Top 10 Backcourts In The NBA, 2015-2016: Where Does The Washington Wizards’ Duo Rank?

Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

10) Orlando Magic, Victor Oladipo and Elfrid Payton

This young backcourt is already turning heads as one of the league’s best.

You have your classic “opposites attract” with these two up and coming stars. Elfrid Payton is the solid and steady point guard that is already gaining a reputation as one of the NBA’s best on-ball defenders. Victor Oladipo, with his athleticism and flashy play, is on the verge of “making the leap” to superstardom.

Payton has even drawn a comparison to another defensive ace point guard named Payton — Hall of Famer Gary Payton.

Payton is currently known for (other than his glorious fro/up ‘do’ that looks like a mop) picking up and defending the opposing point guards full court…the whole game. He often disrupts the opposing team’s offense and flow in doing so.

Payton’s biggest weakness is his complete lack of an outside shot (seriously, it is Rajon Rondo level bad), but he more than makes up for it with his penetration into the lane and passing.

It helped that Elfrid Payton came into an ideal situation with the young Orlando Magic team with other intriguing pieces, including a new coach this upcoming season, former Magic point guard Scott Skiles and newly re-signed wing Tobias Harris.

However, the Magic’s fortunes could rest on the shoulders of Payton’s backcourt mate, shooting guard Victor Oladipo.

Oladipo came into the NBA with buzz on how athletic he was and was being compared to perhaps the greatest player of all time, Michael Jordan. Oladipo has been steadily improving during his first few years in the league and this should be a huge year for him.

On top of his flashy handles and athletic play, Oladipo has worked and developed a deadly three point shot. Because of all of his tools and gifts on offense, Oladipo’s excellent defense is often overlooked.

Oladipo often takes on the challenge to guard the opposing teams’ best offensive player. We recently got a peek at how special of a talent Oladipo is at the USA Basketball scrimmage where he uncorked his trademark breakaway 360 dunk on a fast break.

Payton also was invited to the scrimmage and played well. Payton and Oladipo are poised both have big years and the Magic look to be one of the surprise teams in the Eastern Conference.

-written by John Cannady

Next: 9 - Another Eastern Duo