Leagues Best Duos

-Zach Lowe

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Could MIP front runner Ron Artest and newly acquired Jermaine Oneal become one of the best forward combos in the league?

When considering two players that play positions that require similar skill sets you don't just want two talented guys, but you also want two guys who complement one another. Whether it's two guards that play well off of each other or two bigmen, it's important to find the right combo. While Boozer and Gasol, Amare and Yao were talented duos they weren't great fits with one another and so they didn't produce wins. The leagues best duos among similar positions are as follows.

Best Bigmen Combos:
5: Dwight and Nene Nets
Probably one of the most talented front courts but their inexperience keeps them from winning on the court
4: Al Jefferson and Emeka Okafor Rockets
Oak plays the D, Jefferson scores, both can rebound
3: Shaq and Webber Celtics
Definitely the biggest names on this list but they are very similar players eating space in the middle and being largely turnover prone. Perhaps reuniting Shaq with Hill will help
2: Alonzo Mourning and Elton Brand Grizzlies
Elton Brand provides the scoring the former MVP used to bring and while Zo is a shell of his former self he helps Brand set the tone on defense.
1: Pau Gasol and Mehmet Okur Cavs
Inside scoring and outside scoring. Not elite defensively but enough to get by on however

Best Forward Pairings:
5: SJax and STAT Knicks
needs more run I'm assuming SJax plays the 3. Still hate that trade for the Knicks
4: Grant Hill and Chris Webber Celtics
another example of a small sample size but definitely talented
3: Lewis and Walker Jazz
Yet to make the playoffs as of rescent but incredibly productive
2: Melo and Jefferson Rockets
Both shoot incredibly effectively and provide an inside outside game that's impossible to stop
1: Tmac and Duncan Lakers
It's Tmac and Duncan

Best Wing Duos
5: Hamilton and Turkoglu Hornets
both of these guys shoot an incredible 46% from 3. The perks of being a Hornet
4: Wade an Pierce Clippers
Pierce is having a bad year along with the team but this is definitely a talented pair
3: Manu and Melo Rockets
efficient and I think Manu is worth more to that team than they think. Congrats for appearing on 3/4 of the lists
2: Caron Butler and Glenn Robinson Warriors
They carry this team. Robinson is an allstar scorer and Butler is effecient and plays D
1: Iverson and Tmac Lakers
I hate the Lakers

Best Guard Tandems
5: Kobe and Sura Wizards
Kobe is THAT good. Sura, while way less talented than many point guards, plays off of him well as he's a shooter first, ball handler second but can distribute when he has too.
4: Francis and Finley Blazers
These two have carried the Blazers season after season offensively
3: Barkley and Barbosa Hornets
maybe I'm getting a little cute here by throwing the backup Barbosa in here, but Barbosa and Barkley on the break is unstoppable as both can handle the ball, play off ball and heckle ball handlers
2: Andre Miller and Morris Peterson Raptors
the gap between them and number one is smaller than most people would believe. Miller isn't as good as that contract but he is a good passer and maybe the best defender at that position in the league. Peterson has taken his efficient ways with him out of New Orleans for a 2nd straight allstar appearance.
1: Chris Paul and Ray Allen Sonics
Dynamo rookie and top 5 scorer Paul finds Allen in his sweet spots and lets him play off ball more which he prefers.

LMAO I was working on a duos piece too. Great minds...

I'm working on a piece that the rockets will enjoy.

Also good work beeball, glad you're hearts back in it. We've shared unpleasantries before, but the league is better off with you and in full competition mode

walker/lewis playoffs first year and prolly never again

This is a great piece and I'm greatly honored to be on 3/4 of the list. Also, it's humbling to have the 3rd best record in the league this late in the year.

Nice concept, why not Barkley/Hamilton instead of Barkley/Barbosa though? And wtf, how did commish sign Rip Hamilton to 3 years 4M per year flat?!

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Originally Posted by ItsPaulyP

Nice concept, why not Barkley/Hamilton instead of Barkley/Barbosa though? And wtf, how did commish sign Rip Hamilton to 3 years 4M per year flat?!

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I like that both play defense and I think they complement each other better as Barbosa gets into the paint and Barkley plays off ball well. I personally think Barbosa is better than Rip.

Barbosa is rated higher on the index.

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Originally Posted by Pelicans78

Barbosa is rated higher on the index.

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I do understand why they start Rip though. His three point shooting is important to their philosophy.

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Originally Posted by BeeBall Reasons

I do understand why they start Rip though. His three point shooting is important to their philosophy.

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Plus, its easier to use Barbosa as a combo guard off the bench.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ItsPaulyP

Nice concept, why not Barkley/Hamilton instead of Barkley/Barbosa though? And wtf, how did commish sign Rip Hamilton to 3 years 4M per year flat?!

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Patience.

Just waited till all the big spending was done and then struck.

Could have made a case for Peja/Mo-Pete as a wing duo. Very productive.

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Originally Posted by Pelicans78

Could have made a case for Peja/Mo-Pete as a wing duo. Very productive.

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Thought about it but Peja hasn't shot great and isn't too good defensively. Couldn't really put them over anyone else on that list.