The Best Backcourt of the Last 20 Years: The Semifinals
MikeWe closed voting at 2:35 PM today on round two, after counting more lead changes than last night’s Eagles/Cowboys shootout. While both one-seeds trounced as expected, the 2 vs. 6 matchup in the Robertson bracket and the 2 vs. 3 match-up in the Cousy bracket were both decided by three votes.
Some of you argued that the ’04-05 version of Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili isn’t the best one, instead suggesting the ’06-07 season when TP won the Finals MVP. But in the ’05 Finals, many people argued that Manu should have taken the MVP award over Tim Duncan, and Parker’s assists were substantially higher than they were two years later.
And truthfully, we didn’t implement the “snapshot of this year” rule for pairs like Parker and Ginobili. Even if their numbers waver a bit over the course of those three years, they’re essentially the same two players. (If you took Tim Hardaway in ’90-91 on the other hand, he attacked the rim with a fierce tenacity that wasn’t as big a part of his game ten years later when he became more of a jumpshooter in Miami.) That’s why we wanted to center everyone’s take on each duo on a given season.
Unfortunately the Spurs’ backcourt won’t have a chance to prove themselves again as they fell to MJ and sharpshooting B.J. Armstrong. Check the rest of the results of round two here, and vote on the Semifinals below.
Round Two
Oscar Robertson Bracket
1. ’89-90 Detroit Pistons (28 votes)
Isiah Thomas
Joe Dumars
vs.
4. ’94-95 Utah Jazz (7 votes)
John Stockton
Jeff Hornacek
–
6. ’04-05 San Antonio Spurs (17 votes)
Tony Parker
Manu Ginobili
vs.
2. ’92-93 Chicago Bulls (20 votes)
B.J. Armstrong
Michael Jordan
Bob Cousy Bracket
1. ’88-89 Los Angeles Lakers (33 votes)
Magic Johnson
Byron Scott
vs.
5. ’04-05 Phoenix Suns (2 votes)
Steve Nash
Joe Johnson
–
3. ’88-89 Portland Trailbalzers – (19 votes)
Terry Porter
Clyde Drexler
vs.
2. ’90-91 Golden State Warriors – (16 votes)
Tim Hardaway
Mitch Richmond
Round Three
Oscar Robertson Bracket
1. ’89-90 Detroit Pistons – Won Finals vs. Trailblazers
Isiah Thomas – 18.4 ppg, 1492 pts, 43.8% FG, 42 3PM, 30.9% 3FG, 3.8 rpg, 9.4 apg, 1.7 spg
Joe Dumars – 17.8 ppg, 1335 pts, 48.0% FG, 22 3PM, 40.0% 3FG, 2.8 rpg, 4.9 apg
vs.
2. ’92-93 Chicago Bulls Won Finals vs. Phoenix
B.J. Armstrong – 12.3 ppg, 1008 pts, 49.9% FG, 62 3PM, 44.6% 3FG, 1.8 rpg, 4.0 apg
Michael Jordan – 32.6 ppg, 2541 pts, 49.5% FG, 81 3PM, 35.2% 3FG, 6.7 rpg, 5.5 apg, 2.8 spg
Bob Cousy Bracket
1. ’88-89 Los Angeles Lakers – Lost Finals vs. Detroit
Magic Johnson – 22.5 ppg, 1730 pts, 50.9% FG, 59 3PM, 31.4% 3FG, 7.9 rpg, 12.8 apg, 1.8 spg
Byron Scott – 19.6 ppg, 1448 pts, 49.1% FG, 77 3PM, 39.9% 3FG, 4.1 rpg, 3.1 apg, 1.5 spg
vs.
3. ’88-89 Portland Trailbalzers – Lost Western Conf first round to LA
Terry Porter – 17.7 ppg, 1431 pts, 47.1% FG, 79 3PM, 36.1% 3FG, 4.5 rpg, 9.5 apg
Clyde Drexler – 27.2 ppg, 2123 pts, 49.6% FG, 27 3PM, 26% 3FG, 7.9 rpg, 5.8 apg
-->
September 16th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
smity far away says:
isiah/dumars
magic/scott
September 16th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
Jim says:
1,1
September 16th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
sans says:
MJ/BJ
Magic/Byron
both pairs averaged more than there opponent, and Magic and Michael are superior to Isiah and Glide.
