NBA Duos to Watch

The NBA 2019-20 season is approaching rapidly and various teams are in a position to assimilate the wide-open title race. NBA’s stars have conjured the next wave of duo partnerships and their quest for the Larry O’ Brien trophy.

The King and The Prince

Lebron James and Anthony Davis

LeBron James and Anthony Davis’s partnership is one for the ages. After forcing his way out of New Orleans and the Lakers overpaying their trade package, Rich Paul’s guys are finally draped in gold and purple. LeBron’s efforts in Los Angeles haven’t been the traditional LeBron standards. No playoff run, an underrated reaction to a serious injury, a career-low fifty-five games played - even a new low in career minutes played for the thirty-four-year-old. LeBron is now with the best overall teammate he’s had during his sixteen seasons. The only knock on LeBron I find is, how much longer can he keep going? The regular-season minutes and playoff minutes are starting to catch up to LeBron. The Lakers are fully committed to the LeBron era, as the trade for Davis stripped away the majority of assets they tanked for.

Antony Davis walks into a franchise that has molded all-time big men. Davis has all the attributes to become one of the greatest Lakers to play if his health and durability allow him to. It’s the biggest knock of Davis’s game, the inability to play the eighty to ninety games. 2018-19 season wasn’t the friendliest game to Davis either, as a career-low in games played with fifty-six. The upside for Davis is the depth the Lakers have allows in theory lower minutes and general usage. Players like Dwight Howard, JaVale McGee, Kyle Kuzma give Frank Vogel options to play small or big, allowing Davis to rest frequently. If Davis can go all in and not quit on his team during his prime, Davis has a realistic chance to become an all-time talent.

What is the pairing potential? NBA Champions or Western Conference Finals

The Lakers have endured miserable seasons since the Kobe decade closer. Failure to mesh stars together and even putting together some-what competitive lineups during the late 2010s, and the most recent tanking seasons, Lakers fan's excitement and expectations should be exhilarated. With the strange Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka headlines, can we give the front office some credit? With the trade for Davis, the recruiting of LeBron James, and the signings of Danny Green, DeMarcus Cousins, the Lakers have flipped 2018-19 burnout to a revamped championship run for 2019-20. The preview of LeBron James and Anthony Davis’s preseason game against the Warriors showed everyone how dangerous this combo will be. Pick and roll, putbacks, alley-oops, Davis, taking on forwards then pulling up over them, and Davis trailing behind the ball-handler. LeBron James and Anthony Davis have all the credentials on paper to make the finals, the biggest question is - Can Frank Vogel make the rest of the pieces fit and keep the oiled machine running?

Clamp City

Kawhi Leonard and Paul George

The Los Angeles Clippers have ushered in a new era, Clamp City. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are prime examples of a two-way players. Kawhi’s historical 2018 playoff run clearly showed the gambling reward Toronto took when trading fan-favorite DeMar DeRozen. Now Kawhi goes back home to Los Angeles as the new savior for Clipper fans. Kawhi’s quest to go back-to-back finals looks plausible. The Clippers last season rolled into the eighth seed going against Golden State. A team of veteran “outcasts” took the Warriors to six games. Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and General Manager Michael Winger doubled down on the scrap dog lineup. Then went out to get PG and Kawhi?!?! Of course, the Clippers should be the title favorites coming into the season. The main hurdle to jump is health issues.

Kawhi took a different path to get to the Clippers. After leaving the Spurs, Kawhi acted like a mercenary and started to end the hopes of any eastern contender. The landscape of the NBA could be entirely different if the bounces don’t go Toronto’s way. Joel Embiid’s tears wouldn’t be the latest meme, and the Raptors could be an actual threat in the east. But, Toronto deserves high praise for working with Kawhi and giving him what he wanted. His payment to the organization and the city will forever cement him as a Canadian hero. The Clippers supporting cast is nowhere near as talented as the Raptors were. Kawhi’s resume is already full of hall of fame qualifications. This next season Kawhi could muscle his way into the top twenty or top fifteen players of all-time. Having Patrick Beverly, PG, and Montreal Harrell as teammates, this roster has the potential to be one of the most defensive teams of the decade. Will the lack of depth hurt Kawhi’s quest for the back-to-back?

