5. Cleveland Cavaliers Kyrie Irving and Iman Shumpert

Irving is one of the, if not the best, scoring point guard in the league. He’s at the top of the list when it comes to ball control and he uses it to get to the bucket or make space for and open jumper at will. Last year, he averaged 21 points and five assists per game. Even with LeBron James back in Cleveland, he was the team's number one scoring option in a lot of regular season games. If Irving hadn’t gone down with injury in the playoffs, the Cavs could very well of brought home the championship.  

Shumpert is an athletic two guard known to be a very capable defender. He won’t light up the scoreboard consistently but is capable of knocking down the open jumper. What Shumpert brings to the table is great perimeter defense.  His athleticism allows him to stay with some of the NBA’s most potent scorers.

4. Chicago Bulls Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler

These two can easily be the top backcourt duo but a lot rides on Rose’s ability to stay healthy. When healthy, Rose is one of the best point guards and players in the NBA. The former MVP is no slouch on defense and has shown he can light up the scoreboard. We saw a good showing from him in the regular season before his injury, and in the post season him and the Bulls gave the Cavs everything they had. I like Rose to get back on track next season. 

Butler is a rich man's version of Shumpert in my opinion. He’s an athletic wing that can lock down the opponent's top scorer, but he’s two inches taller with a more polished offensive game. Last year, Butler averaged 20 points per game and his numbers have increased with each year. If him and Rose can stay healthy the Bulls may be adding some hardware to that trophy case.  

3. Washington Wizards John Wall and Bradley Beal

Wall has taken the step from athletic point guard to elite franchise player. He had the best season of his career in 2014-15, averaging a double-double with 17 points and 10 assists. He was already one of the fastest players with the ball in his hand coming into the league. But the last couple seasons his improved jump shot has defenders searching for answers to stop him.  When you consider his superb court vision Wall may be one of if not the most dangerous point guards in the league.  

Beal has the potential to become one of the leagues top two guards, but after last season it’s still only potential. Him and Wall mesh well with his ability to knock down jump shots and Walls tendency to drive and kick. But after sitting out a chunk of last season his growth didn’t take the leap most thought it would.  If he comes back healthy these two can be a deadly offensive one two punch for many years to come.  

2. Houston Rockets Ty Lawson and James Harden

We haven’t seen these two play together yet but on paper this can be another deadly one two punch that will have teams shaking in their boots. Lawson is one of the league's fastest ball handlers and has been the face of the Nuggets franchise for the last couple years. Last season, he averaged a career high 9.6 assists per game on a struggling Denver Nuggets team. He’s also capable of averaging 15 to 18 points per game and you can never have too many points.  

Harden could have easily won the League MVP after having his best season as a pro and carrying the Rockets to the post season. He averaged a career high 27 points and cemented himself as one of the top offensive scoring threats in the league. Harden notarially plays lazy defense though and Lawson is no defensive ace himself. So on paper this looks to be a deadly duo, however it can easily blow up in the Rockets face.  

1. Golden State Warriors Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson

Curry and Thompson took the league by storm last year and carried the Warriors to a NBA Championship. The Splash Brothers return this season as the league's top backcourt duo. Curry, already known for his sniper like jump shot, wowed the league with his acrobatics at the rim and amazing ball-handling skills. Curry averaged 20 points and two ESPN Top 10 plays per game. We’ll have to wait and see if this was a special season or the beginning of the Chef Curry era.

Thompson also averaged over 20 points per game. Thompson himself is know as another sniper like shooter capable of carrying the whole team by himself offensively. The best part about Curry and Thompson is the fact that they bring the same intensity to the defensive end. The Warriors were one of the best defensive teams in the league and it was a complete team effort that started with their leaders Curry and Thompson.