Greatest Guard Tandems in NBA History

The best NBA guard tandems of all time have created dynasties for their teams.

Greatest Guard Tandems in NBA History

The best NBA backcourt debate is older than Gregg Popovich’s billowy trousers and bulky jackets. The discussion began way, way, way back in the 1950s, the first full decade of the league when Bob Cousy and Bill Sharman challenged Bobby Wanzer and Bob Davies for the mythical title.

Little more than a decade later, Gail Goodrich and Jerry West joined the conversation with the Los Angeles Lakers in the early 1970s. In our current era it's The Splash Brothers on the Golden State Warriors — four-time NBA champions Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.

While the three-pointer has blurred the lines of greatness between the generations, we're here to even it all out for you. Here’s our list of the greatest basketball guard tandems based on individual and team accomplishments in their most productive three seasons together.

30. Russell Westbrook (and Russell Westbrook)

Team: Oklahoma City Thunder

Best three seasons: 2015-16 to 2017-18

Westbrook statistics: 26.7 points per game/10.3 assists per game/9.5 rebounds per game

Regular-season record: 150-96 (.610)

NBA championships: 0

Bottom Line: Russell Westbrook (and Russell Westbrook)

Westbrook doesn’t need no stinkin’ sidekick, Batman. At his narcissistic best (or worst), Mr. Triple-Double attempted 5,052 field goals and 1,979 free throws, scored 6,464 points and still found time to squeeze in 2,454 assists and 1,161 turnovers.

You will not want to play with this man in the alumni game...

29. J.J. Redick and Chris Paul

Team: Los Angeles Clippers

Best three seasons: 2014-15 to 2016-17

Redick statistics: 15.9/1.5/2.1

Paul statistics: 19.0/.9.9/4.6

Regular-season record: 160-86 (.650)

NBA championships: 0

Bottom Line: J.J. Redick and Chris Paul

Paul and Redick were sneaky good for three-plus seasons on the Los Angeles Clippers. Should anyone be surprised that Redick never shot better from beyond the arc (an absurd 44 percent) than in that stretch? We say not.

The Dookie shouldn’t get too comfy, though. Devin Booker is scheduled to move here at the end of the 2021-22 season.

28. CJ McCollum and Damian Lillard

Team: Portland Trail Blazers

Best three seasons: 2016-17 to 2018-19

McCollum statistics: 21.8/3.3/3.9

Lillard statistics: 26.5/6.5/4.7

Regular-season record: 143-103 (.581)

NBA championships: 0

Bottom Line: CJ McCollum and Damian Lillard

It could be that we've overrated these guys here. The whole rarely equaled the sum of their parts, especially at a time when guards dominated the game like no other.

Still, the talented twosome could fill up a scoresheet if not a win column.

27. Reggie Miller and Mark Jackson

Reggie Miller and Mark Jackson taunt Spike Lee

Team: Indiana Pacers

Best three seasons: 1997-98 to 1999-2000

Miller statistics: 18.7/2.2/2.9

Jackson statistics: 8.1/8.3/3.8

Regular-season record: 147-67 (.687)

NBA championships: 0

Bottom Line: Reggie Miller and Mark Jackson

Michael Jordan, Reggie Miller and Mark Jackson

Miller and Jackson triggered the best three-season run in franchise history for the Indiana Pacers (ABA not included), which included three trips to the Eastern Conference finals and one to the league championship series.

The Knicks Killer put up a .486/.410/.898 shot percentage line in this span, in no small part because of the ex-Knick next to him.

26. Jerry Sloan and Norm Van Lier

Team: Chicago Bulls

Best three seasons: 1972-73 to 1974-75

Sloan statistics: 11.9/2.1/7.0

Van Lier statistics: 14.4/6.6/5.0

Regular-season record: 152-94 (.618)

NBA championships: 0

Bottom Line: Jerry Sloan and Norm Van Lier

Darrell Imhoff,Jerry Sloan,Bill Cunningham,Walt Wesley,Chet Walker

The Chicago Bulls never got over the hump in the early- to mid-1970s, but Sloan and Van Lier should be absolved of any blame for it. They embodied their blood-and-guts persona.

King Kong and Godzilla, no less an authority than Jerry West called them. We preferred Flip and Flop.

