After Damian Lillard is traded to the Milwaukee Bucks and joins Giannis Antetokounmpo, the NBA seems a bit shaken by this new tandem. While we have seen successful duos in the past, we’re about to see some of the best pairings this year. Let’s rank the top 5 best duos in the NBA in 2023, from worst to best.
5. Kevin Durant and Devin Booker
Two of the most lethal scorers in today’s game, Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, are playing together in Phoenix. Even without the addition of Bradley Beal, who the Suns acquired after the Chris Paul trade, the KD-Booker duo still makes more than 50% of the Suns’ total points.
KD is already 35 years old but can still light it up from anywhere on the court. On the other hand, Devin Booker is arguably the best shooting guard in the NBA today. Together, they are a nightmare to guard and now have a greater chance of making a successful postseason run with the help of Beal.
Total PPG last season (2022-2023): 53.8
4. LeBron James and Anthony Davis
LeBron James and Anthony Davis have proven that they’re the best Lakers tandem since Kobe and Shaq in the early 2000s. LeBron is 38 but doesn’t even seem to age. Although AD is a walking glass at times, he is very unstoppable when healthy.
We’ve seen how effective this duo is for four seasons, including getting a championship in 2020. If both are on the court, the Los Angeles Lakers have a winning record of 95-49.
Total PPG last season (2022-2023): 54.8
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard
It’s still too early to say, but judging by how talented and skilled these two players are, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard are already on this list. We haven’t seen them play together yet, but with an early prediction, this duo would probably be the best we’ve seen in years by the end of the 2023-2024 season.
Giannis and Lillard together with the Bucks pic.twitter.com/YTgeXEfiip
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 27, 2023
Giannis never stops working and improving, hence why he was named an MVP twice plus a Defensive Player of the Year award in 2020. On the other hand, Lillard played his best season last year by averaging a career-high 32.2 PPG. It’s also worth noting that, aside from LeBron and AD, Giannis and Dame are the only teammates who were also part of the 75th Anniversary Team. Will they win the championship this season? Well, the Greek Freak is optimistic he is gonna get it with Dame Time.
Total PPG last season (2022-2023): 63.3
2. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown
It’s hard to say who’s the Alpha dog of the Boston Celtics. Is it Jayson Tatum or is it Jaylen Brown? For now, Jayson Tatum is obviously their best player. But, at some games, Brown shows up and leads the team to victory. That being said, they’re arguably the best one-two punch in the league, only that they haven’t reached the plethora of NBA players yet – being called champions.
“We are due to get over the hump. And it’s going to be well worth it when we do.”
– Jayson Tatum on playing with Jaylen Brown
(Via The Messenger Sports) pic.twitter.com/DMtABw5VZx
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 7, 2023
Both Tatum and Brown have signed max contracts with the Celtics which means they’re about to become the centerpiece of this franchise moving forward. Both are also just entering their prime and we are yet to see their full potential in the next couple of seasons. If Tatum and Brown are on the court, the Celtics have a record of 234-132.
Total PPG last season (2022-2023): 56.7
1. Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray
On paper and stat sheets, Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray may not even be in the top 5. But, Jokic and Murray complementing each other already makes them the best. Murray is a good point guard who, just like Jimmy Butler, becomes a different beast in the playoffs. On the contrary, the two-time NBA MVP, Nikola Jokic, stays consistent throughout the year. But, what separates them from all the other tandems in the league is that they are very efficient, effective, and successful.
Yes, the LeBron and Davis duo won a championship in 2020, but people sometimes discredit that title due to the “bubble”. On the other hand, Jokic and Murray brought Denver its first-ever title, something that speaks a lot of volumes. Also, what’s more impressive is that they are homegrown Nuggets players.
Total PPG last season (2022-2023): 44.5
Honorable mentions:
- Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving
- Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo
- Paul George and Kawhi Leonard
- Steph Curry and Klay Thompson
- Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr.
- Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle
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