5. Golden State Warriors: Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson
This is perhaps the first truly elite duo on the list. The Splash Brothers are arguably the two best pure shooters of all time, and have the resumé to be ranked higher. After all, the tandem has shattered 3-point records while winning three titles, with Curry claiming two MVP awards in the process.
Curry is not only the best point guard in the NBA today, but one of the best point guards of all time. His shooting precision is unmatched, and he can simply score from anywhere on the floor. When watching Golden State play, it becomes clear that Curry is one of the NBA’s most elusive players. His off-ball movement is elite, as he uses backdoor screens to open up windows for himself to score despite lacking elite size or athleticism.
Curry has one of the fastest releases the NBA has ever seen. If he is given any room at all, he is a threat to shoot to the ball from anywhere inside the halfcourt line. He is simply governed by a different set of rules than other players. What may be considered a bad shot for other players is a good shot for Curry.
Curry can dominate in a passive role as well. When the Warriors added a ball-dominant scorer in Kevin Durant, it became clear that Curry’s touches would be diminished. However, Curry continued to put up similar numbers due to the aforementioned reasons. He is willing and able to play any role for the sake of the team, but never fails to make an impact.
Curry’s main limitation is his defense, but the same cannot be said for Thompson, who is an elite wing defender. His tenacity is key to shutting down backcourt scoring threats, and is a crucial reason for the success of Golden State’s dynasty.
While Thompson is also an elite shooter, he affects the game in a completely different way than Curry. He is much more comfortable scoring off of one dribble or a catch-and-shoot than creating his own shot. He has excelled in this role in the past, and his playing style is a major reason why he figures to be the largely the same player when he returns from an ACL tear suffered during the NBA Finals. He is not reliant on his athleticism, but is buoyed by technique and perfect shooting form.
That this duo does not rank higher is not a knock on Curry or Thompson, but simply a testament to just how talented the top four tandems are. The Splash Brothers are undeniably elite, and would assuredly rank higher if not for the way free agency played out this summer.