September 16th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
YOUNGFED says:
isaih dumars
magic/scott
September 16th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Sam I Am says:
IT WAS A SET UP TO GET HIS GAYNESS against Magic
Anyways…
92-93 Bulls
88-89 Lakers
September 16th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
John says:
MJ vs Magic ,,, If you look the average , MJ and BJ beat the pistons in every category (-assists), And if add the factor that the sucess of that bad boy team in beating chicago so many times was that 5×1 defense on Jordan. Put 2×2 and Jordan would smoke anybody for a dunk or a wild open jumpshot for BJ.
September 16th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
chekmate says:
Air Jordan versus Magic
September 16th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
loc says:
1. ’89-90 Detroit Pistons
_______
3. ’88-89 Portland Trailbalzers
September 16th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
Ian says:
sam i am
u r so fukin right bro
the seedings were bs
but i still will vote against his gayness
detroit and lakers
why detroit cuz the bad boys usually beat the shit outta the bulls
and lakers cuz hey its the best guard in the history of the nba magic
September 16th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
Ian says:
john
is not 2 on 2 and the pistons didnt do a 5 on 1 defense they usually did a 5 on 4 shutting down everyone else
its just that the highlights u see on tv are of some bad boy puching jordan in the face (that was beautiful shit)
September 16th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Belgian Dunker says:
MJ vs Magic
I agree with sans: stat-wise and star-player-wise this is the way to go. Or maybe it’s just because I never liked the pistons and I thought the blazers were boring.
September 16th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
Sam I Am says:
@ Ian
YOU ROCK….
I don’t know but I just couldn’t stand Jordan, still don’t and he played in the hometown of DC on top of that…
I change my vote….I’m going with the
89-90 Pistons
September 16th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Habitual Line-Stepper says:
MJ/BJ
Magic and Co.
September 16th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Da Lake Show says:
Got to go with Bad Boys backcourt becuz they was knocking jordan all around like a ragdoll. Zeke/Joe D here for me
how can u not take showtime. im going with Buck/B. Scott. scott is one of the most underrated shooters of all time. and he actual shoots a real jump shoot.
tell glide to get a right hand. LOL
September 16th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
marcus the great says:
Magic vs Michael
September 16th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
Richard from Cleveland says:
i’d say mj & bj and magic & Scott
It’s like at that time u got 2 be a fool 2 bet against Jordan just bcuz he’s the goat he can make up what bj does not do.
September 16th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
pimpdaddy says:
ian, how’d i know some faggot-ass like you would vote against jordan…and once again ian, we all know it’s not a 2-on-2 contest. thanks for continually pointing that out…you are such a stickler for rules that our brethren at DIME should make you the official person who tattles on people when they break the rules…what a cryin’ ass whore…anyway, jordan and bj armstrong would take down the pisstons like they did in real life…(unfortunately, to not upset little ian boy, i refrained from giving scores with my predictions/facts…also, i will have to go with magic & b.scott in the opposite bracket (once again no scores here ian). people that dislike/hate on mike do it out of jealousy & envy..they either wish their favorite players could hold a candle to “his airness” or their favorite players/teams were forced to stand by hopelessly & helplessly as “the greatest” denied them their champoinship rings…ian, hope i didn’t break any more rules & upset the poor lil’ baby…
September 16th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
Mad Max says:
Isiah and Joe
Vs
Magic and Scott
September 16th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
NC says:
His Airness & Showtime..
EAZY .
September 16th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
ERIC says:
MJ/BJ
MJ/BS
September 16th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
USA < International all stars says:
pistons vs blazers
September 16th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
nick says:
zeke/joey d
magic/byron
September 16th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
MC3 says:
B.J. Armstrong/Michael Jordan
Magic Johnson/Byron Scott
September 16th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
James says:
B.J/M.J.
