What would be the best two player combo in history?

[Marchesk]

If you could take any two players to start your franchise right as they are about to enter their prime.

Possible GOAT combinations:

Hakeem Jordan

Magic Shaq

Lebron Duncan

Larry Wilt

Bill Bryant

[J Shuttlesworth]

LeBron/Jordan

the fastbreaks... oh the fastbreaks

[francesco totti]

like the hakeem jordan off that list

[VengefulAngel]

Shaq/Jordan

Shaq/Lebron

Lebron/Jordan

and the ones you've mentioned. :)

[Marchesk]

LeBron/Jordan

the fastbreaks... oh the fastbreaks

Is that a better fast break duo than Doc Magic?

[navy]

Jordan and Wilt. Pure domination. No weaknesses.

[K Xerxes]

Jordan/Kareem
Jordan/Wilt
Jordan/Russell
Jordan/Hakeem
Jordan/Shaq
Jordan/Duncan

Take your pick.

[T_L_P]

Michael Jordan

One of: Hakeem or Duncan

The greatest player ever and a defensive big man who also could carry their teams offensively.

[Marchesk]

But how many titles would Russell carry Kobe to?

[JimmyMcAdocious]

Iverson and Mikan because AI would beat Jordan 1v1 and bigs can post you up from the 3pt line and score every time.

[Young X]

I always say MJ and KG. KG is a essentially a more dominant, 7 foot version of Pippen. Their styles, attitude, intensity on both ends would mesh together perfectly.

[pauk]

Lebron/Kareem
Lebron/Wilt
Lebron/Russell
Lebron/Hakeem
Lebron/Shaq
Lebron/Duncan
Lebron/Robinson
Lebron/Jordan

Take your pick.

[tpols]

Lebron/Kareem
Lebron/Wilt
Lebron/Russell
Lebron/Hakeem
Lebron/Shaq
Take your pick.

Theyd go 82-0 and then get swept in the finals...

[Done_And_Done]

Mj/Shaq

Done

[Cocaine80s]

Lebron/Durant

[Shih508]

AI/Duncan

Imagine AI replacing TP making me wet. 7 Championship minimum

[JebronLames]

LeBron/Klay

[CavaliersFTW]

Out of the box... How about Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell?

Any shot from any opponent within 18 feet would plummet statistically. And almost every rebound would go to duo Wilt and Russ.

You get the most individually dominant player of all time. The greatest scorer of all time. Strongest player of all time and probably the best close-to-the-basket rim protector of all time.

Combined with the greatest winner of all time that also happens to be the greatest defensive player of all time and one of the greatest rebounders who utilizes quickness, finesse and agility to work his magic. And they were good friends in real life.

The rim protection alone would make them a nightmare to play against. Wilt planted in the middle protecting that rim with Russell playing the big forwards a little further out and roaming.

Their opposition used to say you HAD to know where Russell was at any given time. If you didn't know where he was, you were in trouble, he'd block your shot out of nowhere. If you knew where he was you could do okay but if he was out side of your vision you were done. Wilt on the other hand, they used to say it was just plain stupid to drive on. He wasn't blocking you sneaking up on you like Russell. He was just planted in the middle daring you to drive, and if you did you'd get rejected or worse injured due to his enormous strength and disdain for wing players that had the audacity to challenge him.

So long as they had some half way decent guards or forwards to handle the ball handling between each half court situation, I think they could dominate on video game levels of unfair.

[Fowl]

I always say MJ and KG. KG is a essentially a more dominant, 7 foot version of Pippen. Their styles, attitude, intensity on both ends would mesh together perfectly.
I agree with this right here. Jordan/KG gets my vote.

When I started thinking I knew I had to take in to consideration how the 2 players would mesh. I knew pairing Jordan with Wilt or Shaq would cause them to butt heads.

Then I thought about Duncan, the ultimate Beta. But hes a system player and he wouldn't be as good if he wasn't babied by the Spurs.

Then came Hakeem who would be epic paired with MJ, but can't match MJ's intensity like KG can so thats why i gotta go with my boy KG.

[Fowl]

Out of the box... How about Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell?

Any shot from any opponent within 18 feet would plummet statistically. And almost every rebound would go to duo Wilt and Russ.

You get the most individually dominant player of all time. The greatest scorer of all time. Strongest player of all time and probably the best close-to-the-basket rim protector of all time.

Combined with the greatest winner of all time that also happens to be the greatest defensive player of all time and one of the greatest rebounders who utilizes quickness, finesse and agility to work his magic. And they were good friends in real life.

