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NBA: The 30 best trios in league history

By Hans Themistode

(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Best trios in NBA history: 12. Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, and Bill Laimbeer

  • Thomas: 18.3 ppg, 8.7 apg
  • Dumars: 17.1 ppg
  • Laimbeer: 12.2 ppg, 8.8 rpg
  • Finals record: 2-0
  • Time together: 1986-1994

Isiah Thomas was always the headliner. The all-timer was known for making defenders look silly on the court. But, despite his flashy skills, he was all about mucking the game up.

Thomas would seemingly always have issues with anyone who wasn’t wearing a Detroit Pistons jersey. With Bill Laimbeer scoring on the inside and possibly leading the league in hardest fouls, the pair waited patiently for one more piece to arrive before they took off.

Once they got their hands on Joe Dumars during the 1986 NBA Draft, they were set.

For six consecutive years, the Pistons scored buckets on the offensive end and made the lives of their opponents miserable on the defensive end. From 1987 up until 1991, the Pistons were a top six ranked defense. Their offense was often middle of the pack during that stretch, ranking anywhere from 9th-13th.

Back-to-back titles solidified this group as one of the best trios ever in 1989 and 1990. And while their time at the top of the mountain proved to be transient, the Pistons were one of the greatest teams ever, mostly due to Thomas, Dumars, and Laimbeer.