(c) PBA Media Bureau
So, the performance of the backcourt is vital to the success of the team. So, who are the top 5 backcourt duos this conference?
Let us see.
#5 Chris Banchero & Jayvee Casio
This could be the most underrated backcourt in the league. They are not flashy and both are more of traditional point guards than the modern ones.
Banchero is currently averaging the highest assist per game of 6.4 and support that with 9.4 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. On the other hand, Casio is as steady as ever with his 9.2 points, 3.1 assists, 2.4 rebounds and just 0.6 turnover per game.
This duo complements each other very well. On defense, Banchero will defend the better offensive guard and on offense, Casio's do-it-all-right style makes him an excellent off-the-ball option.
#4 LA Tenorio & Scottie Thompson
The old basically meets the new with this duo. Tenorio is the classic small, fast, skilled and intelligent point guard while Thompson is the stat-filling player who is a supernova in terms of rebounding.
LA's three-point shooting is not clicking in this conference, only hitting 34% from beyond the arc. Of course, Thompson is also not a threat with his 29% efficiency. Overall, this is the worst three-point shooting duo out of these five best.
Other than shooting, these two are more than capable to provide everything. Their combined 12.6 rebounds and 10.0 assists per game are the highest marks in this ranking.
#3 Chris Tiu & Maverick Ahanmisi
We know by now that Tiu is having a renaissance conference. He is suddenly a top 15 guard in the league, again. On the other hand, Ahanmisi is not slowing down in his rise as one of the faces of the Elasto Painters.
Tiu is still a traditional point guard who slows down the game and make decisions like a chess player. He is producing 12.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 43% 3FG per game. On the other hand, Maverick is manufacturing 10.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.8 steals per game.
That 1.8 steals per game of Ahanmisi is the most tantalizing number. It speaks a lot about his near-elite defense that Rain or Shine badly needs. Do not forget also about the crunchtime ability of Tiu.
#2 Terrence Romeo & Jayson Castro
In terms of star power, this duo should be #1. But, the two are still building chemistry on the court, so their best form is still coming.
Both are known for being high usage players but with the system of coach Nash, they are moving towards democracy. They average a total of 10 assists per game but if you stretch it to 36 minutes of play, you will get 15.5.
Defensively, Romeo and Castro may not contribute that much but to say that they are liabilities on that side of the court is an overstatement. What they can do on the offensive end easily outweighs what they cannot add on the defensive side.
#1 Chris Newsome & Baser Amer
This is the top backcourt and it is not even close. Newsome has emerged as a Most Valuable Player candidate this season while Amer may have a claim to the best PG throne in the league, already.
Newsome is averaging 17.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 48% 3FG per game. Don't tell me you don't see that as an MVP-level statline? There are only two players who are recording more than 5 rebounds and 5 assists per game. They are Justin Brownlee and Newsome.
Amer is unloading 13.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 41% 3FG per game. I think, he has the most respectable production out of all the primary point guards in the league.
Overall, this two dominates the entire backcourt ranking. They are #1 in terms of scoring, three-point shooting and efficiency in the field. On defense, Newsome makes them respectable too.
And the scariest thing about them? They are just entering the prime years of their career.
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