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About This Quiz
It's time to look back at the history of the NBA and decide which teams had the greatest NBA duos, but first, you have to look at what allows two players on the same team to work so well together and what exactly makes their tandem so great.Â
What makes an NBA duo great? Is it how many championships they've won together? Some of the greatest duos never won a title, after all. Is it how well they balance each other out? For one player to be great, the other player has to be able to cover their weaknesses. Maybe it's just the attention they brought to a franchise, and the number of fans they put in the seats.Â
One thing is certain. No matter which NBA duo you analyze, the chemistry they have on the court is undeniable. The best duos are magical on the court next to one another. They know exactly what the other player is thinking, whether they are about to cut to the basket, jump for an alley-oop, or go for a steal. A duo's ability to play off of one another is the reason these players are in this quiz.Â
Do you think you can identify the best duos in NBA history? Here's your chance to find out. Get started with this quiz and put your NBA knowledge up against a real test!Â
Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal
John Stockton and Karl Malone
Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire​
When this pair came together with the Phoenix Suns, they took their game to another level. Nash was voted MVP in 2004 and 2005 and Stoudemire became a five-time All-Star.
Dwyane Wade and Alonzo Mourning
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LeBron James and Kyrie Irving
Kyrie Irving decided to leave LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers following the 2016-17 season. He wanted to be the lead player on a team and was traded to the Boston Celtics.
Mark Price and Brad Daugherty
Ron Harper and Larry Nance
Mo Williams and Anderson Varejao
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Jerry West and Karl Malone
Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant
The Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal-led Lakers were coached by Phil Jackson. Jackson had been the head coach of the Chicago Bulls when the team won six championships in the '90s.
Gary Payton and Elgin Baylor
Steve Nash and Pau Gasol
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Paul Pierce and Ray Allen
Rajon Rondo and Kevin Garnett
Robert Parish and Bill Walton
Larry Bird and Kevin McHale
Larry Bird and Kevin McHale were two of the most dominant offensive players the league has seen. Bird was a ​clutch shooter and McHale couldn't be stopped in the post.
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Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler
Dennis Rodman and Horace​ Grant
Steve Kerr and Ron Harper
Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen
Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen three-peated twice, winning a total of six championships. The only thing that stopped them from winning more titles was Jordan's temporary retirement from the NBA so he could play Major League Baseball.
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John Stockton and Karl Malone
Karl Malone was nicknamed "The Mailman." He would take a pass from John Stockton and deliver it into the basket.
Pete Maravich and Adrian Dantley
Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer
Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell
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Jerry West and Wilt Chamberlain
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Earvin "Magic" Johnson
The "Showtime Lakers" relied on their run-and-gun style of basketball. When that didn't work, they gave the ball to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in the post.
James Worthy and Gary Payton
Dwight Howard and Steve Nash
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Bernard King and Charles Oakley
Earl Monroe and Bob McAdoo
Walt Frazier and Willis Reed
Walt Frazier and Willis Reed won their first NBA title together in 1970 while with the NY Knicks. That year, they defeated the Lakers in seven games, and Reed was named the championship series MVP.
Mark Jackson and Patrick Ewing
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Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo
Bill Russell and Bob Cousy
Together, Bill Russell and Bob Cousy won six NBA titles. Cousy left the Celtics after the 1963 season, but Russell went on to win five more championships.
Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett
Jo Jo White and Dennis Johnson
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James Worthy and Jamaal​ Wilkes
Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum
Wilt Chamberlain and Jerry West
Wilt Chamberlain and Jerry West are two of the most recognized faces in the history of the NBA. Chamberlain set numerous records, including the single-game scoring record of 100 points. After retiring as a player, West built multiple championship franchises around the league as an executive.
Dennis Rodman and Dwight Howard
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LeBron James and Dwyane Wade
LeBron James joined Dwyane Wade in Miami during the 2010 offseason. James' move from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Miami​ Heat was televised as "The Decision" and was heavily criticized by reporters and analysts.
Mario Chalmers and Chris Bosh
Chris Anderson and Shane Battier
Mike Miller and Caron Butler
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Grant Hill and Richard Hamilton
Bob Lanier and Dave Bing
Chauncey Billups and Ben Wallace
Isiah Thomas and Joe Dumars
Isiah Thomas and Joe Dumars won back-to-back NBA titles in 1989 and 1990. Dumars was named the MVP of the 1989 Finals and Thomas received the recognition in the 1990 Finals.
