Who are the two best basketball players to ever be on one team?

[Kblaze8855]

Meaning best at the time not best through their careers so obviously no Jordan/Gervin or Lebron/Shaq or whatever other obviously stupid answer we might get.


2001 Kobe and 2001 Shaq?

17 Curry and 17 Durant?

2011 Wade and 2011 Lebron(Wade taking a slight step back after that).

69 Wilt and West?

80-82 Magic and Kareem(closest to both being at their best).


You putting AD and Lebron in there for that one year?


The answer is one of those. Doc was aging with Moses. Oscar was aging with Kareem. Hondo wasnt peak Hondo with peak Russell. Pippen wasn’t on that “Top ten all time” range most of these others are to pair with Jordan to answer this.

Its gotta be one of the first 3 I guess.


So?

[fourkicks44]

Magic and Kareem

[ArbitraryWater]

Its the first 3 or 2020 Bron/AD.

I dont think its far fetched to include 2020 Bron/AD.

[NBAGOAT]

shaq and kobe

[Full Court]

In my opinion, it's got to be between Kobe/Shaq and KD/Curry. There a level above all the other ones. Between those two....I don't know. It's a toss-up.

[Kblaze8855]

In my opinion, it's got to be between Kobe/Shaq and KD/Curry. There a level above all the other ones. Between those two....I don't know. It's a toss-up.


It feels weird to say but guts who might be 6-7 may be a worse combo than guys who might be 9-12 but KD and Curry were both at their best.

Kobe was elite but not at his peak with Shaq.

You could argue Wade and Lebron were peak versions that one year though it wasn’t reflected in performance team wise or individually.

[Phoenix]

I would lean 2001 Shaq and Kobe, but both Curry and Durant were smack dead in the middle of their apex in 2017. Kobe started his prime in 2001, but I feel like pairing 2003 Kobe with 2001 Shaq is a closer parallel to Curry/Durant. I don't think either answer is wrong.

[Hey Yo]

In my opinion, it's got to be between Kobe/Shaq and KD/Curry. There a level above all the other ones. Between those two....I don't know. It's a toss-up.

So you consider it B2B choke jobs by James by getting beat by what you consider to be a top duo in the history of the game???


:biggums:

[Phoenix]

It feels weird to say but guts who might be 6-7 may be a worse combo than guys who might be 9-12 but KD and Curry were both at their best.

Kobe was elite but not at his peak with Shaq.

You could argue Wade and Lebron were peak versions that one year though it wasn’t reflected in performance team wise or individually.

I would eliminate those two from the equation based on their games being too redundant in many ways, with the same basic strengths and weaknesses. Wade getting older, more injury prone and taking a step back to establish a clear pecking order bruteforced a couple chips, but that wasn't the most natural pairing in terms of complimentary skillsets.

Shaq/Kobe and Curry/Durant complimented each others games perfectly( the caveat with the former duo being that their personalities were both too 'I'm the alpha' to max out and we saw where that ended up). They should have won as much as Mike and Scottie if Shaq kept his 2000 work ethic, and if their egos weren't too big to share the same jersey colors.

[Wally450]

Durant and Curry

[SouBeachTalents]

I would go with '01 Shaq & Kobe because they dominated with Derek Fisher as their 3rd option, while '17 Steph & KD had two other All-NBAers from the year before, one of whom was the DPOY for the year in question, and a former FMVP off the bench.

2011 LeBron & Wade frankly never meshed as well as the previously mentioned duos. They both dominated against Boston, but then Wade was awful against Chicago while LeBron proceeded to have the worst series ever against Dallas.

Of the duos you didn't mention, West/Baylor & Bird/McHale deserve a shoutout.

[j3lademaster]

Kobe and Shaq. You have one top 10 all timer at his absolute peak(and arguably the goat peak) along with another top 10 all timer entering his prime. The 17 and 18 warriors are definitely better than the 01 Lakers from #3 onwards(and the better overall team), but Shaq and Kobe were probably a better top 2. Wade and Lebron have a case. Terrible match in terms of style, but as far as individual talents on the same team, obviously huge. But Wade was never considered a top 10(all time) player.

