Over the years of watching professional basketball, I have had the pleasure of watching some of the most dynamic duos in the history of the NBA. I saw Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen; Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’neal. Most recently, I have watched Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook; and Lebron James and Dwayne Wade. Most duos are dynamic because of their scoring prowess, but I credit duos who are just as effective on the defensive end of the court even more.
Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook
Kevin Durant is probably the best pure scorer in the NBA. He combines a rare combination of a post player’s height (6'10") and the perimeter skills of a top three wing player. He plays the game with passion and is able to get a good shot against any team’s defense. He is not adept at passing the ball and making his teammates better yet. His assist numbers have never been impressive. He is, however, a very good rebounder, despite his slight frame. I believe that is a credit to his heart and will to mix it up with more physically imposing players. Also, Kevin Durant is not a great defensive player. Defense begins with a player’s determination to stop another player, but it also can be physically draining. Durant has to carry a major offensive load and exerting too much energy on the defensive end could affect his offensive production.
Russell Westbrook is widely considered to be a top five point guard in the NBA. He is probably the most explosive, athletic point guard in the league whose name is not Derrick Rose. He is able to get to the rim and finish with tenacity at almost any moment. He too combines size, strength and speed that is unparalleled in the point guard position. Despite his ability to play the game, his decision making is not on par with other elite point guards. He still settles for contested pull up jump shots far too often and too early in the shot clock. I also believe his biggest issue is that he has not accepted the fact that he is Robin to Kevin Durant’s Batman. His erratic play in last year’s playoffs and his insistence to be “the man” is still baffling. Defensively, he is above average, due in large part to his strength, speed, and ability to move laterally to keep opposing point guards in front of him.
Lebron James and Dwayne Wade
Lebron James is the best player in the NBA. He also receives the most scrutiny of any player in the league and he often finds himself in a proverbial "catch 22." If he shoots the ball during the waning moments of the game an misses, he is ridiculed. If he passes to an open player and makes the right basketball play, he is ridiculed. He has to win a championship to quiet his critics. His statistical production is off the charts. In fact, his statistical production is bordering on historic levels. He is able to score against any defender at will. He is currently third in the NBA in scoring, and could very easily be number one in that category. He is probably the best passing small forward the game has ever seen. He is also the best rebounding small forward in the league, as has been so for a number of years. As scary as his talent has been in the past, this year he has developed a post up game. Seemingly, as time passes, he adds another wrinkle or layer to his game that makes him even better. Defensively, he is able to guard all five positions on the court. Last year during the playoffs, he successfully guarded the then MVP, Derrick Rose, during the fourth quarters of their series. There is not player in the league that is able to match his skill level.
Dwayne Wade is certainly one of my favorite NBA players. He is an NBA champion and former NBA Finals Most Valuable Player. He has the most visible killer instinct of all NBA players not named Kobe Bryant. Over his career, he has averaged 20 plus points per game. He is a streaky shooter, but when he finds his offensive rhythm, he is capable of scoring 40 plus points on any given night. He also has an outstanding post up game for an undersized shooting guard. His strength allows him to post up and score against bigger and smaller players. He is an underrated passer and a very intelligent player. He is a top five player in the league. He does it on both ends of the floor as well. He is an excellent weak side defensive player and that ability allows him to get blocked shots at a high rate. He is also a very good passing lane defender, which allows him to tip passes and ignite the Miami Heat’s fast break.
Derrick Rose and Carlos Boozer
I’m kidding.
Lebron James and Dwayne Wade are the best duo in the league because they are better overall players than Durant and Westbrook. Defensively, they are on another level. It takes a great deal of energy to dominate on both ends of the court the way James and Wade are able to do. Despite the edge going to the Miami duo, I certainly believe the future will belong to Durant and Westbrook, as they are considerably younger than their Miami counterparts.
Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen
I would be remiss if I did not talk about the best duo in league history. That duo consisted of Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. Michael Jordan is the best player to ever play the game. He was simply better, more competitive and more talented than any player that has ever played the game. He also possessed a work ethic that is unmatched by anyone. His will power would not allow his team to lose. Not only would he score 35 points, but the guy he guarded would have less than 10. He demanded that his teammates match his intensity and did not mind verbally or physically ensuring that it happened. Scottie Pippen was also great in his own right. One of his best characteristics was the fact that he knew he was the number two guy and he was comfortable in that role. He is probably the best perimeter defensive player to ever play the game. When MJ and Pippen were on the court, the other teams' best perimeter players were often times non factors. The combination was also the driving force behind 6 NBA titles. Before Miami’s duo or OKC’s duo can ever been mentioned in the same category as MJ and Pip, they have to win championships.
Peace
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