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Tim Duncan and David Robinson
Despite numerous All-Star selections and an NBA MVP award, David Robinson failed to win a championship before the arrival of Tim Duncan. With Duncan on the team, the Spurs won two NBA titles.
Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili
George Gervin and Bruce Bowen
Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge
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Billy Cunningham and Hal Greer
Charles Barkley and Elton Brand
Moses Malone and Julius Erving
Moses Malone helped the 76ers reach the NBA Finals in only his first season with the team. In The Finals, the 76ers defeated the Lakers, and Malone was named the MVP.
Allen Iverson and Eric Snow
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Ray Allen and Glenn Robinson
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Oscar Robertson
Oscar Robertson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar were both NBA MVPs at some point in their careers. Robertson won the award once while Kareem took the award home six times.
Vin Baker and Michael Redd
Paul Pressey and Bob Lanier
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James Harden and Ray Allen
Carmelo Anthony and Paul George
Enes Kanter and Jeff Green
Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant
In what has been called the weakest move in NBA history, Kevin Durant left the Thunder to join the Golden State Warriors in 2016. He was criticized for making the move without consulting his friend and teammate, Russell Westbrook.
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Bill Walton and Kevin McHale
Robert Parish and Ray Allen
Sam Jones and Bill Sharman
Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett
In 2007, the Celtics brought together several NBA All-Stars to compete for a championship. Aside from Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, the team also added Ray Allen.
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James Harden and Chris Paul
Tracy McGrady and Clyde Drexler
Hakeem Olajuwon and Ralph Sampson
Despite playing the same position, Hakeem Olajuwon and Ralph Sampson had success on the court together. The duo led the Rockets to the 1986 NBA Finals, but they lost to the Boston Celtics.
Kenny Smith and Dwight Howard
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Shawn Kemp and Gary Payton
Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp played seven seasons beside one another on the Seattle SuperSonics. Together, they reached the 1996 NBA Finals but lost to the Chicago Bulls.
Fred Brown and Dennis Johnson
Gus Williams and Lenny Wilkens
Dale Ellis and Xavier McDaniel
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Tim Duncan and Tony Parker
Under head coach Gregg Popovich, the Spurs played an unselfish brand of basketball throughout the 2000s and 2010s. That allowed multiple players to shine, including Tony Parker and Tim Duncan who won four titles together.
Manu Ginobili and David Robinson
George Gervin and Bruce Bowen
Sean Elliot and Avery Johnson
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Ray Allen and Paul Pierce
Reggie Miller and Paul George
Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson
Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry have revolutionized basketball because of their ability to shoot the three-pointer. Stephen Curry currently holds the record for three-pointers made in a single season.
James Harden and Chris Paul
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Chris Bosh and Alonzo Mourning
Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O'Neal
Shaquille O'Neal won his only NBA title outside of Los Angeles with the Miami Heat in 2006. However, Dwyane Wade was the star of the team and earned Finals MVP honors.
Tim Hardaway and Glen Rice
Gary Payton and Lamar Odom
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Vlade Divac and Brad Miller
Bobby Jackson and Jason Williams
DeMarcus Cousins and Tyreke Evans
Mike Bibby and Chris Webber
The 2002 Western Conference Finals was one of the most crooked series in NBA history. One referee even admitted to helping call Game 6 in favor of the Los Angeles Lakers.
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Chris Paul and Blake Griffin
Chris Paul and Blake Griffin had high hopes when they came together in 2011. Though they saw great regular season success, the duo often failed to advance in the playoffs, mainly due to injuries.
Bob McAdoo and Elton Brand
DeAndre Jordan and J.J. Redick
Jamal Crawford and Eric Gordon
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Glenn Robinson and Ray Allen
Ray Allen and Glenn Robinson had some of their best years while playing together for the Bucks. However, neither won an NBA title until they left the team.
Sidney Moncrief and Marques Johnson
Michael Redd and Vin Baker
Bob Lanier and Paul Pressey
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James Harden and Dwight Howard
James Harden and Chris Paul
Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady
Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady were dominant on the court together. Though they made several playoff appearances​, their on-court time as a duo was scarce because both players suffered various injuries during their time in Houston.
Kenny Smith and Clyde Drexler
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Earl Monroe and Bernard King
Allan Houston and Latrell Sprewell
The 1998-99 season was significantly shortened because of a players' strike. Coached by Jeff Van Gundy, the Knicks won 27 games that season.
