Best Backcourt in the NBA?

[INFORMER]

It was a valid debate at one time.

Agreed. Once upon a time, Deron Williams was a force to be reckoned with.

[JCSunsfan]

It was a valid debate at one time.

Agreed. Once upon a time, Deron Williams was a force to be reckoned with.

It seems like people were always expecting Deron to take that next step up, but he never quite did.

[Indy]

I felt like he did for a good 2 years or so. But from there it didn't continue on that trajectory, or even plateau; he just regressed. If 5 years ago you were talking about pairing those two, it likely would have been the best backcourt in the game.

[INFORMER]

I felt like he did for a good 2 years or so.

Me too.

[LazarusLong]

I thought Deron was going to be a better shooting version of Jason Kidd. Then he left Utah ...

Part of the problem is you have two Alpha players in the Nets backcourt who prefer the rock in their paws 24/7. They are not exactly complementary.

[Superbone]

Somebody's reading this site. We come in at number three on USA Today's list:

http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/n ... /16499279/

1. Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson

Curry's the star here, but Thompson came out of his shell this summer for Team USA. What pushes the "Splash Brothers" to the top is a mix of potential and experience. Curry (26) and Thompson (24) are in their primes right now.

They're entering their fourth season starting together, and last season they broke their own NBA record for three-pointers made by a pair of teammates. No one shoots better, and Thompson's defense helps allow Curry to be a world-beater on offense.

2. Washington Wizards' John Wall and Bradley Beal

Here's a hunch: A year from now, these two will be at the top of this list. Because of injuries (mostly in 2012-13), Wall and Beal have played 109 games together. But they're young (Wall is 24, Beal 21) and have developed chemistry quickly, in both senses of the word.

Wall's fast breaks leading into Beal three-pointers give Wizards fans a glimpse into the future. And both are versatile had have potential to be excellent defenders as they grow.

Photos: Phoenix Suns Media Day

3. Phoenix Suns' Goran Dragic and Eric Bledsoe

The dual-point guard backcourt comes in third on our list, though last year's results provide an argument for a higher spot. The Suns were 24-11 when Dragic and Bledsoe started together.

But that was their first experience together, and it's tough to invest too much in 35 games. Will teams figure out coach Jeff Hornacek's scheme? Give these guys another year together, especially with Bledsoe's knee being healthy.

[INFORMER]

it's tough to invest too much in 35 games

Apparently not.

[ShelC]

Deron isn't a leader. He wants to blend in, come in and play ball. He's not a floor general where he's going to get on guys and lead. That's where Paul excels.