The era of superteams is in the NBA’s past with the league shifting to one filled with dynamic duos. Many of the best players have decided to join forces, while others had superstars come to them. Nevertheless, the league is preparing for its most competitive and intriguing season yet. On that note, with all the talent being spread across all teams, it’s clear that some duos are better than most. Let’s take a look at top-20 NBA duos part II. If you didn’t view part I, click here.
#10: DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge
Combined 2018-19 season stats: 42.5 points, 15.2 rebounds, 8.6 assists, 1.8 blocks, and 1.6 steals.
San Antonio’s dynamic duo is another pairing on this list that’s rather underrated. DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge are two established players who’ve made their presence felt in this league. DeRozan is a two-time All-NBA performer, while Aldridge has achieved the feat five times.
Both players are two of the more consistent scorers at their respective positions. When the ball is in their hands, they show a terrific ability to score on their own even with much of the defensive focus on them. As a duo, they both lift pressure off of the other player.
DeMar DeRozan has shown to be a versatile offensive talent, showing the ability to run the fast break, get to the rim, snag rebounds, and share the rock. On top of that, DeRozan shot 47.3% from the field, which is one of the highest shooting clips of his career.
LaMarcus Aldridge is one of the quietest scorers in the NBA. He puts up great numbers but never hears his name in the media even after having a 48-point and 56-point games. He can score in the low post, in the midrange, and can shoot from outside on some occasions as well.
DeRozan and Aldridge are both focal parts of San Antonio’s offense. Both also have weaknesses on defense with DeRozan being weak in isolation and Aldridge in the post. Despite that, they’re still a top-10 duo in the NBA. With their offensive talent and experience, they’re going to be what drives the Spurs in the tough Western Conference.
#9: Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic
Combined 2018-19 season stats: 38.3 points, 15.0 rebounds, and 12.1 assists.
This is the first duo on the list where you can argue that they’re rated too high. However, there are two things that drive Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic to be ranked ninth: Murray’s expected growth and Jokic’s continued near-superstar play.
Nikola Jokic notched averages of 20 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists en route to leading the Nuggets to the two-seed in the West. He’s the best passing big man in the league who also happens to have handles and a shot from behind the arc.
Jamal Murray, on the other hand, averaged 18 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists in his third year in the league. He signed a five-year, $170 million extension which to some was a bad move. But, if Murray is worth that money, he’s going to need to show up and show out. That won’t be possible without the help of Jokic to boost his game and vice versa.
Murray and Jokic, although very young, are ranked this high for a reason. In their conference semifinals loss, they averaged a combined 50.7 points, 19.9 rebounds, and 13 assists. Their performances under the bright playoff lights were an indication of what’s expected of this duo this season.
Like our previous discussed duo, Murray and Jokic aren’t known for their defensive impact. They’ve shown improvement in that part of their game, but where they really make a difference is on offense. Jokic’s offensive talent takes this duo to a whole new level when they’re both clicking on all cylinders. Both have also proven to be able to stay healthy, missing only 3.5 games per season each over the last two years.
As we all know, the West is as competitive as ever, and staying healthy will be huge for every team looking to contend. Murray needs to prove he’s worth his money and turn himself into a 20 PPG scorer. If that happens, and Jokic continues to flourish on offense, this duo will take Denver above and beyond in the West. That includes competing with the Clippers and Lakers.
#8: Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum
Combined 2018-19 season stats: 46.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, 9.9 assists, 0.8 blocks, and 1.9 steals.
Damian Lillard and C.J McCollum have been one of the best backcourts in the NBA for a while. Lillard continues to amaze us with his cold game-winning shots and relentless playstyle. McCollum provides him with the support he needs as a reliable second option for the Trail Blazers. We recognize and understand how good this duo is already. They’re two of the best overall players at their position. They’ve been the players that the team turns to in the franchise’s biggest moments.
