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Where the Jamal Murray-Nikola Jokic duo ranks among NBA’s best

By Quenton S. Albertie

DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 23: Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets react to a play against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Pepsi Center on February 23, 2020 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 23: Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets react to a play against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Pepsi Center on February 23, 2020 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
(Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /

Tier 1

  1. LeBron James and Anthony Davis (Los Angeles Lakers)
  2. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George (Los Angeles Clippers)
  3. James Harden and Russell Westbrook (Houston Rockets)
  4. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson (Golden State Warriors)
  5. Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant (Brooklyn Nets)

Every player on this tier is considered a superstar, or has been, but that isn’t why they’re in the top tier of player duos. Simply put, each player on this list is considered an elite player.

– LeBron James, who is arguably still the best player in the NBA, has mastered the game in terms of awareness and his passing ability is second to none. Along with that, he’s still a deadly scorer. Pair him with a two-way force in Anthony Davis, who is arguably the most talented big man in the NBA, and they’re at worst the third-best duo in the league.

– Kawhi Leonard has developed from just being a defensive monster to being one of the league’s most talented and efficient scorers as well. Paul George brings exactly what Leonard does to the table but with just a bit less dominance on both ends and more athleticism.

– The only pair of players in the league who have both won MVP awards, James Harden and Russell Westbrook are like fire and ice. The fire would be Westbrook, who plays with all-out effort and is able to stuff the stat sheet like few others. Harden is a talented scorer with a myriad of moves and almost a phenomenon when it comes to scoring. They’re not the best defenders in the game by any measure but their offensive potency, both as scorers and playmakers, keeps them in the top tier.

– Although the Warriors haven’t had a chance to see the Splash Brothers in action, the entire NBA knows what Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson are capable of. Because of their dominance from three-point range, Curry’s game-changing gravity and Thompson’s two-way play, they could very well make the case to be at least the third team on this list.

– Similarly, the Nets have yet to see their two splash signings from last summer in action. However, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant are both lethal scorers who consistently get it done from every level and there’s not a player, coach or fan who isn’t aware of that. Although it remains to be seen if he’ll continue to be now that he’s in Brooklyn, Durant turned into a defensive monster in his time with Golden State. When healthy, there are quite a few people who would consider him to be the best player in the NBA.

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