The rim protection alone would make them a nightmare to play against. Wilt planted in the middle protecting that rim with Russell playing the big forwards a little further out and roaming.

Their opposition used to say you HAD to know where Russell was at any given time. If you didn't know where he was, you were in trouble, he'd block your shot out of nowhere. If you knew where he was you could do okay but if he was out side of your vision you were done. Wilt on the other hand, they used to say it was just plain stupid to drive on. He wasn't blocking you sneaking up on you like Russell. He was just planted in the middle daring you to drive, and if you did you'd get rejected or worse injured due to his enormous strength and disdain for wing players that had the audacity to challenge him.

So long as they had some half way decent guards or forwards to handle the ball handling between each half court situation, I think they could dominate on video game levels of unfair.

http://weknowgifs.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/didnt-read-lol-gif-13.gif

[RoseCity07]

Lebron and Duncan. They both make winning plays and would be hell to deal with on defense and on the glass.

I'm trying to picture Jordan standing around while Hakeem has the ball in the post. I just don't see Jordan playing with a post player all that well.

[the mesiah]

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K2GMTM6Obv0/TGXf3bpIudI/AAAAAAAAARI/3aLzqirpeR4/s1600/wilt-jordan-3130400.jpg

[CavaliersFTW]

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K2GMTM6Obv0/TGXf3bpIudI/AAAAAAAAARI/3aLzqirpeR4/s1600/wilt-jordan-3130400.jpg
Could be, or MJ and Bill Russell :eek:

[jlip]

If you could take any two players to start your franchise right as they are about to enter their prime.

Possible GOAT combinations:

Hakeem Jordan

Magic Shaq

Lebron Duncan

Larry Wilt

Bill Bryant

These two would be the best "fits." They would compliment each other better than the others.

[Fowl]

Lebron and Duncan. They both make winning plays and would be hell to deal with on defense and on the glass.

I'm trying to picture Jordan standing around while Hakeem has the ball in the post. I just don't see Jordan playing with a post player all that well.
Jordan > LeBron
KG > Duncan

[the mesiah]

Could be, or MJ and Bill Russell :eek:
I just think if perhaps Jordan ain't got it going that nite or go up against a bad boys style of team ,Wilt next up in line to give them a nightmare. With bill , he has no O in case jordan is on a off nite or wants to defer.

[OnFire]

I guess you probably just pick your favorite big + your GOAT....So Jordan+Ducan. Duncan doesn't care about being THE man even when he is. Actually, Jordan probably already had his perfect pair..no not Pippen, but Rodman.. Jordan take all the shots, Rodman rebounds the misses, doesn't want to shots on offense.. I bet if Jordan could pick he'd pick Rodman :)

But you could have a pretty versatile team if you started with say Magic and LeBron. You could literally fill in Best Player Available every draft/free agent and put them around them.

Something like Duncan + Wilt/KAJ would be interesting to completely stop inside the paint scoring and rebounding on both sides plus carrying the team on offense.

[Lexington Steel]

Kevin Durant.

[Micku]

I wonder how MJ/Wilt could even get along? I guess Phil Jackson could make it work, but they both have an ego. Shaq/Kobe style? Probably less dramatic than them tho.

[Micku]

I guess you probably just pick your favorite big + your GOAT....So Jordan+Ducan. Duncan doesn't care about being THE man even when he is. Actually, Jordan probably already had his perfect pair..no not Pippen, but Rodman.. Jordan take all the shots, Rodman rebounds the misses, doesn't want to shots on offense.. I bet if Jordan could pick he'd pick Rodman :)

But you could have a pretty versatile team if you started with say Magic and LeBron. You could literally fill in Best Player Available every draft/free agent and put them around them.

Something like Duncan + Wilt/KAJ would be interesting to completely stop inside the paint scoring and rebounding on both sides plus carrying the team on offense.

I like that.

[Suguru101]

Out of the box... How about Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell?

Any shot from any opponent within 18 feet would plummet statistically. And almost every rebound would go to duo Wilt and Russ.

You get the most individually dominant player of all time. The greatest scorer of all time. Strongest player of all time and probably the best close-to-the-basket rim protector of all time.

Combined with the greatest winner of all time that also happens to be the greatest defensive player of all time and one of the greatest rebounders who utilizes quickness, finesse and agility to work his magic. And they were good friends in real life.

The rim protection alone would make them a nightmare to play against. Wilt planted in the middle protecting that rim with Russell playing the big forwards a little further out and roaming.