I wasn't there for Magic and Kareem, but from I've read it seems like one guy leaving his prime while the other guy's entering it? I don't know if that's better than Kobe and Shaq.

[Axe]

Jordan and pippen.

The latter even had the best playoff runs/record overall during the 90s.

[1987_Lakers]

What I find funny is how many people take for granted how great players are when they hit their peak.

I remember in 2017 saying KD/Curry is probably the best duo ever along with Shaq/Kobe and got some push back on it.

[j3lademaster]

I would go with '01 Shaq & Kobe because they dominated with Derek Fisher as their 3rd option, while '17 Steph & KD had two other All-NBAers from the year before, one of whom was the DPOY for the year in question, and a former FMVP off the bench.Goofiest fmvp ever. Not looking at ANY stats, what happens if Iguodala and Lebron get swapped that series? I don't think anyone even questions a sweep, it's all about over/under on margin of victory at that point. Would you put $100 on under 20ppg?

How can you be 'most valuable' when another player has that much more impact?

[1987_Lakers]

"86 & '87 Bird/McHale deserves at least some discussion as well.

Both dominated the '86 postseason & the '87 regular season up until McHale broke his foot.

[Axe]

Goofiest fmvp ever. Not looking at ANY stats, what happens if Iguodala and Lebron get swapped that series? I don't think anyone even questions a sweep, it's all about over/under on margin of victory at that point. Would you put $100 on under 20ppg?

How can you be 'most valuable' when another player has that much more impact?
What are you trying to point out in this, that the best player from the losing team should have gotten the fmvp award during that time hmm?

[Kblaze8855]

"86 & '87 Bird/McHale deserves at least some discussion as well.

Both dominated the '86 postseason & the '87 regular season up until McHale broke his foot.


I think a good rule should be…do all the one on one comparisons sound right?

Like if I ask Durant or Kobe….that sounds right. Like a conversation we would have. Or Wilt vs Magic. Lebron or Shaq.

Much as I personally **** with Kevin Mchale…. Mchale or _____ sounds wrong talking peak for peak with anyone else in this topic other than maybe AD.

[Full Court]

So you consider it B2B choke jobs by James by getting beat by what you consider to be a top duo in the history of the game???


:biggums:

Show me where I ever said that Bronie had a choke job in '17 or '18. Oh right. You can't.

Nice straw man, poopsie.

[bladefd]

Meaning best at the time not best through their careers so obviously no Jordan/Gervin or Lebron/Shaq or whatever other obviously stupid answer we might get.


2001 Kobe and 2001 Shaq?

17 Curry and 17 Durant?

2011 Wade and 2011 Lebron(Wade taking a slight step back after that).

69 Wilt and West?

80-82 Magic and Kareem(closest to both being at their best).


You putting AD and Lebron in there for that one year?


The answer is one of those. Doc was aging with Moses. Oscar was aging with Kareem. Hondo wasnt peak Hondo with peak Russell. Pippen wasn’t on that “Top ten all time” range most of these others are to pair with Jordan to answer this.

Its gotta be one of the first 3 I guess.


So?

Between the bold options. I have a rough time choosing between the 3. I would probably have to choose Magic/Kareem.

[bladefd]

Kobe and Shaq. You have one top 10 all timer at his absolute peak(and arguably the goat peak) along with another top 10 all timer entering his prime. The 17 and 18 warriors are definitely better than the 01 Lakers from #3 onwards(and the better overall team), but Shaq and Kobe were probably a better top 2. Wade and Lebron have a case. Terrible match in terms of style, but as far as individual talents on the same team, obviously huge. But Wade was never considered a top 10(all time) player.

I wasn't there for Magic and Kareem, but from I've read it seems like one guy leaving his prime while the other guy's entering it? I don't know if that's better than Kobe and Shaq.

Early 80s was still prime Kareem even though at the tail-end of his prime.

