NBA: Ranking Every Team’s Starting Backcourt Heading Into 2016-17

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May 19, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) and guard J.R. Smith (5) celebrate in the fourth quarter against the Toronto Raptors in game two of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
May 19, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) and guard J.R. Smith (5) celebrate in the fourth quarter against the Toronto Raptors in game two of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

8. Cleveland Cavaliers

Starting Backcourt: Kyrie Irving and J.R. Smith

The champs come in at No. 8 even though J.R. Smith has not yet officially re-signed. Nevertheless, how can you not give a top 10 ranking to the guys that just helped their team lift the Larry O’Brien trophy?

Irving’s excellence never ceases to amaze his fans as he bounced back from injury to perform extremely well in the playoffs and then in the NBA Finals, especially in Game 5 when he poured in 41 points with the Cavs on the brink of elimination.

Smith has been nothing short of superb since his arrival in Cleveland, as his underrated ability to hit threes and get hot finally caught some attention as he started punishing teams in the playoffs on his way to capturing his first NBA championship.

Next: No. 7