ESPN’S Stephen A. Smith assembles his top 5 NBA duos
Thompson, Curry make the cut
These are not the dog days for the NBA. They are the dog months. The postseason is but a memory. Training camps don’t convene until around Johnny Appleseed Day.
How to fill the void? Stephen A. Smith.
Appearing recently on ESPN’S “First Take,” Smith, with the fervor of a carnival barker, presented a list of the top 5 duos in the NBA. Granted, it’s not Game 6 of the Western Conference finals. But it beats the CFL Game of the Week. Especially for Warriors fans who get some love from this listicle.
First, the ground rules: “This ain’t about injuries,” Smith said. “Assume these people are healthy. Who’s the top 5 duos in the NBA?”
5. James Harden and Russell Westbrook, Rockets:
“Why? You know why. Both of them are unstoppable. You can’t stop Westbrook (from going) to the hole. You can’t stop Harden, period. Harden with Westbrook is going to open up the floor for Westbrook which is going to make Harden more dangerous.” 4. Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, Nets: “Why? Because Kyrie is ‘And-1.’ He’ll dance on anybody. He’s coming home. He’s in Brooklyn, not too far from New York.” 3. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, Clippers: “Why? Not just because of what they can do on the offensive side of the ball, but defensively, excuse me, have you seen these brothers play play some defense? Arguably the best duo on both sides of the floor, they are now teammates with the Los Angeles Clippers. The Clippers are a title contender.”
OK, Golden State fans. This is your time.
2. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, Warriors: “It’s very simple. The greatest shooting backcourt in the history of basketball. Never before having seen a duo that can shoot the basketball like this. When these two brothers return together healthy, I got news for you. Sleep on the Golden State Warriors if you want to, because you don’t know basketball.”
A nice nod, don’t you think? Maybe even enough to forgive Stephen A. for his sketchy spelling skills.
1. Lebron James and Anthony Davis, Lakers: “Both at least 6-9. Lebron is 260, a locomotive coming in your direction. But he’s got something to prove. because for the first time in nine years, he got a break from April. He didn’t play into June. AD, 6-11, but can play four different positions, can defend four different positions. One of the top 5 players on the planet, two of the top 5 players in the world.”