What is the pairing potential? NBA Champions or Western Conference Finals

Can Kawhi and PG exist together on the Clippers? PG played out of his mind during the 2018-19 season up to the all-star break. Coming out of the break Paul didn’t seem himself. After games, his shoulders would be wrapped and iced, and his MVP chances started to slip away. Nonetheless, he continued to average twenty-nine during the regular season, and then twenty-eight for the playoffs. His first-round stats were undervalued as Dame’s go-ahead-shot stole the headlines. As the offseason began, so did the surgeries that fixed both shoulders. Doc Rivers spoke to the media saying that PG is likely to miss the entire month of October, setting up a return time of the middle of November. The ball handling between the two and Beverly will be a task Rivers must execute to bring success to the Clippers. The approach to resting and managing their injured superstars will be the buzz throughout the season. Clipper fan’s prayers for a finals appearance could be finally answered under the mighty Kawhi and PG.

Zosanity

Lonzo Ball and Zion Williamson

New beginnings are approaching the crossroads for the New Orleans Pelicans. Davis’s departure leaves the keys to the city to the freakish 6’7”, 285 pounds first pick, Zion Williamson. The highly filmed and talked about prodigy to basketball since ironically Davis. Quick side rant, how is it possible the Pelicans get the first pick during the 2012 draft and the 2019 draft?! The Charlotte Bobcats (Rest in peace Big Al’s Paint, truly an upgrade from the basketball they have so) set the WORST, yes, the WORST record in NBA HISTORY, and didn’t get the first pick. And, the Pelicans had a decent team besides Davis basically quitting on his team. I regress, Zion’s game has translated well into the preseason. Playing roughly twenty-eight minutes during the four-game stretch, Zion’s numbers are better than his freshman stats at Duke. 23.3 points on 71% shooting, 2.3 assists, and 6.5 rebounds. Trouble has already snuck into the rookie’s season already, as Zion is missing the last preseason game due to knee soreness. The future of the franchise has already been placed under the microscope and hopefully, his body doesn’t let the rookie’s dream end before it unravels.

Lonzo Ball was included in the deal for Daivs which is a considerably big deal. The new backcourt is made up of, Jrue Holiday, E’Twaun Moore, Josh Hart, and JJ Redick. Jrue and Lonzo make a case to be a force to reckon with in the west. But it’s not about them, it’s about Ball and Zion. Ball’s selflessness and Zion’s finish ability screams a duo that will disrupt defenses, oh, did I mention Ball’s shot form too? His abstract form of pulling up from the left side creating a rainbow-like mechanic is gone. The form is from the waist up to his head and it looks smoother than silk. But, Lonzo still hasn’t found a consistent stroke from deep. Now the preseason sample size is only four games for Ball and has only hit 31% of these threes. Maybe the form will inspire career-high shooting across the entire field and from the line. His size is still a valuable asset he’ll never lose, giving Alvin Gentry (Appalachian State Alumni FYI) defensive freedom in the backcourt. Will Lonzo play with a chip on his shoulder? After the BBB fallout with his father and manager, the lack of continuous playing time, and being traded like a used car. This season can be a leap for Lonzo if he can stay on the floor and shoot efficiently. Lonzolites be ready for a new season of Lonzo linking up with Zion and creating Lob City 2.0.

What is the pairing potential? Missed playoffs 10th-11th Seed

After all the Lonzo and Zion hype, the Pelicans frontcourt depth is frankly piss-poor average. If Zion’s knees started to give out, and he doesn’t find a way to lose some weight, this has the potential to be a disaster. Not only is Lonzo losing his athletic finisher, but the Pelicans are also losing an important piece of their cornerstone franchise plan. It still feels premature to place them into the playoffs as an eighth seed. I was a giant homer for Al Horford coming to the Pelicans and being the veteran presence that this team needs alongside JJ. But, this isn’t the case for the Pelicans, they’re a western conference team that goes against tougher competition. If the coaching staff can develop Zion, and Lonzo can hit more shots - The pelicans can put their foot into the playoff ladder.

Old Friends Old Results

James Harden and Russell Westbrook

I’ve been waiting to write about my two old friends. Two high-usage guards who absorb headlines for the last half-decade. James’s offensive performance for the last three years is remarkable and deserves all the praise. And if you didn’t know, Russell Westbrook has averaged a triple-double for the last three years. Both have won the MVP during the last three years too. But, what if I told you both haven’t made a finals appearance since the 2012 OKC Thunder run that ended with LeBron’s first ring. I promise I don’t hate either player at all but, here’s my ESPN First hottest take. WIN. The regular season is a quarter of the intensity of the playoffs. Yes, Harden averaged thirty-six on 44.2% shooting and shot 36.8% from deep too. This Harden hasn’t transitioned to his playoff form. Now he’s going to get paired up with his old friend who hasn’t shot over 40% since 2015?!?!? The Rockets have gone all-in for a title this year. Now the addition of Westbrook is an undoubtedly upgrade from an aging Chris Paul. I just question D’antoni’s approach to handling two high-maintenance guards who need the ball to thrive.