[Manny98]

2017 Curry & KD obviously

[highwhey]

since OP didn't put qualifiers, it has to be one of the olymptic teams right? bron and kd or kobe?

[iamgine]

Magic and Kareem are usually both in the top 5 GOAT.

Hard to beat that.

[John8204]

Meaning best at the time not best through their careers so obviously no Jordan/Gervin or Lebron/Shaq or whatever other obviously stupid answer we might get.


2001 Kobe and 2001 Shaq?

17 Curry and 17 Durant?

2011 Wade and 2011 Lebron(Wade taking a slight step back after that).

69 Wilt and West?

80-82 Magic and Kareem(closest to both being at their best).


You putting AD and Lebron in there for that one year?


The answer is one of those. Doc was aging with Moses. Oscar was aging with Kareem. Hondo wasnt peak Hondo with peak Russell. Pippen wasn’t on that “Top ten all time” range most of these others are to pair with Jordan to answer this.

Its gotta be one of the first 3 I guess.


So?

Oscar and Doc were in their early thirties and Doc was coming off MVP run.....Walt Frazier and Willis Reed are also a pair I would put in the mix

1. Magic/Kareem
2. Curry/Durant
3. Erving/Malone
4. Wilt/West
5. Shaq/Kobe
6. Frazier/Reed
7. Oscar/KAJ
8. West/Baylor
9. Duncan/Robinson
10.James/Wade
HM Arizin/Johnston, Cousy/Russell, Stockton/Malone, Dantely/Thomas, Nash/Nowitzki, Unseld/Hayes, Archibald/Bird

[Im Still Ballin]

"86 & '87 Bird/McHale deserves at least some discussion as well.

Both dominated the '86 postseason & the '87 regular season up until McHale broke his foot.

:applause:

You have to include Bird and McHale. The level they were both performing at during that period was incredible.

Bird finished 3rd in the 87 MVP while McHale finished 4th. 274 votes and 251 votes. That was the same year that Michael put up 37 a game and Magic did 24 and 12 and won 65 games.



Bird 86 playoffs: 25.9 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 8.2 apg, 2.1 spg, 0.6 bpg, 51.7% FG, 41.1% 3PT, 92.7% FT, 58.0% TS
McHale 86 playoffs: 24.9 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 2.7 apg, 0.4 spg, 2.4 bpg, 57.9% FG, 79.4% FT, 62.3% TS

Bird 86-87 regular season: 28.1 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 7.6 apg, 1.8 spg, 0.9 bpg, 52.5% FG, 40.0% 3PT, 91.0% FT, 61.2% TS
McHale 86-87 regular season: 26.1 ppg, 9.9 rpg, 2.6 apg, 0.5 spg, 2.2 bpg, 60.4% FG, 83.6% FT, 65.5% TS

Added together, that's a total of 92 games for Bird and 95 for McHale.


Both of them had insane stretches during the 86-87 regular season. You'd be hard-pressed to find two teammates with better 20-game streaks in the same season.



Larry Bird 1986-87: 32.2 ppg, 9.6 rpg, 8.3 apg, 1.8 spg, 1.0 bpg, 56.5% FG, 44.9% 3pt, 63.90% TS, 13-7 record

https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/birdla01/gamelog/1987/#616-635-sum:pgl_basic

Kevin McHale 1986-87: 28.6 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 2.0 apg, 0.5 spg, 2.1 bpg, 66.7% FG, 70.75% TS, 14-6 record

https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mchalke01/gamelog/1987#519-538-sum:pgl_basic


Let's not forget that McHale was one of the best defenders in the league in this period of time. All-NBA 1st team defense and was voted the best defender in the league by the coaches.

https://img.newspapers.com/img/img?institutionId=0&user=0&id=612880111&clippingId=47519824&width=557&height=1197&crop=2183_5829_495_1084&rotation=0&ts=1647721246

Shaq and Kobe also had incredible stretches in 00-01:



Shaquille O'Neal 2000-01: 31.5 ppg, 12.7 rpg, 3.4 apg, 0.8 spg, 2.4 bpg, 56.0% FG, 60.32% TS, 15-5 record

https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/o/onealsh01/gamelog/2001#589-608-sum:pgl_basic

Kobe Bryant 2000-01: 31.7 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 4.8 apg, 1.6 spg, 0.7 bpg, 47.5% FG, 28.2% 3PT, 55.79% TS, 13-7 record

https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bryanko01/gamelog/2001#283-302-sum:pgl_basic

[bison]

Stockton Malone?

