1) Michael Jordan - Scottie Pippen

#1 Michael Jordan - Scottie Pippen

CAREER STATS

Michael Jordan)  PPG- 30.1  RPG- 6.2  APG- 5.3

Scottie Pippen)  PPG- 16.1  RPG- 6.4  APG- 5.2

The Greatest of all time for most people, Michael Jordan and his sidekick Scottie Pippen.  The Bulls definitely owned the 90s era.  Jordan can score any way and was just an athletic monster that nobody can hold.  Scottie would pick up the pieces and would be great around the rim and just as aggressive as Jordan. Six championships, both three-peats and in the span of ten years.  This is an incredible feat and more could have came to the Bulls if Jordan did not play in the MLB for two years.  this hypothetical along with the six rings puts this duo as the best.  Jordan also received all Finals MVP in the six Finals won.  Jordan came in the league on a quick start prizing the Rookie of the Year honors.  After Jordan's career he became the NBA's all time leading playoff scorer and Chicago's all time leading scorer.  Both Pippen and Jordan played for the 1992 Dream Team as well helping them set a dynasty in Chicago Bulls history.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chOsRrvpnGc

2) Earvin "Magic" Johnson - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

#2 Earvin "Magic" Johnson - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

CAREER STATS

Magic Johnson)  PPG- 19.5  RPG- 7.2  APG- 11.2

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar)  PPG- 24.6  RPG- 11.2  BPG- 2.5

The "Showtime" Era is a revolutionary time for Lakers fans.  Earvin "Magic" Johnson who was magical for his never seen passes and always pushed the tempo making the Lakers always running.  You would always have to be looking at Magic in case he'd pass the ball.  If you weren't looking it could still  get to you.  Magic could get the ball anywhere he wanted and with Kareem's perfected post presence the Lakers were the team to beat.  In 1979 Magic was drafted by the Lakers making an immediate impact in the league.  Kareem and Magic would make eight Finals appearances in ten years.  the first championship won was done without Kareem in game six.  With Kareem hurt, one of Magic's most defining moments was in Game six when he had to play center for the big man.  Magic would play all the positions of the floor in the game and defeated the 76ers.  Another championship moment for Magic was in Game four in the 1987 matchup versus the Celtics.  In the waning seconds Magic did a "baby hook" to decide the game as time expired.  the long rival Celtics were defeated in six games.  With Magic being the all around player and Kareem's unstoppable "Sky Hook", this duo was labeled Showtime for a reason.  Magic received Finals MVP honors in 1980, 1982, amd 1987.  Kareem also got Finals MVP in 1985.  Magic ended his NBA tenure early playing 13 years and having five rings while also a part of the 1992 Dream Team.  Kareem played in the NBA past his 40s winning six championships and is the NBA's all time leading scorer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOkLTFc1ReA

3) Bob Cousy - Bill Russell

#3 Bob Cousy - Bill Russell

CAREER STATS

Bob Cousy)  PPG- 18.4  RPG- 5.2  APG- 7.5

Bill Russell)  PPG- 15.1  RPG- 22.5  APG- 4.3

This Celtics duo started it all.  Multiple championships dominated by Bob Cousy and Bill Russell.  The all around play from both players on both sides of the floor was second to none.  Bill Russell was a giant among men and would always let it be known.  Bob Cousy was very smooth in his passes and would get it to anywhere he wanted on the floor.  Bob Cousy was drafted by the Celtics in 1950 along with Bill Russell in 1956.  In the span of seven years the Celtics won six championships.  Bob Cousy finished his career with those six rings and Bill Russell went on to complete his basketball days with eleven rings.  Bill Russell has the most rings of any NBA player.  Bob Cousy won regular season MVP in 1957.  Bill Russell continued on to  win five MVP's as well in 58', 61'-63', and 65'.  these two started off the Celtics era then came Larry Bird and company in the 80s.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVwA3VOKV4U