25. Raja Bell and Steve Nash

Team: Phoenix Suns

Best three seasons: 2005-06 to 2007-08

Bell statistics: 13.8/2.5/3.4

Nash statistics: 18.1/11.1/3.7

Regular-season record: 170-76 (.691)

NBA championships: 0

Bottom Line: Raja Bell and Steve Nash

NASH BELL MARION — Phoenix Suns' Steve Nash (13) of Canada, hi-fives with teammates Shawn Marion (31) and Raja Bell (19) in the second half of play against the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA basketball action in Dallas, Wednesday Dec. 14, 2005. The Mavericks defeated the Suns 102-96. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

While Nash weaved his magic, Bell shot 42 percent from beyond the arc in this span. The latter also brought a physical edge to the party.

If not for the suspensions of two starters in the 2007 Western Conference semis, they quite possibly would have been in a championship parade together for the Phoenix Suns.

24. Nick Anderson and Anfernee 'Penny' Hardaway

Nick Anderson and Anfernee Hardaway with other teammates

Team: Orlando Magic

Best three seasons: 1993-94 to 1995-1996

Anderson statistics: 15.4/3.8/5.2

Hardaway statistics: 19.5/7.0/4.7

Regular-season record: 167-79 (.679)

NBA championships: 0

Bottom Line: Nick Anderson and Anfernee 'Penny' Hardaway

Anderson is remembered too much for his brick-layer job at the free-throw line late in Game 1 of the 1995 NBA Finals and not enough for his two-way game.

Hardaway was at his All-Star best before facing knee problems. The Orlando Magic never got the most out of this duo, but it's still the greatest era in franchise history.

23. Jeff Hornacek and Kevin Johnson

Jeff Hornacek and Kevin Johnson interacting

Team: Phoenix Suns

Best three seasons: 1988-89 to 1990-91

Hornacek statistics: 15.9/5.4/4.0

Johnson statistics: 21.7/11.3/3.8

Regular-season record: 164-82 (.667)

NBA championships: 0

Bottom Line: Jeff Hornacek and Kevin Johnson

As we know, Hornacek would have his best seasons with John Stockton a few years later. Aha, fooled ya! They came with Johnson alongside him.

Hornacek is the only one to appear twice on this list, a tribute to his know-how and versatility. #Underrated.

22. Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo

Team: Boston Celtics

Best three seasons: 2007-08 to 2009-10

Allen statistics: 17.3/2.8/3.4

Rondo statistics: 12.1/7.8/4.6

Regular-season record: 178-68 (.724)

NBA championships: 1 (2007-08)

Bottom Line: Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo

Rondo could do everything except shoot the ball, and that’s what Allen did better than almost everyone.

In this trio of seasons, Ray-Ray hit at a 39 percent clip from beyond the arc and 92 percent at the free-throw line.

21. Andrew Toney and Maurice Cheeks

Andrew Toney and Maurice Cheeks with other teammates

Team: Philadelphia 76ers

Best three seasons: 1982-83 to 1984-85

Toney statistics: 19.3/2.6/4.8

Cheeks statistics: 12.8/6.5/2.7

Regular-season record: 175-71 (.711)

NBA championships: 1 (1982-83)

Bottom Line: Andrew Toney and Maurice Cheeks

Cheeks wasn’t flashy but merely efficient in all phases of the game.

His sidekick receives bonus points for his abuse of the rival Celtics, especially in big games. God bless Andrew Toney.

20. Don Chaney and Jo Jo White

Team: Boston Celtics

Best three seasons: 1971-72 to 1973-74

Chaney statistics: 11.8/2.5/5.1

White statistics: 20.3/5.6/5.0

Regular-season record: 180-66 (.732)

NBA championships: 1 (1973-74)

Bottom Line: Don Chaney and Jo Jo White

Hey, look — two Celtics who played under the radar! (Does anyone remember that White was the 1974 NBA Finals Most Valuable Player?)

Championship banners aside, we prefer this tandem to the more celebrated Jones boys (K.C. and Sam) because of their better balance at both ends.

19. DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry

DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry walk to bench

Team: Toronto Raptors

Best three seasons: 2007-08 to 2009-10

DeRozan statistics: 23.8/3.8/4.8

Lowry statistics: 19.7/6.7/5.0

Regular-season record: 166-80 (.675)

NBA championships: 0

Bottom Line: DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry

No sooner did DeRozan skip town than the Raptors won their first NBA title, but that said more about newbie Kawhi Leonard than anyone else.