It’s safe to say that this duo has almost been through it all in this league. They’ve made early playoff exits, deep playoff runs, been a part of exhilarating moments, and have counted on each other to put the ball game away in some of their biggest moments. Both signed huge extensions this summer. Lillard signed a four-year, $196 million supermax, and McCollum signed for three years and $100 million. This ties the two together in Portland until at least the 2024 season.
The Trail Blazers’ front office is potentially paying both players a combined $414.34 million over the next six seasons. They have to be expecting success beyond a WCF appearance. The biggest problem with this duo is that no matter how good they seem to get, each year something stops them. Two seasons ago, it was a sweep in the first round to the New Orleans Pelicans. This past season, it was another sweep in the WCF at the hands of the Golden State Warriors.
This duo has all the tools to succeed as a pairing. But, in terms of team success, what more do they have to do? This is about the duo, how well they perform as a tandem, and how that translates into team success. Of course, being one of the final two teams in a conference is special. But, with the money being spent on them, it seems as if Lillard and McCollum need to take a step up. Damian Lillard isn’t a superstar in this league yet. He’ll need to show that he’s worthy of that title this season. For McCollum, he’ll need to take his 21 PPG average and turn it into a career-high.
They’ve been one of the league’s best for years. This season needs to be one of growth for both players. Lillard needs to have an MVP-caliber season with McCollum taking the next step as well.
#7: Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton
Combined 2018-19 season stats: 46.0 points, 18.5 rebounds, 10.2 assists, 1.6 blocks, and 10.2 steals.
To be honest, Khris Middleton isn’t as good as some of the players previously ranked. In fact, he’s arguably worse than some of the players ranked in Part I. But it’s about the tandem that he’s a part of. The reigning MVP of the league would make any duo elite. Giannis Antetokounmpo is that good. He takes him and Middleton to the seventh spot.
Who doesn’t know what Antetokounmpo brings to the court every night? He’s a superstar in this league with many more years of dominance ahead of him. He’ll be an All-Star, in the MVP conversation, and the reason the Bucks have continued success. The success of this duo, though, is more dependent on the play of Khris Middleton.
After being in the free-agent market briefly, Middleton signed a five-year, $178 million max contract to return to Milwaukee. This puts the pressure on Middleton to play even better than he did last season. He averaged 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists – which is nowhere near worth the money he got. Now that he signed for that much, those numbers better increase drastically.
During this offseason, the Bucks lost Malcolm Brogdon, Nikola Mirotic, and Tony Snell. Mirotic and Brogdon provided good minutes for Milwaukee all season long. Now that the Bucks will be without their contributions, someone will have to step up. That person is Khris Middleton. Even with all of the free-agent acquisitions that the Bucks made, Middleton needs to be the player the team can turn to have a productive second option.
This duo is particularly good because they have shown to be able to bail each other out in critical situations. When Antetokoumpo is driving with tough defense on him, Middleton is the guy that he can rely on to hit jump-shots consistency.
Giannis will show us again how great he is and can become. As for Middleton, he’ll need to show he can expand his game to be more than just one of the league’s premier wing scorers. Their ceiling isn’t seventh. If Middleton can improve, they can certainly move up this list.
#6: Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons
Combined 2018-19 season stats: 44.4 points, 22.4 rebounds, 11.4 assists, 2,7 blocks, and 2.1 steals.
Forget the fact that Ben Simmons doesn’t have a jumper. This offseason, he’s been working to add one to his offensive arsenal. Besides that, Simmons along with Joel Embiid form a duo great enough to lead a team to the NBA Finals.
Embiid is the NBA’s best center. There have been debates in the past, but when healthy, there’s no one like him. Having an inside threat that can score in the post and play consistent defense gives this tandem a huge boost over others. At 25 years old, Embiid is a star. He can slice up defenses anywhere on the court, which includes a pretty solid jump-shot. He fits great with Ben Simmons who, despite not having that jump-shot, compliments Joel greatly.