Clyde/Porter
September 16th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
C-Penn says:
BJ/MJ
Magic/BS
September 16th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
BALLZ says:
mjbj
magicbyron
bullslakers
September 16th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
rodnets says:
Oscar Robertson Bracket
MJ BJ
Terry Porter Clyde the Glide
September 16th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
justice says:
isiah/joe d
porter/drexler
September 16th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
J says:
jordan would not let the bulls lose and if it wasnt for jordan clyde would be much more talked about, and tp was definately better than scott, even though scott had sick fast break dunks where hed hang on the rim
bulls vs blazers
September 16th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
justice says:
hard to go against the goat but as someone stated yesterday, this is for the best backcourt not the better overall player killing everyone…
damnit man why is this so hard
September 16th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
Big V says:
Thomas/Dumars
Magic/Scott
September 16th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
John says:
Zeke/Joe
Johnson/Scott
September 16th, 2008 at 6:09 pm
Tim says:
Zeke and Joe woudl take MJ and BJ down….Joe would lock Jordan up like always, and then Zeke would just give BJ the business all day…
Magic and Scott on the other side.
September 16th, 2008 at 6:12 pm
Tim says:
Just to explain
Everyone must forget that Jordan hated playing Joe D…Jordan has many times called him the hardest guy to play against, best defender he had to go at…that counts for something in my book…which is why Jordan would lose to them Bad Boys…
September 16th, 2008 at 6:17 pm
mraj2345 says:
To the 2 idiots( Sam I Am & Ian’s punkass’s) referring to MJ as his gayness. You can call him what you will but the fact still remains that he was and will be the greatest player ever. You could have put a biddy basketball guard in the backcourt with MJ and they still would have been better than Isaih & dumars, magic & scott. Basically anyone that ever played.
Jordan and any bulls teamate in the backcourt with him by a landslide!!!! Stop hatin’ on the GREATEST EVER YOU FAGGOTS
September 16th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
it ain't easy being green says:
detroit
Lakers
September 16th, 2008 at 6:58 pm
rangerjohn (IKE IS MY BITCH) says:
DIME you guys are wrong on the TP manu thing, you are saying parkers assists where “substantially higher” in 05, they where not even 1 whole assist, 6.1 vs 5.5 in 07. not to mention parker averaged 4.3 vs 5.8 in the playoffs respectively. parker shot a better %, rebounded more, and averaged more points in 07 then he did in 05. he was up in EVERY CATEGORY except assists which dropped .6 assists.
manu had a great playoff in 05, and averaged 3.5 points more in the playoffs in 05 then he did in 07 but then his season averages where nearly identicle both seasons, give or take less then .5 points, his averages where all up in 07 over 05 except the playoff points.
since they where eliminated by the jordan nut huggers then i will have to say the best back court is dumars and zeek over all the rest.
vote for the pistons (i cant believe i said that being a spurs fan)
September 16th, 2008 at 6:58 pm
moose23 says:
Bulls Vs Lakers
September 16th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
rangerjohn (IKE IS MY BITCH) says:
oh yeah did i mention, parker and ginobilis minutes where even down in 07 vs 05 and of the total field they average the shortest minutes of everyone in the field.
to late, let me say it for everyone else, mj is god but the pistons where better in the combined back court
September 16th, 2008 at 7:08 pm
K Dizzle says:
Zeke and Jo just got more balance than BJ and Mike. I wouldn’t have Fish and Kobe(the best comparison I can make to BJ and Mike) beatin Joe D and Zeke in they prime.
1) Zeke and Joe
In my Lakers defense, we all know the reason the Pistons won they first chip was cuz Earvin and Byron both got hurt in the Finals.
