Top 5 duos in the NBA during 2018-19 season
By Nick Crain
2. Russell Westbrook and Paul George (Oklahoma City Thunder)
Russell Westbrook missed several games to start the season, which resulted in an 0-4 start for the Thunder. Since then, they have been one of the top teams in the NBA, winning 69.8 percent of their games.
The Thunder have found success this season through elite defense. They currently have the fourth-best defensive rating in the NBA at 106.4. The main reason they are so great defensively is the duo of Russell Westbrook and Paul George.
Russell Westbrook has the sixth-best defensive rating in the NBA, alongside Paul George’s 12th-best. They are also both top five in defensive win shares, as well as the top two players in the league in steals per game.
Not only are they an elite duo on the defensive end, but they are making a massive impact on the offensive end as well. PG is an MVP candidate this season, averaging 28.7 points per game, which is good for second in the league. Russell Westbrook is averaging a triple-double for the third straight season, and is top 20 in the league in points and rebounds per game. Not to mention, Russ is the NBA’s assist leader thus far.
Both Paul George and Russell Westbrook are top 10 in the NBA in VORP, meaning they are absolutely crucial to this team. PG and Russ are also 11th and 12th respectively in box plus/minus, proving that the team is much better when this duo is playing.