Simmons’ game revolves around being one of the best playmakers in the league. Even if teams are clogging the paint, he can still be effective with his defense, playmaking, and rebounding abilities. However, that won’t be the case for 82 games next season. It’s obvious that to be recognized among the elite, Simmons needs to develop a jump-shot. There’s no other way around it. The improvements that need to be made for this duo to flourish don’t only fall on Simmons.
Joel Embiid has problems staying healthy. He hasn’t had a season where he played more than 65 games which is disappointing. The Sixers, especially this year, know they have a championship roster. However, those championship aspirations are halted without a fully healthy Embiid. Having an injury is one thing. But, at times, Embiid was reportedly just not in shape.
This duo is great as they currently are. Both are All-Stars with the potential to grow into superstars in the near future. They have arguably the most upside of any dup on the list. Joel Embiid is entering his prime years while Ben Simmons is only a speck of the player he can actually become. The key for this duo is health and elevation. Embiid needs to be in shape and in full health from day one. Simmons needs to get that jump-shot going. If both happen, this duo can surpass those in front of them.
#5: Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson
Combined 2018-19 season stats: 48.8 points, 9.1 rebounds, 7.6 assists, 1.0 blocks, and 2.4 steals.
Before the offseason, this duo would’ve been ranked in the top three. Now, with all the new signings and transactions, they’ve been knocked down a few spots. But, that doesn’t change the fact that they’ve been one of the more dominant duos since 2015.
Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson are two of the best shooters in NBA history. Curry has reached superstar status, and Thompson is a star in his own right. “The Splash Brothers” have made it to five-straight NBA Finals. Both have held their own and performed under the brightest lights in basketball.
Klay Thompson has shown the ability to get hot at any time and absolutely take over a game when his backcourt teammate is cold. Stephen Curry is a two-time MVP who’s one of the best players in the entire league. This duo is star-studded, championship-winning pair that has all the tools needed to continue to win for a long, long time.
For NBA fans, we won’t have the opportunity to see them in action until after the All-Star break because of Klay’s ACL tear suffered in the NBA Finals. Even though that’s going to keep him out for more than half the Warriors’ season, he’s expected to make a full recovery. Curry will have to make do with D’Angelo Russell, which still makes for a pretty good tandem. But, once Klay Thompson returns, they’ll be back to being not only the best backcourt in the league but one of the best duos in the NBA.
#4: James Harden and Russell Westbrook
Combined 2018-19 season stats: 59.0 points, 17.7 rebounds, 18.2 assists, 1.2 blocks, and 3.9 steals.
It was hard putting the only duo with two MVPs at four. That’s just how talented this league has become. Russell Westbrook was recently traded to the Houston Rockets, putting him back alongside James Harden. Looking at what Westbrook and Harden have accomplished over the past few seasons, this duo has its benefits and concerns.
Unlike some of the duos on the list, Harden and Westbrook have experience playing with one another on basketball’s biggest stages. Whether it be in the NBA Finals as member of the Thunder or as members of USA Basketball, they’ve played their fair share of games together.
The dynamic of having two ball-dominant guards together on the same team is extremely difficult to figure out. However, both players seem to be in the prime of their careers. Last year, Harden had an absurd MVP-caliber season, and Russell Westbrook averaged a triple-double for the third-straight year. The resume of both these players puts them within the top-five simply because they’ve been two of the league’s most dominant players. The problems fall in displaying both players’ talents while having them sacrifice.
Both players are ball-dominant. This is especially the case for Harden who enjoys running down the shot clock and letting himself take over in isolation plays. It often leads to neutralizing his own teammates. With Chris Paul, it was an evident problem. Westbrook is an even better player who needs the rock too, meaning Harden will need to cut down on isolation plays. An upside for Harden, though, is the fact that he’s a better off-ball player than Westbrook is. If Westbrook can draw defenses tight in the paint, then there’s room for Harden to shoot and convert high-percentage shots.
Defensively, neither of them are known for having a huge impact. Harden is lousy on defense, but at least Westbrook has shown he can hold his own at times with some of the league’s premier guards.