[kawhileonard2]

Has to be guys who won league and finals mvp. So Lebron and Shaq or Shaq and Kobe or Magic and Kareem

[Phoenix]

Magic and Kareem are usually both in the top 5 GOAT.

Hard to beat that.

"Meaning best at the time not best through their careers so obviously no Jordan/Gervin or Lebron/Shaq or whatever other obviously stupid answer we might get."

It's not a legacy question. Magic in 1980 was about 5 years from his prime next to end of prime Kareem. In terms of where they were in their career( which is why specific years were mentioned), 2001 Shaq was in his absolute peak with Kobe entering his prime, and 2017 Steph/KD were in their peaks. Magic and Kareem didn't play together when each was at or near their respective best. You'd have to have something like 76 Kareem and 85 Magic to parallel 2001 Shaq/Kobe.

[John8204]

Kinda hard to use Shaq/Kobe as a positive example when Shaq didn't have "primes" rather he had seasons when he was motivated and seasons he wasn't. I'd be more inclined to go with Dr. J and Moses because they were coming MVP runs and they were All-NBA and Dr J kinda just left before he went into decline.

[nayte]

Curry and Durant for me.close tho with Kobe and Shaq.
Feel like Shaq is the better player out of the lot tho

[PeroAntic]

Shaq and Penny

[nayte]

They aren't on the list dude but still it's a no

[Phoenix]

Kinda hard to use Shaq/Kobe as a positive example when Shaq didn't have "primes" rather he had seasons when he was motivated and seasons he wasn't. I'd be more inclined to go with Dr. J and Moses because they were coming MVP runs and they were All-NBA and Dr J kinda just left before he went into decline.

Actually it's very easy. What Shaq was or wasn't in seasons other than 2001 based on what is being asked in the OP is irrelevant. Shaq in 2001 was MVP level/peak/prime. Whatever seasons he wasn't motivated or whatever other talking points have nothing to do with 2001. And what he was in 2001 was beyond Moses and Dr. J, never mind that Kobe in 2001 was about as good as any shooting guard ever not named Jordan or a couple of late 2000's D. Wade years. Even if you think the answer is still not Shaq/Kobe based simply on their 2001 versions, Shaq being unmotivated in 1996 or 2004 is a non-factor.

It's like the question in the OP was either not read, understood, or ignored entirely.

[HoopologyPhD]

"86 & '87 Bird/McHale deserves at least some discussion as well.

Both dominated the '86 postseason & the '87 regular season up until McHale broke his foot.

Was about to bring this up.

[Gohan]

Gotta go with the iverson/korver combo. Never has there been as much excitement in a game then seeing iverson feeding it to korver on a fastbreak for a 3

[Jasper]

Magic and Kareem

before that : I would say Big O and Kareem

[Jasper]

mj and pip for me.

[dankok8]

I'd say 2001 Shaq and Kobe. 2017 Durant and Steph are both lesser players than 2001 Shaq. 1980 Kareem and Magic no because Magic was still a rookie. 2011 Lebron and Wade didn't mesh too well together. 1969 West and Wilt weren't a great duo with Wilt exiting his prime and actually making the team worse.

[iamgine]

There were also Nash and Dirk.

[bladefd]

I'd say 2001 Shaq and Kobe. 2017 Durant and Steph are both lesser players than 2001 Shaq. 1980 Kareem and Magic no because Magic was still a rookie. 2011 Lebron and Wade didn't mesh too well together. 1969 West and Wilt weren't a great duo with Wilt exiting his prime and actually making the team worse.