The fact is, Deebo and Mr. Raptor had already set the table in the best three-season stretch in franchise history.

18. Hal Greer and Wally Jones

Wally Jones and Hal Greer in action against Boston Celtics

Team: Philadelphia 76ers

Best three seasons: 1966-67 to 1968-69

Greer statistics: 23.1/4.5/5.3

Jones statistics: 13.1/3.5/3.1

Regular-season record: 185-60 (.755)

NBA championships: 1 (1966-67)

Bottom Line: Hal Greer and Wally Jones

If not for a team-wide meltdown in the 1968 playoffs, Greer and Jones would be in a higher place here.

Whether it was The Bulldog on a pull-up jumper or Wally Wonder flailing away at the wing, there wasn’t a more fun duo to watch than this one.

17. Richard Hamilton and Chauncey Billups

Richard Hamilton and Chauncey Billups on bench

Team: Detroit Pistons

Best three seasons: 2003-04 to 2005-06

Hamilton: 18.8/4.1/3.5

Billups statistics: 17.3/6.7/3.3

Regular-season record: 172-74 (.699)

NBA championships: 1 (2003-04)

Bottom Line: Richard Hamilton and Chauncey Billups

While not in the Joe Dumars-Isiah Thomas stratosphere, this Pistons duo complemented one another in a similar fashion.

After the destruction of the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2004 NBA Finals, they come within a late swoon of a repeat championship one year later.

16. Adrian Smith and Oscar Robertson

Team: Cincinnati Royals

Best three seasons: 1964-65 to 1966-67

Smith statistics: 16.7/2.8/3.0

Robertson statistics: 30.7/11.1/7.6

Regular-season record: 132-109 (.542)

NBA championships: 0

Bottom Line: Adrian Smith and Oscar Robertson

Robertson might rate as the greatest pain in the butt to play with in the same backcourt. While Smith had limitations, the one-time All-Star Game Most Valuable Player co-existed with The Big O better than anyone over an extended period.

If their team had been in the Western Division where they belonged, the pair almost certainly would have made multiple NBA Finals appearances.

15. Clyde Drexler and Terry Porter

Clyde Drexler and Terry Porter in action

Team: Portland Trail Blazers

Best three seasons: 1989-90 to 1991-92

Drexler statistics: 23.3/6.2/6.7

Porter statistics: 17.6/7.6/3.3

Regular-season record: 179-67 (.728)

NBA championships: 0

Bottom Line: Clyde Drexler and Terry Porter

Drexler and Porter never won the big prize, but it was the result of bad timing more than anything. They made a pair of trips to the NBA Finals, where they ran into the Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls, the most accomplished teams of the era.

They advanced to the Western Conference finals in between.

14. Bobby Wanzer and Bob Davies

Team: Rochester Royals

Best three seasons: 1949-50 to 1951-52

Wanzer statistics: 12.7/3.3/4.2

Davies statistics: 15.1/5.1/3.0

Regular-season record: 133-69 (.658)

NBA championships: 1 (1950-51)

Bottom Line: Bobby Wanzer and Bob Davies

Bobby Bob who? You need to brush up on your Rochester-Cincinnati-Kansas City-Omaha-Sacramento Royals-Kings basketball, bra.

As the first Hall of Fame backcourt in pro buckets, Wanzer and Davies were the heart and soul of the only team to dethrone mighty George Mikan and the Minneapolis Lakers dynasty. If their numbers don’t jump out at you, be advised that we’re talkin’ about pre-shot-clock days here.

13. Dennis Johnson and Gus Williams

Gus Williams and Dennis Johnson defending

Team: Seattle SuperSonics

Best three seasons: 1977-78 to 1979-80

Johnson statistics: 15.9/3.5/4.5

Williams statistics: 19.8/4.2/3.3

Regular-season record: 155-91 (.630)

NBA championships: 1 (1978-79)

Bottom Line: Dennis Johnson and Gus Williams

Johnson and Williams were front and center in the most successful run in Sonics history. They came within one victory of a league title, won it all the next year and advanced to the Western Conference finals in the third.

Add supersub Downtown Freddie Brown to the mix, and their group borders on top 10 material.

