Here is my top 10 list on this past decades big twos, threes and in one case four.
10. Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker Boston Celtics (2000-2003, 2005)
Best year together: 2002, 49-33, Eastern Conference runners-up
In '02 Pierce and Walker were the second highest scoring duo in the NBA behind Bryant and O'Neal. The success of this duo was short-lived. After losing to Jason Kidd and the Nets in 6 games in the '02 Eastern Conference Finals they had one more playoff appearance in '03 which eneded in the second round and then Walker went to Dallas. He would return in '05 for one final playoff run but it ended in a seven game first round series against Indiana.
9. Carlos Boozer and Derron Williams Utah Jazz (2005-2009)
Best season together: 2007, 51-31, Western Conference runners-up
The comparisons to Stockton and Malone are unfair, but Williams and Boozer are still a great tandem for the Jazz. Both players have risen to the level of elite in each of their respective positions and reached the Western Conference Finals in 2007. Both of these players are just reaching their primes and will continue to keep Utah among the West's contenders for many years to come.
8. Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire Phoenix Suns (2005-2009)
Best year together: 2005, 62-20, Western Conference runners-up
Although they were cursed by San Antonio to never take home the hardware, this duo was electrifying in their 4 full seasons together in the 2000s. Upon the arrival of 2xMVP Steve Nash the Suns put up the leagues best record (62-20) in '05 and reached the Western Conference Finals before bowing out to eventual champion San Antonio. Stoudemire's season was cut short in 06 due to injury. In '07 the Suns bounced back to a 61-21 regular season record before running into the champion Spurs in a very disappointing and controversial second round elimination. With the Shaq experiment in '08 the Suns were eliminated in the first round by the Spurs yet again, and in 09 they missed the playoffs in a strong Western Conference. At the start of this new Decade however, the Suns are back among the West Elite.
7. Shaquille O'Neal and Dwayne Wade, Miami Heat (2005-2007)
Best season together: 2006, 52-30, NBA Champions
Although it was somewhat short-lived, the Heat saw instant success with this pairing. Posting a 59-23 record, tying San Antonio for second best, and winning the Finals the following season with one of the best comebacks in Finals history after being down 2-0 to a heavily favored Dallas Mavericks. Midway through the '08 season Shaq was traded to Phoenix and the Miami heat collapsed.
6. Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol, Los Angeles Lakers (2008-2009)
Best Season Together: 2009, 65-17, NBA Champions
Though they were only in existence for a year and a half of the decade, they made an immediate impact on the league. In the first 12 games with Gasol the Lakers went 11-1 and went from being a bottom 3 seed to #1 in the West and an appearance in the Finals. The following year they would finish with a 65-17 record and their first (probably not last) ring as a duo.
5. Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Boston Celtics (2008-2009)
Best Season together: 2008, 66-16, NBA Champions
The Boston 3 party. This trio was responsible for the biggest turnaround in NBA history. Putting up a 66-16 record and winning banner #17 for Boston. It is a shame that they were not allowed a second playoff run in '09 due to Garnett's Injury.
4. Tim Duncan and David Robinson San Antonio Spurs (2000-2003)
Best Season together: 2003, 60-22, NBA Champions
Probably the best big-man tandem ever. From when they came together in '98 till the retirement of David Robinson the Spurs dominated. They ended their run on top in 2003 capturing their second title.
3. Chauncey Billups, Richard Hamilton, Rasheed Wallace and Ben Wallace Detriot Pistons (2004-2009, 2004-2008 with Ben Wallace)
Best Season together: 2004, 54-28, NBA Champions
The only big four on the list, this may seem unfair but I couldn't make this list without mentioning the Pistons, and I couldn't leave a name out of that four, actually I'm probably shafting Tayshaun Prince, but no matter. The Pistons were the best franchise in the East this decade by far. Though they lost more Conference Finals series than they won, they still made 6 straight and have one of the biggest upsets in Finals history. Billups proved to be the catalyst for this team, with his departure and arrival of former MVP and team cancer Allen Iverson the Pistons Conference Finals Streak ended in '09 being blanked by Cleveland in round 1.
2. Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili San Antonio Spurs (2003-2009)
Best Season together: 2005, 59-23, NBA Champions
Championships: 3 (2003, 2005, 2007)
The best big 3 since Jordan, Pippen, Rodman. They won their first title as a threesome in 2003, Ginobili's rookie year with him playing a supporting role. He would soon blossom into one of the league best 2-guards and play a much bigger role in subsequent championships. Right now they are giving 2 seeded Dallas a run for their money in the first round of the play-offs
1. Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant Los Angeles Lakers (2000-2004)
Best Season together: 2001, 56-26, NBA Champions
Championships: 3 (2000-2002)
Where you surprised? If so, you must not have watched the NBA the last 10 seasons. How often do we see the two best players in the game on the same squad? Two of the top 10 players of all-time, probably the second best union in league history. This basketball juggernaut could not last as their two ego's became far too big for the Staples Center to contain, it's too bad they could have been #1 all-time.
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