Ranking the Best Backcourt Duos In The NBA
By John Kim
Ty Lawson and Andre Iguodala
Feb 27, 2013; Portland, OR, USA; Denver Nuggets shooting guard Andre Iguodala (9) and point guard Ty Lawson (3) walk off the court after defeating the Portland Trail Blazers at the Rose Garden. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
Ty Lawson and Andre Iguodala could easily have been the second best backcourt duo in the NBA in 2012-13. Unfortunately, their first round playoff departure has bumped them down a spot.
Regardless of their ranking, the Lawson-Iguodala duo proved to be one of the most dangerous combinations of speed, strength, defense and “clutch” play in recent history.
Lawson averaged 21.3 points per game against the Warriors in the 2013 Playoffs. As much as I hate to admit it, he tore up the sound Warriors’ defense with a quickness that would be difficult to find anywhere else in the league. Only having been in the league for four seasons, Lawson is proving to not only be a fast guard, but a smart one as well. He has learned to draw contact, creating opportunities to score by increasing his free throw attempts in each of his four seasons.
Iguodala, though not the scoring threat like he used to be earlier in his career, proved against the Warriors that he can still ball. He scored 18 points per game, and often provided clutch three-pointers late in games to keep Denver close throughout the series. A fierce rebounder, playmaker and defensive stopper, Iguodala may not be the best, or even second best, player on the Denver Nuggets, but he will always make a solid contribution.