@@Boston Celtics

You need your backcourt to put the opposing team in jail. Which duo are you taking?


Remember the only factor you’re accounting for is their defense, not them as a complete player. Because Jrue and Derrick would take that pretty easily imo.

Can’t believe we’ve been blessed to see two different eras of recent Celtics teams that had the best defensive backcourt in the league.

32 comments

  1. If it’s a single possession, I’d go Smart/Bradley. If it’s over the course of a whole game and season, I’d go Holiday/White. Their veteran leadership is what this team needed

  2. DWhite + Jrue are the better defensive duo overall, but if I need to create a turnover gimme Smart and AB

  3. Derrick White and whoever. As long as White is on the floor good things are gonna happen.

  5. I feel like Jrue has the best fundamentals, Smart is the best playmaker on defense (forcing turnovers/charges), Bradley was the best on ball, and White has second best fundamentals + best blocking ability

  6. Avery was overrated defensively while he was here in Boston. He was a good defender, not elite like the fan base claimed he was.

    Jrue, DWhite. Pretty easy.

  7. Current duo has more defensive value, old duo has more “we’re gonna shut our matchups down” energy

  8. 2017 guards were better point of attack defenders and better at dealing with quick guards

    2024 guards are better at switching onto bigger players and protecting the rim

  9. I put a lot of weight on the opinion of other NBA players in this respect. Bradley and Smart were both obviously high end defenders. But in support of Holiday, I’d point to that poll from last year where %40 of players chose Jrue (by far the highest percentage in the league) as the toughest perimeter defender in the league. Then more recently, I saw Paul George on a podcast asked the same question and he didn’t hesitate to pick Jrue. Basically, he said his strength, instincts, and tape study made him the defensive player that gave him the most trouble.

    So based on Holiday being #1 in most players opinions, combined w White being the best shot blocking guard in the league/a dogged overall defender, I’m gonna go with those two. Definitely no disrespect to Avery and Smart though.

  13. I’m going with Jrue and White. I think Bradley may be the worst defender in this group (which isn’t a knock on him considering how good all of these guys are at defense) and Smart takes too many risks, which obviously means that sometimes he gets rewarded for taking that risk but other times it makes him look like an idiot.

  14. Fate of the universe on the line, Lebron has the death beam aimed at TD Garden, a single possession, give me Smart and Bradley! (over game tho I’ll take Mr. White and Holiday)

  15. I rank them as Jrue #1, Mahcus #2, Buffalo #3, and AB #4, so give me Jrue and the Buffalo.

  18. I still think I would take Holiday and White. Holiday is basically just Smart 2.0 and White is great on or off ball and in the event that he gets beat he’s also the best shot blocking guard possibly *ever* along with Dwyane Wade

  20. If it’s Steph Curry, then Avery Bradley all day. Basically any other opponent, and I’d take Jrue and Derrick

  21. which is your favorite play?
    diving D: Smarf
    blocking D: Buffalo
    full court D: Bradley
    I‘ll take on your fucking Center D: Tha Jrueth

  30. Strictly defense and making their opponents life hell I have to go Bradley and smart. Goes without saying, overall Jrue and White are so much better

Leave a Reply
— Previous article

#NHLVideos: NHL Top 10 Saves of the Week
Next article —

The Ronald Acuña Jr. GIF from his article in The Players' Tribune.

You May Also Like