Greatness Comes in Pairs

Recently, NBA.com columnists have been writing about their favorite NBA teams ever. Why not join the fun? But I'm not going to immediately choose one team and claim it to be my favorite. I'm going to list and discuss the greatest teams that the league has seen throughout its illustrious 64 NBA seasons. And we'll come to notice that great teams showcase two out-of-this-world performers - almost always.

1960s Boston Celtics: The green dominated this decade, earning 9 of the 10 championships from the Sixties. Point guard Bob Cousy decorated this era with his unique blend of ball-handling abilities and passing skills, earning him the nickname "Mr. Basketball" or my personal favorite, the "Houdini of Hardwood." Center Bill Russell  imprinted the culture of the Celtics with defense. His man-to-man defense against Philadelphia's Wilt Chamberlain kept the most dominant big man this game has ever seen from capturing only one title in the Sixties. And if shot blocking was counted during Russell's era, that record would be untouchable.

Early 1970 Los Angeles Lakers: You know you're good when you're the logo of a multi-billion dollar franchise, and Jerry West was that good. "Mr. Clutch" had the sweetest jumper this game has ever seen, and he led his team to nine NBA Finals appearances. But it's not until he had a running mate by the name of Wilt Chamberlain, where he captured his first NBA championship in 1972. And to call Chamberlain a "running mate" is a huge understatement. A man who averaged 30 points and 23 rebounds per game for his career and who once scored 100 points in a single game is light years more than a running mate.

1980s Los Angeles Lakers: Magic Johnson's smile describes how his team won five championships during this decade. His flair, no-look passes, ultimate competitiveness, and sheer unselfishness gave birth to "Showtime" in Los Angeles. And the recipients of this point guard's dazzle were "The Captain" Kareem Abdul Jabbar, who is the league's all-time scoring leader, and his untouchable "Sky Hook." Kareem may have been lean for a center, but that sky hook would bury his opponents nine times out of ten. This dynamic duo not only won five championships during a decade where Boston was just as impressive, but they gave rise to other Lakers to make a name for themselves, such as "Big Game" James Worthy, Byron Scott, and Michael Cooper.

1980s Boston Celtics: This team is different in that during its great run of winning three championships during the 1980s, greatness came in threes for this team. But to continue the argument of greatness coming in pairs, I'm going to have to drop Robert Parish just because in my opinion, most of "The Chief"'s fame comes from his elongated 22-season NBA career more than anything else, whereas Kevin McHale is widely considered one of the most skilled big men of all time. Whether he out-leaped, out-maneuvered, or out-spinned away from his defenders, his defenders were helpless in McHale's "Torture Chamber." And Larry Bird is simply considered one of the greatest of all time with one of the best shooting touches this game has ever seen. And though listed as a small forward, 6'9" Larry "Legend" used his height to see over the defense to deliver gorgeous passes to a cutting Dennis Johnson or to the twin towers in McHale and Parish.

1990s Chicago Bulls: His Airness, Air Jordan, the greatest athlete of all time. Whenever you have this kind of Alpha-male on your team, it's hard not to win, and the Chicago Bulls did exactly that in the Nineties - win. They completed two sets of "three-peats" for a total of six championships during a decade that kept a number of Hall of Famers, such as Karl Malone, John Stockton, Charles Barkley, and Patrick Ewing, from ever winning a championship. But every Batman needs a Robin, and Scottie Pippen proved to be the best running-mate of all time. Timely jumpers, tough-nosed defense, and an all-around game helped Pippen raise Jordan's game just as much as Jordan helped raise Pippen's game. And this deadly tandem convinced the city of Chicago that Pippen needs a statue just as much as Jordan needed a statue.

2000 Los Angeles Lakers: It was almost unfair watching Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, and the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2001 NBA playoffs. The 2001 team went 15-1 in the playoffs, the greatest single-season postseason record of all time. And they weren't just barely passing by other great teams, but they were pummeling a very talented Sacramento Kings team and a San Antonio Spurs team that featured two Hall of Famers in the Big Fundamental Tim Duncan and the Admiral David Robinson. But O'Neal and Bryant's inside-out game worked to perfection, as Bryant would penetrate and dish to O'Neal for thunderous dunks. This tandem brought a three-peat to Los Angeles in majestic fashion.

Current Los Angeles Lakers: As Bryant eyes another three-peat this upcoming season, he can't help but to smile after suffering an enormous amount of negative publicity and early playoff exits during his post-O'Neal career. Bryant has cemented his name as one of the greatest players of all time because of his intense competitiveness, offensive prowess, and swarming individual defense. And now along with Pau Gasol, who is considered the best big man in the world, it's tough not to imagine this team hoisting up another trophy in June 2011.

Future Miami Heat: Let's face it, this team is structured for success. And when Bryant and Gasol's Lakers take a backseat from winning title after title, this team will take the championship reins. LeBron James will utilize his unbelievable athleticism and Magic Johnson-esque passing abilities, and Dwayne Wade will utilize his quickness and flash to produce many championships for South Beach.

Future Future Oklahoma City Thunder: If Kevin Durant doesn't let success and fame get to his head and if Oklahoma can keep its superstar happy with a championship-contending roster and if point guard Russell Westbrook continues to improve his game exponentially, and if Oklahoma produces or trades for a big man that can anchor an already-polished defense, I predict the Thunder to be the next big thing after the Lakers and Heat. That's four if's that can go either way for this Thunders ball club, but shoot me for thinking optimistically for a team that only brings good to the NBA.

- Leather Head