Mar 15, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs players (from left to right) Tim Duncan, and Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili watch on the bench during the first half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
With actual NBA regular season games still a couple of months away, we took a look at the best big three’s in NBA history
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With so many discussions about who had the best trio of players in NBA history, I decided to throw my two cents into the conversation.
I admit, I have had my favorites over the years so I tried not to be bias with my selections, but once a fan always a fan right? When doing this list I had to remember it’s not always about the amount of rings you won, but the shock value of said team.
Did they inspire an NBA wide debate if they should be able to have such a team? Was the team built through the draft or free agency? How successful were the players that played together?
There have been some great teams over the years, but in my opinion only one stands out above the rest. Which one was your favorite?
Next: Run TMC
Tim Hardaway, Mitch Richmond and Chris Mullin
Golden State Warriors, 1989-1991
Run TMC was their nickname and that’s just what they did to their opponents on a nightly basis – ran them out the gym.
Three players on one team averaging over 23 points per game – though, they never got as far as the Conference Semifinals. But they were an interesting group to watch, nonetheless.
Hardaway with that killer crossover and first step, Mullin with his second-to-none midrange game and then there was the young Richmond, who did it all. He was a complete scorer, but their time would be cut short as Warriors management had other plans and Richmond was sent packing.
But man, what could have been if they stayed together.
Next: Bad Timing In Houston
Hakeem Olajuwon, Charles Barkley and Clyde Drexler
Houston Rockets, 1996-1998
Yes I know, they didn’t win a ring but this is one of the first teams that I can remember three superstars from different teams coming together.
I was a huge Barkley fan in those days and wanted so badly for him to get a ring, but it just wasn’t meant to be. Of course the question will always be, what would’ve been if they had come together sooner in their careers?
Each player still averaged good numbers and shared the ball well but, coming together at the age of 34, there was only so much their bodies could take on throughout a rough schedule. This team will still go down as one of my favorites despite not winning a ring or even making it to a NBA Finals.
Next: Young Thunder
Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden
Oklahoma City Thunder, 2009-2012
Mistakes. That’s all I can say when describing this trio of players.
They were great friends off/on the court, but business is business in the NBA and it always gets in the way. Harden wanted to be paid like a starter but the Thunder front office didn’t think he deserved to be.
Westbrook and Durant were left to carry the torch, but their team has never been the same since and neither has either player involved. Durant is still the 2nd best player in the NBA, Westbrook is in the top-5 point guard discussions and Harden is on his way to his first ever NBA MVP.
But there was a championship with their name on it if business didn’t get in the way.
Next: The Unlikely Bucks
Ray Allen, Sam Cassell and Glen Robinson
Milwaukee Bucks, 1998-2002
No one saw this trio coming and that’s what made them so good.
George Karl knew he had something special in Allen and Robinson, but the surprise of the bunch was the crafty point guard from Florida State, Sam Cassell. He’s been called plenty of names, but the one that best suits him is “baller.”
Robinson was your do everything forward – he could rebound, pass, play defense and, most of all, he could score from anywhere on the court with ease. Allen was still a shooter in his younger days, but back then he was a slasher, a creator of his own shots and a lethal defender. Maybe they were too young to take the reins then, but man they were a sight to watch play.
Next: The Original Sixers
Moses Malone, Charles Barkley, Maurice Cheeks/ Andrew Toney and Julius Erving
Philadelphia 76ers, 1984-1987
This was another group that Barkley got involved with too late. This had to be one of the toughest group of NBA players ever assembled in the same uniform.
Malone was feared league wide, Dr. J was the master, while Toney and Cheeks formed the toughest backcourt in the NBA. Barkley joined the group as a rookie, just missing out on the NBA Championship they all shared, but even with the core aging they were still something to behold.
Malone had to share the rebounding duties with Barkley, as both players averaged 20 points and 12 rebounds per game. Erving was still able to score at will, averaging over 15 points during this span while Toney suffered a few injuries, but when he was healthy he was still a dominant player.
