The superteam era in the NBA has officially come and gone. While KD's Warriors made it seem simple, constructing a superteam is easier said than done. The most recent attempts by the Lakers and Nets reminded us just how hard it is. The NBA is now, and really has always been run by duos. Jordan and Pippen, Kobe and Shaq, and LeBron and D Wade are some of the iconic duos that have carried teams to championships. Today's NBA gives us some of the most talented pairs we've ever seen, but talent doesn't always equal success. Here are my top 10 duos in the NBA today.
(Duos are ranked based on statistics, chemistry, eye test, two-way play, and team success)
I'll start off by mentioning that this was extremely difficult to rank, and the difference between many spots is very small.
HONORABLE MENTION: Derozan/Lavine, KAT/Anthony Edwards, Butler/Adebayo
10. Ja Morant & Desmond Bane
COMBINED STATS: 53.5 PPG, 10.7 RPG, 11.6 APG
The youngest duo on my list checks in at #10. These two young stars have been the main catalysts in Memphis' rise to the top of the Western Conference. They are a nightmare to defend, and play a fearless brand of basketball. Bane is one of the top shooters in the league, while Ja is on his way to becoming a perennial MVP candidate. My only question mark is whether Desmond Bane can keep up this production all year long. If they continue to play like this, they will not be #10 for long.
9. Nikola Jokic & Jamal Murray
COMBINED STATS: 36.9 PPG, 13.5 RPG, 13.0 APG
The two-time reigning MVP headlines this pair, as Jamal Murray is still working his way back from injury. We have seen these two be very effective in the past, and I expect them to be a Western Conference contender this year. Jokic possesses a playstyle that has never been seen before, and Murray is a three-level scorer who can make some electric plays. The biggest challenge for these two is on the defensive side of the ball where they leave some to be desired. They will shoot up the list if they can lead Denver to a successful playoff run this year.
8. Paul George & Kawhi Leonard
COMBINED STATS: (From 2021 when Kawhi played) 48.1 PPG, 13.1 RPG, 10.4 APG
Based on talent alone, these two have an argument to be at the top of this list. However, their time in LA has been filled with disappointment. Injuries have plagued them and disrupted every season they've had together. PG & Kawhi are two of the best two-way players in the game and are matchup nightmares on both sides of the court. Obviously, their biggest challenge is playing a full season together as it's still hard to tell whether this duo can be effective enough. They have a couple more years to figure out in LA, or they will be remembered as a big what-if.
7. LeBron James & Anthony Davis
COMBINED STATS: 47.9 PPG, 19.0 RPG, 9.4 APG
While I felt weird putting them this low on my list, I think it's only right. LeBron is still a force but seems to finally be losing his dominance, and we all know AD's issues. Since the bubble, he has missed more games than he's played. Even when he has played, he doesn't look nearly the same player he was in New Orleans. Assuming LA misses the playoffs this year, this duo will now be 1 for 4 in making the playoffs together. They did get a ring in 2020, but I'll let you decide how much weight the bubble championship carries. Their time together is running short, and it has mostly been a failure.
6. Donovan Mitchell & Darius Garland
COMBINED STATS: 48.3 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 14.2 APG
This young Cleveland backcourt duo is in their first season together but already looks elite. Garland has started off the year battling injury, but we know his potential after being an All-Star last year. Mitchell has played at an MVP level to open the year and has led the Cavs to a strong start. They have the potential, and might already be the best backcourt in the league. These two are the cornerstones for a Cleveland team with an extremely bright future, and I expect them to have a lot of playoff success.
5. Kevin Durant & Kyrie Irving
COMBINED STATS: 57.7 PPG, 11.6 RPG, 10.4 APG This was by far the hardest pair to rank. I think they are the most talented 1-2 punch in the NBA and are two of the best scorers the league has ever seen. Their time in Brooklyn has been an absolute rollercoaster so far. Durant has been injured often, and we know Kyrie's, and the organization's issues. They have yet to have much success, but I don't attribute too much of that to their on-court play. If KD was one shoe size smaller, I think they win the championship in 2021. When these two have been healthy and ready to play basketball, their product on the court has been fine. If they can stay out of their own way, they have a couple more years to prove that they can be the best duo in the league.
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(Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
4. Steph Curry & Klay Thompson
COMBINED STATS: 47.7 PPG, 9.9 RPG, 9.5 APG The Splash Brothers were once the unanimous best duo in the league, but Klay Thompson's regression has put an end to that. Steph is still playing at an MVP level, while Klay has struggled post-injury. They still remain the best shooting duo in the league and have unmatched chemistry. As we saw in last year's playoffs, these two just know how to win games. They have more experience doing so than most of the other pairs combined, and there is nobody else I would trust more to win a series than these two and the Warriors. Being great winners might be the most important trait a pair can have, and these two have it. I expect Klay to improve as the year goes on, but this duo's time near the top is starting to come to an end.
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(Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
3. James Harden & Joel Embiid
COMBINED STATS: 50.0 PPG, 16.6 RPG, 13.6 APG
The 76er pair contains two of the most talented offensive players in the NBA. Harden is not what he once was, but remains a lethal scorer and playmaker. Embiid had an MVP-caliber season in 2021-22, but has had a slow start to the year. We have yet to see if these two can really lead a championship team. They have a great chance these next few years to prove that they are not just individual talents, but can help a team win. When these two are clicking, they present a nearly impossible challenge to opposing defenses. Behind Giannis, Joel Embiid might be the most unguardable player in the league. I think these two are still building chemistry, and will have success in Philly.
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(Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)
2. Jayson Tatum & Jaylen Brown
COMBINED STATS: 56.6 PPG, 13.6 RPG, 6.9 APG
The Jays possess a rare combination of offensive and defensive talent. They are two of the most complete scorers in the Association, and provide All-NBA level defense on the other end. This young duo has already taken Boston to 3 of the last 5 Eastern Conference Finals and almost won a championship last year. Tatum is evolving into a top-five player before our eyes, and Jaylen is a perfect second option. While many were calling for their separation early into last season, they have put that idea to bed. The scary part is at 24 and 25, these two are just entering their primes. They have the potential to bring Boston several championships in the next 10 years.
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(ELSA / GETTY IMAGES)
1. Giannis Antetkounmpo & Khris Middleton
COMBINED STATS: 50.0 PPG, 17.0 RPG, 11.6 RPG
The best player in the world headlines the top duo on my list. These two provide everything you could want in your two best players. Middleton brings the shooting, ball-handling, and three-level scoring while Giannis gives you literally everything else. Their run to a championship in 2021 held a lot of weight as I ranked them. Middleton was absolutely elite during those playoffs and complimented Giannis perfectly. Giannis is the most unstoppable force in the NBA in a long time, and will be for a long time. Defensively they are as good as any duo on this list and lead a Bucks team that is in my mind the title favorite this year. Their winning pedigree is hard to come by. These two remind me a lot of Steph & Klay. Obviously not play style-wise, but as a pair. Giannis is clearly the better player, the best in the world. But Middleton compliments him perfectly and is capable of looking like one of the best in the world at times. Look for these two to make some more noise in the next 10 years.
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(Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
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