Joe Murray: Top 5 NBA Duos
Many Celtics fans were outraged when Stephen A. Smith of ESPN came out with his Top 5 duos in the NBA, and Jayson Tatum & Jaylen Brown were left off his list.
There is no question Brown & Tatum will both be super max players and All-Stars for years to come. A recent article from the Boston Globe explained their relationship off the court. On the court, they both have the same goal of winning together and bringing banner 18 to Boston.
Jayson Tatum & Jaylen Brown Opening Night
- 45 Points
- 17 Rebounds
- 9 Assists
- <3 Steals
- 1 Block
- 6 Turnovers
I wanted to take a deeper dive into how the list did on opening night vs what Tatum & Brown did.
DENVER, COLORADO – JUNE 12: Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets dribbles around a screen set by Nikola Jokić #15 on Gabe Vincent #2 of the Miami Heat during the third quarter in Game Five of the 2023 NBA Finals at Ball Arena on June 12, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray
- 50 Points
- 15 Rebounds
- 17 Assists
- 1 Steal
- 1 Block
- 3 Turnovers
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 26: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 and Damian Lillard #0 of the Milwaukee Bucks celebrate against the Philadelphia 76ers in the second half at Fiserv Forum on October 26, 2023 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard
- 62 Points
- 21 Rebounds
- 7 Assists
- 2 Blocks
- 2 Steals
- 7 Turnovers
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – APRIL 18: Kevin Durant #35 and Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns talk during the second half of Game Two of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs against the LA Clippers at Footprint Center on April 18, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Clippers 123-109. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Kevin Durant and Devin Booker
- 50 Points
- 17 Rebounds
- 11 Assists
- 1 Blocks
- 1 Steals
- 8 Turnovers
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 22: LeBron James #6 and Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers react to a Laker foul during the third quarter against the Denver Nuggets in game four of the Western Conference Finals at Crypto.com Arena on May 22, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LeBron James and Anthony Davis
- 38 Points
- 16 Rebounds
- 9 Assists
- 2 Blocks
- 1 Steal
- 2 Turnovers
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JULY 24: Kawhi Leonard and Paul George of the Los Angeles Clippers are introduced at Green Meadows Recreation Center on July 24, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Kawhi Leonard and Paul George
- 50 Points
- 8 Rebounds
- 6 Assists
- 1 Blocks
- 4 Steals
- 8 Turnovers
* Jayson Tatum & Kristaps Porziņģis
- 64 Points
- 19 Rebounds
- 4 Assists
- 5 Blocks
- 2 Steals
- 5 Turnovers
Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Grant Williams of the Boston Celtics celebrate a play during Game 6 of the 2023 Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Philadelphia 76ers. (Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Celtics fans have a gripe that Tatum & Brown were slighted when not making the list. The reality is they need to play better consistently. The Celtics are also built this year to lean on other players. Kristaps Porzingis will take the offensive load off of Brown.
Jrue Holiday should help limit the turnovers for both while he handles the basketball. Although Tatum & Brown missed the list, a championship will guarantee they are on the list next season and beyond.