Cheeks was the glue that held them all together, but they just couldn’t get over that hump.
Next: Utah Jazz
Karl Malone, John Stockton and Jeff Hornacek
Utah Jazz, 1994-2000
No rings, but this is one of those teams that you had to root for out of pure respect for the game of basketball.
Like I said earlier, it’s not always about the number of rings you won, but how your group transcended the game. Malone is arguably the greatest power forward to ever play the game and Stockton is your favorite point guard’s favorite point guard.
Little Jeff was as lethal of a shooter that the majority of today’s NBA fans have never heard of. Plenty of teams can say “What if Jordan and the Bulls never existed,” but this group of Jazz players are the ones that really mean it. You can laugh at their short shorts and their boring style of play, but they got results and went out and handled their business.
They just couldn’t get past MJ. Then again, who could?
Next: The Blazers
Clyde Drexler, Terry Porter and Jerome Kersey
Portland Trail Blazers, 1985-1994
You have to feel bad for this team, as they were oh so close to claiming a ring. The core of this team stayed together just as long, if not longer, than anyone on this list, but could never get over that elusive hump.
Porter was every coach’s dream in running the point, while Drexler was the Western Conference’s version of Jordan in his heyday.
Kersey was a banger and finesse player rolled into one. I just knew that if they ever got the chance to take on the Bulls they could come out on top, but my prediction didn’t come true. I still take my hat off to this team for their hard work and dedication over the course of their run.
Next: The Kings' Golden Age
Chris Webber, Mike Bibby and Peja Stojakovic
Sacramento Kings, 2001-2004
Talk about having hate for a team, the Kings and Lakers are one of those rivalries that do not get as much attention as it deserved.
Did the refs cheat? Did the Kings choke? Who knows, but man did they have some classic games throughout the years. Webber was still in his prime, Bibby came into his own as the point guard for the Kings and Peja was lights out from 18ft and beyond.
They had it all, but the Lakers just had more. I would have loved to see them in the NBA Finals with that youth and team play. It just never happened.
Next: New Era Suns
Steve Nash, Joe Johnson/Amar’e Stoudemire and Shawn Marion
Phoenix Suns, 2004-2008
This is why the Knicks overpaid Stoudemire and why the Hawks and Nets overpaid Johnson.
In Phoenix, they had possibly one of the best Big 4’s to never win a ring. Nash was a master with the ball, as he was destined to destroy the assist record, with Johnson and Marion on the wings and a young, gifted and healthy Stoudemire down low.
This was still a young team that had to endure veteran teams in the West, but man were they athletic and fast. When all five of your starters average 15+ points per game, you know this was a serious bunch. Lack of a defender put them in a losing situation, but if they would have made a trade somewhere in those years, I’m pretty sure they would have won a ring or two.
Next: Wilt's Lakers
Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor and Jerry West
Los Angeles Lakers, 1968-1971
This Los Angeles Lakers team were the Utah Jazz during those three years – they just couldn’t get it done.
Wilt Chamberlain was still able to dominate any opponent that came his way, with averages of 2o/21 while Baylor was aging but still able to handle a per of 25/11. West was the youngest of the trio, at 30, when they got together, but even with the two offensive powerhouses, he still managed to average 26/7.
They managed to make the NBA Finals two of the three years they were together, but couldn’t pull it out until Baylor retired. Should of just gave him a ring for putting his all on the line, though.
Next: SuperSonics
Shawn Kemp, Gary Payton and Detlef Schrempf
Seattle Supersonics, 1993-1996
The real “Lob City” consisted of Payton and Kemp in the mid-90’s. Payton was a defensive beast, great offensive player and the biggest trash talker in the NBA.
