The Washington Wizards rode their burgeoning backcourt of John Wall and Bradley Beal to Round 2 of the Eastern Conference playoffs last season, and at the Wizards' media day Beal staked their claim as the NBA's top backcourt. Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard Dion Waiters disagrees.
"That's nonsense," Waiters said after practice Tuesday. "(Beal is) supposed to say that, but I know deep down, he's not messing with me and Ky (Kyrie Irving). I think me and Ky are the best backcourt, young backcourt. That's all."
Last season rumors had flown that Waiters and Irving were at odds over their usage in the offense, and fueled speculation Waiters could be dealt. This offseason the Cavs added LeBron James and Kevin Love though, and Waiters said the new additions have completely changed the team's chemistry already.
"The locker room is totally different from the first two years I've been here," Waiters said. "It's a different type of vibe. Everybody is talking, outgoing and then you got the vets who are easy to go to and talk to. They've been here 10-plus years, all three of them (James, Miller, Marion). It's just a great thing to be a part of."
The statistical argument for best backcourt is close. These are Wall and Beal's individual numbers from 2013-14.
Wall: 19.3 PPG, 8.8 APG, 4.1 RPG, 43% FG, 35% 3P, 80% FT
Beal: 17.1 PPG, 3.3 APG, 3.7 RPG, 42% FG, 40% 3P, 79% FT
These are Irving and Waiters' individual stats.
Irving: 20.8 PPG, 6.1 APG, 3.6 RPG, 43% FG, 36% 3P, 86% FT
Waiters: 15.9 PPG, 3.0 APG, 2.8 RPG, 43% FG, 37% 3P, 68% FT
The numbers are comparable, with Waiters posting the lowest numbers of the four. Those numbers, as well as his role, figure to change now with James and Love entering the picture.
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