Author Topic: Ranking the best superstar duos right now  (Read 3808 times)

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Ranking the best superstar duos right now
« on: August 14, 2023, 09:28:08 AM »

Offline johnnygreen

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Bleacher Report posted an article ranking the best NBA superstar duos right now.
https://syndication.bleacherreport.com/amp/10085295-ranking-the-nbas-best-superstar-duos-right-now.amp.html

They provide the following statistics, which I'll list in the same order.
1. Net rating together (percentile)
2. Combined estimated plus/minus
3. Combined estimated wins

Best duos per Bleacher Report:
1. Durant and Booker - 18.4 (100th), 10.6, 19.2
2. Giannis and Holiday - 14.3 (99th), 11.3, 24.4
3. Jokic and Murray - 12.7 (98th), 9.6, 23.8
4. LeBron and Davis - 6.2 (86th), 11.7, 22.9
5. Doncic and Irving - 4.6 (80th), 11.9, 27.6

Honorable mentions:
Tatum and Brown
Embiid and Harden
Kawhi and George

Hardwood Houdini posted an article in response, stating the case for why Tatum and Brown belong on the top 5 list.
https://hardwoodhoudini.com/2023/08/12/boston-celtics-stars-left-best-duos/

One thing I will add is that at least one player in the top five of those duos has won a title. For that simple fact alone, I'm OK with the Tatum and Brown ranking. You have to win the title to earn that elite respect.

Re: Ranking the best superstar duos right now
« Reply #1 on: August 14, 2023, 09:37:48 AM »

Offline gouki88

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Doncic and Irving don’t belong on any such list
'23 Historical Draft: Orlando Magic.

PG: Terry Porter (90-91) / Steve Francis (00-01)
SG: Joe Dumars (92-93) / Jeff Hornacek (91-92) / Jerry Stackhouse (00-01)
SF: Brandon Roy (08-09) / Walter Davis (78-79)
PF: Terry Cummings (84-85) / Paul Millsap (15-16)
C: Chris Webber (00-01) / Ralph Sampson (83-84) / Andrew Bogut (09-10)

Re: Ranking the best superstar duos right now
« Reply #2 on: August 14, 2023, 09:44:02 AM »

Offline Donoghus

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Doncic and Irving don’t belong on any such list

That's what I was thinking.  The other four I don't really have qualms with.   I do think Tatum/Brown should be top 5.


2010 CB Historical Draft - Best Overall Team

Re: Ranking the best superstar duos right now
« Reply #3 on: August 14, 2023, 10:16:36 AM »

Offline Kernewek

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Now this is the off-season subjective top 5 content I crave.

Past performance not being an indicator of future results, I cut LeBron/AD for Tatum/ Brown… but there’s a decent argument for shifting Doncic/Irving down instead.
Man had always assumed that he was more intelligent than dolphins because he had achieved so much—the wheel, New York, wars and so on—whilst all the dolphins had ever done was muck about in the water having a good time.

But conversely, the dolphins had always believed that they were far more intelligent than man—for precisely the same reasons.

Re: Ranking the best superstar duos right now
« Reply #4 on: August 14, 2023, 10:52:13 AM »

Offline johnnygreen

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Now this is the off-season subjective top 5 content I crave.

Past performance not being an indicator of future results, I cut LeBron/AD for Tatum/ Brown… but there’s a decent argument for shifting Doncic/Irving down instead.

I saw the Hardwood Houdini article pop up on my Google feed, and couldn't believe I didn't see the topic brought up in the forums here. This seems like a perfect offseason controversial topic for a Celtics fan, with the omission of Tatum and Brown.

Re: Ranking the best superstar duos right now
« Reply #5 on: August 14, 2023, 10:55:15 AM »

Online Moranis

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Interesting.  Can't have the team killer in the top 5, otherwise seems about right.
2023 Historical Draft - Brooklyn Nets - 9th pick

Bigs - Pau, Amar'e, Issel, McGinnis, Roundfield
Wings - Dantley, Bowen, J. Jackson
Guards - Cheeks, Petrovic, Buse, Rip

Re: Ranking the best superstar duos right now
« Reply #6 on: August 14, 2023, 11:23:59 AM »

Offline Roy H.

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To add to the choir, it's hard to put Kyrie as part of a top duo, when the Mavs were more successful with Spencer Dinwiddie.

Everything else is subjective.  I'd rank Tatum/Brown higher due to their higher durability than Durant/Booker and Lebron/Davis.

