The Top 10 Duos in the NBA

Many of the greatest NBA teams of all-time have been built on some of the great duos to ever lace up a pair of basketball sneakers. From Bob Cousy and Bill Russell to Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, the NBA has built its very foundation on talented duos and in many cases trios. However, this column is about the best duos in the game today.

Of course, I am certain a column like this will provoke a lot of response from my readers, as do many of my columns similar to this one have. Some will say, 'great job and others will say, 'what an idiot.' However, I generally take both, the kind and the callous with a level head (although I must admit no one likes being called an idiot too much).
At any rate, here are my top 10 duos in the NBA today.

Shaquille O'Neal and Dwayne Wade
Say what you want about Shaq, but the man can still dominate nearly every low post player in the league whenever he wants to. While his skills are undoubtedly on the decline, Wade's are reaching a stratospheric level. He is undeniably the Heat's best player at this point - and one of the most unstoppable players in the league. The scary part is realizing that he is still getting better. I couldn't, in good conscious, out any duo ahead of these two seeing as how they are coming off a championship-winning season.

Tim Duncan and Tony Parker
Duncan and Parker could vault to the number one spot with a championship victory this season. Everyone knows that Duncan is an MVP contender every year, but it was Parker who elevated his game last season to an all-star level, that will make this twosome a formidable duo for years to come.

Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry
Incredibly although I have this duo ranked number three, I can see someone making a case for them being the top duo in the league - especially after they way both raise the level of their respective games during the postseason, especially Terry. Another season like last year - and a championship trophy will go a long way to making them the top pairing in the entire league.

Steve Nash and Shawn Marion
My goodness, here is another duo that I could see someone making a case for being the top tandem in the league. Nash is a two-time MVP who makes every player around him better and Marion is not your typical do-it-all small forward who can defend and rebound like a power forward. If this pair reaches the championship round, watch out.

Chauncey Billups and Rip Hamilton
This is the only backcourt tandem on the list and rightfully so. Both Billups and Hamilton are cold hearted killers who can do everything form shoot the three to penetrate and defend on the perimeter. Separate these two and they're still great players in their own respective rights. Combine them and you're a championship contender. It's that simple.

Sam Cassell and Elton Brand
Cassell showed he still has some gas left in the tank not to mention a ton of veteran leadership, while Brand raised his game to an MVP caliber level last season. I will say that this duo could change quickly from Cassell and Brand to young point guard Shaun Livingston and Brand, but for now, this combination is about as dangerous as they come.

Gilbert Arenas and Antwan Jamison
Arenas is one o the most explosive offensive players in the league right now and should be even better this year because of last year's playoff failure. Jamison is underrated but is still a 20-point per game scorer who knows how to put the ball in the basket. If these two have a downside, it's their overall lack of defensive competence. Nevertheless, you'd still be hard-pressed to find a tandem as good as these two.

Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis
Allen is possibly the finest shooter in the league and Lewis can go bonkers on the offensive end as well. Like Arenas and Jamison though, neither of these players is what I'd call a defensive standout. However, I'll still take their 40-plus point per game.

Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming
Individually, both of these players are very good - when healthy. T-Mac is one of the finest scorers in the entire league, but the Rockets need to make Yao the focal point of their offense. If that ever happens, this duo's stock could rise quickly on this list.

Jameer Nelson and Dwight Howard
Surprise, surprise. I'm going with this young pair as my tenth and final duo on this list. Nelson is quickly coming into his own as an elite point guard and Howard I more than a handful on the low block. I certainly expect this duo to rise on this list this season - and could conceivably reach the top five on my list.

Future duos

LaMarcus Aldridge and Brandon Roy
With both of these players only entering their rookie season, you never know how good they're going to be, but they certainly have the talent to form a formidable for years to come.

Deron Williams and Andrei Kirilenko
If Williams can raise the level of his play this season - and Kirilenko can stay healthy for an entire season, this duo could enter the ranks of the elite tandems as well. We shall see.

Randy Foye and Kevin Garnett
Simply put, I think Foye is going to be a downright star in this league-and soon too. Depending on how good Foye becomes, KG could finally have the help he so desperately needs to get back to being a perennial playoff contender.

Kobe Bryant and Vladimir Radmanovic
Bryant desperately need Radmanovic to step up into the class of the elite forwards in the league, If this happens, then Kobe could finally have another player to help him get to the championship level he hopes to reach before it all over. Lamar Odom is certainly talented, but doesn't have the consistency he needs to go along with his immense talent.

So there you have it - my top 10 duos in the NBA. Of course, all of this is subject to change at a moment's notice. Until then, I'm sticking with my guns on my selections.