What would be the best two player combo in history?

[Suguru101]

Out of the box... How about Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell?

Any shot from any opponent within 18 feet would plummet statistically. And almost every rebound would go to duo Wilt and Russ.

You get the most individually dominant player of all time. The greatest scorer of all time. Strongest player of all time and probably the best close-to-the-basket rim protector of all time.

Combined with the greatest winner of all time that also happens to be the greatest defensive player of all time and one of the greatest rebounders who utilizes quickness, finesse and agility to work his magic. And they were good friends in real life.

The rim protection alone would make them a nightmare to play against. Wilt planted in the middle protecting that rim with Russell playing the big forwards a little further out and roaming.

Their opposition used to say you HAD to know where Russell was at any given time. If you didn't know where he was, you were in trouble, he'd block your shot out of nowhere. If you knew where he was you could do okay but if he was out side of your vision you were done. Wilt on the other hand, they used to say it was just plain stupid to drive on. He wasn't blocking you sneaking up on you like Russell. He was just planted in the middle daring you to drive, and if you did you'd get rejected or worse injured due to his enormous strength and disdain for wing players that had the audacity to challenge him.

So long as they had some half way decent guards or forwards to handle the ball handling between each half court situation, I think they could dominate on video game levels of unfair.

You know, i've thought about this sometimes, and though there would be a lack of spacing, and they were both bad free-throw shooters...

If you surround them with merely good talent level, like let's say Mario Chalmers / Alex Burcs / Jeff Green, i don't see how they don't win the title this year, or almost any year.

The dominance would be ridiculous. If he was a bit faster, i would prefer Wilt and Walton, but Wilt and Russell is still amazing.

[CavaliersFTW]

I wonder how MJ/Wilt could even get along? I guess Phil Jackson could make it work, but they both have an ego. Shaq/Kobe style? Probably less dramatic than them tho.

Wilt respected/trusted only 3 coaches in his career out of the 6 or 7 he had

MJ respected/trusted only 1 coach in his career out of the I don't know how many he had.

If they got a coach they both clicked with oh man.

Good coach or not though I think they'd have no trouble leaning on the other to do certain things (handling the ball and perimeter play/defense for MJ, and the necessary interior work on both ends for Wilt). MJ aggressively/vocally didn't tolerate inadequacy. Wilt passive-aggresively didn't tolerate it. But they both really wouldn't have to worry about that with respect to each other. It'd be how well they'd jive with the other teammates and coaches that could make or break how dominant that duo could be.

[ProfessorMurder]

I'd love to see Bird and KG.

Payton and KG would be fun too.

[Prometheus]

Jordan and Russell.

[SamuraiSWISH]

'88 - '93: Jordan w/ KG
'88 - '93: Jordan w/ Hakeem
prime LeBron w/ '96 - '98: Jordan

[Suguru101]

'88 - '93: Jordan w/ KG
'88 - '93: Jordan w/ Hakeem
prime LeBron w/ '96 - '98: Jordan

Why not both in their primes for Jordan and LeBron?

[knicksman]

mj/mj who wouldve thought that the top 2 GOAT have the same initials

[Marchesk]

Shaq/Lebron

Shaq wouldn't make for a good spot up shooter. Would stop guarding the house when his numbers went down.

What about Shaq Bird? You have that great inside/outside combination. Bird was excellent with Parish and Mchale inside. Lebron and Jordan never had great centers to feed in the post. Not sure if that fits their style.

[Horde of Temujin]

like the hakeem jordan off that list

Cosign

[Killbot]

White Mamba, Red Rocket

[Demitri98]

MJ/Shaq

They win every 'ship for the next 13 years with maybe an exception to their rookie year.

[Jasper]

Jordan and Wilt. Pure domination. No weaknesses.

I believe you have it ...

But history currently has Majic and Kareem'

[BigBoss]

Kobe
Smush Parker

[SamuraiSWISH]

Why not both in their primes for Jordan and LeBron?

Fadeaway MJ from '96 - '98 plays even more off the ball. Can do all the things LeBron sucks at: Leadership, Mental Fortitude, Will Power, Courage, Half Court Scoring w/o dominating the ball as much, Clutch etc. Better overall fit IMO. Mike would also be a little more chill with LeBron's mental short comings by that stage in his career, and I don't think they'd have conflict.

[DatAsh]

Jordan and Russell would probably be the best mix of chemistry, talent, and team culture.