2)Earvin and Byron. See y’all in the finals cuz this comp ain’t even close lol
September 16th, 2008 at 7:14 pm
Ian says:
pimpdaddy
i know u r 12 and a little bitch
i can vote for whoever i want nostradamus and bj and jordan taking the pistons like they usually did hahahahahahahahahahahahah
get your facts straight
88 89 90 pistons 91 bulls
sure usually did the piston owned jordan
u just talking out your ass cuz your friend told u jordan is best ever and u cant decide shit on your own
please jjust vote and get a life
why do i stick to the rules cuz fools like use an excuse not in the rules to vote for your fav player MRAJ just proved my point about fans like u saying shit like jordan and anyone is the best back court ever
please did u and him get to suck on his gayness dick when u 2 were babies cuz from your posts i can feel that cockloving energy u have hidden inside
again who appointed jordan as the best ever U nostradamus please go suck a dick
September 16th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
Ian says:
mraj
so that is a fact really he is and always will be the best ever
so if i get a jordan card that is a stat printed on the back ?
idiot
September 16th, 2008 at 7:28 pm
Prof. TX says:
thomas/dumars
johnson/scott
They’re the #1 seeds for a reason.
September 16th, 2008 at 8:21 pm
A.R. says:
Thomas/Dumars. Don’t understand estimate Dumar’s defense
Magic/Scott. I love Drexler but come on…
September 16th, 2008 at 8:41 pm
pigswithlipstick says:
ian you are a dumbshit beeotch i will write like you with no commas or periods and people will think i’m retarded who’s your daddy you slut jordan best player ever is a recorded stat
September 16th, 2008 at 8:44 pm
pigswithlipstick says:
jordan and bj vs. magic and byron in the finals nuff said yall lil bitch ass marks
September 16th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
jim says:
mj/bj
magic/b.scott
September 16th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
deyknow says:
bulls/lakers
September 16th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
bcz says:
his airness & armstrong
erv (magic) & b.scott.
September 16th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
junkie jay says:
bulls
lakeshow
September 16th, 2008 at 9:48 pm
jl90 says:
hahahha trailbalzers! oh and 1/1
September 16th, 2008 at 10:35 pm
Luigi says:
Magic/Byron…
Isiah/Joe. i mean 2 studs at the backcourt. considering Isiah was CP3 before CP3..n Joe-D was a bonafide scorer/defender…
BJ was a PG who could defend n shoot..AKA my type of player… n MJ…welll its MJ……so im considering MJ/BJ
so MJ/BS n MJ/BJ
September 16th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
Heaven Is A Playground says:
MJ and BJ Armstrong are the best 1-2 combo of all time. Much respect to Magic/scott, Zeke/Joe D, but MJ would own them. Beside Zeke don’t shake hands of he loses, sore loser.
September 16th, 2008 at 11:09 pm
Lord of the Void says:
MJ/BJ
MJ/BS
September 16th, 2008 at 11:10 pm
C-Penn says:
MJ & BJ over Isiah
Like a bulemic on a teeter totter
Believe that
September 16th, 2008 at 11:39 pm
JSN says:
‘troit vs. Showtime
That year Zeke and Joe D were pretty much unstoppable that year… they even went 25-1 at one point. They beat chicago in the conf. finals too.
and to all the ‘troit haters here, go educate yourself http://www.nba.com/history/season/19891990.html
IMHO MJ was not the GOAT, he was only the best of the 90s. He didn’t beat the 80s players at their prime. (Just like Lebron is not the best player in the nba right now, but surely will be sooner or later).
September 16th, 2008 at 11:52 pm
raf says:
MJ
Magic
September 17th, 2008 at 12:16 am
jay says:
MJ – GOAT
MAGIC – TRIPLE DUB
September 17th, 2008 at 12:36 am
w says:
1 and 1.
September 17th, 2008 at 1:13 am
House says:
Ian, your so gay.
September 17th, 2008 at 1:14 am
House says:
lakers vs. pistons too.
-iana.
September 17th, 2008 at 1:26 am
BrickLayer says:
Bulls Lakers Final
September 17th, 2008 at 1:27 am
LL says:
WORD!
