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While the NBA season is halted, there’s still plenty to think about in this time away from the game. Today we’ll be focusing on players that would be awesome to watch if they donned the same uniforms.
The summer of 2019 turned the NBA from a league of trios to one of duos. Star triads dispersed into twosomes, creating several pairs that made this past season so fun.
In terms of fit, a lot of them make sense. Leave it to Kawhi Leonard to do what’s best for himself, teaming up with an ideal complement in Paul George. The LA Clippers did not have the best record in the West when the season paused, but they’ll make a serious push for the league title whenever the season resumes.
The team ahead of them, the Los Angeles Lakers, are also led by a couple. LeBron James and Anthony Davis don’t complement each other spacing-wise, but Davis is by far the best pick-and-roll partner James has ever had. It works the other way too; James is the best playmaker in the history of the league, the ideal initiator for Davis.
Time will tell how well Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving will be together for the Brooklyn Nets, but it’s hard to imagine the fit being anything less than smooth. Durant, one of the most complete players ever, is a good companion for anyone, while Irving can get a bucket from anywhere.
Past pairings have been equally awesome. John Stockton and Karl Malone are the poster children for this topic, and thanks to The Last Dance, we’re all starting to remember the greatness of Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen together.
These examples are not the only ways a great two-man medley can be born. Here are some players we wish were on the same team today, as they would complete each other like yin and yang, covering for each other’s weaknesses while bolstering each other’s strengths.
Stephen Curry and Ben Simmons
Stephen Curry is a great running mate for just about anyone. He’s a threat to fire from anywhere past half-court, and he maintains that threat without the ball in his hands by dashing around screens like a hummingbird.
But the Golden State Warriors deserve credit too; they did a phenomenal job building around him. Klay Thompson is the prototype for doing the most with the least offensively, the star version of a low-usage complement. Draymond Green is the MVP of doing the little things, defending anyone 1-5 while dissecting defenses on the short roll.
The Green prototype is rare, but not one-of-a-kind. Ben Simmons is very similar to Green, defending multiple positions and setting up others with precision. He can cover for Curry defensively while acting as a second playmaker with Curry off the ball.
Simmons’ defensive efficacy at the 5 is a bit uncertain compared to Green’s, but he has the tools to be good at it. In addition, he’d be a better roller and playmaker, leaning into the offensive skills that best highlight Curry.
Damian Lillard and Rudy Gobert
We’ve already seen how good Rudy Gobert is for a high-usage guard. He sets screens better than almost anyone, finishes at a high clip and is a defensive scheme all on his own. Gobert doesn’t create much for himself, but he does all the little things better than any big in the league.
Damian Lillard would have no problem running the whole show, as he basically already does that for the Portland Trail Blazers. He’s already high-level offense by himself, and he could set up easy buckets like no tomorrow for the Frenchman.
As for Lillard’s weaknesses on the other end, Gobert more than has that covered. The reigning two-time Defensive Player of the Year deters challengers with ease, often thwarting short-range pursuits before they even begin.
It could happen too. 2020-21 is the last year of Gobert’s deal, making him a possible trade candidate, and Portland is in need of a shake-up. Lillard deserves a true yang to his yin, someone the Blazers have failed to find at any point in the juggernaut guard’s prime.
Landry Shamet and Dejounte Murray
Let’s get weird. Neither Landry Shamet or Dejounte Murray comes to mind right away for this exercise, but the pair could be devastating together as they grow.
Shamet is as close to instant offense as one can get at his age. In just his second year in the league, the converted shooting guard is firing off 5.7 3s a night at a 39.2 percent clip. A career free-throw percentage of 84.6 suggests that figure is sustainable, as does his lightning-quick release and sharp movement off the ball.
Conversely, Murray is as close as one can get to “instant” defense. Ranking near the top of the league in steals per game and steal percentage, the Washington alum is a threat to stymie opponents and start the fast break at any time. And though he’s barely a threat to shoot, he does set up teammates well in the limited opportunities he’s given (4.1 assists a game on 20.6 percent usage).
That the San Antonio Spurs are built around two mid-range scorers doesn’t make Murray’s life any easier. It’s also worth wondering how much better Shamet could be in a bigger role with the Clippers. The latter can’t happen unless Kawhi Leonard and Paul George leave after 2020-21, but if they do, it would behoove the Clippers to look at poaching Murray.