Ranking Kyrie Irving, Luka Dončić and the NBA’s Best Offensive Backcourts Since 2015

David KenyonFeatured Columnist IVJune 8, 2024Ranking Kyrie Irving, Luka Dončić and the NBA’s Best Offensive Backcourts Since 20150 of 7

Ron Jenkins/Getty Images

With the Dallas Mavericks amid an NBA Finals run, star guards Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving have sparked a debate.

During the 2024 Western Conference Finals, analyst and former NBA coach Stan Van Gundy called them the “most talented backcourt” in league history. Hyperbole or not, there are numerous ways to define that statement—yet it’s clearly focused on their offensive abilities.

So, we’re taking a look at the last decade of the NBA and highlighting some of the most impressive duos.

To shape the order, we considered each player’s production and efficiency while also considering impact on team success.

Note: Positions are based on Basketball Reference data. In other words, point-forward LeBron James is not included.

7. John Wall and Bradley Beal1 of 7

Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

In another galaxy, John Wall and Bradley Beal became an unstoppable tandem that complemented each other wonderfully.

Unfortunately, the Washington Wizards had to settle for an incredibly talented “what-if” duo. Wall struggled with injuries from 2017-18 to 2019-20, playing in just 73 games during that stretch.

But, man, it was a fun backcourt.

Within the criteria, they played five years together. Wall averaged 20.1 points and 10.0 assists as he collected four All-Star honors and an All-NBA spot, while Beal netted 21.3 points per game and landed two All-Star selections.

Washington made the postseason in three of those years, though it advanced only as far as the second round.

6. DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry2 of 7

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

Hindsight is unkind to this duo, given that the Toronto Raptors traded DeMar DeRozan for Kawhi Leonard and proceeded to win an NBA championship in the following season.

Still, the peak of the DeRozan/Kyle Lowry partnership was strong.

They shared the floor in Toronto for six seasons, including four years (2014-15 to 2017-18) within our timeline. In those campaigns, they combined for seven All-Star teams and three All-NBA nods while propelling the Raptors to the playoffs in each season.

Behind them, the Raps made the franchise’s first trip to the Eastern Conference Finals (2016) and won an East-leading 59 games (2018).

5. Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum3 of 7

Abbie Parr/Getty Images

Longevity offers a boost for Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum, whose time on the Portland Trail Blazers overlapped for seven-plus seasons in our criteria and eight-plus overall.

The problem—which is largely why they’re no longer sharing the floor—is Portland could not navigate the postseason. Look, it didn’t help that the Golden State Warriors simultaneously hit their peak in the Lillard/McCollum era. However, the Blazers only won three playoff series in seven appearances within our timeline.

Nevertheless, similar to Wall and Beal, this duo thrived on the offensive end of the floor.

From 2014-15 through 2020-21, Lillard secured five All-NBA and All-Star honors with 26.2 points per game. McCollum, the league’s Most Improved Player recipient in 2015-16, tallied six 20-point averages. Both were efficient, high-volume three-point shooters, too.

Portland dealt McCollum to the New Orleans Pelicans around the trade deadline in 2022.

4. Devin Booker and Chris Paul4 of 7

Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images

Devin Booker and Chris Paul just made so much sense.

By the 2020-21 campaign, Booker had become a star player for the Phoenix Suns. However, the franchise won no more than 24 games in his first four seasons and managed a 34-39 mark in the previous year. Phoenix needed a jolt—and found it with Chris Paul.

The veteran played a key role in the Suns ending an 11-year playoff drought and making the NBA Finals. In three seasons with Phoenix, CP3 averaged 15.1 points and 9.5 assists with a pair of All-NBA and All-Star nods.

Booker, meanwhile, poured in 26.6 points per game and earned his first All-NBA team, along with two All-Star appearances.

In addition to taking the Western Conference in 2020-21, the Suns posted a league-high 64 victories in the following year. They didn’t win a title with Booker and CP3, but their offensive output was terrific.

3. James Harden and Chris Paul5 of 7

Justin Tafoya/Getty Images

A few years before his time in Phoenix, Chris Paul shared the court with James Harden and looked like the foil to Golden State’s dynasty.

Unfortunately for CP3, an untimely injury in the 2017-18 playoffs stung what we remember as the Houston Rockets’ best chance to dethrone the Warriors. That year, though, Houston amassed an NBA-best 65 victories as Harden won the league MVP and Paul averaged 18.6 points and 7.9 assists.

One season later, the Rockets rode Harden—the NBA’s scoring leader at 36.1 points per game and MVP runner-up—and CP3 to 53 victories. Paul recorded 15.6 points and 8.2 assists per game.

Houston moved in a new direction after another postseason loss to Golden State, shipping Paul and a ton of draft capital to Oklahoma City in the ill-fated Russell Westbrook trade.

So, yeah, the memories are a little bitter. Still, in the moment, Harden and Paul formed a stellar duo.

2. Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving6 of 7

Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images

After requesting a trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers following the 2016-17 season, Kyrie Irving struggled to find a proper fit on the Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets. Injuries and off-court matters clouded his tenures.

So far, that’s not the case on the Dallas Mavericks.

Acquired near the 2023 deadline, Kyrie has settled into a featured role alongside Luka Dončić. Most notably, they’ve propelled the Mavs to the NBA Finals in their first full season together.

Irving’s craftiness and shooting range has beautifully played next to Dončić’s overwhelming scoring ability and creativity. They combined for nearly 60 points per game in the 2023-24 regular season as Dončić finished third in MVP voting and landed yet another All-NBA spot.

The height of excellence from both players tethered with significant playoff success is enough to outweigh their minimal longevity.

1. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson7 of 7

Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images

Really, it’s not even a contest.

Klay Thompson’s post-injury decline can blur the memory of his outstanding prime years. From 2014-15 to 2018-19, he racked up 21.6 points per game at a stellar 42.3 three-point clip. Thompson was an absolute nuclear scorer, evidenced by his record 37-point quarter in 2015.

During that handful of seasons, Thompson made two All-NBA teams and five All-Star rosters.

Not a bad complementary player, you know?

Steph Curry has stacked his trophy case in the last decade, winning two MVPs while landing nine All-NBA and All-Star selections. Golden State has celebrated four championships as Curry—the 2022 Finals MVP—averaged 27.2 points and 6.2 assists with a 42.1 long-range mark since 2014-15.

Purely from a skill perspective on offense, Doncic and Irving may be more gifted. No tandem can come close to matching what Curry and Thompson have produced and accomplished with the Dubs.