New Orleans Pelicans: Ranking the Top-Ten Backcourts in the NBA
#4: Chris Paul and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
When the Thunder traded their two best players it looked like it was time for another rebuild.
All-NBA wing Paul George was sent to the Clippers in a historic haul and Westbrook was jettisoned for Chris Paul, who was thought to be in the twilight of his career.
The Oklahoma City Thunder were rebuilding and it looked like all that talent they once had would never yield a title.
Someone forgot to tell the Thunder.
They were the five seed in the Western Conference before the suspension of play, largely due to the brilliance of Paul and the all-around game of backcourt mate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
The form one of the most potent pick-and-roll combinations in the league. Ask the New Orleans Pelicans, who had no answer for it in a recent loss.
The versatility of these two on both ends of the floor allows the Thunder to play a three-guard lineup that has evolved into the best crunch-time five in the NBA.
Paul is still averaging 17.7 points, 6.8 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game and is the best floor general in the NBA.
He’s making his case as the best pure point guard of all time, which is high praise, but deserved.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s combination of elite defense and offensive firepower make him the perfect guard to pair with Paul.
SGA is averaging 19.3 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.1 steals in just his second year in the league.
Their combination of experience, savvy, youth and talent make the Oklahoma City backcourt one of the best in the NBA.