Mark Jackson and John Starks
David Lee and Larry Johnson
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James Harden and Chris Paul
Chris Paul and Trevor Ariza
Dwight Howard and Eric Gordon
Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler
Hakeem Olajuwon played college basketball with Clyde Drexler at the University of Houston. Their team became known as "Phi Slama Jama" because of their above-the-rim play.
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Chris Bosh and Mario Chalmers
Glen Rice and Jason Williams
Alonzo Mourning and Tim Hardaway
Alonzo Mourning and Tim Hardaway spent time with several different teams throughout their NBA careers. However, both players were in their prime during their time in Miami, though their averages began to decline by the time they parted.
Lamar Odom and Gary Payton
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Dwight Howard and Tracy McGrady
Horace Grant and Dennis Scott
Vince Carter and Rashard Lewis
Penny Hardaway and Shaquille O'Neal
Shaquille O'Neal and Penny Hardaway led the Magic to the playoffs in 1993-94. It was the first playoff appearance for the Magic in franchise history.
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Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash
Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitzki both joined the Mavericks in 1998. It took them three seasons to make the playoffs, but when they did, they were off and running, reaching the playoffs each season until Nash left the team in 2004.
Jason Kidd and Tyson Chandler
Jason Terry and Shawn Marion
Dennis Smith Jr. and J.J. Barea
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Karl Malone and Steve Nash
Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant
Prior to the 2007-08 season, Kobe Bryant asked to be traded from the Lakers. However, the Lakers refused to trade Bryant, and instead, they added Pau Gasol to the team, which put the Lakers back in championship contention.
Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum
Derek Fisher and Luke Walton
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Alvan Adams and Tom Chambers
Kevin Johnson and Charles Barkley
Both Charles Barkley and Kevin Johnson were multi-year NBA All-Stars. However, neither player was able to win an NBA title. Johnson later went on to become​ the 55th mayor of Sacramento, California, and the city's first African-American mayor.
Jason Kidd and Shawn Marion
Joe Johnson and Eric Bledsoe
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Earvin "Magic" Johnson and James Worthy
George Mikan and Jamaal Wilkes
Elgin Baylor and Jerry West
Jerry West and Elgin Baylor played in seven NBA Finals with one another. Baylor retired a few games into the 1971-72 season, and in an odd turn of events, the Lakers went on to win the title that year.
Byron Scott and Gail Goodrich
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Hal Greer and Wilt Chamberlain
Wilt Chamberlain and Hal Greer only played three and a half seasons together for the 76ers. However, they put up spectacular numbers during their time in Philadelphia, and the 76ers honored the two players by retiring their numbers.
Billy Cunningham and Moses Malone
Julius Erving and Maurice Cheeks
Bobby Jones and Elton Brand
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Carmelo Anthony and David Lee
Bill Cartwright and Mark Jackson
Dick McGuire and Charles Oakley
John Starks and Patrick Ewing
The Knicks played a physical style of basketball throughout the 1990s. Their style of play often caused conflict with other teams, particularly the Pacers who had Reggie Miller, a player with whom John Starks had a personal rivalry.
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Dave Cowens and John Havlicek
John Havlicek and Dave Cowen's greatest accomplishment together came in 1974 when they defeated the Bucks in the NBA Finals. The Bucks were led by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Oscar Robertson, two future Hall of Famers.
Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett
Robert Parish and Kevin McHale
Sam Jones and Rajon Rondo
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Chet Walker and Elton Brand
Allen Iverson and Dikembe Mutombo
Allen Iverson was an undersized guard in the NBA, but he was an elite scorer with a deadly crossover move. Dikembe Mutombo was the perfect defensive help for Iverson because he was a powerhouse on that end of the court.
Jrue Holiday and Jahlil Okafor
Caldwell Jones and Scott Skiles
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Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert​
Lou Williams and Tobias Harris
Devin Booker and DeAndre Ayton
Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons
Both Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons were first-round draft picks for the 76ers. Embiid was chosen as the third pick in the 2014 NBA draft, while Simmons was selected as the first pick in the 2016 NBA draft.
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Carmelo Anthony and Enes Kanter
Serge Ibaka and Jeff Green
Russell Westbrook and Paul George
After demanding a trade from the Pacers, Paul George joined Russell Westbrook in Oklahoma City. After their first year together, George decided to re-sign with the team, hoping to win a championship together.
Reggie Jackson and Victor Oladipo
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