Ranking the Best 3 NBA Duos of Today
Anthony Davis (left) and LeBron James (right) have formed a formidable partnership at Los Angeles Lakers. Among a group of great NBA duos throughout history, they are now widely considered to be the best.
The NBA is a star-driven league where the winning formula constantly changes. In the past, NBA teams tried to build a ‘Big 3’ with one or two generational superstars and surrounded by other big names. However, in the current NBA, and looking at the reigning 2020 champions, the winning formula has shifted to duos. What makes a superstar duo so dominant is the ability to have two top options on both sides of the ball. I will be ranking the top three NBA duos of today.
- Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers
This duo has to play in the shadows of LeBron James and Anthony Davis on the other side of Los Angeles, but they are still at the top of the league as one of the most efficient duos.
In the 2019-20 season, they led the Clippers to a 49-23 record, earning them 2nd in the Western Conference, securing a spot in the Conference Semifinals. This year, Leonard and George are both on pace for 20pt 50-40-90 seasons (20+ppg, 50% FG, 40% 3PT and 90% FT), an accomplishment that has only been achieved eight times since the introduction of the 3PT line in the 1979-80 season.
- Jaylen Brown and Jayson Taytum, Boston Celtics
As the 2020-21 season has unfolded, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Taytum have emerged as the best duo in the East. Without the presence of Kemba Walker due to a knee injury, Brown and Taytum have gotten more of the spotlight. Despite the Celtics underperforming early into the year, Brown and Taytum have gotten off to a scorching hot start. The pair has scored more than 250 points in their first 10 games, joining Kobe and Shaq (2001-02) and Curry and Durant (3x 2016-17 through 2018-19) as the only pair of teammates to achieve this. (Per Twitter @NBAHistory)
At 22, Taytum is averaging 26.5 PPG, while Brown, 24, is averaging 27.1 PPG. This duo excels on both sides of the ball as they are both premier defensive players as well. As Kemba Walker returns and Brown and Taytum continue to dominate, the Celtics should be able to recover from the few rough losses earlier this season and get past the Eastern Conference finals.
- LeBron James and Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers
However, the top NBA duo is part of the reigning champion team: the Lakers. Lebron and Anthony Davis are the first pair of teammates to be named All-NBA First Team since 2007. Davis is a top five player in the league and the best big man on both sides of the ball. He finished second in Defensive Player of the Year honors and made the All-NBA First Team. He is joined by James, who is arguably the greatest player of all time. At the age of 36, he is still one of the best players in the NBA, finishing second in MVP votes last year and also claiming All-NBA First Team honors. James won his fourth championship and fourth Finals MVP award. Despite his age, he is not slowing down.
With more time and more championships, this duo can become one of the best of all time and look to dominate the NBA this season and for years to come.