12. Jeff Hornacek and John Stockton

Jeff Hornacek and John Stockton looking out

Team: Utah Jazz

Best three seasons: 1995-96 to 1997-98

Hornacek statistics: 14.7/4.3/3.0

Stockton statistics: 13.9/10.2/2.7

Regular-season record: 181-65 (.736)

NBA championships: 0

Bottom Line: Jeff Hornacek and John Stockton

Not only did Hornacek and Stockton make consecutive NBA Finals appearances, but they were in their early 30s at the time.

Only the absence of a championship banner prevents a higher rank here, but they shouldn’t feel too bad about it. Michael Jordan ruined a lot of legacies.

11. Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker

Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili interacting

Team: San Antonio Spurs

Best three seasons: 2004-05 to 2006-07

Ginobili statistics: 15.9/3.7/4.1

Parker statistics: 18.0/5.8/3.4

Regular-season record: 180-66 (.732)

NBA championships: 2 (2004-05, 2006-07)

Bottom Line: Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker

Tony Parker, Richard Jefferson, Richard Jefferson

If Tim Duncan was the primary reason for three league titles in the 2000s decade, then Parker and Ginobili were tied at No. 2.

But as flop artists, they were the absolute worst.

10. Earl Monroe and Walt Frazier

Team: New York Knicks

Best three seasons: 1971-72 to 1973-74

Monroe statistics: 13.75/3.0/2.6

Frazier statistics: 21.6/6.2/6.9

Regular-season record: 148-84 .( 638)

NBA championships: 1 (1972-73)

Bottom Line: Earl Monroe and Walt Frazier

Is it possible that, the longer the Knicks remain irrelevant, the more sentimentalists overrate these two legends? We’re prone to forget that Monroe 2.0 wasn’t the flashy points machine of his Baltimore Bullets days.

This was Clyde’s backcourt, and to his credit, Earl The Pearl accepted a lesser role for the good of the whole.

9. Michael Jordan and The Maytag Repairman

Team: Chicago Bulls

Best three seasons: 2000-01 to 2002-03

Jordan statistics: 31.4/5.7/6.4

Regular-season record: 185-61 (.752)

NBA championships: 3 (2000-01, 2001-02, 2002-03)

Bottom Line: Michael Jordan and The Maytag Repairman

The Jordan rule for anyone who played alongside him was simple: Stay the hell out of the way until called upon.

So, let’s split this one up, shall we? On offense, Steve Kerr gets the call. At the other end, Ron Harper is the pick. Of course, if you say Jo Jo English, we won’t argue.

8. Michael Cooper and Magic Johnson

Team: Los Angeles Lakers

Best three seasons: 1984-85 to 1986-87

Cooper statistics: 9.4/5.2/3.1

Johnson statistics: 20.4/12.5/6.1

Regular-season record: 189-57 (.768)

NBA championships: 2 (1984-85, 1986-87)

Bottom Line: Michael Cooper and Magic Johnson

Johnson had three dance partners in his five championship seasons. Super Coop was the most unique among them.

He started only 37 games in this period but logged major minutes, many of them in fourth quarters. He blossomed into a 3-point threat, and he was an All-Defensive Team selection each time.

7. Norm Nixon and Magic Johnson

Earvin Magic Johnson and teammates Norm Nixon celebrating

Best three seasons: 1979-80 to 1981-82

Nixon statistics: 17.4/8.2/2.6

Johnson statistics: 18.9/8.5/8.7

Regular-season record: 171-75 (.695)

NBA championships: 2 (1979-80, 1981-82)

Bottom Line: Norm Nixon and Magic Johnson

Los Angeles Lakers guard Norm Nixon (10) uses the back of San Antonio Spurs guard George Gervin to take a shot during second half action in the first game of the NBA Western Conference Finals, Sunday, May 8, 1983, Los Angeles, Calif. Nixon was tied for high scorer with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar at 30 points as the Lakers defeated the Spurs 119-107. (AP Photo/Nick Ut)

This Nixon was not a crook. He was a two-time All-Star whose ability to handle and distribute the rock lessened the load on Johnson, who was a mere pup at the time.

The Storm also could shoot a lick. Who was the top scorer for the champs in the ’82 postseason? Yep.

6. Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher

Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher question a call

Best three seasons: 2

Bryant statistics: 27.9/5.5/6.1

Fisher statistics: 10.9/3.3/2.6

Regular-season record: 164-82 (.667)

NBA championships: 2 (2020-21, 2021-22)

Bottom Line: Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher

Bryant and Fisher were part of five league championship teams. This was when they were at their best.

Little Rock possessed the clutch gene, especially come playoff time, while Mamba was at the height of his athletic powers. When the situation arose, these guys were lock-down defenders as well.

5. Byron Scott and Magic Johnson

Team: Los Angeles Lakers

Best three seasons: 1986-87 to 1988-89

Scott statistics: 19.4/3.6/3.9

Johnson statistics: 21.8/12.1/6.3

Regular-season record: 184-62 (.748)

NBA championships: 2 (1986-87, 1987-88)

Bottom Line: Byron Scott and Magic Johnson

[Insert name] and Magic Johnson — do you detect a trend here?

We gave Scott a slight edge over Norm Nixon and Michael Cooper because of his more well-rounded game, but none would be an incorrect answer.

4. Joe Dumars and Isiah Thomas

Joe Dumars and Isiah Thomas posing with trophies

Team: Detroit Pistons

Best three seasons: 1987-88 to 1989-90

Dumars statistics: 16.3/5.1/2.6

Thomas statistics: 18.7/8.7/3.5

Regular-season record: 176-70 (.715)

NBA championships: 2 (1988-89, 1989-1990)

Bottom Line: Joe Dumars and Isiah Thomas

Larry Bird, Isiah Thomas and Joe Dumars — Boston Celtics Larry Bird has nowhere to go with the ball as he is surrounded by a defensive wall of Detroit Pistons during Game 1 of the NBA Eastern Conference finals at Boston Garden, May 26, 1988. At left is Pistons Bill Laimbeer; at center Isiah Thomas; front is Joe Dumars, and behind is Dennis Rodman. The Pistons won, 104-96. (AP Photo/Dave Tenenbaum)

Rarely have two opposites complemented one another so well in the arena. We know about their natural talents, but what put Dumars and Thomas over the top were their versatility and competition levels.

If not for these two, Michael Jordan and his supporting cast might have six-peated.

3. Bill Sharman and Bob Cousy

Team: Boston Celtics

Best three seasons: 1957-58 to 1959-60

Sharman statistics: 20.6/2.4/4.1

Cousy statistics: 17.5/9.1/5.6

Regular-season record: 160-59 .( .731)

NBA championships: 2 (1957-58, 1959-60)

Bottom Line: Bill Sharman and Bob Cousy

For the many who don’t know that the association existed before the Bird-Magic era, Sharman and Cousy formed the first great backcourt of the shot-clock era.

They were All-Stars in each of these seasons, the twin motors who pushed Bill Russell and the Celtics to a pair of league titles and within one victory of a third.

2. Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry

Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson celebrate

Team: Golden State Warriors

Best three seasons: 2014-15 to 2016-17

Thompson statistics: 22.2/2.1/3.7

Curry statistics: 26.4/7.0/4.7

Regular-season record: 207-70 (.841)

NBA championships: 2 (1988-89, 1989-1990)

Bottom Line: Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry

Stephen Curry, Russell Westbrook, Klay Thompson

We covered the Splash Brothers in their primes, so we can vouch for their unparalleled ability to shoot the ball for distance. To us, that’s the rub.

In the first 65 years of the league, both would have been merely very good players. It took the creation of the 3-point shot and a gradual addiction to the bonus point for them to gain all-time status. For now, we have them as the GOAT of the 3-point era, but another league title (without Kevin Durant) could change our minds.

1. Gail Goodrich and Jerry West

Team: Los Angeles Lakers

Best three seasons: 1971-72 to 1973-74

Goodrich statistics: 25.1/4.7/3.4

West statistics: 23.6/8.7/4.1

Regular-season record: 177-69 (.720)

NBA championships: 1 (1971-72)

Bottom Line: Gail Goodrich and Jerry West

When West was handed the keys to the offense, the Lakers went into full Porsche 930 Turbo mode. In Goodrich, who was lethal at the perimeter and on the fast break, Zeke had the ideal person to share the ride.

Statistically, no backcourt has been more dominant over a three-year stretch, 3-pointer or no 3-pointer. And no championship team has been more dominant than their 1971-72 Lakers, arguably the best ever. Fifty years later, Bill Sharman still got it right.