If head coach Mike D’Antonti can correctly utilize both players, then this duo will be one to fear. Sacrifice is the keyword for them to succeed. It may mean fewer triple-doubles, less 50-point games, and less unusually impressive stats. Russell Westbrook and James Harden may clash heads because of their playstyles. I don’t think that’ll be the case. They both want to win, and it looks like they’ll do what it takes to accomplish that.
#3: Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving
Combined 2018-19 season stats: 49.8 points, 11.4 rebounds, 12.8 assists, 1.6 blocks, and 2.2 steals.
We won’t see Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving on the same court until the 2020-21 season due to a ruptured Achilles injury endured by Kevin Durant in the NBA Finals. And, yes, the title does say for the 2019-20 season, but this duo is still one of the best the NBA has.
A ruptured Achilles injury has had few players return as themselves. According to Twin Cities Orthopedics’ Dr. Jeffery Seybold, “any continued deficits in strength compared to the uninjured side are likely permanent.” This means that Durant can experience a decrease in his abilities upon his return. However, there have been athletes to return without such deficits.
Let’s say that Kevin Durant returns to full strength without any other issues. This gives the Nets a 10-time All-Star, two-time NBA Finals MVP, one-time NBA MVP, and four-time scoring champion. Durant is widely recognized as one of the greatest scorers in NBA history. His skill set makes him a top-two player in the league. With Kyrie Irving, that creates a duo capable of leading a team to a championship.
There are no concerns surrounding how Irving and Durant will mesh together. Both players wanted to play together with their skill-sets complimenting each other well. The last time Irving was a second option, he won an NBA Championship. Seeing a player with the offensive repertoire of Kyrie play with KD is something that’s going to be mesmerizing.
Kyrie Irving can cut up any defenses that oppose him, as well as score in a variety of ways. Same goes for Kevin Durant. On any given night, each player can easily go for over 30 points. Kyrie has gotten his fair share of criticism because of how things went in Boston last season. Just because things didn’t work out there, doesn’t mean they won’t in Brooklyn. Kyrie has played alongside the best player in the world, Lebron James, and achieved tremendous success. Now, he’s going to play alongside the second-best player in the world, which isn’t a huge dropoff.
Beyond that, Irving is a more mature player. He came out and recognized his mistakes during he and LeBron’s time in Cleveland, which only makes any player better. In this new chapter with Brooklyn, Irving and Durant form an almost unguardable tandem. Defenses will have to worry about the crafty handles of Kyrie while having to prevent a 7′ KD from shooting the lights out. This duo has everything they need to win. They’ll just need to put it all together. Unfortunately, fans will have to wait over a year from now to see how they co-exist. Still, no one can wait to see how these two play together. They’re for sure a top-three duo in the NBA.
#2: Kawhi Leonard and Paul George
Combined 2018-19 season stats: 54.6 points, 15.5 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 0.8 blocks, and 4.0 steals.
Kawhi Leonard and Paul George teaming up was probably the most surprising move of the offseason. Two superstar talents who’ve been the top guy on their respective teams are now joining forces while still in their primes. Leonard and George are one of the scariest tandems in the NBA today. They’re so scary that some have the Los Angeles Clippers taking home the Larry O’Brien trophy. They’re so scary that they’re the second-best duo in the NBA.
Kawhi and PG13 have both faced their own challenges before teaming up. Both have been eliminated by LeBron James in the playoffs. Both have held the top-seed in their conference. And, both have made multiple Conference Finals appearances. The difference is that Leonard has two rings to show for it while George has zero. That’s intended to change, though, with these two powerhouses on the same team.
After LeBron failed to make the playoffs, Kawhi Leonard picked up the baton and stole the throne as the best player in the world. He led the Raptors to their first-ever NBA Championship this past season after doing it all for the team. It was still a team effort, but Leonard had his moments that propelled Toronto to championship glory.
Paul George had a stellar regular season… at least before the All-Star break. His averages of 28 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists propelled him into MVP conversations. His early playoff exit is one of the factors that prompted his early departure from OKC. But, now, he has a better player by his side.