4) Kobe Bryant - Shaquille O'Neal

No. 4 Kobe Bryant - Shaquille O'Neal

CAREER STATS

Kobe Bryant)  PPG- 25.0  RPG- 5.2  APG- 4.7

Shaquille O'Neal)  PPG- 23.7  RPG- 10.9  BPG- 2.3

Without a doubt this duo is my favorite of all time.  Shaq being the most dominant to ever play the game with Kobe who is the greatest scorer of all time next to Jordan.  Both would be the top of their game pretty much in a prime form but not quite.  They were both young and learned how to adapt in the NBA.  The Lakers performed a three peat with three Finals won consecutively.  In 2000 the Lakers beat the Reggie Miller led Pacers in six games.  This was Kobe and Shaq's first title with more to come.  In 2001, the Lakers played the 76er's led by Allen Iverson.  The Lakers would decide the series in five games.  The next year was the easiest for the Lakers when they swept the New Jersey Nets.  Shaq got Finals MVP for each of the series.  Kobe finished his career with LA as its all time leading scorer and number three on the NBA's all time scoring list.  Shaq had finished with four rings and Kobe with five.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMqDBxzL_Ew

5) Larry Bird - Kevin McHale

#5 Larry Bird - Kevin McHale

CAREER STATS

Larry Bird)  PPG- 24.3  RPG- 10.0  APG- 6.3

Kevin McHale)  PPG- 17.9  RPG- 7.3  BPG- 1.7

Larry Legend and Kevin McHale were Celtic pride.  Larry Bird is so phenomenal, an all around player with great passing ability while Kevin McHale had a defensive presence and would pick up the pieces from Bird.  Larry Bird was a pure shooter and amazing behind the arc.  In 1978 Larry Bird was drafted by the Celtics and McHale as well in 1980.  Bird became Rookie of the Year and would start contending with the addition of Kevin McHale.  In 1981 and 1986 the Celtics beat the Rockets both in six games.  the best Finals matchup in this era was the 84' Finals versus their all time rival, the Los Angeles Lakers.  This matchup is in my opinion one of the most physical personal battles in NBA history.  Flagrant fouls and dirty plays were constant in the series and the Celtics would win in seven games.  Larry Bird gained regular season MVP for three staright seasons (84'-86').  Bird also received Finals MVP for 1984 and 1986.  Larry Bird was also a member of the 1992 USA Dream Team which was a team of majority Hall of Famers.  This Celtics duo is considered one of the best Celtic duos ever to play.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYMJfNsQFPY

6) Lebron James - Dwayne Wade

#6 Lebron James - Dwayne Wade

CAREER STATS

Lebron James)  PPG- 27.2  RPG- 7.2  APG- 6.9

Dwayne Wade)  PPG- 23.7  RPG- 4.8  APG- 5.8

This heat dynasty was so exciting to watch.  From alley-oops to great blocks with run and gun basketball, what's not to like.  Dwayne Wade and Lebron were both at the top of their game although at times injuries would hinder Wade.  The first Finals appearance was in 2011 when the Heat played the Dallas Mavericks.  Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavericks prevailed showing the NBA's most talked about duo can't have it that easy.  In 2012 the Heat faced the Thunder.  Game 1 was won by the Thunder and the Heat then won four in a row winning Miami's first title since 2006.  In 2013, the Heat played the Western powerhouse, the San Antonio Spurs.  The series went seven games and the Heat beat the Tim Duncan led Spurs.  Lebron was prized with Finals MVP in both 2012 and 2013.  Both Players still play today but not for the Heat.  Lebron is seeking his second championship in Cleveland while Dwayne Wade now plays for his hometown, the Chicago Bulls.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjYzL6Dw2LA

7) John Stockton - Karl Malone

#7 John Stockon - Karl Malone

CAREER STATS

John Stockton)  PPG- 13.1  APG- 10.5  SPG- 2.2

Karl Malone)  PPG- 25.0  RPG- 10.1  APG- 3.5

The best duo to never win a title.  They both are Hall of Famers and players that were on the 1992 Dream Team.  Stockton and Malone played 18 years together and have only been to the Finals twice.  Their pick and roll game was perfection and great to watch.  John Stockton was drafted in 1984 by the Jazz as was Karl Malone in 1985.  In all the years Stockton played he rarely missed an exhibition.  The two times the Jazz went to the Finals they played the Bulls in 97' and 98'.  Jordan was well in his prime and won back to back championships for the Bulls.  Karl Malone is the all time leading scorer to this day for the Jazz and won MVP for the 97' and 99' years.  John Stockton is also the NBA all time assists and steals leader which is a high feat of accomplishment.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYOf4hYa5A0