Pelicans: Ranking the top-10 duos in the Western Conference
The New Orleans Pelicans have two of the top young players in the NBA in Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram.
The two were one of the league’s most durable duos last season and one one of the top scoring, though late injuries cost them the chance at being at the top of this list:
NBA’s top-scoring tandems this season:
— Taylor Snow (@taylorcsnow) April 16, 2021
1. Jaylen Brown & Jayson Tatum – 2,558 pts
2. Brandon Ingram & Zion Williamson – 2,543 pts
3. Stephen Curry & Andrew Wiggins – 2,487 pts
4. Nikola Jokic & Jamal Murray – 2,448 pts
5. Bradley Beal & Russell Westbrook – 2,419 pts pic.twitter.com/VqLbjbTBxJ
But there is also more to the game than scoring, which has to be taken into account when ranking the top duos in the Western Conference.
When you start to look at the top twosome in the Western Conference, it’s not easy, as there are some good ones. So where do Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram rank?
Let’s start at the top and work our way down.
New Orleans Pelicans: Top-10 duos in the Western Conference
#1: LeBron James and Anthony Davis
The Lakers suffered myriad injuries last season that sent them free falling all the way back to the 7th seed after being in the top-3 for a big chunk of the season.
LeBron James finally showed that he might be human by suffering the first real injury of his career and having to miss a number of games.
AD isn’t the most durable player in the world, so it would only take one injury for this duo to get knocked off the top spot, but if they stay healthy there is still no twosome in the league with a better combination of offense and defense.
#2: Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic
Murray was injured last season as well, so this duo will also rely on better health if they want to keep this spot. Let’s face it, MVP Nikola Jokic is carrying most of the weight here, as he has evolved into the ideal modern big man and one of the top passers in the NBA at any position.
If Murray is healthy next season you can expect the Nuggets to be right back near the top of the West.
#3: Kawhi Leonard and Paul George
When these two are healthy and playing well, there is an argument that they belong on the top of this list, as both are All-NBA level defensive players and can be the top offensive player on the court on a given night as well.
Paul George proved he could carry the team when Leonard went down with injury in the playoffs, carrying the Clips to the Western Conference Finals.