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Ranked: The five best duos in the NBA

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This past NBA offseason has been one for the ages. With so many superstars switching teams and changing locations, various franchises have found themselves with two superstars on their roster. So, with all this premier talent, what else is there to do in this desolate period of the offseason than to rank them?

Due to injury, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, as well as Steph Curry and Klay Thompson will not feature on this list.

Let’s get into it, here are the best dynamic duos of the 2019 NBA season ranked.

5. C.J. McCollum and Damian Lillard

Seemingly the most underrated back court in the NBA, McCollum and Lillard combined in the 2019 playoffs to humiliate the Thunder in round one and best a strong Nuggets team in round two before falling to the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals.

Out of all the tag-teams to feature on this list, C.J. and Dame have been together the longest and have constantly proven that they’re a premier partnership in the league. If the dynamic duo can build on this breakout season then the Trail Blazers are sure to be contenders in 2019/20.

       

4. Luka Dončić and Kristaps Porzingis

As NBA icon, Dirk Nowitzki prepared to make his exit from the league, the Dallas Mavericks drafted Euro-league starlet Luka Dončić. A few months later, Dallas traded for Kristaps Porzingis, creating what will be one of the most fascinating, fun and distinctly European partnerships.

The talent that the Rookie of the Year demonstrated this season, combined with the potential KP holds (if he can stay healthy) is worthy of the fourth spot. Luka and KP have already achieved a great rapport off the court and Mavs fans are eager to see that chemistry transfer to the court.

3. Russell Westbrook and James Harden

The Rockets under Daryl Morey, Mike D’Antoni and James Harden are renowned for their efficient play in Houston.

Russell Westbrook is infamous for his gung-ho attitude and ‘three point chucking’ play style. At first glance, this is a partnership that is a complete mismatch. However, as shown the previous two seasons, Harden can play with another ball dominant guard. Westbrook has never had a chance to play in a real system where the team does not belong to him. Even when Paul George was in OKC, the team still revolved around Westbrook, in Houston it will be markedly different. If D’Antoni can reign in Westbrook’s three-point shooting as well as building on his already great 10+ assists per game, then the Westbrook-Harden reunion will undoubtedly be a success.

2. Paul George and Kawhi Leonard

In the fallout of the Paul George-Kawhi Leonard team-up, comparisons between Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen were ample and there is good reason for that.

       

Both players are defensive specialists with the ability to score at will. George and Leonard give the Clippers an opportunity to either play Kawhi at two and George at the three, or the ability to go small and replicate the 2017-2019 Warriors as well as the 2010-2014 Heat. The Kawhi-PG partnership immediately makes the Clippers contenders for the 2019/2020 title.

1. LeBron James and Anthony Davis

Los Angeles, the ‘City of Stars’ is shining brightly this NBA offseason.

It would have been easy for me to swap PG-Kawhi, LBJ-AD places on this list. However, whilst Leonard is currently the NBA’s flavour of the summer, LeBron James is waiting in the wings, ready to return from a nagging groin injury (which he injured leading the young Lakers to a blow out win in Oracle against the Warriors) which hampered his play greatly this past year.

While LeBron’s greatness seems to have fallen to the way-side this NBA season so has that of Anthony Davis. Davis was considered by many the best talent in the NBA before the drama with the Pelicans. LeBron, disgruntled at the talk of his crown being taken by Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kawhi Leonard etc, and Anthony Davis, motivated to prove to L.A. he was worth the trouble is a dangerous combination.

No matter what the rank of these NBA tag-teams, we as basketball fanatics should be thrilled to finally see a competitive, wide open league. Whoever ends up as NBA Champions next year, one thing is for sure – sit back, relax and enjoy.

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