NBA Power Rankings: Ranking the Best Backcourts in the NBA

Let's face it, teams in the past have been cut short out of playoffs because of one thing defense and these are the top 10 backcourts of the 2010-11 season.

# 10 Charlotte Bobcats

The Charlotte Bobcats are taking basketball defense back to its roots, getting rebounds. The Bobcats have been picking up rebounds and preventing their opponents from getting an easy two-points.

Charlotte has also come to terms with Shaun Livingston. Livingston's career was thought to be over with because of a potentially career knee ending injury but Livingston is set for a comeback. However, there is a risk. After an injury like Livingston's, he will most likely not be the same player as he once was. Sure he can play but at what level? Head Coach Larry Brown believes that the gamble is worth it but perhaps the reason why Brown likes him is because he can relate.

Let's face it, Brown is trying to make a comeback for himself as well. He has done a good job reinventing the Bobcats but his prime days are well past, but who knows, maybe I am wrong. Overall the Bobcats are decent. Nothing too fancy but nothing terribly bad. They are trying to improve and show potential.

# 9 San Antonio Spurs

San Antonio has some work to do but overall they have a chance. Sure the team is aging and they have a few years before they are in trouble but for now they are decent. They made the playoffs last season as the seventh seed but no one took hardly any notice. It was more as if they were there to fill up time until the better teams could meet down the road.

Defensively speaking they are still a threat but they need to pick up some talent. If they do not act fast, they may end up but a memory of what they once were. They are almost looking like the Detroit Pistons, an aging team with no hopes of making a comeback in the foreseeable future.

#8 Milwaukee Bucks

If Milwaukee was not plagued by injuries, then they might have been a better playoff contender. Injuries alone were the main reason why they struggled in the 2009-10 season.

With the addition of Keyon Dooling to defense, Milwaukee is looking slightly better then last season. In 2008 he had one of the leagues best three-point shooters and always is in the right place at the right time. He knows how to play defensively but hopefully his mouth does not get him in trouble in the locker room.

All Milwaukee has to do is keep their team healthy and then hopefully get better travel numbers. The team's home record is passable but their road record is terrible. With a road record of 18-23, they were lucky they got into the playoffs. Road wins can be the key to a victory and hopefully Dooling can help them achieve it.

# 7 Phoenix Suns

The Suns are finally concentrating on defense. In the past, Phoenix has been able to go deep in playoffs for lack of defense. This year will be different. Although they do not have any super stars in defense, they get the job done. The team is showing that they are playing as one. They are showing that they are all playing for one common goal, that goal is to win.

The Suns are by no definition the ideal defensive team but they are showing improvements. Phoenix may not win a championship for a few years but as long as their offense keeps up the good work then maybe their young players will develop in time for them to become a power team that they once were.

#6 Oklahoma City Thunder

The Thunder surprised everyone last year when they secured an eighth seed spot in the Playoffs but not only did they secure the spot; they put up a fight against the Lakers. Oklahoma is a team full of young kids who came together and played as one. In the playoffs they looked like they had a team of seasoned veterans.

The Thunder added some experience to their defense by signing Morris Peterson. Oklahoma can look to Paterson for guidance. Overall Peterson is past his prime, however, he holds the record in the NBA for longest consecutive games played. He is a ten-year veteran who knows what it takes and is a great addition for the young Oklahoma team.

Oklahoma proved last season that they can put up a fight. Oklahoma's youth is finally paying off and the 2010-11 will prove how much they learned.

# 5 Orlando Magic

The Orlando Magic have been an underrated team. As long as they have Dwight Howard, Orlando will win games. The Magic have always been about defense. That is one of the reasons why they went 59-23 last season.

The key to the Magic's defense will be its coach, Stan Van Gundy. His attention to detail is outstanding. No matter how good an offense can be, a good defense will stop a team from winning and Gundy knows this.

#4 Boston Celtics

Boston, the team that almost defeated the Lakers. During the regular season Boston was not much to look at defensively but offensively they were a powerhouse, however, during the playoffs Boston changed its game.

Who would have thought that they would have put up a fight? Overall Boston did not have the best season last year. The problem with the Celtics is that they are an aging team. Sure they have a young prospect like Rajon Rondo but he alone cannot carry the team. Boston has talent but the team is old.

