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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 Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Best duo from Sacramento Kings: Chris Webber and Peja Stojakovic

It’s fair to wonder if the Sacramento Kings have ever had a dynamic duo. Their two most prominent players from their days in Cincinnati and Kansas City, Nate Archibald and Oscar Robertson, barely played together. None of their teams over the last 15 years have been good enough to have players worthy of discussion on this list, outside of DeMarcus Cousins.

That only leaves the golden age of the early-to-mid-2000s, but even those great teams were remembered more for their egalitarian responsibilities and unselfishness in carrying them out. So, it’s probably best to focus on the two guys who steered the ship the most: Chris Webber and Peja Stojakovic.

With .163 combined WS/48 in six full seasons together, Stojakovic and Webber fit perfectly into then-Kings head coach Rick Adelman’s Four Corners offense, personifying the idiom of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts.

But make no mistake, these two weren’t role players being schemed up. On the contrary, Adelman’s offense wouldn’t have gelled nearly as well without Stojakovic’s prolific 3-point shooting, Webber’s craftiness in the post, and both of their PhD-level passing skills. Do you really think some replacement-level player could come in and drop dimes like this? Or this? Seriously, look at Stojakovic pass. Most point guards wouldn’t even try that pass, let alone execute it.

Anyway, that six-year peak featured six consecutive playoff trips (out of eight straight overall under Adelman), including an appearance in the Western Conference Finals in 2002 where many Kings fans believe that the league and the referee’s screwed their beloved team over in favor of the in-state rival Lakers.