Two good
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What NBA teams have the best 1-2 punches in the game? In honor of the classic arcade game “NBA Jam” releasing back in 1993, we’re taking a look…
30. Houston Rockets: Christian Wood and Jalen Green
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Christian Wood averages a double-double on a terrible team. Jalen Green gets the nod over Eric Gordon based on the potential that is there.
29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Josh Giddey and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
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This will be far different in the future with all those draft picks stockpiled. Something has to get better. Josh Giddey is growing and making OKC fans giddy with his potential. The other pick goes to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who checks in at 22.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg and 5.5 assists per contest.
28. Indiana Pacers: Malcolm Brogdon and Tyrese Haliburton
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Another team where there is a clear-cut leader. Malcolm Brogdon leads the way at better than 18 points per game. The trade with the Kings brought Buddy Hield and Tyrese Haliburton and they can be flipped in the second slot on any given game.
27. New York Knicks: Julius Randle and R.J. Barrett
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Julius Randle averages a double-double and is considered disappointing. High expectations in the Big Apple. There isn’t much to separate the rest but we will go with R.J. Barrett, mainly because of his almost 6 rebounds per game. But it is easy to see why this team is going backward.
26. Washington Wizards: Bradley Beal and Kyle Kuzma
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Bradley Beal is the star of the Wizards and can be a wizard with the ball on any night. The drop is precipitous afterward. We’re giving Kyle Kuzma and his 16 points and almost 9 rebounds the nod over Montrezl Harrell.
25. San Antonio Spurs: Dejounte Murray and Jakob Poeltl
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Tim Duncan and David Robinson. Sorry, got lost in a wayback machine. Dejounte Murray is a star — 19.9 ppg, 8.3 rpg and 9.3 assists — are top-shelf numbers. The dropoff is considerable so let’s give some love to Jakob Poeltl, who is nearly a double-double guy.
24. Sacramento Kings: Domantas Sabonis and De’Aaron Fox
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A new arrival fits on this 1-2 punch with Domantas Sabonis a strong addition who will give De’Aaron Fox a target for plenty of dishes.
23. Detroit Pistons: Jerami Grant and Cade Cunningham
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Jerami Grant paces the Pistons and the engine is charged with Cade Cunningham, the No. 1 pick in the 2021 NBA draft. That’s a nice team for the Pistons to build around.
22. Orlando Magic: Cole Anthony and Wendell Carter Jr.
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Cole Anthony is a star in the making at point guard. He leads the team in scoring at 17.7 points per game, hauls in almost 6 rebounds, and deals nearly 6 assists. Great leader. Second is going to be Wendell Carter Jr. thanks to his double-double of 14 points and 10.2 rebounds. Those are impressive performances over a season.
21. Minnesota Timberwolves: Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards
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Karl-Anthony Towns is a big man’s big man with a huge game. He checks in at better than 24 ppg, almost 10 rpg and 4 apg. That is well-rounded. We’re giving the edge to Anthony Edwards over D’Angelo Russell for the second slot, but it could go either way on any given day.
20. Dallas Mavericks: Luka Doncic and Jalen Brunson
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Luka Doncic needs no explanation, right? It was supposed to be Kristaps Porzingis but the best plans … well, you get it.The second player can be either Jalen Brunson or Tim Hardaway Jr. However, the drop-off from Doncic is major.
19. New Orleans Pelicans: C.J. McCollum and Jonas Valanciunas
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This should have been the land of Zion Williamson, but injuries wrecked that plan. C.J. McCollum has only been in New Orleans for a handful of games but he is clearly a winner on this roster. Let’s go with Jonas Valanciunas as the pairing. He’s at 18 ppg and 11.5 rebounds. That’s a sliver better than Brandon Ingram.
18. Cleveland Cavaliers: Darius Garland and Jarett Allen
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The Cavaliers have come together quickly and are a menacing roster. Darius Garland set the scoring table at better than 20 points per game. Then you have Jarrett Allen at 16 ppg and 11 rebounds. Oh, and closing fast is rookie Evan Mobley, who has superstar all over him.
17. Denver Nuggets: Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon
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Nikola Jokic is the reigning MVP. He’s at 26 points, almost 14 rebounds, and nearly 8 assists. Incredible. We’ll go with Aaron Gordon by a slim edge over Will Barton. Of course, waiting to return at some point is Jamal Murray, who would be the partner with Jokic.
16. Portland Trail Blazers: Damian Lillard and Jusuf Nurkic
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Damian Lillard is the boss in Portland. He needs help and thus far hasn’t had enough. Second, for now, with C.J. McCollum off to New Orleans, is the double-double machine in Jusuf Nurkic.
15. Memphis Grizzlies: Ja Morant and Desmond Bane
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Morant is an absolute freebie here. Like his backcourt mate Desmond Bane, who quietly averages nearly 18 ppg and better than 4 rebounds per contest.
14. Charlotte Hornets: LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges
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LaMelo Ball is a no-brainer on this entry from Charlotte. The second fiddle is a debate, but we will go with Miles Bridges with Kelly Oubre Jr. and Gordon Hayward in the running for any given game.
13. Chicago Bulls: DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine
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How many teams wish they had landed DeMar DeRozan? He’s playing at an elite level. And you have Zach LaVine averaging better than 24 points, nearly 5 assists and better than 4 rebounds.
12. Toronto Raptors: Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam
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A nice duo on a Raptors team that finds a way is Fred VanVleet, who deserves every accolade thrown his way, and Pascal Siakam.
11. Atlanta Hawks: Trae Young and John Collins
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The Hawks’ tandem checks in at about 44 points per game and a dozen rebounds. Throw in 9.3 assists per game by Trae Young and the overall play of John Collins, and you have a dynamic duo.
10. Philadelphia 76ers: Joel Embiid and James Harden
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The Beard hasn’t played a game and he fits as the second piece to the great Joel Embiid. Will be fascinating to see if James Harden finally is able to settle into a groove again with a team.
9. Utah Jazz: Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert
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Another 1-2 punch that is a layup.
8. Los Angeles Lakers: LeBron James and Anthony Davis
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LeBron is in a sphere to himself. Anthony Davis is injured, again, but remains the second-best player on a team that is struggling big time in 2021-22.
*7. Los Angeles Clippers: Kawhi Leonard and Paul George
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Yes, they are both injured but it is hard to go past that 1-2 attack with this team. Superstars with major game. The asterisk, of course, is the injuries that have sidelined the players.
6. Boston Celtics: Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum
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Boston fans have plenty to love in Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. A tremendous 1-2 punch. They combine for nearly 50 points per game, 13 rebounds, and better than 7 assists. Either one can take you down when they are on and when both are hot, look out.
5. Phoenix Suns: Chris Paul and Devin Booker
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Backcourt stars who could deliver the Suns their first title. Chris Paul and Devin Booker fit together beautifully.
4. Miami Heat: Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler
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An inside-outside duo makes the Heat tick. Jimmy Butler is an all-around star. Bam Adebayo delivers points and rebounds. What more can one ask?
3. Brooklyn Nets: Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving
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When they play together, it is tough to top this tandem. Kevin Durant is one of any generation’s best players, and Kyrie Irving has a spectacular game. The biggest problem is getting them on the court together.
2. Milwaukee Bucks Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton
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This is another no-brainer coupling. Both champions and players who any team would love to have.
1. Golden State Warriors: Steph Curry and Klay Thompson
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Simply the best.
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