WU-Tang
September 17th, 2008 at 1:30 am
LL says:
ZEKE vs. Magic
WORD what house said. LMAO
September 17th, 2008 at 1:53 am
Ian says:
jsn
be carefull sayin the jordan wasnt the goat people here think that u have to vote for him cuz his their fav players
house
thats what u comeback with “u r so gay”
isnt that what school kids tell each other
pigs
pleaseeee get off jordans nuts
tu quieres comas y puntos por que no vas y se lo mamas a tu papa
get someone to translate that for u retard
September 17th, 2008 at 1:55 am
Ian says:
pigs
if i write and miss somethings pleaseee dont assume im dumb or a faggot like u(period) english is my third language and i know u can barely read(period)
September 17th, 2008 at 2:01 am
Ian says:
why isnt jordan the best imo.(happy pigs)
one he didnt beat the best he won after the good teams got old or separated (lakers celts pistons) he finally fot over the pistons when they were old
two the 90s werent nearly as strong as the 80s
three the only 2 finals the bulls woulda have a challenge didnt happen rockets 94 spurs 99 (teams with a center which jordan didnt get to play in the finals)
four i ranked magic ahead of jordan as the best guard ever cuz the pg position is more important
September 17th, 2008 at 2:26 am
junkie jay says:
bulls
lakers
September 17th, 2008 at 2:38 am
solomon says:
BJ / MJ – coz it’s effin MJ, man
Magic / Byron – coz they’re better, period
September 17th, 2008 at 3:02 am
biggeddy says:
Pistons vs Lakers in the Finals:
Didn’t MJ once say that nobody in the league defended him better the Joe Dumars? And lets not forget the destruction that Isaiah would administer to BJ.
And Blazers vs Lakers are during the same season. Magic won MVP that year and Lakers went on to the finals (which were over before they even got started when Scott pulled a hammy… followed by Magic pulling his soon thereafter).
September 17th, 2008 at 3:20 am
Bee says:
isiah/joe-D
magic/scott
September 17th, 2008 at 3:49 am
sean says:
IAN… U R PRETTY GAY. I SECOND THAT.
GREATEST GUARD IS MJ, MORE CHIP’S WITHOUT A BIG MAN.
WHO WON MORE CHIP’S WITHOUT A LEGIT CENTER/PF OR EVEN CAME CLOSE. WHO WOULD YOU WANT MORE WITH DA BALL BESIDES YOUR MOMS.
September 17th, 2008 at 3:55 am
wowzers says:
pistons lakers
September 17th, 2008 at 6:01 am
SparkyJay23 says:
MJ Vs MJ
September 17th, 2008 at 6:04 am
Amar says:
lakers/pistons
September 17th, 2008 at 9:22 am
Sam I Am says:
JORDAN IS SOME TRASH
September 17th, 2008 at 9:34 am
JSN says:
They say magic had over 20000 women through his career, but I’m starting to think that jordan fathered at least 30000 kids… and none of them grew up and are posting right here.
(This is when some of them will start counting posts and saying that it would be impossible for all 30000 to post here, like always missing the whole point and going after the numbers).
Jordan, Best of the 90s… all time? Don’t think so.