The two possess similar abilities that’ll make them that much scarier on the court. First, these are the best two-way players in the entire league. Both are All-NBA First-Team talents with the ability to handle any assignment given to them all while getting the job done on the other end as well.
Regarding their scoring, they’re both better shooting than they are driving. They have the ability to score efficiently and can also give you a calm 25 points a night. It wouldn’t be surprising to see them make both the All-NBA and All-Defensive teams again because they’re just that good.
Kawhi Leonard and Paul George had large loads to carry at times during their careers. This is the first time that either of them is playing alongside a player of the other’s caliber. George played with Russell Westbrook, but Leonard is definitely a step up.
They’ll have no problem co-existing and will find success quickly. Both George and Leonard are used to handling the hardest matchup all game long. Now that they have each other, they can take a break from time to time, giving better chances to score on the offensive end. These two superstars are due to find success together in the City of Angels.
#1: LeBron James and Anthony Davis
Combined 2018-19 season stats: 53.3 points, 20.5 rebounds, 12.2 assists, 3.0 blocks, and 1.9 steals
Right now, the best duo in the NBA is LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The long-awaited trade was agreed upon in June. New Orleans sent Anthony Davis to the Lakers for a plethora of young players and picks. To the other 29 teams in the NBA, the trade gave the Lakers what will be the best duo in the league.
Let’s start with Anthony Davis. He’s only 26 years old and is entering his prime years, and they couldn’t have come at a better time. LeBron has never played with a player as good as AD is right now. Davis is 6’10” with loads of versatility and athleticism. He can handle the ball like a PG while being an elite rebounder and scorer. Due to his trade request among other issues, Davis played only 56 games last year. In those game, he managed to put up 26 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 assists. He has the ability to have an MVP campaign. There’s a widespread belief that LeBron James makes his teammates worse. Davis shouldn’t fall victim to that theory. He can and should be able to keep up his elite performances.
As for LeBron James, he’s coming back with a vengeance. He went down with an injury last Christmas after the Lakers had a top spot in the West. With a new and improved Lakers roster, LeBron will find no problems co-existing with Anthony Davis. This is something that he wanted to happen. As said before, LeBron has never had a teammate like Davis.
Davis happens to score 1.36 points per possession when rolling to the rim, the equivalent of shooting 68%. This is relevant here because LeBron is known to be one of the best playmakers in the league. With an elite pick-and-roller such as Davis by his side, it gives him more playmaking opportunities for someone who converts shots at an efficient rate. This also gives an opposing defense immense fear. They’re either going to have to worry about Davis flying into the paint or LeBron driving with brute force. Both players can also wreak havoc with mismatches to force teams to double-team them, leaving other teammates open.
Now that Anthony Davis is on a contending team with the best player in the world, we could see a new animal. Davis and James are hungry for an NBA Championship, and anything less than that will be a disappointment. These two are the NBA’s best duo for a reason, and this season, they’ll show us why.
Final Rankings
- LeBron James and Anthony Davis
- Kawhi Leonard and Paul George
- Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving
- James Harden and Russell Westbrook
- Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson
- Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons
- Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton
- Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum
- Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic
- DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge
- Donovan Mitchell and Mike Conley Jr.
- Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond
- Kemba Walker and Jayson Tatum
- Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis
- DeAndre Ayton and Devin Booker
- Kyle Lowry and Pascal Siakam
- De’Aaron Fox and Buddy Hield
- Zach Lavine and Lauri Markkanen
- Trae Young and John Collins
- Nikola Vucevic and Aaron Gordon
Wrapping it Up
That rounds out the top-20 NBA duos part II. From Vuevic and Gordon to LeBron and AD, each pairing has much to prove this upcoming season. Once again, you can make a firm argument that some of the pairings ranked in the top-10 were put somewhere they shouldn’t have been. Do you think this list is accurate? Who was ranked too high or too low? Let me know.