1.  Jokic/Murray
2t.  Tatum/Brown
2t. Giannis/Holiday
4.  Lebron/Davis
5.  Steph / Klay
6. Mitchell / Garland


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Re: Ranking the best superstar duos right now
« Reply #7 on: August 14, 2023, 11:32:26 AM »

Offline green_bballers13

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To add to the choir, it's hard to put Kyrie as part of a top duo, when the Mavs were more successful with Spencer Dinwiddie.

Everything else is subjective.  I'd rank Tatum/Brown higher due to their higher durability than Durant/Booker and Lebron/Davis.

1.  Jokic/Murray
2t.  Tatum/Brown
2t. Giannis/Holiday
4.  Lebron/Davis
5.  Steph / Klay
6. Mitchell / Garland

I agree with this list. I can't give the Celtics the nod until they win a ring, like Jokic, Giannis, Lebron, and Steph. Tatum and Brown are right about to hit their prime, so I'm expecting the most from them going forward.

Re: Ranking the best superstar duos right now
« Reply #8 on: August 14, 2023, 12:40:42 PM »

Offline johnnygreen

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To add to the choir, it's hard to put Kyrie as part of a top duo, when the Mavs were more successful with Spencer Dinwiddie.

Everything else is subjective.  I'd rank Tatum/Brown higher due to their higher durability than Durant/Booker and Lebron/Davis.

1.  Jokic/Murray
2t.  Tatum/Brown
2t. Giannis/Holiday
4.  Lebron/Davis
5.  Steph / Klay
6. Mitchell / Garland

I'm not sure if durability should be part of the equation, as injuries can happen to anyone and at anytime, or not happen at all.

Re: Ranking the best superstar duos right now
« Reply #9 on: August 14, 2023, 12:50:24 PM »

Offline theswitch

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To add to the choir, it's hard to put Kyrie as part of a top duo, when the Mavs were more successful with Spencer Dinwiddie.

Everything else is subjective.  I'd rank Tatum/Brown higher due to their higher durability than Durant/Booker and Lebron/Davis.

1.  Jokic/Murray
2t.  Tatum/Brown
2t. Giannis/Holiday
4.  Lebron/Davis
5.  Steph / Klay
6. Mitchell / Garland

It's hard at this point to exclude Jimmy and Bam from this list. They've made the Finals twice in the past couple years, have a consistent All-NBA player. I'd at least put them above Mitchell and Garland. I'm a Steph homer (I live in the Bay) and even still Klay has dropped off enough that I'd put them above those two.

I'd have a hard time not including Booker and Durant too. I'd agree Nuggets, Celtics / Bucks are top three then would put Suns, then Lakers, then Heat, then the others.
2023 Historical Draft: Toronto Raptors

Point Guard: Anfernee Hardaway, Fat Lever, Terrell Brandon
Shooting Guard: Paul Westphal, Paul Pressey
Small Forward: Marques Johnson, Danny Granger
Power Forward: Jermaine O'Neal, Bobby Jones, Kiki Vandeweghe
Center: Marc Gasol, Serge Ibaka

Re: Ranking the best superstar duos right now
« Reply #10 on: August 14, 2023, 04:07:16 PM »

Offline gouki88

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To add to the choir, it's hard to put Kyrie as part of a top duo, when the Mavs were more successful with Spencer Dinwiddie.

Everything else is subjective.  I'd rank Tatum/Brown higher due to their higher durability than Durant/Booker and Lebron/Davis.

1.  Jokic/Murray
2t.  Tatum/Brown
2t. Giannis/Holiday
4.  Lebron/Davis
5.  Steph / Klay
6. Mitchell / Garland

I'm not sure if durability should be part of the equation, as injuries can happen to anyone and at anytime, or not happen at all.
But the likelihood of them happening to some is greater than others, and as such more likely to impede their chances of playing with one another.
'23 Historical Draft: Orlando Magic.

PG: Terry Porter (90-91) / Steve Francis (00-01)
SG: Joe Dumars (92-93) / Jeff Hornacek (91-92) / Jerry Stackhouse (00-01)
SF: Brandon Roy (08-09) / Walter Davis (78-79)
PF: Terry Cummings (84-85) / Paul Millsap (15-16)
C: Chris Webber (00-01) / Ralph Sampson (83-84) / Andrew Bogut (09-10)

Re: Ranking the best superstar duos right now
« Reply #11 on: August 14, 2023, 04:10:14 PM »

Online Moranis

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To add to the choir, it's hard to put Kyrie as part of a top duo, when the Mavs were more successful with Spencer Dinwiddie.

