Keeping in mind both players standing in the league, what duo had the highest peak of all time in terms of raw talent? Is it Kobe and Shaq? Magic and Kareem? Jordan and Pippen? Curry and Durant?

I honestly think it’s Curry and Durant, no other duo had two players who were both potential regular season MVPs at the same time in their careers. Magic did play amazing right out of the gate for the Lakers but Kareem was already declining. I don’t see Pippen as ever having a real MVP case unless the top contenders had been watered down somehow. I also don’t think young Kobe ever had a real MVP stake when Shaq was dominating

Did I miss any duos that deserve mention? Duncan and Parker? LeBron and Wade?

Id go with Shaq and Kobe. Yes Kobe wasnt in his prime yet, but Shaq was, and Kobe was all the team needed at the time, they were destroying opposite teams. I cant say anything about oldschool duos since Im not old enough to put my finger, but I wouldnt be surprised if someone came up with a better duo.

Magic+Kareem by far

distantly behind

Duncan+Robinson
LeBron+Wade
Kobe+Shaq

obviously Curry and Durant is a cheat code of dominance but they didn't play together long enough and the Warriors were already one of the greatest teams ever constructed prior to acquiring Durant so I don't tthink it's the same as the above

im sure im missing some

edit: duh Russell+Cousy

This post was edited by Voyaging on Oct 10 2023 06:57pm

dumb.

I should emphasize peak here over longevity. If you put say 2002 Lakers up against the 2018 Warriors, which duo would have more talent? I think the 18 Warriors Curry + Durant is more talented than the 02 Lakers Shaq + Kobe. I’d rather build around Curry and Durant

It will be Tatum and Brown
Tatum is still only 21
So much potential

Real talk though I agree with Kareem and Magic.

Pippen and Jordan

If you consider both sides of the court I believe the lakers duo could have greater impact, and peak shaq was pretty much unstoppable.

this is something where era really makes a pretty big difference because a bruiser like Shaq wouldn't be nearly as impactful in the 3 pt shooting contests that go on now

Anyone who doesn't say Shaq and Kobe is so far, so gone....