Their opposition used to say you HAD to know where Russell was at any given time. If you didn't know where he was, you were in trouble, he'd block your shot out of nowhere. If you knew where he was you could do okay but if he was out side of your vision you were done. Wilt on the other hand, they used to say it was just plain stupid to drive on. He wasn't blocking you sneaking up on you like Russell. He was just planted in the middle daring you to drive, and if you did you'd get rejected or worse injured due to his enormous strength and disdain for wing players that had the audacity to challenge him.

So long as they had some half way decent guards or forwards to handle the ball handling between each half court situation, I think they could dominate on video game levels of unfair.

You know, i've thought about this sometimes, and though there would be a lack of spacing, and they were both bad free-throw shooters...

If you surround them with merely good talent level, like let's say Mario Chalmers / Alex Burcs / Jeff Green, i don't see how they don't win the title this year, or almost any year.

The dominance would be ridiculous. If he was a bit faster, i would prefer Wilt and Walton, but Wilt and Russell is still amazing.

[CavaliersFTW]

I wonder how MJ/Wilt could even get along? I guess Phil Jackson could make it work, but they both have an ego. Shaq/Kobe style? Probably less dramatic than them tho.
Wilt respected/trusted only 3 coaches in his career out of the 6 or 7 he had

MJ respected/trusted only 1 coach in his career out of the I don't know how many he had.

If they got a coach they both clicked with oh man.

Good coach or not though I think they'd have no trouble leaning on the other to do certain things (handling the ball and perimeter play/defense for MJ, and the necessary interior work on both ends for Wilt). MJ aggressively/vocally didn't tolerate inadequacy. Wilt passive-aggresively didn't tolerate it. But they both really wouldn't have to worry about that with respect to each other. It'd be how well they'd jive with the other teammates and coaches that could make or break how dominant that duo could be.

[ProfessorMurder]

I'd love to see Bird and KG.

Payton and KG would be fun too.

[Prometheus]

Jordan and Russell.

[SamuraiSWISH]

'88 - '93: Jordan w/ KG
'88 - '93: Jordan w/ Hakeem
prime LeBron w/ '96 - '98: Jordan

[Suguru101]

'88 - '93: Jordan w/ KG
'88 - '93: Jordan w/ Hakeem
prime LeBron w/ '96 - '98: Jordan

Why not both in their primes for Jordan and LeBron?

[knicksman]

mj/mj who wouldve thought that the top 2 GOAT have the same initials

[Marchesk]

Shaq/Lebron

Shaq wouldn't make for a good spot up shooter. Would stop guarding the house when his numbers went down.

What about Shaq Bird? You have that great inside/outside combination. Bird was excellent with Parish and Mchale inside. Lebron and Jordan never had great centers to feed in the post. Not sure if that fits their style.

[Horde of Temujin]

like the hakeem jordan off that list


Cosign

[Killbot]

White Mamba, Red Rocket

[Demitri98]

MJ/Shaq

They win every 'ship for the next 13 years with maybe an exception to their rookie year.

[Jasper]

Jordan and Wilt. Pure domination. No weaknesses.
I believe you have it ...

But history currently has Majic and Kareem'

[BigBoss]

Kobe
Smush Parker

[SamuraiSWISH]

Why not both in their primes for Jordan and LeBron?
Fadeaway MJ from '96 - '98 plays even more off the ball. Can do all the things LeBron sucks at: Leadership, Mental Fortitude, Will Power, Courage, Half Court Scoring w/o dominating the ball as much, Clutch etc. Better overall fit IMO. Mike would also be a little more chill with LeBron's mental short comings by that stage in his career, and I don't think they'd have conflict.

[DatAsh]

Jordan and Russell would probably be the best mix of chemistry, talent, and team culture.

[King Jane]

lebron and durant would lite up anyone

lmao at any past player in the discussion keep the primitive uncordinated pig skin chuckers out of goat discussions please they would get savaged in a modern game a hoops agains the likes a todays horses :facepalm

[Pointguard]

I'd love to see Bird and KG.

Payton and KG would be fun too.
For trash talking affect??? Yeah, if they were miked.

[Pushxx]

Bird + Jordan

I don't think you could bet against that player.

[Pointguard]

Magic/Wilt - would just run people to the ground and get easy baskets galore.
Jordan/Duncan - no flaws and super versatility
Russ/Bird - great complimentary games - green monster
Shaq/Ray Allen - InsideOut

[RoundMoundOfReb]

Shaquille O'neal and Michael Jordan or Shaquille O'neal and Larry Bird or Shaquille O'neal and LeBron James.

[SamuraiSWISH]

MJ / Bird and MJ / KG would trash talk people into submission.

[raiderfan19]

Shaq and dirk or kg or dream and dirk or kg.

