The NBA has always been a place where amazing talents come to shine, and throughout history, several duos have left their mark with their incredible stealing abilities. Watching these players on the court feels like witnessing magic, and their stats are just mind-blowing.
I can't forget the legendary 1988-89 season when Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen were at the peak of their game with the Chicago Bulls. They combined for an average of 4.3 steals per game. For a team, having such defensive prowess in just two players is akin to holding a winning lottery ticket. That season, the Bulls' defense rating skyrocketed, which significantly contributed to their overall game strategy.
Then you look at the Detroit Pistons' dynamic duo of Isiah Thomas and Joe Dumars. Their performance in the 1989-90 season is still talked about. They consistently averaged over 3 steals per game between them. This defensive effort played a massive role in the Pistons’ notorious "Bad Boys" era, leading them to back-to-back championships. Their ability to read the game and instinctively anticipate opponents' moves was on full display.
Shifting gears to more recent times, Chris Paul and James Harden made headlines in the 2017-18 season with the Houston Rockets. While their offensive stats were through the roof, averaging 30.4 and 18.6 points per game respectively, their defensive contributions with a combined average of 3.2 steals per game cannot be overlooked. That particular Rockets team nearly took down the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals, showcasing the importance of having well-rounded players.
When talking about stealing duos, it would be a crime to skip over Clyde Drexler and Terry Porter of the Portland Trail Blazers in the early '90s. The 1991-92 season saw them making a combined 3.6 steals per game, propelling the team to the NBA Finals. It's performances like these that underscore why defense is often considered as essential, if not more so, than offense in the quest for an NBA title.
Looking back even further, the Boston Celtics' Bill Russell and John Havlicek deserve special mention. Stealing wasn't officially tracked during Russell’s early years, but once it was, Havlicek's 2.5 steals per game in the 1970s, combined with Russell’s implied defensive presence, made the Celtics a feared team. Championship rings were practically synonymous with the Celtics during this era, with an impressive 11 titles in 13 seasons for Russell.
Heading back into modern territory, Paul George and Kawhi Leonard have built quite the defensive reputation with the Los Angeles Clippers. In the 2019-20 season alone, they each averaged nearly 1.6 steals per game. They have been crucial in making the Clippers a consistently strong defensive team in a league often dominated by offense.
One cannot overlook franchises like the Miami Heat, where the duo of LeBron James and Dwyane Wade held court. During their tenure together from 2010 to 2014, they averaged around 3.5 steals per game. Their combined athleticism, basketball IQ, and sheer determination helped the Heat clinch two NBA Championships.
The importance of a good defensive duo isn't just evident in championships and Finals appearances. During the 2004-05 season, Allen Iverson and Andre Iguodala of the Philadelphia 76ers were quite the pair, securing nearly 4 steals per game combined. While they didn’t make it to the Finals, their defense kept the 76ers competitive in almost every match they played.
Moreover, for fans and statisticians alike, the efficiency of these duos can be seen in advanced statistics like Defensive Win Shares (DWS). For instance, Jordan and Pippen's DWS was off the charts during their peak years, clearly showing the value of their defense. Similarly, Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp for the Seattle SuperSonics had exceptional DWS scores, making them a formidable pair in the mid-90s.
Discussing defensive prowess without mentioning John Stockton and Karl Malone of the Utah Jazz would be sacrilegious. They weren't just about offense. During the late '80s and '90s, Stockton averaged over 2 steals per game consistently, aided by Malone's intimidating physical defense. Their synergy on defense was a game-changer, pushing the Jazz to multiple playoff runs.
Oh, and before I forget, let's not leave out modern-day stats where Analytics plays a big role. With tools like player tracking, teams now measure Defensive Efficiency Rating to gauge performance. For instance, during their 2015-16 Warriors run, Curry and Thompson weren't just Splash Brothers; they were also snagging balls defensively, making over 3 steals per game together.
For those interested in more detailed reviews and insights, I highly recommend checking the resources available at arena plus. They offer deep dives into performances, providing fanatics with the stats and stories that enrich our love for the game.
It’s fascinating watching these talented pairs disrupt plays game after game. With each generation, the bar gets set higher, making us all excited for what new duos will bring to the court. So, while offense can win games, as the saying goes, defense wins championships – and these duos are living proof of that adage.