That rookie won the NBA finals playing center. Let's not write that rookie off after his legendary season, one of the greatest seasons in history.

[Gruppenführer]

Detlef and Payton on the 1994-95 Supersonics

[SouBeachTalents]

Detlef and Payton on the 1994-95 Supersonics
The best duo ever couldn't even win a playoff series :biggums:

Losing to Nick Van Exel :biggums:

With their "3rd" best teammate averaging 25 in the series :biggums:

[Spurs m8]

KD & Curry

[Axe]

Shaq and Penny
What a casual. :oldlol:

[dankok8]

That rookie won the NBA finals playing center. Let's not write that rookie off after his legendary season, one of the greatest seasons in history.

Magic in 1980 had one legendary game. He wasn't even a top 10 rookie of all time.

[ArbitraryWater]

Magic and Kareem are usually both in the top 5 GOAT.

Hard to beat that.

read the question again

[Kblaze8855]

Magic in 1980 had one legendary game. He wasn't even a top 10 rookie of all time.


Who you got? I can only think of about 8 or 9.

I did just remember Hakeem though….

[Baller789]

Goofiest fmvp ever. Not looking at ANY stats, what happens if Iguodala and Lebron get swapped that series?

GSW would probably lose with Bron then.

[PeroAntic]

What a casual. :oldlol:

Not my fault youre a prepubescent dingus that hasn't watched Penny and doesnt know how good he was as a pure basketball player.

[j3lademaster]

GSW would probably lose with Bron then.Well, at least your takes aren't boring.

[sdot_thadon]

Imo it's KD and Curry over Kobe and Shaq just because I feel like Kobe and Shaq had a bigger gap in quality than Kd and Steph. It wasn't very clear who's team it was at times.

[1987_Lakers]

Who you got? I can only think of about 8 or 9.

I did just remember Hakeem though….

Wilt
Kareem
MJ
Duncan
Hakeem
Shaq
D-Rob
Bird
Oscar
Russell

[8Ball]

Has to be Shaq and Kobe and Kareem and Magic.

Only time a two top 10 all time players were on the same team in their relative primes.


Curry and KD are both top 12 players and deserve honourable mention.

[Axe]

Not my fault youre a prepubescent dingus that hasn't watched Penny and doesnt know how good he was as a pure basketball player.
You still think it's really clever to use such lame ass insult when all it shows is that you're gay. :oldlol:

Anyway how many rings did that duo win bt?

[eliteballer]

Magic in 1980 had one legendary game. He wasn't even a top 10 rookie of all time.

Uhhh...you should look up his playoff and Finals averages that year.

[eliteballer]

Magic 1980 Playoff averages:

18.3 pts, 10.5 rebs, 9.4 ast, 3.1 stl 52 FG%

Finals:

21.5 pts, 11.2 rebs, 8.7 ast, 2.7 stl, 57 FG%

[BarberSchool]

Lakers repping heavy on this list:

1. Shaq and Kobe

2. Magic & Kareem

3. Jordan and Pippen

4. KD & Curry

5. Bird & McHale

6. James & Wade

7. Robinson & Duncan

8. Olajuwon & Barkley (granted it was old barkley)

9. Wilt & West

10. Stockton & Malone

shout out to Vince & Tracy before isaiah Thomas ruined that.

[Full Court]

Not my fault youre a prepubescent dingus that hasn't watched Penny and doesnt know how good he was as a pure basketball player.

:roll::roll:

[Axe]

:violin: (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/7d/Autism_Speaks_Rebrand.png)


Gotta go with the iverson/korver combo. Never has there been as much excitement in a game then seeing iverson feeding it to korver on a fastbreak for a 3
If only they've been successful in the playoffs. Lol.

[Hey Yo]

That rookie won the NBA finals playing center. Let's not write that rookie off after his legendary season, one of the greatest seasons in history.

Magic repped LA at center for the opening tip and that was the extent of it. He played guard and forward the remainder of the game.

[Round Mound]

Kobe and Shaq