May 29, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (left) and guard Russell Westbrook (right) before the game against the San Antonio Spurs in game five of the Western Conference Finals of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
1) Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder)
The pure talent between these two is incomprehensible in relativity to the other two-man tandems in the league.
Durant is the second best player in the NBA and — by default — the second best small forward in the NBA. His shooting abilities are unmatched today only to Carmelo Anthony. He’s 6’9, and while only 240 pounds, his lanky form has rarely hindered him en route to his number 1 ranking in FGs, FGA, Minutes Played, FTs, PPG and win shares this past season. He’s a killer; not methodical, but he boxes with the best of ‘em seemingly never gets injured.
His teammate Rusell Westbrook hasn’t been so lucky of course. Westbrook doesn’t have the glamorous season stats Durant enjoys, but his per-game totals are some of the best in the league. Yes, he can be selfish, and yes he can try to do too much; In any capacity, Westbrook routinely rips defenses and stuffs the stat sheet, barely missing a beat after his meniscus injury.
Together they are explosive, engrossing, and fun as hell to watch. With Serge Ibaka manning the paint, I’d recommend watching out for the Thunder this year.