players who have a better backcourt defensively than the Pelicans has few, if any, names above the Pelicans.
With free agency in the rearview mirror and rosters essentially set, let’s take a look at the five best defensive backcourts in the NBA heading into the 2019-20 season. Of note, there were some liberties taken with regards to assuming players are healthy.
Honorable Mention: Victor Oladipo and Malcolm Brogdon – Indiana Pacers, Chris Paul and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – Oklahoma City Thunder
5. Mike Conley and Donovan Mitchell – Utah Jazz
Interestingly, all five pairs listed feature one player who either did not play last season or was not on the team last season. In this scenario, Mike Conley gives Donovan Mitchell a backcourt mate that is a perfect complement on both ends.
Conley will have big shoes to fill defensively as his predecessor, Ricky Rubio, is also one of the top defensive guards in the league. But both Conley and Mitchell received votes for All-Defensive Team honors last season.
While Synergy’s defensive metrics aren’t perfect, Mitchell graded out as a 72nd percentile defender last season and Conley a 75th percentile defender.
The two are each also versatile enough to guard either guard position which could help with some switching. Paired with arguably the best defensive player in the league in Rudy Gobert and the Jazz won’t miss a beat defensively this season.
4. Derrick White and Dejounte Murray – San Antonio Spurs
Derrick White broke out in his sophomore season with the Spurs last year. But his playing time increased largely due to an injury to Dejounte Murray.
Prior to last season, Murray had begun to establish a reputation on the defensive end before missing the entirety of last season with an ACL injury suffered in the preseason. In his absence, White stepped in and filled his role, earning four First Team All-Defense honors last season. Murray earned Second Team honors the year prior.
Now, with both back to full heath, the Spurs suddenly have not only one of the best young tandems in the league but also one of the best defensive backcourts.
3. Ben Simmons and Josh Richardson – Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers rebooted on the fly this summer after losing Jimmy Butler. The Sixers were able to bring back Josh Richardson, a more-than-serviceable guard to plug into the starting lineup.
More importantly to this discussion, it gives Ben Simmons a backcourt mate that has his own defensive chops. Simmons’ defensive reputation is as strong as any young players’ in the league as he has quickly established himself on that end of the court.
Richardson, meanwhile, earned three All-Defensive Team votes last season, graded out as a 65th percentile and fourth on the Heat in defensive rating last season among regular rotation players.
Replacing Butler on the defensive end is a task Richardson can’t do but he can still stabilize the Sixers moving forward.
2. Jrue Holiday and Lonzo Ball, New Orleans Pelicans
There is a potential for this duo to be at the top by season’s end as only one part of the pairing is holding them back.
Jrue Holiday’s defensive chops need no explanation. He was Second Team All-Defense last year and Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum still have nightmares about his performance against them in the playoffs two seasons ago.
For frequenters of this website, Ball’s defensive chops also need minimal explanation. He blossomed last season in Los Angeles before his injury and there were murmurs that he warranted some All-Defensive team honors. Injuries ruined that conversation but did not negate what he accomplished on the court.
If Ball can continue building on last season and play a full season – or more than 60 games – then this duo could wreak havoc on the league.
1. Patrick Beverley and Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers formed an absolutely nightmarish defensive lineup with the acquisitions of Paul George and Kawhi Leonard and the retention of Patrick Beverley.
How that lineup will be deployed is yet to be decided and could vary on each given night but the Clippers will have many, many nights in which Beverley and George are on the court together.
Last season, George was a First Team All-Defense while Beverley is one of the best defensive guards of his generation. Together, they’ll give opposing backcourts absolutely nightmares each night and will be a duo that could each make First Team All-Defense next year.