Argument for Shaq and dirk, having dirk means you can't double Shaq with the other big. Or it means you are leaving dirk open or having dirk guarded by a 3. Either way it just demolises defenses IMO probably the best two man offensive pairing you can have. Shaq and kg because Kg has a similar effect with his ability to hit 18fters but he's also an elite defender.

Dirk and dream gives dirk a super version of Tyson which we saw what dirk did at the tail end of his prime the only time he was given an athletic defensive center and the offense would again be just nasty.

Dream and kg would be absolutely filthy. Both have range on jumpers, both solid ball handlers for bigs, both willing and able passers. And defensively? Just amazing.

[T_L_P]

Jordan > LeBron
KG > Duncan

No.

[AnaheimLakers24]

Bran cant be part of any combo. Hed just choke like usual and let the teamate do everything (like usual)

Kobe/kareem

[Dragic4Life]

Lebron/Duncan would be GOAT pairing. Wouldn't even be fair. At least 12 rings.

[kamil]

Theyd go 82-0 and then get swept in the finals...

LOL

[pauk]

Bran cant be part of any combo. Hed just choke like usual and let the teamate do everything (like usual)

Kobe/kareem

I wonder how long this Kobe clutch myth capability delusion compared to Lebron will be there for you, not saying he isnt clutch at all but Kobe's 4th quarter productions & gamewinners ratio / accuracy pales in comparison to Lebron you know that right (especially in playoffs)? That picture of Lebron's 4th qtr/clutch play in 11 Finals wont help you.... and thats all you got.... you want to see some even worse pictures of Kobe?

[AnaheimLakers24]

Lebron/Duncan would be GOAT pairing. Wouldn't even be fair. At least 12 rings.
Duncan with 12 fmvps? I agree. At least you know whod be alpha. Bran fans know there place

[rapker]

I'd love to see Bird and KG.

Payton and KG would be fun too.

Payton and KG = GOAT two shit talking player combo :banana: :banana: :banana:

[Jlamb47]

Kobe + KG
Duncan + KG
Bird + Magic

[HOoopCityJones]

Kobe + KG
Duncan + KG
Bird + Magic

6 rings. 12 Finals.

I'm serious.

[The Iron Sheik]

kobe and duncan
kobe and garnett
allen iverson and dirk

also allen iverson and duncan. honestly i would have just loved to see ai in an offense like san antonio's or dallas'. or in george karl's offense (in his prime). ai was one of the best off ball players of all time and to put him in a system like those? absolutely nasty

[Fowl]

Theyd go 82-0 and then get swept in the finals...
LMFAO!!! !!!

:roll: :roll: :roll:

Bruhh

[scandisk_]

Bird + Wilt = 10 championships
Hakeem + Magic = 5+ rangz

Unless it's Timmy, MJ and another GOAT player might work early on but could end up in a fued ala Kobe/Shaq.

[rmt]

I'd like to see MJ and Duncan - perfect blend of offense, defense and ego. Wonder if MJ would trash talk TD.

[No_Look604]

Stopped reading OP @ Lebron.:coleman:

[ILLsmak]

I still think Bird n Shaq.

-Smak

[Mr Exlax]

Hakeem and Shaq

[T_L_P]

Another one: prime Duncan and Robinson.

They tore through the 99 Playoffs. Then Tim missed 00, and Robinson was really injured in 02. David was old as shit in 01 but they were still an unbelievable duo, especially on defense.

03 Tim and 99 Robinson would be. :bowdown:

Or, alternatively, 95 Robinson and 04 Tim. :bowdown:

[dunksby]

Peak Kareem/Peak Big O :bowdown:

[Jlamb47]

David Robinson + Kevin Garnett

[kshutts1]

Not my definite, but I've long wondered what a duo of Dirk and Wilt would be like.

[Practice?]

Theyd go 82-0 and then get swept in the finals...

:lol

[Practice?]

To build a team around:
Russell/Jordan

For a 2 on 2 tournament:
Bird/Jordan or Hakeem/Jordan

[SwayDizzle]

Kobe/Shaq

[jongib369]

Either Larry/Wilt, or Magic/Shaq out of the ones you mentioned.

Made a thread about Trios awhile ago, the thought of Wilt/Bird/BigO on the same team sounds beautiful to build around.

[Demitri98]

Can't help but think Bird/Duncan would just dominate.

'92 MJ and a motivated, angry 2000-01 Shaq with a decent PG, a wing defender and some role playing shooters would go 73-9

[inclinerator]

AI/Duncan

Imagine AI replacing TP making me wet. 7 Championship minimum
2004 olympics