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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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Best duo from Cleveland Cavaliers history: LeBron James and Kyrie Irving

Ironically, this partnership began with LeBron James leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers. We all know the story by now.

After the Celtics eliminated his Cavs from the conference semis in 2010, James, an unrestricted free agent that offseason, sat down with Jim Grey for the historic “The Decision” special and announced his intentions to sign with the Miami Heat.

Naturally, losing James reverted the Cavs back to afterthoughts they were before they hit the lottery in 2003. With a 19-63 record, the 2010-11 Cavs revealed how wretched that roster was sans their generational star, but their putrid play brought them the shiniest of silver linings: they won the 2011 Draft Lottery.

Cleveland used that pick to take Duke point guard Kyrie Irving in that June’s draft and while his impressive traditional stats masked a still-awful team, his play inspired enough hope to lure James back to his hometown team.

All told, the three-year union — which also included All-Star forward Kevin Love — produced fruitful results for the Cavs. James and Irving collectively averaged .195 WS/48 in that span and reached the NBA Finals in each of those seasons, including their historic comeback in 2016 against the vaunted Golden State Warriors, which James and Irving secured with “The Block” and a go-ahead 3, respectively, in Game 7.

But much like the circumstances that led to their partnership, the seeds of dissent were planted long before James and Irving teamed up. Irving reportedly never wanted James to return to Cleveland, going as far as to say “We don’t need him” after James hinted at possibly coming back (clearly his view of those LeBron-less Cavs were as silly as his pseudoscience takes or his knowledge of the Federal Reserve).

From there, the relationship continued to fall apart — as Irving grew tired of playing second fiddle to James — until the Cavs traded Irving to the Boston Celtics. Still, James and Irving brought Cleveland that much-desired championship, and that’s all that matters.