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The Best Young Backcourts In The NBA

By Mika Honkasalo

December 3, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry (30, left) and shooting guard Klay Thompson (11) celebrate during the fourth quarter against the Toronto Raptors at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Raptors 112-103. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
December 3, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry (30, left) and shooting guard Klay Thompson (11) celebrate during the fourth quarter against the Toronto Raptors at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Raptors 112-103. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 13, 2013; Orlando, FL, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving (2) and shooting guard Dion Waiters (3) against the Orlando Magic during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2013; Orlando, FL, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving (2) and shooting guard Dion Waiters (3) against the Orlando Magic during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Kyrie Irving and Dion Waiters, Cleveland Cavaliers

Year-to-Year PER
Kyrie Irving: 21.4 – 21.4 – 20.1. Rank 27th
Dion Waiters: 13.7 – 14.0. Rank 164th

The Irving/Waiters combo had a pretty depressing season. Kyrie looked like he took a step back, Waiters pouted a lot and stopped running back in transition and reports of friction between Waiters and Irving surfaced. I actually blame a lot of this on Mike Brown (who should vacation for a year on some island, the guy is getting paid by two teams to not coach), whose uncreative offense has been the bane for development for these two. Even during the LeBron James era, Mike Brown never manage to create a good offense, which is punishable to say the least.

Waiters really struggles at the rim, shooting only 47 percent from there, well below the average and not what you would expect from a guy who does and can get to there so well.

Waiters has a tendency to put his head down and barrel down the lane without giving a second thought to making the next smart play.

Kyrie had a down year shooting the ball and on too many possessions the offense came down to “My turn,” “No, it’s my turn,” type of offense. There’s literally no weakside movement. Ever.

Add Jarrett Jack, a ball dominant guard, to that mix and you’ll quickly find there aren’t enough balls to go around. The Cavs tried to capture some of that magic Jack and Curry had together last year, but it failed miserably.

Kyrie is not as smart playing without the ball as Curry and Mike Brown didn’t institute enough of an offense to get him to come off screens creatively. Irving just looked frustrated with the lack of a system around him, and basically jacked up shots with no conscience for most of the season.

Seriously, is there any reason for Kyrie to be ranked 162nd in spot up situations on Synergy Sports? The guy is a lights out shooter, figuring it out isn’t rocket science. The Wall-to-Beal type of; “First I run a pick and roll, then I swing it and you get to do it but it’s easier because a guy is flying at you” offense hasn’t worked between Irving and Waiters so far, surprising since both are talented shooters and ball handlers.

In addition to the lack of creative offense, both Irving and Waiters were at times embarrassing on defense. Neither showed much effort contesting shots or fighting over screens.

Next season when the Cavs play again, watch for Dion Waiters corner 3s where he stops to admire his shot in a pose for five seconds. There are literally times when after the shot is missed his man will score on the other end of the floor in transition and Waiters won’t be even close to making it on the screen. It’s baffling and has to go.

I’ve probably been a bit too negative on these Irving and Waiters so far, it’s just that last season was a disappointment, this Cavs team was good enough to make it to the playoffs on paper. Whoever the coach is the next will hopefully do a better job of instituting a system that takes advantage of both players skills.

Again, most of this in my mind is on Mike Brown. If they can get a good coach next year they have a chance to right the ship. Irving extension is looming and he absolutely should be given the max whether or not he deserves it yet. You have show goodwill and hope that a player as talented as Kyrie makes the leap. Remember, the rookie scale max isn’t that large satrting off around $15 million a year, instead of the kind of $30 million super-max Carmelo Anthony is posed to get.

Kyrie is one of the most creative and talented offensive players in the entire league and this backcourt should have a chance to vault themselves into the same conversation with Beal/Wall and Curry/Thompson. Perhaps already next year.