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Utah Jazz: Where do Conley and Mitchell rank among best backcourts in the West?

By Jared Woodcox

MEMPHIS, TN - MARCH 8: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz congratulates Mike Conley #11 of the Memphis Grizzlies after the game on March 8, 2019 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN - MARCH 8: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz congratulates Mike Conley #11 of the Memphis Grizzlies after the game on March 8, 2019 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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PORTLAND, OR – MAY 20: Damian Lillard #0 and CJ McCollum #3 of the Portland Trail Blazers look on before the game against the Golden State Warriors in Game Four of the Western Conference Finals on May 20, 2019 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR – MAY 20: Damian Lillard #0 and CJ McCollum #3 of the Portland Trail Blazers look on before the game against the Golden State Warriors in Game Four of the Western Conference Finals on May 20, 2019 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /

No. 3 – Dame Time & CJ – Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum

Unfortunately for the Portland Trail Blazers, the team has been solid for years, but has never seemed to get over the hump to topple the best in the West. They’ve had the misfortune of taking on the Warriors three times out of the last four postseasons, and have truly never even come close to competing with them.

This has resulted in Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum facing no shortage of criticism, but it’s largely undeserved. The behemoth Warriors made practically every team in the league look weak during their historic run, and the fact that the two of them, especially Lillard, had to carry such a load and were so overwhelmed as the focus on defense damaged the Blazers’ shot of competing.

Regardless of the Blazers’ struggles against the Warriors, the duo of Dame Time and CJ remains one of the most prolific in the league. Damian Lillard put up yet another incredible season in 2018-19 that had him just outside of the MVP conversation and arguably had him as a top-two point guard in the NBA. He also just signed a max extension with the Trail Blazers, further showing his worth.

He’s a guy that’s given the Jazz fits over the years as well as to the rest of the league. Utah may have more of an answer with Mike Conley able to slow him down, but Lillard is still the best player among the group of McCollum, Mitchell and Conley.

Meanwhile, CJ is no pushover either. He was incredible in the playoffs as a shot creator, and came up big time after time. He and Dame represent a one-two punch that can overwhelm just about any other backcourt in the league.

If Mitchell takes a monumental leap and if Conley’s fit in Utah is unprecedented, I could see them nipping at the heels and even surpassing Portland’s backcourt. But until they prove capable of doing so, Lillard and McCollum will remain slightly ahead.

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