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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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Best duo from Phoenix Suns: Steve Nash and Amar’e Stoudemire

Hey, dear reader, do you enjoy today’s brand of NBA basketball? Do you enjoy the heavy pick-and-roll usage and the uptick in 3-pointer? Does the floor spacing make for a more aesthetically-pleasing viewing experience? Well, thank the mid-2000s Phoenix Suns for bringing it to the mainstream.

Once Mike D’Antoni became the full-time head coach in 2004, team executive Bryan Colangelo buttoned up his big-collared shirts and got to work building a roster around D’Antoni’s revolutionary offense.

Ultimately, he didn’t have to look that far; he already had a couple of great building blocks with athletic forward Amar’e Stoudemire and ahead-of-his-time wing Shawn Marion on the roster, but they still needed a point guard to pilot this thing.

Again, Colangelo didn’t have to work that hard to find one, as Mavericks star guard Steve Nash fell into their laps. With the pieces in place, the “Six Seconds or Less” Suns operated at a whiplash-inducing pace — certainly compared to the tortoise races fans were treated to for the last decade — and became a must-watch team almost overnight.

In particular, Nash and Stoudemire thrived in D’Antoni’s system. The sets Phoenix ran unlocked Nash’s full array of talents which he used to feed the springy, rim rolling Stoudemire whenever defenses locked in too much on him or their other sharpshooters.

Even as the Suns’ roster endured some turnover during the Nash/Stoudemire era, but those two — when healthy — remained the constants. In six seasons together, they combined for .200 WS/48, made 10 All-Star teams, and earned Nash back-to-back MVP trophies in 2004-04 and 2005-06. They never won a title, but their roles in D’Antoni’s offense paved the way for the modern game.