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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 Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Best duo from Brooklyn Nets history: Jason Kidd and Richard Jefferson

Many Brookyln Nets fans probably want to see the newly acquired tandem of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in this spot, but we should wait until these two play an actual game together before anointing The Man With Many Burner Accounts and The Flat Earther as the franchise saviors.

For now, let’s focus on an actual duo that led this team to their two NBA Finals appearances in 2002 and 2003: Jason Kidd and Richard Jefferson. Of course, labeling these two as a “duo” is a bit generous considering that those early 2000s Nets teams subsisted on tough defense — they led the league in defensive rating in 01-02 and 02-03 — and Kidd creating easy shots for his mediocre teammates. Jefferson was the closest thing New Jersey had to a secondary star alongside their discount Magic Johnson.

We all know that Kidd got high-volume shooting point guard Stephon Marbury out the paint — or more accurately, the mid-range area — via a 2001 trade with the Phoenix Suns that temporarily uplifted this historically snakebitten franchise, but the draft-day trade for Jefferson was even shrewder, as these two and Kerry Kittles became an impenetrable perimeter defensive force (until they played the Lakers, of course).

All told, their combined 16.1 WS per season and two Eastern Conference Championships make the Kidd/Jefferson, if not Kidd and the Pips, the most beloved part of the Nets’ NBA history. Maybe KD and Irving will provide something rosier for the team when they finally take to the court as teammates.