Kemp was simply “A Man Child.” In addition, he also had a perimeter game (check), low post game (check), was a great rebounder (check) and defender (check). Kemp was ahead of his time and when he finally realized how great he could be, the NBA embraced him as a superstar.
Schrempf was a bona-fide stretch 4, before that title ever became famous.
Next: A Revitalized Pistons Team
Chauncey Billups, Rip Hamilton and Ben Wallace
Detroit Pistons, 2002-2005
Talk about a team no one saw coming. This group of Pistons were hand picked by former Piston great Joe Dumars, then destroyed by the same man a few years later.
Billups was the glue and the leader, Hamilton was the scorer and Ben was the enforcer. Their averages didn’t jump out at you, but when placed against them you were in awe of their team work and relentless defense.
They shocked the world by defeating that mighty Lakers squad in 2004, then almost shocked the world again against the San Antonio Spurs the next year.
Next: Kobe's Championship Run
Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum
Los Angeles Lakers, 2008-2012
This group was to set off a new Dynasty for the Los Angeles Lakers after the breakup of Shaq and Kobe.
Pau Gasol was brought over in a “I still love you, Lakers” trade with Jerry West and Bynum was the young phenom ready to bring back the days of a true Center in the NBA. Yes, this group made it to three NBA Finals, winning two of them, but imagine if…Bynum was 100 percent during that run and if he could have played with a level head.
He would actually still be in the league now, Gasol would still be in Purple & Gold and Kobe would have passed Jordan (rings) by now. They had a great run together, but it could have been so much more.
Next: Boston's Re-emergence
Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo
Boston Celtics, 2007-2012
If you let the media tell it, this was the original Big 3. I forgive them as you can see by scrolling up there were plenty of others before Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett got together in 2007.
But hey, they gave the new generation of NBA fans either a team to root for or a team to hate. Garnett was a leader in Minnesota, while Ray was the man is Seattle and Peirce was the boss in Boston. When placed together, there were doubts if such a pairing could work in today’s NBA. Ego’s were put to the side and one of the best runs in NBA history was born.
Their first year together was like a dream come true, as they beat their rival Lakers for each of their 1st ring.
Two years later, they faced off in the Finals against the same Lakers team, but this time the Big 3 became the Big 4 with the growth of point guard Rajon Rondo. The Lakers won in seven games and the Celtics would never recover from that defeat, as players got older and Ainge decided it was time to break the group up.
Next: Bad Boy Pistons
Isiah Thomas, Bill Laimbeer and Joe Dumas/Dennis Rodman
Detroit Pistons, 1984-1995
The Bad Boys had their own TV segment, so you can’t deny their importance to the NBA. Yes, I admit my biased part in this one, with Thomas being my favorite player of all-time. But it was something about the way they played the game that reminded me of the playground pickup games we used to play in our younger days.
Thomas was the little engine that could. He guided the Pistons to two straight NBA championships, countless game-winners, while backcourt mate Dumars was as smooth as they came with his pinpoint perimeter game and lock down defense that even gave Jordan fits.
But none of their success could not be without Laimbeer and Rodman. Laimbeer was that guy that after the game you checked the stats and noticed he destroyed you for 20/10, which you didn’t realize because you were too busy trying to ignore his mouth.
Let’s be honest, do you really think it’s a coincidence that Rodman is on this list twice with two teams? They may not get the recognition of the Jordan-led Bulls, but without these Pistons there would not have been any Jordan-led Bulls.
Next: Showtime
Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul- Jabbar, Jamaal Wilkes/ James Worthy
Los Angeles Lakers, 1982-1989
How do you describe this team? It’s easy. Showtime.
With Johnson giving new meaning to how the point guard position was played, Kareem still sky hooking from down low and Worthy and Wilkes slashing and doing the dirty work, these Lakers were one hell of a team.
Pat Riley was not the defensive get in your face person he was with the Knicks and Heat, but he gave the Lakers charisma. Three rings with this unit is nothing to laugh at either, but neither is having a threesome/foursome with all Hall of Famers. Now that’s how you make sure your name is always remembered.
