May 10

May 10 Top 5 NBA Duos of All Time

#5 Karl Malone - John Stockton

Possibly the most fluid basketball machine ever assembled. This duo worked together effortlessly and their chemistry led to the most prolific assist/scoring combination among any two players ever. When they retired, Stockton was the all time leader in assists while Malone was second all time in scoring behind Kareem.

#4 Wilt Chamberlain - Jerry West

The most athletically gifted big man to ever suit up playing alongside Mr. Clutch. No physical feat was too great for Wilt, while no shot was too daunting for West. Sadly for these two, their championship aspirations were constantly thwarted by Bill Russell. But the dynamism of this partnership is undeniable. Their game would translate to any generation.

#3 Michael Jordan - Scottie Pippen

Scottie Pippen, the game's single greatest perimeter defender and Michael Jordan, one of the greatest all-around players. The threat of playing against these two was sufficient to strike the fear of God in opponents before they even took the floor. They shared a killer instinct, and that mentality enabled them to dictate the terms of their victories. The two led an all-star cast to a dominating record-breaking season in 1996 culminating with 72 wins and a championship.

#2 Kobe Bryant - Shaquille O'Neal

Kobe and Shaq. Did these two like each other? Not at all. Did these two get along? Nope. But did their relationship ever affect their on-court performance? Absolutely not! Despite their personal struggles (which are many and well documented) they managed to win three consecutive championships in the early 2000s. Shaq retired a top 5 center while Kobe retired the top shooting guard. This combination was lethal. The game had never before seen such a lethal fusion of front court dominance and back court sharpshooting. Neither player could be doubled since both were such proficient scorers.

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#1 Earvin "Magic" Johnson - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
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Magic and Kareem were the prototypical duo. Magic could place the basketball in impossible windows and Kareem could put the ball in the hoop from anywhere within 12 feet of the basket. Their shared length also made them the best defensive duo (though Michael and Scottie are a close second in that regard). Stockton and Malone patterned their game around the fluidity of Magic and Kareem, but nothing compared to Showtime. Don't be confused, Showtime was not LA, or Hollywood or flashbulbs. Showtime was the greatest show on the hardwood featuring Magic and Kareem.