Ranking the NBA’s best duos
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – APRIL 02: Kyrie Irving #2 and Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks react against the Atlanta Hawks during the fourth quarter at State Farm Arena on April 02, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
10. Dallas Mavericks: Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving
5. Los Angeles Lakers: Lebron James and Anthony Davis
LeBron and Anthony Davis, we’re once the best duo in the NBA, but father time stays undefeated. LeBron and Davis have struggled to stay on the floor together as health has always been a concern for Davis. LeBron is obviously one of the greatest players of all time and still deserves to be ranked highly, but I’m not sure the Lakers have the depth or the legs to make a deep playoff run.
4. Phoenix Suns: Kevin Durant and Devin Booker
Another superstar duo that is unfortunately marred by injuries. Durant and Booker have potential to be the best duo in the league but we just haven’t seen enough of them on the floor together. Durant will go down as one of the best scorers in NBA history and still puts up impressive numbers. While Booker is an MVP caliber player who is still seeming to ascend but has struggled to win big games. Another team whose questions mark will be their bench depth. The Suns may have the best big three in the league adding Bradley Beal but if we’re going strictly based off duos, I have them fourth because of health concerns.
3. Boston Celtics: Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown
Tatum and brown are another duo with potential to be the best in the league but they just haven’t reached that peak yet. Tatum continues to ascend into a top-five player in the league with maybe the best all-around game of any player in the league. Brown has improved as well, but his ballhandling skills and lack of playmaking ability for others has hindered the Celtics in big moments. Tatum has struggled with turnover issues as well in big moments and the Celtics are going to need both of them to figure it out if they’re going to finally get over the hump.
2. Milwaukee Bucks Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard
This may be a slight overreaction because they haven’t played a single minute yet, but on paper, Lillard and Antetokounmpo are two of the biggest stars in the game, and have potential to bring another title to Milwaukee. Tatum and Brown have the potential to be the one seed in the east, but Giannis already has one ring, and Lillard brings another level of scoring to their offense. They’ll have their issues with depth and on defense. Lillard at 32 has slowed down and was never a great defender. I think the East is a two horse race between the Bucks and the Celtics.
Apr 11, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) lines up a shot over Boston Celtics center Robert Williams III (44) in the third quarter at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
1. Denver Nuggets: Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray
The defending NBA champs rightfully are number one and it’ll stay that way until someone knocks them off. Jokić should’ve been a three time MVP but I guess voters got Jokić fatigue. He’s the best player on the planet, and accompanied with Murray ‘s shooting skills and playmaking ability the Nuggets were dominant in the NBA postseason. The Suns bolstered their roster, adding Bradley Beal, hoping they could take down Denver but I still think the Nuggets should be the favorite in the West.
