The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz: Where does Donovan Mitchell rank among top young guards?

By John Keeffer

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MARCH 15: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz shoots a free throw against the Phoenix Suns on March 15, 2018 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MARCH 15: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz shoots a free throw against the Phoenix Suns on March 15, 2018 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – FEBRUARY 13: Jamal Murray #27 and Gary Harris #14 of the Denver Nuggets look on during the game against the San Antonio Spurs on February 13, 2018 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – FEBRUARY 13: Jamal Murray #27 and Gary Harris #14 of the Denver Nuggets look on during the game against the San Antonio Spurs on February 13, 2018 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Jamal Murray/Gary Harris, Denver Nuggets

I am going to include both players of the Denver Nuggets young backcourt, because they are both very comparable players, and if you are a Nuggets fan, you should be ecstatic to have them both on your team.

Jamal Murray and Gary Harris form one of the best and youngest backcourt duos in the entire league. At 21 and 23 years of age respectfully, they are going to be good for a long time to come.

Last season, the numbers between Murray and Harris were surprisingly similar. Harris averaged 17.5 points, while Murray was close behind at 16.7. Harris added 2.9 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 1.8 steals, while Harris posted 3.4 assists, 3.7 rebounds, and one steal per game. Both are fantastic shooters as well, shooting 39.6 percent and 37.8 percent respectively.

Last season, Harris was probably the better player. Where their futures are concerned, though, Murray is likely viewed as having the higher upside, since he is still only 21 years old.

Harris missed a very important 10-game stretch near the end of last season, and Murray upped his averages to carry the team and to keep them in the playoff conversation. He averaged 19.1 points and nearly five assists and four rebounds. The Nuggets went 7-3 during that stretch.

Harris is definitely the better defensive prospect however, averaging 1.8 steals per game, and improving the Nuggets defensive rating by 3.1 points.

Nuggets fans should be excited about their future, because the combination of Murray at point guard and Harris at shooting guard may just be the best young backcourt in the NBA.

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