The rest, save for an ageless Abdul-Jabbar and Cousy a lifetime ago, were in their 20s at the time of their first titles. Chamberlain and West were in their mid-30s by 1972. Jokić and Murray must do the same to enter the chat about the game's greatest pairings, but they are 28 and 26 years old, respectively. I think those two guys play for each other and off of each other and they read each other so well."Įach tandem but Malone and Erving, Chamberlain and West won multiple rings together. "I've always felt that Nikola and Jamal Murray are one of the most elite and lethal two-man game combos in the NBA, and we've seen that growing for seven years now," Malone said after a Game 3 win, when Jokić and Murray became the first pairing to each record 30-point triple-doubles. Feel free to dismiss this as a product of the NBA's 3-point boon, but that does not account for their proximity to Curry and Durant on this list, and the fact that they are even in the ballpark of these duets should be enough to respect Murray's contributions. None of those pairings created more points per game than Denver's duo. Wilt Chamberlain and Jerry West, 1972 Lakers: 37.6 PTS (48.4 TS%), 12.2 AST Tim Duncan and Tony Parker, 2007 Spurs: 43 PTS (53.9 TS%), 9.1 ASTīill Russell and Bob Cousy, 1962 Celtics: 38.4 PTS (46.6 TS%), 13.8 AST Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson, 1980 Lakers: 50.2 PTS (60.5 TS%), 12.5 AST Larry Bird and Kevin McHale, 1986 Celtics: 50.8 PTS (62.5 TS%), 10.9 AST LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, 2012 Heat: 53.1 PTS (55.3 TS%), 9.9 AST Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, 1993 Bulls: 55.2 PTS (53.4 TS%), 11.6 AST Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray, 2023 Nuggets: 56.1 PTS (60.9 TS%), 16.6 AST Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant, 2017 Warriors: 56.6 PTS (67 TS%), 11 AST Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant, 2001 Lakers: 59.8 PTS (55.9 TS%), 9.3 AST Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant.Īnd where do Jokić and Murray's combined offensive statistics rank in relation to the those tandems on their most potent championship runs? Third in scoring, third in shooting efficiency and first in playmaking. The short list of powerhouse championship duos is a CliffsNotes of NBA history. I think that's the best thing about him right now." We know he can make shots, he can go for 50, but even when things don't go his way, he doesn't fall down. "I think that's the best feeling for the guys around him. "He's been our best player since Round 1, and even if he doesn't make shots, his energy is always good," Jokić said when asked if Murray deserves more national attention. No other teammates have achieved those statistical milestones together, and Jokić's ascent into the game's pantheon has left Murray in the shadows of the annual post-championship legacy discussion, even if the reigning Finals MVP would never leave his teammate out of any conversation about this title. What stands out about this group, beyond the collective greatness, is the presence of both Jokić and Murray. Hal Greer, 1967 Philadelphia 76ers (48.7 TS%)ĭenver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray celebrates after winning the 2023 NBA Finals on Monday at Ball Arena in Denver. Rick Barry, 1975 Golden State Warriors (50.5 TS%) John Havlicek, 1974 Boston Celtics (53.5 TS%) Kobe Bryant, 2010 Los Angeles Lakers (56.7 TS%) Jamal Murray, 2023 Denver Nuggets (58.6 TS%) Giannis Antetokounmpo, 2021 Milwaukee Bucks (59.9 TS%) Michael Jordan, 1991 Chicago Bulls (60 TS%) Larry Bird, 1986 Boston Celtics (61.5 TS%) Nikola Jokić, 2023 Denver Nuggets (63.1 TS%) LeBron James, 2020 Los Angeles Lakers (64.7 TS%) Stephen Curry, 2017 Golden State Warriors (65.9 TS%) Now, the best 25-5-5 championship runs of each of those players in terms of scoring efficiency: The first three shared 36 All-Star appearances between them, including at least 10 each, and the other is Jamal Murray. The others are Greer, Havlicek, Wade and Murray. Of the 12 players who have hit those marks in winning a championship, eight are regular season and Finals MVPs. Too arbitrary a number? Make it 25-5-5 averages en route to a ring, and the list expands only to include Giannis Antetokounmpo, Rick Barry, Larry Bird, Kobe Bryant, Stephen Curry, Hal Greer, John Havlicek and Dwyane Wade, all Hall of Famers.
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