Everything else is subjective.  I'd rank Tatum/Brown higher due to their higher durability than Durant/Booker and Lebron/Davis.

1.  Jokic/Murray
2t.  Tatum/Brown
2t. Giannis/Holiday
4.  Lebron/Davis
5.  Steph / Klay
6. Mitchell / Garland

I'm not sure if durability should be part of the equation, as injuries can happen to anyone and at anytime, or not happen at all.
But the likelihood of them happening to some is greater than others, and as such more likely to impede their chances of playing with one another.
Brown has missed like 15 games every year,  doesn't that factor for him as well though.
2023 Historical Draft - Brooklyn Nets - 9th pick

Bigs - Pau, Amar'e, Issel, McGinnis, Roundfield
Wings - Dantley, Bowen, J. Jackson
Guards - Cheeks, Petrovic, Buse, Rip

Re: Ranking the best superstar duos right now
« Reply #12 on: August 14, 2023, 04:12:32 PM »

Offline gouki88

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To add to the choir, it's hard to put Kyrie as part of a top duo, when the Mavs were more successful with Spencer Dinwiddie.

Everything else is subjective.  I'd rank Tatum/Brown higher due to their higher durability than Durant/Booker and Lebron/Davis.

1.  Jokic/Murray
2t.  Tatum/Brown
2t. Giannis/Holiday
4.  Lebron/Davis
5.  Steph / Klay
6. Mitchell / Garland

I'm not sure if durability should be part of the equation, as injuries can happen to anyone and at anytime, or not happen at all.
But the likelihood of them happening to some is greater than others, and as such more likely to impede their chances of playing with one another.
Brown has missed like 15 games every year,  doesn't that factor for him as well though.
Yes? Why wouldn't it? I haven't made any ranking
'23 Historical Draft: Orlando Magic.

PG: Terry Porter (90-91) / Steve Francis (00-01)
SG: Joe Dumars (92-93) / Jeff Hornacek (91-92) / Jerry Stackhouse (00-01)
SF: Brandon Roy (08-09) / Walter Davis (78-79)
PF: Terry Cummings (84-85) / Paul Millsap (15-16)
C: Chris Webber (00-01) / Ralph Sampson (83-84) / Andrew Bogut (09-10)

Re: Ranking the best superstar duos right now
« Reply #13 on: August 14, 2023, 04:19:19 PM »

Online Moranis

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Per the Ringer's top 125 rankings, Phoenix is the first team to have 2 players with Durant at 4 and Booker at 10.  Next is the Lakers with Davis at 11 and Lebron at 12. Then Denver, Jokic 1, Murray 16.  Philly - Embiid 5, Harden 19.  Sacto, Fox 17, Sanonis 20. Miami - Butler 9, Bam 21.  Boston - Tatum 6, Brown 22..

Probably makes more sense to add the ranks together

Phoenix - 14
Denver - 17
Lakers - 23
Philly - 24
Boston - 28
Miami - 30
Clippers - 33
Warriors - 36
Kings - 37
Bucks - 41

Doing it that way doesn't yield a crazy result.  Also, with Harden refusing to play, you can probably safely remove the Sixers
2023 Historical Draft - Brooklyn Nets - 9th pick

Bigs - Pau, Amar'e, Issel, McGinnis, Roundfield
Wings - Dantley, Bowen, J. Jackson
Guards - Cheeks, Petrovic, Buse, Rip

Re: Ranking the best superstar duos right now
« Reply #14 on: August 14, 2023, 05:45:22 PM »

Offline Who

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Per the Ringer's top 125 rankings, Phoenix is the first team to have 2 players with Durant at 4 and Booker at 10.  Next is the Lakers with Davis at 11 and Lebron at 12. Then Denver, Jokic 1, Murray 16.  Philly - Embiid 5, Harden 19.  Sacto, Fox 17, Sanonis 20. Miami - Butler 9, Bam 21.  Boston - Tatum 6, Brown 22..

Probably makes more sense to add the ranks together

Phoenix - 14
Denver - 17
Lakers - 23
Philly - 24
Boston - 28
Miami - 30
Clippers - 33
Warriors - 36
Kings - 37
Bucks - 41

Doing it that way doesn't yield a crazy result.  Also, with Harden refusing to play, you can probably safely remove the Sixers

Who was the 2nd player for the Warriors after Steph?

I am surprised they had anyone else ranked that high.