Top NBA All-Time Assisting Duos: Arena Plus Review

When discussing the premier passing duos in the history of the NBA, one needs to look no further than the magic of John Stockton and Karl Malone. John Stockton, with an unparalleled 15,806 assists in his career, simply knew how to find Karl Malone at the right moment. Their chemistry on the court wasn’t just a byproduct of talent; it represented a consistent and calculated symbiosis, night after night. The “Pick and Roll” became their lethal weapon, one that defenders were hardly able to counter for years. Stockton’s quick hands and court vision combined with Malone’s athletic ability and scoring prowess led to basketball mastery.

One has to bring up another dynamic pair, Steve Nash and Amar’e Stoudemire of the Phoenix Suns. Under Mike D’Antoni’s ‘seven seconds or less’ offense, Nash and Stoudemire thrived. Between 2004 and 2010, Nash led the NBA in assists five times. He recorded a career-high 11.5 assists per game during the 2006-2007 season. Stoudemire reaped the benefits, averaging just over 21 points per game during their time together. Their efficiency at executing the high pick-and-roll made the Suns one of the highest-scoring teams of the early 2000s.

If you’re talking stats, you cannot overlook Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar from the ‘Showtime’ Lakers. Johnson, one of the most charismatic point guards ever, led the Lakers in assists with an average of 11.2 assists per game throughout the 1986-87 season. Kareem, on the other hand, would finish his career as the NBA’s leading all-time scorer. Their partnership resulted in five NBA championships, and they completely revolutionized the fast break while dominating the 1980s.

In more recent times, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade formed a formidable duo after teaming up in Miami. Over four seasons playing together, they reached the NBA Finals every year and clinched two championships in 2012 and 2013. LeBron’s ability to play multiple positions and Wade’s slashing and finishing skills led to countless highlight reels and high-speed fast breaks. LeBron notched an average of 6.8 assists per game during his time with the Heat. Combining power and elegance, they were the heart and soul of the Miami Heat, constantly proving their worth.

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The chemistry between Jason Kidd and Kenyon Martin in New Jersey also deserves a mention. Although they didn’t win a championship, they did make it to back-to-back NBA Finals in 2002 and 2003. Kidd, known for his basketball IQ and nearly superhuman court vision, averaged approximately 9.1 assists per game during the 2002-2003 season. His ability to dish the ball to Martin for powerful dunks became a staple understanding of their gameplay.

It would be an oversight not to recognize the brilliance of Chris Paul and Blake Griffin’s “Lob City” phenomenon in Los Angeles. Paul, often regarded as one of the best point guards, led the league in assists four times during his tenure with the Clippers, reaching a peak of 10.9 assists per game in the 2008-2009 season. Griffin’s athleticism and dunking ability made them an unstoppable force in transition and half-court sets alike.

Looking further back, Bob Cousy and Bill Russell formed one of the pioneering assist-scoring duos for the Boston Celtics during the late ’50s and ’60s. Cousy’s dribbling and passing wizardry conjured up numerous scoring opportunities for Russell, whose defensive and rebounding skills were unmatched. Together, they led the Celtics to six championships, fundamentally changing the game forever.

In today’s league, partnerships like Stephen Curry and Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors continue to illustrate how pivotal assists are to winning basketball. Curry, a prolific scorer, also facilitates the offense, averaging 6.9 assists per game for the 2013-2014 season, which set the framework for Green’s involvement in the playmaking process. The synergy in their styles of play has been crucial in the Warriors securing multiple championships in recent years.

Lastly, one shouldn’t forget Isiah Thomas and Joe Dumars of the Detroit Pistons, who were instrumental in the team’s back-to-back championships in 1989 and 1990. Thomas’s killer drive and assists (averaging 9.3 assists per game for the 1984-1985 season) combined with Dumars’ scoring and defensive prowess made them a duo to be reckoned with in the late ’80s and early ’90s.

Examining these legendary duos, one sees the importance and impact of assists and teamwork in basketball’s history. Through various statistical achievements and championships, these pairs have forged legacies defined by both spectacular individual talents and an unyielding commitment to collaboration on the court. The chemistry and synchronization between these remarkable players have left indelible marks on the game.

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