NBA basketball is finally back. The 2019-2020 season tipped off last night with the Raptors beating the Pelicans in overtime. This season in particular is so exciting because it feels as if the league is more wide open than it has been in quite some time. For the last five seasons the Warriors have basically ran the NBA without much pushback. They've won three out of the last five years and even in one of the years they lost they set a record for regular season wins. They started their run with their big 3 of Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green. The so called "super team" or big 3 era has been the trend in the NBA throughout the 2010's. However, after this years free agency it seems that the big 3 era is at an end. Instead of super teams the league seems to be moving forward with lots of dynamic duos. The Rockets, Clippers, Lakers, and Nets are just a few examples of teams moving forward with star studded tandems. With all of that in mind it got me thinking of some of the best duos in league history. So with that said here is my list of the best twenty five duos in NBA history...
25. Shaquille O'neal and Penny Hardaway
- Played together from 1993-1996
- One Finals appearance together
- One of the best young duos of the mid 90s
24. LeBron James and Kyrie Irving
- Played together from 2014-2017
- Three Finals appearances together
- Won 1 Championship
23. Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire
- Played together from 2004-2010
- No Finals Appearances
- One of the best pick'n rolls ever
22. Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler
- Played together from 1995-1998
- One Finals appearance together
- Won 1 Championship together
21. Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce
- Played together from 2007-2013
- Two Finals appearances together
- Won 1 Championship together
20. Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol
- Played together from 2008-2014
- Three Finals appearances together
- Won 2 Championships together
19. Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp
- Played together from 1990-1997
- One Finals appearance together
- Great tandem in 90s that could never get over the hump
18. Wilt Chamberlain and Jerry West
- Played together from 1968-1973
- Four Finals appearances together
- Won 1 Championship together
17. John Havlicek and Dave Cowens
- Played together from 1970-1978
- Two Finals appearances together
- Won 1 Championship together
16. Walt Frazier and Willis Reed
- Played together from 1967-1974
- Three Finals appearances together
- Won 2 Championships together
15. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook
- Played together from 2008-2016
- One Finals appearance together
- 12 combined All Star selections from 08-16
14. Elvin Hayes and Wes Unseld
- Played together from 1972-1981
- Four Finals appearances together
- 1 Championship together
13. Oscar Robertson and Lew Alcindor
- Played together from 1970-1974
- One Finals appearance together
- Won 1 Championship together
12. Jerry West and Elgin Baylor
- Played together from 1960-1971
- Seven Finals appearances together
- Could never beat the Bill Russell Celtics in the Finals
11. LeBron James and Dwayne Wade
- Played together from 2010-2014
- Four Finals appearances together
- 2 Championships together
10. Julius Erving and Moses Malone
- Played together from 1982-1986
- One Finals appearance together
- Won 1 Championship together
9. Isiah Thomas and Joe Dumars
- Played together from 1985-1994
- Two Finals appearances together
- Won 2 Championships together
8. Steph Curry and Klay Thompson
- Played together from 2011-present
- Five Finals appearances so far
- Won 3 Championships together so far
7. Tim Duncan and Tony Parker
- Played together from 2001-2016
- Five Finals appearances together
- Won 4 Championships together
6. Bill Russell and Bob Cousy
- Played together from 1956-1963
- Six Finals appearances together
- Won 6 Championships together
5. John Stockton and Karl Malone
- Played together from 1985-2003
- Two Finals appearances together
- Legendary pick and roll
- 18 years together
4. Shaquille O'neal and Kobe Bryant
- Played together from 1996-2004
- Four Finals appearances together
- Won 3 Championships together
3. Larry Bird and Kevin McHale
- Played together from 1980-1992
- Five Finals appearances together
- Won 3 Championships together
2. Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
- Played together from 1979-1989
- Eight Finals appearances together
- Won 5 Championships together
1. Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen
- Played together from 1987-1993, 1995-1998
- Six Finals appearances together
- Won 6 Championships together
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