NBA Golden State Warriors

Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson Are League’s Best Backcourt

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By @DSchultz89

Stephen Curry Klay Thompson NBA Golden State Warriors

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The Golden State Warriors are hoping to bounce back from a disappointing season last year where they finished with the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference and eventually bowed out in the first round to the Los Angeles Clippers.

After they gave the San Antonio Spurs all they could handle in the second round during the 2013 NBA Playoffs, it was surprising to see a young team with such potential take a step back and exit the postseason much earlier than a lot of people anticipated.

The Warriors fired head coach Mark Jackson over the summer and hired Steve Kerr to take his place. It will be compelling to see how Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson get along with Kerr, being that both were very loyal to Jackson, especially after he called them the “greatest shooting backcourt in the history of the game” during the 2013 NBA Playoffs.

The Warriors present a very strong case for having the best backcourt in the league because of the sharp-shooting from both Curry and Thompson. During the regular season last year the duo combined for 42.4 PPG of the Warriors’ 104.3 PPG team average. Curry shot 47 percent from the field and 42 percent from three-point range, while Thompson chipped in with a 44 percent mark from the field and 42 percent clip from outside.

The shooting ability of Curry and Thompson has never been questioned by anyone. Both are largely considered to be the best shooters at their respective positions, and both have the green-light to pull at all times given how lethal they are from anywhere on the floor. Both of these guys also possess a lightning-quick release that makes them virtually impossible to block, let alone bother or affect their shot.

In terms of defense, Curry must improve on this front. Sometimes it appears as though he is playing “matador defense”, being that he occasionally settles for reaching for the ball before quickly pulling his hand away as to not foul his opponent as he drives past him. Given the quickness he possesses not just with his feet, but also with his hands demonstrated when he is firing rocket passes to open teammates on offense, it seems to boil down to sheer effort on this part of his game. He has all the necessary tools to be a pesky defender who can get steals and contest shots, but he must work on his defensive footwork and positioning as to not let his man blow by him many times during the game. Thompson’s deceptive length has aided his reputation as a strong defender who can guard point guards, shooting guards and small forwards. Many consider him to be a capable, talented defender.

While Curry has little left to master in terms of his offensive game, I would also like to see Thompson develop a shot off the dribble. He is a knockdown shooter when he is receiving a pass for an open shot, especially in transition, but I want to see him work on his ability to create his own shot. This will make him all the more deadly and could potentially turn him into an All-Star this season if he works on it.

Personally, I believe that Curry and Thompson are the best backcourt in the NBA. You will certainly not find a more confident or talented shooting duo in the league. I think John Wall and Bradley Beal of the Washington Wizards are also a fantastic duo, while Goran Dragic and Eric Bledsoe of the Phoenix Suns impressed last year. It will also be interesting to see how Kyrie Irving and Dion Waiters of the Cleveland Cavaliers continue to develop their respective games.

Curry and Thompson are fully aware that this is their team and they will go as far as they can take them. The Warriors have some terrific role players that fit their team well, but it will mostly be up to Curry and Thompson again to propel this team farther than last year.

If they can work on improving certain aspects of their games, they will become even better players and the Warriors should become a juggernaut in the West. I am sure both Curry and Thompson feel like they are the best backcourt in the league too, and it is time for them to prove it once again this season.

Dan Schultz is an NBA sports writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on twitter @dschultz89. “Like” him on Facebook and add him on Google.

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