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NBA: Who is the best duo from each franchise’s history

By Christopher Jeter

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 6: Scottie Pippen #33 of the Chicago Bulls is seen talking to Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on May 6, 1997 at the United Center in Chicago, IL. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1997 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 6: Scottie Pippen #33 of the Chicago Bulls is seen talking to Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on May 6, 1997 at the United Center in Chicago, IL. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1997 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Best duo from Minnesota Timberwolves history: Karl-Anthony Towns and Jimmy Butler

It’s a shame that the Jimmy Butler/Karl-Anthony Towns experiment ultimately blew up in the Minnesota Timberwolves‘ face because when the two were on the court together, it produced encouraging results.

Through his first two seasons, Towns gave T’Wolves fans plenty of reason to be excited about the future. Who wouldn’t be enthusiastic about a 7-foot center with a buttery post game and 3-point shooting range?

Between Towns and fellow former number one pick Andrew Wiggins, the franchise felt that good times were around the corner, especially after they acquired Butler in what looked like a draft-day heist in 2017.

Even as Wiggins wilted in his new, non-ball dominant role, Butler and Towns meshed well together.

When the two shared the court — and they did so a lot due to head coach Tom Thibodeau’s lineups — Minnesota outscored opponents by 10.5 points per 100 possessions and looked like a quasi-legitimate title contender (at least nominally, as no one really thought they could beat the Rockets or the Warriors).

Then, right on schedule, Thibs’ overreliance on his starters ultimately did Minnesota in. The team faltered down the stretch and needed to beat the Denver Nuggets on the final day of the season to sneak into the playoffs. The Houston Rockets rewarded them for that hard work with a five-game throttling in the first round, but the combined .214 WS/48 Butler and Towns produced indicated a strong partnership going forward, right?

Wrong.

Everything went to hell the next season, as the Wolves lowballed Butler in extension negotiations and he then proceeded to go scorched earth on his teammates and the organization in an effort to get traded (which worked, by the way). But hey, at least the Wolves snapped that 13-year playoff drought.