Jordan and Pippen, Stockton and Malone, Magic and Worthy, Kobe and Shaq
and Parker and Duncan are some of the greatest tandems in the long
history of the NBA. Stockton and Malone, perhaps, operated in cohesion
better than any other duo ever, although they never won a title
together. The boys from Utah managed to pick and roll many great
players to near extintion and was practically a perfect NBA combo
matching a playmaking point guard and a punishing post presence. But can
you name who was the best player to play alongside those 2 future Hall
of Famers? Names like Eaton, Bailey and Honacek immediately come to
mind. Each a little better than average but none of them Hall of Fame
material. To be a champion in today's NBA, a dynamic duo MUST be
accompanied by a capable third wheel. There are instances to the
contrary, like the 2005 Detriot Pistons, but those few instances are not the norm. The 3rd wheel is the ultimate
difference between a contender and an eventual champion.
I have ranked the top five 1, 2 punches in the game today based on their chances
of winning an NBA title, as their teams are presently constituted and the teams 3rd wheel.
1. Tim Duncan/Tony Parker. 3rd Wheel - Manu Ginoblli - San Antonio.
The games most complete post player in Tim Duncan and the one of the
best penetrating point guards in league history in Parker would make any
team an automatic perenial contender. Manu, an unguardable lefty with
the heart to take and make big plays, gets you into the dynasty
conversation.
2. Paul Pierce/Kevin Garnett. 3rd Wheel - Ray Allen - Boston.
Combined you get more than 20 All-Star appearances, a couple rebounding
titles, over 60 ppg, the ability to take and make big shots and
unmatched focus and desire. You also get a historic 22-3 start not seen
since Red was lighting up stoggies on the Garden bench. Only time will
tell what this really means in terms of history.
3. Steve Nash/Amare Stoudemire. 3rd Wheel - Shawn Marion - Phoenix.
Many feel the trio was well on their way to the franchises first title
until Big Shot Bob and commissioner Goodel, I mean Stern stepped in. I
am not one of those people, but I do feel with Nash as Brady, Amare as
Moss and Marion as Seymore these guys have all the pieces in place to
perhaps hoist the trophy this season. The biggest problem is D'Antoni is
NO Belicheck.
4. Dirk Nowitzki/Josh Howard. 3rd Wheel - Jason Terry - Dallas.
Perhaps no trio can be said to have had as much heartbreak as these 3
over the last 3 seasons. They were practically sipping bubbly on the
bench a few years ago until D. Wade went all Mike Jordan on em'. And I
think they are still having nightmares of B. Diddy and Nellie after what
took place in the 1st round last year. If these boys are learning
anything from Coach Johnson they will put it behind them and go grab the
title that continues to elude them.
5. Jason Kidd/Vince Carter. 3rd Wheel - Richard Jefferson.
Talent wise there is probaly no trio in the league that can do as much
as each of these guys can on a nightly basis. Compared to each of the
previous trios these guys are playing with junior varsity subs. Somehow
they still seem to compete ... so I don't know?
Future 1, 2 combos and the 3rd wheel.