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[USA Today] Suns boast torrid tandem

Discussion in 'NBA Dish' started by v3.0, May 17, 2005.

  1. v3.0

    v3.0 Contributing Member

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    No love for TMac and Yao (yeah, I know they are focusing on teams that are still in the playoffs, but still lame)...in time this list will change...

    http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/suns/2005-05-16-nash-stoudemire-duo_x.htm

    Suns pack potent one-two punch in postseason
    By David DuPree, USA TODAY
    Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire of the Phoenix Suns form the most productive duo in these NBA playoffs. And it's clear that in order for the Suns to win the NBA title, Nash and Stoudemire must maintain their high level of performance. They combine for an average of 47.7 points a game, tops among tandems still alive in the postseason.

    Steve Nash, left, and Amare Stoudemire, right, are the only teammates in the playoffs to each have a 40-point game.
    By David Zalubowski, AP


    When combining three categories — scoring, rebounding and assist averages — Stoudemire and Nash are the best of the best.

    Stoudemire's 26.6 points, 10.9 rebound and 1.3 assists, combined with Nash's 21.1 points, 3.9 rebounds and 11.6 assists, give the Phoenix pair an average of 75.4 total production points. (Related item: How Nash, Stoudemire stack up against NBA's great duos)

    Shaquille O'Neal, in limited action, and Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat have an average of 72 production points a game in the playoffs.

    Dominant duos
    A comparison of the top tandems from teams still playing, using their combined playoff averages in scoring, rebounds and assists:
    Total Team Players
    75.4 Phoenix Steve Nash, Amare Stoudemire
    72.0 Miami Shaquille O'Neal, Dwyane Wade
    67.1 San Antonio Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili
    60.2 Dallas Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Terry
    Source: Elias Sports Bureau


    The chemistry between Nash and Stoudemire is a factor. Stoudemire, 23, in his third season, was moved to center from power forward, and point guard Nash, 30, came from the Dallas Mavericks as a free agent last summer.

    "Steve is such a great passer and I'm such a great finisher, it's hard to stop us," Stoudemire says.

    And it may not be possible to stop them both in the same game. The Mavericks slowed Stoudemire on Sunday in Game 4 of their series by double- and triple-teaming him, leaving Nash in one-on-one situations.

    Nash, who has the two highest assist totals of the playoffs, 17 and 15 (shared by Wade and Allen Iverson), responded by scoring a postseason-high 48 points. Stoudemire also has a 40-point game, one of four in the playoffs.

    The Suns are 2-2 in their Western Conference semifinal series against the Mavericks going into Game 5 on Wednesday at Phoenix. They swept the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round.

    "Steve is the motor," Stoudemire says. "He has the ball in his hands 80% of the time, and he gets everyone involved."

    The "motor" needs Stoudemire to run smoothly.

    "He has the desire to be the best," Suns coach Mike D'Antoni says of Stoudemire. "There's something in him that normal people don't have."

    How the Suns' duo compares to great tandems

    Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire of the Phoenix Suns, in their first playoffs as teammates, are the highest-scoring duo still in the playoffs. They average 47.7 points between them and are the only teammates to each have had 40-point games.

    USA TODAY's David DuPree compares Nash and Stoudemire to some of the greatest duos in their first postseason together:

    Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers

    By Chris Pizzello, AP
    In happier times, Kobe Bryant, right, and Shaquille O'Neal had the Lakers in line for three straight titles.

    -Time played together: Eight seasons. O'Neal was in his fifth NBA season but first with the Lakers in Bryant's rookie year in 1996-97.

    -What they accomplished: Won three NBA titles (2000, 2001, 2002).

    -Why they clicked: O'Neal dominated inside, and Bryant was lethal on the perimeter. O'Neal's presence opened a lot of lanes for Bryant, and Bryant's clutch shooting and take-charge mentality prevented opponents from double- and triple-teaming O'Neal.

    How Nash and Stoudemire compare: O'Neal and Bryant shot a combined 48.2% from the field and 66.7% from the free throw line on 15 free throw attempts a game in their first playoffs together. Stoudmire and Nash combine to shoot 51.2% from the field and 78.6% from the free throw line on 17.6 attempts a contest. The Lakers lost to the Utah Jazz in the conference semifinals.

    Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, Chicago Bulls

    By Fred Jewell, AP
    Michael Jordan, left, and Scottie Pippen did the little things that complemented the other's game.

    -Time played together: Ten seasons, Jordan was in his fourth season in Pippen's rookie year in 1987-88.

    -What they accomplished: Won six NBA titles (1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998).

    -Why they clicked: They were the best perimeter defenders and were do-everything offensive players. Jordan took the big shots and made the big plays, but he always had Pippen, so he didn't have to do everything all the time.

    -How Nash and Stoudemire compare: Jordan and Pippen combined for an average of 39.3 points, 11 rebounds and 10.9 assists in their first playoffs together. Nash and Stoudemire average a combined 47.7 points, 14.8 rebounds and 12.9 assists. The Bulls lost in the first round to the Milwaukee Bucks.

    Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Los Angeles Lakers

    1985 photo by Bob Riha Jr.
    Magic Johnson, front, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar were the driving force behind the 'Showtime' Lakers.

    -Time played together: Ten seasons. Abdul-Jabbar was in his 11th season in the league, his fifth with the Lakers, during Johnson's 1979-80 rookie season.

    -What they accomplished: Won five NBA titles (1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988).

    -Why they clicked: Johnson knew where Abdul-Jabbar wanted the ball and always got it to him. The Lakers were the best running team of their day, which allowed Abdul-Jabbar to pick his spots. Johnson controlled the tempo, and Abdul-Jabbar was always productive late in games.

    -How Nash and Stoudemire compare: Johnson averaged 10.5 assists in his first playoffs with Abdul-Jabbar, who averaged 31.9 points. Nash is averaging 11.6 assists a game and Stoudemire is putting up 26.6 points a contest. The Lakers beat the Philadelphia 76ers to win the NBA championship.

    Bill Russell and Sam Jones, Boston Celtics

    AP
    Bill Russell (pictured) and Sam Jones won 10 NBA titles in 12 seasons together with the Boston Celtics.

    -Time played together: Twelve seasons. Russell had been with the team one season before Jones arrived as a rookie in 1957-58.

    -What they accomplished: Won 10 NBA championships (1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969)

    -Why they clicked: Russell, the greatest defensive player in league history, didn't care about scoring, so they never fought over the ball. Jones had a picture-perfect medium-range jumper, often off the glass, and he was great at moving without the basketball.

    -How Nash and Stoudemire compare: Jones averaged 3.9 points a game and had a total of 31 points in eight games in his first playoffs with Russell, who averaged 24.6 rebounds but shot only 36.1%. Stoudemire is shooting 51.2% and averaging 10.9 rebounds; Nash averages 21.1 points with a single-game high of 48. The Celtics lost in the Finals to the St. Louis Hawks.
     
    #1 v3.0, May 17, 2005
    Last edited: May 17, 2005

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