September 17th, 2008 at 9:40 am
John says:
Michael Jordan/ BJ Armstrong
Magic Johnson / B Scott
September 17th, 2008 at 9:41 am
Mosris says:
His Airness/ BJ
Magic/ B.Scott
September 17th, 2008 at 9:42 am
Kingsley says:
2. ’92-93 Chicago Bulls
B.J. Armstrong – 12.3 ppg, 1008 pts, 49.9% FG, 62 3PM, 44.6% 3FG, 1.8 rpg, 4.0 apg
Michael Jordan – 32.6 ppg, 2541 pts, 49.5% FG, 81 3PM, 35.2% 3FG, 6.7 rpg, 5.5 apg, 2.8 spg
1. ’88-89 Los Angeles Lakers
Magic Johnson – 22.5 ppg, 1730 pts, 50.9% FG, 59 3PM, 31.4% 3FG, 7.9 rpg, 12.8 apg, 1.8 spg
Byron Scott – 19.6 ppg, 1448 pts, 49.1% FG, 77 3PM, 39.9% 3FG, 4.1 rpg, 3.1 apg, 1.5 spg
September 17th, 2008 at 10:00 am
JA says:
Bulls
Lakeshow
September 17th, 2008 at 10:06 am
snoop_robb says:
Armstrong/Jordan
Porter/Drexler
September 17th, 2008 at 10:30 am
Quedas says:
Michael Jordan & BJ Armstrong
Michael Johnson & Byron Scott
September 17th, 2008 at 10:31 am
Quedas says:
Crap…
Michael Jordan & BJ Armstrong
MAGIC Johnson & Byron Scott
Is what I meant…
September 17th, 2008 at 11:05 am
DO says:
isiah thomas / joe dumars
magic / byron scott
September 17th, 2008 at 11:38 am
junior says:
Oscar Robertson Bracket
1. ’89-90 Detroit Pistons – Won Finals vs. Trailblazers
Isiah Thomas – 18.4 ppg, 1492 pts, 43.8% FG, 42 3PM, 30.9% 3FG, 3.8 rpg, 9.4 apg, 1.7 spg
Joe Dumars – 17.8 ppg, 1335 pts, 48.0% FG, 22 3PM, 40.0% 3FG, 2.8 rpg, 4.9 apg
Bob Cousy Bracket
1. ’88-89 Los Angeles Lakers – Lost Finals vs. Detroit
Magic Johnson – 22.5 ppg, 1730 pts, 50.9% FG, 59 3PM, 31.4% 3FG, 7.9 rpg, 12.8 apg, 1.8 spg
Byron Scott – 19.6 ppg, 1448 pts, 49.1% FG, 77 3PM, 39.9% 3FG, 4.1 rpg, 3.1 apg, 1.5 spg
September 17th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
Meica says:
Oscar the Great Bracket:
Isiah and Dumars over Jordan and BJ. They were the only ones able to stop Jordan, and they’re still the only ones who could stop #23.
Magic and Scott over the Blazers. I still think that the Warriors should have one here though.
September 17th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Smooth says:
Oscar Robertson Bracket
2. ’92-93 Chicago Bulls
B.J. Armstrong
Michael Jordan
Bob Cousy Bracket
1. ’88-89 Los Angeles Lakers
Magic Johnson
Byron Scott
September 17th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
andy c. says:
Oscar Robertson Bracket
2. ’92-93 Chicago Bulls
B.J. Armstrong
Michael Jordan
Bob Cousy Bracket
1. ’88-89 Los Angeles Lakers
Magic Johnson
Byron Scott
2. ’92-93 Chicago Bulls
B.J. Armstrong
Michael Jordan
Bob Cousy Bracket
1. ’88-89 Los Angeles Lakers
Magic Johnson
Byron Scott
September 17th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Kanobi says:
i don’t understand some of the comments that you guys are saying.
In 92-93 Jordan dominated the pistons who had the same backcourt as they did back in 89-90. They could not guard him one on one. They would hit him. THEY COULD NOT GUARD HIM ONE ON ONE. Remember that. Not even Dumars or Thomas.
If these teams honestly played each other, the Bulls would smash the Pistons.
Magic and Scott, would dun circles around the Blazers. Magic got hurt that year in the Conference Finals, which is the only way that the Blazers beat the Lakers
September 17th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
mean gene says:
bulls lakers.
September 17th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Red says:
It would be a tough decision, but i’d go with Zeke-n-Dumars. I’d have to go against da GOAT because BJ would be playing outta his league against ZEKE or Dumars. When you think of a great backcourt, do you really see yourself saying “Damn we wouldn’t have won that ring if it weren’t for Armstrong.”
September 17th, 2008 at 10:16 pm
KT says:
Love Isiah and Joe, but they would not be able to match up to MJ and BJ. We forget that Babyface Armstrong was shooting 50% from the field that year.
MJ/Babyface vs. Magic/Bryon
The Magic/Bryon matchup doesn’t even need to be discussed.
September 21st, 2008 at 12:37 am
crossphaded says:
Price/Harper all day.
I think Jordan/Harper was better than Jordan/Armstrong. Weak.