Russell Westbrook brings the Rockets a swagger that is more passionate than Harden. Westbrook’s drives to the lane, out jumping big-men, then destroying the rim - getting the home crowd involved, that is what Russell will bring immediately. The biggest question I ask myself is, what will Westbrook do off-ball? If you tell me he going to shoot a three-ball, you might as well not answer my question. Westbrook shot 30% from behind the arch during the regular season and during the playoffs last year. Now if D’antoni sits down with Harden and Westbrook to discuss Westbrook being the main ball handler, I feel better about the acquisition. How do you tell Harden, the face of the franchise to take the passenger seat for Westbrook? If Harden morphs into an off-ball shooter who creates his own shot, things get interesting for Houstons offense. Eric Gordan, P.J. Tucker, Ryan Anderson, and Austin Rivers give even more space for Westbrook and Harden. If the Rockets want an all-out three-shooting spree, we could see Harden play as a small three. Even though Harden isn’t the best defender at times if Houston gets into a shoot-out, I’d take my chances with Houston.

What is the pairing potential? NBA Champions or First/Second Round Exit After everything is said and done, Hoston will find their way into the title contention position. Is this the season where Westbrook and Harden shake their playoff demons? It is a possible outcome, their defense is what sticks out as the issue. Can you count on Clint Capela down in stretches? Can P.J. be the lockdown defender against LeBron, Kawhi, PG, even Giannis? The offense is what Houston lives and dies by, getting Westbrook adds another flexible offensive weapon. With Chris Paul gone, the defense on guards like Dame, De’Aaron Fox, Lonzo Ball, Ben Simmons, this is an upgrade. If things go south, Houston is locked into this group of guys. Westbrook, Harden, Capela, and Gordon will continue to begin their journey to playoff success. D’antoni has always been the offensive guru in the past. Will this be the year where D’Antoni put the pieces together and reaches the finals? A first-round meltdown or a second-round burnout, Daryl Morey’s GM tenure could be in jeopardy.

Honorable Mentions

De’Aaron Fox and Buddy Hield

Finally, Sacramento has put itself in a winning atmosphere and hasn’t found a way to ruin it (yet). After Buddy getting his contract extension, the backcourt will be established for the next three to four years. I tried to squeeze them into the big boys, but unfortunately -- they are a sub-average team in a stacked conference. De’Aaron has to find a way to take the next step to potentially become an all-star or even shoot for an All-NBA team. Defending, shooting from outside, and getting to the line. On the other hand, Buddy has to continue to hit at the clip he did last year. He shoots at an alarming 42.7% rate from deep during last season and 43.1% in 2017. The ultimate key to the success of the backcourt will be Luke Walton’s pace scheme. King’s placed in third in pace, while Walton’s Lakers finished right behind Sacramento. De’Aaron’s speed will be a recurring factor that Walton will get to work with all season long. Lastly, if Walton struggles early, I don’t doubt Vlade’s ability to rock the vote and replace him with a coach that can turn the franchise around.

European Express

Luka Dončić and Kristaps Porzingis

Dallas’ just said goodbye to an NBA all-timer and international super-star Dirk, just to get replaced by another international seven-footer forward who can knock down threes. And they partner him with Luka, reigning rookie of the year. On the offensive side of things, Rick Carlisle can mix and match the shooting abilities between Luka and Kristaps. Porzingis stretches the floor, allows for high pick and roll with Luka, or even shoot baseline fadeaway shots. On paper, this sounds like Porzingis will come back and crush anyone who guards him. But, did I mention he hasn’t played an NBA game since February of 2018?!? I like to think that Luka can take the next step into stardom. From the very start of his rookie campaign, Luka brought new excitement to not only Dallas fans, but for NBA fans across the globe. Especially the Atlanta Hawks and Sacramento Kings, if we do this draft over Luka goes number one without a doubt. I still think that the teams still all feel great about their picks, but if they still are kicking themselves about passing on Luka. With all of that said, the new era of Dallas basketball is in. The biggest concern will be will Kristaps be the same guy we saw in the flash of 2018? ACL injuries haven’t been the kindest to recent stars. Mark Cuban’s Mavericks are starving for a new playoff era, and for that reason - I’m all in for the Luka Porzingis one-two-punch.

- TH

Stats provided by NBA.com and Basketball reference