"We saw a better version of this in 2016": NBA analyst dismisses Luka-Kyrie as best offensive backcourt ever

Renewed discussions about the best offensive backcourt in NBA history have emerged following the success of the Dallas Mavericks duo Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving in this year’s playoffs. However, an NBA analyst refuted this claim, suggesting there was a superior duo from 2016.

Jason Timpf, the host of Hoops Tonight, said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that the Cleveland Cavaliers duo of LeBron James and Kyrie Irving was better, especially given their accomplishment of defeating the 73-9 Golden State Warriors in the 2016 NBA Finals.

He also pointed out that LeBron is a more athletic, two-way version of Luka.

"It's the funniest thing about hearing stuff like ‘this is the best offensive backcourt ever,’” Timpf said. “Actually, we saw a better version of this, and they beat a 73-win team to win the title. Not even a decade ago lol.”

While LeBron led the Cavaliers in assists during the 2015-16 season, he is categorized as a small forward rather than a guard. The Cavaliers' most common starting lineup at the time featured Kyrie Irving and JR Smith at the guard positions, LeBron James and Kevin Love at the forward spots, and either Tristan Thompson or Timofey Mozgov at center.

In contrast, the more positionless style of today's game makes it easier to categorize Doncic as a guard rather than a forward, as he is part of a starting lineup that includes Kyrie, two wings in PJ Washington and Derrick Jones Jr., and a center in Daniel Gafford or Dereck Lively II.

The conversation about the best backcourt in history was sparked by Stan Van Gundy, who praised the Kyrie-Luka duo.

During Game 3 of the Western Conference finals between the Mavericks and the Minnesota Timberwolves, Van Gundy said:

"It's the most talented backcourt in the history of the NBA.”

Paul Pierce says Luka-Kyrie is the ‘best offensive duo’ in NBA history

On Undisputed, Paul Pierce asserted that Luka Doncic and Irving are the best offensive duo in NBA history.

“This is the best offensive duo–not backcourt–offensive duo in NBA history,” Pierce said. “You've got two guys capable of really going off for 60 points... I truly believe this is the best scoring duo that's ever been assembled."

In this year’s playoffs, Doncic is averaging 28.3 points, 9.6 rebounds and 9.1 assists per game, while Irving is contributing 22.0 points, 5.2 assists and 3.9 rebounds.

They are just one win away from advancing to the NBA Finals, leading the Timberwolves 3-1 in the Western Conference finals.