Next: Bill's Celtics
Bill Russell, Bob Cousy and Tom Heinsohn/Bill Sharman
Boston Celtics, 1956-1967
The truth of the matter is they had to go on this list because of their history together, but during that time there were only eight teams in the league. It’s not their fault, and I’m pretty sure they would have done the same if it was 30 teams, but history is history and this group made some serious noise.
Any group that wins six rings in their time together deserves to be on the list. Russell is the ring king with averages of 17/23, but he had running mates in Cousy 18/7, Sharman (22/5) and Heinsohn (18/10) on the team, too.
Next: MJ's Second Three-Peat
Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman
Chicago Bulls, 1995-1998
How can there be a greatest list of something without Jordan’s name being mentioned? Easy, his career was a two-headed monster until his rival from the Pistons came onboard.
Dennis Rodman gave the Bulls what they were missing the whole time Jordan was leading them, toughness. Rodman was never the biggest or strongest guy on the court, but he managed to master the art of rebounding and defense to the tune of 15 a game.
Jordan was Jordan, but now he had someone watching his back besides his running mate, Pippen, who put up his normal state line of 19/6/5. This trio would go on to win three more rings while achieving a feat that has placed them in the argument as the greatest team ever, as the went 203-43 in regular season games as a unit in three seasons. Their playoff record during that time was 45-13, there is no denying their importance in these three years.
Next: Bird's Celtics
Larry Bird, Robert Parish and Kevin McHale
Boston Celtics, 1980-1992
For all the young kids out there reading this, please know that there was another Celtic ” Big 3″ before Garnett and Co.
Bird was the ring leader of the greatest frontcourt in NBA history. In addition to the sweet shooting forward, there was the man in the middle, the always angry Robert Parish. On the other side of the Chief was the man who I swear invented low post moves, Kevin McHale.
They made it the NBA Finals five times, winning on three occasions. Back then teams stayed as one, as this unit managed to carve out 12 years together.
Next: Miami's Big Three
LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh
Miami Heat, 2010-2014
As much as I didn’t like this team, I still have to give them respect to a certain degree. They fell apart as quick as the came together, but their time as a unit will always go down in NBA history.
Best friends off the court made great teammates on the court. Four straight NBA Finals appearances, two NBA Championships and two misses as well. In this day and age of free agency and big money markets, I wonder why more teams have not tried to make another super team – oh wait, LeBron, Love and Irving.
LeBron dominated the NBA during his tenure with the Heat with averages of 26/7/7, while Wade was right behind with 22/6/4 and we can’t forget about the silent partner and third-wheel Bosh, who averaged 19/8.
Next: Pop's Big Three
Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili
San Antonio Spurs, 2002-present
Name me a better group, I dare you to try. OK maybe you can throw one or two teams into the conversation, but what this team has had to endure during their time together is nothing but remarkable.
Duncan was the prize in a disastrous season, while Manu and Tony were diamonds found in the rough. Apart, who knows what they would have become, but as a unit they are simply the best that has ever done it.
More from Sir Charles In Charge
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- NBA Trade Rumors: 1 Player from each team most likely to be traded in-season
- Golden State Warriors: Buy or sell Chris Paul being a day 1 starter
- Does Christian Wood make the Los Angeles Lakers a legit contender?
Four Championships (could be five if Pop didn’t have a brain fart two years ago against the Heat), countless wars with the Dynasty Lakers, up-and-coming teams like the Thunder, Grizzlies and Clippers they have had to fend off throughout the years.
But their most appealing trait is their willingness to sacrifice for the good of the team. It doesn’t matter if it’s salary, playing time, shots or pride, everything is put to the side when you slip that Spurs jersey on. And that ladies and gentleman is how you build a Dynasty.
And notice I didn’t even have to bring up stats to make my point.