Golden State’s backcourt of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson is considered the premier backcourt in the League by many people. Washington Wizard’s guard John Wall is not one of those people. In an interview to CSN Washington, Wall proclaimed that he and Bradley Beal are the best backcourt in basketball. Via CSN Washington:
Wall, prompted by a question if there was a better backcourt than the one he occupies with Bradley Beal, compared the sides Monday before his exit interview: “No, not in my opinion. I don’t think we shoot the ball as good as the guys from Golden State but that’s all they do better than us to be honest. We play better D, attack the paint. I think we do everything better, except for shooting.”
After a short pause, Wall clarified that of the four he’s clearly the weakest when it comes to the jump shot. “I’m the only one not in that shooting category,” Wall said to a bunch of laughs, including his own. “Brad is right there with them. Other than that, I don’t think so.”
The teams split their season series 1-1, with each winning on the opposing team’s floor. Wall fared better in the point-guard matchup among the first-time All-Stars:
Curry shot 32.5% combined (13 of 40), including just 3-for-12 on three-pointers to average 18.5 points, 7.0 assists and 4.0 turnovers. Wall compiled 10 of 30 shooting overall that included 5 of 9 from long range for 14.5 points, 9.0 assists 5.5 rebounds, 3.0 steals and 3.5 turnovers.
Thompson had the edge in the shooting-guard matchup:
In putting up 19.5 points per game, Thompson’s best effort came in defeat when he had 26 points. Combined stats show he went 14-for-31 from the field, including 9 of 18 on threes, 4.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.5 turnovers.
Beal was 12 of 34, including 5 of 9 on threes, 4.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 4.0 turnovers and 14.5 points.
Both backcourts led their teams to the postseason. The Warriors were eliminated in the first round by the L.A. Clippers. The Wizards made it to the second round where they were knocked off by the Indiana Pacers.
The one stat where the Wizards have the edge: Wall is just 23 and Beal 20. Thompson is 24 and Curry 26.