All is not lost though they have picked up Jermaine O'Neal and drafted Luke Harangody. O'Neal is a solid addition for the Celtics. He is experienced and his numbers are improving with age. His field-goal percentage was at a career high last season with 52.9% and his free throw was at 72.0%. O'Neal has the passion and determination to win that is a well it to Boston. Overall a good pick for Boston.

As for Harangody, he has mixed reviews. On paper Harangody looks like a great addition for Boston. He is young, fast and is a rebound machine, however, his team played better without him last season.

Overall Boston will continue to remain a dominate force in the East but they may see an end in their dynasty thanks in part to the Miami Heat.

#3 Chicago Bulls

Let's face it, Chicago got the short end of the stick. They did not get LeBron James, or Chris Bosh or even Dwayne Wade. What they did get was Carlos Boozer and Kyle Korver.

Both come from the Utah Jazz and will add the much needed leadership that the young Chicago team needs. Boozer, a two-time All Star and Olympic champion, is regarded around the league as one of the best. Not many people can say that they won a gold medal.

Boozer has something that Chicago is in badly need of, experience in the postseason. He has played 44 games in postseason. Last season he averaged 40 minutes per game. He was a key component in the Utah Jazz's defense last year and is a great gain for Chicago.

Korver is a special added bonus to the Chicago defense. His specialty is free throws. How many games have come down to free throws? He had a 91.4% in free throws in the 2006-07 season and last year alone he had 79.6%. Although his free throw percentage has dropped, he had developed into a better player in recent time.

In the 2009-10 season he scored a personal best of 53.6% 3-point field-goal . Korver makes key saves when it comes to rebounds. He is there usually putting pressure on the offensive. All in all Krover is reliable.

The Chicago Bulls are well on their way to becoming a threat in the East. Last year the Bulls were ranked #1 on defense and this year they look to defend their defensive reputation by adding some much needed talent.

#2 Los Angeles Lakers

With another ring comes more challenges but the Lakers are prepared to face the ever growing challenges ahead. The Lakers only let a few players go (Jordan Farmar and Josh Powel), but just in case they have added some solid backup.

The most notable addition to the Lakers defense is Steve Blake. Blake is not necessary young talent but he is showing that age does not mean everything. In 2008 his free throw percentage was an impressive 84%. Blake has kept his free throw at 74% percent last year, however, every time Blake is playing for a new team his numbers go up, minus his brief experience with Milwaukee in 2006-07.

His Steals per game is not impressive. He averaged .7%, nothing too impressive but his average game time per game was 26.3 minutes so he is consistent.

The Lakers have kept their key players and are going into the 2010-11 season well prepared. The only thing that may stop them from having a solid defense is the possibility of losing their head coach Phil Jackson but until his decision is made the Lakers still hold the number one spot in the West.

#1 Miami Heat

What more can be said about the Miami Heat? Overall the Heat made the greatest pickups in the off-season. In the past few years, the Heat had its ups and downs but with the signing of LeBron James the league has seen a new shift in power. In addition to James, they resigned seven-year-veteran Dwyane Wade.

The key to the Heat's defense will be Wade. With the help of Miami's new forwards, Wade can now have the the support that he needed last season . Wade is the ideal guard to have and securing him in the 2010-11 season was a great move.The Heat also secured their future by resigning Mario Chalmers and his rookie numbers alone are a force to be reckoned with. He was the master at the free-throw last season at 74.5%. and averaged 1.8 rebounds, 1.2 steals and .2 blocks per game.

Miami recently signed veteran Eddie House. House was originally drafted by the Heat but the offer to play with James was too much for him to pass up. He passed on higher paid offers to help the Heat win another championship. House is the final piece that Miami needed to create the perfect team. As an added bonus Miami resigned Udonis Haslem and Joel Anthony.

All eyes will be on the Heat as they are the chosen team to take on the LA Lakers. Overall Miami's defensive game was ranked 2nd in the NBA during the 2009-10 season and this year they hope to become the best. The Heat has the NBA buzzing with excitement which has not been seen in ages. Miami is seemed to be destined for greatness and with their new roaster one can expect that the Heat will go deep in the playoffs.