Post by aar on Sept 15, 2010 23:52:27 GMT -5
After acquiring Kevin Durant from the Dallas Mavericks, the Golden State Warriors have one of the best trios in UOSLR history. In this article, we take a look at the ten best trios in the league today.
10) Celtics: Al Jefferson, Andre Iguodala, Russell Westbrook
Yes, people rip Andre Iguodala's contract, but the numbers and percentages speak for themselves - he is legit... For now. When he's 36 and making $31 million, we can re-open the discussion.
But Iggy also has a solid supporting cast with one of the all-time great big men, Al Jefferson and combo guard Russell Westbrook.
Jefferson is no longer the complete and utter beast that he once was, but he's still an all-star caliber big man.
Westbrook has incredible ratings, but would be better served in a different system. He would excel at shooting guard in an inside offense with an efficient point guard in the same backcourt.
This trio barely makes the list.
9) Raptors: Trey Thompkins, Gordon Hayward, Xavier Henry
The increase in quality from the Celtics to the Raptors is dramatic.
Henry is an MVP candidate with his incredible scoring output and unbelievably low turnovers-per-game. He does it all and he does it well. It makes you wonder what could have been if the Nets hung onto Henry and Derrick Favors, who we'll get to a bit later on.
Alongside Henry is a nice collection of talent which is not indicative of the team's current 5-7 record.
Gordon Hayward is another impressive, efficient player. He's never made an all-star team, but his versatility speaks volumes, making him the ideal complimentary player. He would start on any team in the league.
Why is Thompkins completing the trio rather than Hasheem Thabeet? A great question with a great answer... He does more. He shoots better, grabs more boards and has more value on the trade market.
The Raptors have a great starting lineup, but need to work out some kinks in their depth chart.
8) Clippers: Blake Griffin, Josh Selby, Ricky Rubio
The Clippers lost Jordan Price in free agency, but that didn't stop them from making a huge splash in the offseason. They used their 2nd overall pick Jabari Parker and their young up-and-coming point guard Ray McCallum to acquire Ricky Rubio and Blake Griffin, who will make the team's GM dreamweaver go from zero to hero in a hurry.
The Golden State Warriors are responsible for legitimizing the Clippers by providing them with Rubio, Griffin and upstart Andre Drummond, who will be a 20/12 player in the coming years.
While 20/12 is nice, the perpetually underrated Blake Griffin averages 21/14/3 with 1 steal and 2 blocks per game. He is one of the most overlooked players in the league.
Josh Selby, while he could learn to handle the ball better, is an upgrade on Jordan Price. Selby can defend, pass and shoot high percentages.
Ricky Rubio's numbers are down, but he's one of the best two-way point guards in the league and does a solid job of running the Clip ship.
Once Drummond catches up with the rest of this trio, they will certainly contend.
7) Nuggets: LaceDarius Dunn, Brandon Roy, John Wall
The Denver Nuggets currently hold the best record in the Western Conference. John Wall is incredible and it will be hard for the Nuggets to ever consider trading him. He was an all-star last year and made the All-League 2nd Team. However, Wall can only be as good as the sum of his parts.
LaceDarius Dunn may have the best value contract in the league. He shoots the lights out, is efficient and shares the ball and the exact same can be said, minus the value contract, about Brandon Roy. Roy is like a fine wine, he gets better with age.
The beauty of this trio is that they have a great complimentary frontcourt. Expect them to be in the race for the championship at year's end.
6) Knicks: Dwight Howard, Kelenna Azubuike, Tyreke Evans
It wasn't tough deciding on Azubuike over Monta Ellis for this trio - people like Kelenna and won't touch Ellis.
Either way, the third wheel of this trio, Azubuike, is what keeps the Knicks out of the top-5 on this list.
Since joining the Knicks, Tyreke Evans has elevated his game to levels of greatness. The reigning MVP has actually managed to make trading Perry Jones look like a great move.
The other part of that deal, Dwight Howard, has remained a beast on the boards and also leads the league in blocked shots as one of two players with over 4 blocks per game.
If the Knicks can add a legit power forward, they may be able to sneak by the Pistons.
5) Suns: Dexter Pittman, Derrick Favors, Evan Turner
If Dwight Howard is a beast, then Derrick Favors is a BEAST. 23/15/3 on 50% shooting? Are you kidding me?
The Suns, who have the ultimate treadmill GM in Jahallstar actually look like a contender in the West with perhaps the best frontcourt in the conference.
The other half of that frontcourt duo is Dexter Pittman who is shooting 60 per cent, I repeat, 60 per cent from the field.
The Suns also have the versatility of Evan Turner who has yet to meet his tremendously high expectations, but is a solid player nonetheless.
The other pieces of the Suns backcourt, Kenny Boynton and Brandon Triche, make this an efficient and strong team.
4) 76ers: Deron Williams, Gilbert Arenas, Amare Stoudemire
The over-the-hill club are proving the haters wrong with an 11-1 record. The 76ers were lambasted for trading Travis Outlaw and Tony Parker for Amare Stoudemire to get under the hard cap, but it may have actually improved their team. Addition by subtraction so to speak.
Meanwhile, 76ers staples Deron Williams and Gilbert Arenas are having great seasons and providing ample leadership for this team.
The lone pup on this team is Jared Sullinger, who is great in his own right, but is the odd man out in this trio. He certainly helps their rating though.
3) Bucks: Greg Monroe, Travis Leslie, Dwyane Wade
Even though he's only been an all-star once, Travis Leslie is my favorite player in the league. He does everything so well and if the early part of this season is any indication, he'll make his second all-star appearance in about 40 sim days.
In the frontcourt, Greg "G-Money" Monroe is struggling a bit in the early season, but he'll likely pick it up. He and Leslie are both career Milwaukee Bucks and good luck trying to get Kru to part with them on your terms - he loves both of these guys.
Former MVP Dwyane Wade's career averages tell his story. He's a stud, plain and simple and he's the glue that brings this incredible Bucks trio together.
2) Warriors: Nicolas Batum, Kevin Durant, LeBron James
I was going to toot my own horn, but decided to settle for the silver.
The Durant, Batum, James trio account for 80 points per game and thus 80 per cent of the Warriors' scoring. That is absolutely absurd.
LeBron has finally reached a point in his career where he is, on first glance, no longer a liability at point guard.
Kevin Durant is one of the most explosive scorers in the league after AVERAGING 38 ppg last season.
It's shocking that last season was Nicolas Batum's first all-star berth, but this season, his ratings are higher and so are his numbers.
These three guys will likely all be all-stars in the Western Conference this season.
This may be the greatest backcourt in the history of the UOSLR and yet, it still does not reach the heights of our top trio.
1) Pistons: Darko Milicic, Rudy Gay, Harrison Barnes
They're the UOSLR champions and no disrespect to Roy Hibbert, but this trio is an absolute force!
Darko is a former all-star and Defensive Player of the Year. He also averages 3 assists-per-game over his career, which has helped make him one of the league's best frontcourt players.
Rudy Gay was last year's Playoffs MVP and he put on a show in the playoffs last year. During the regular season, he averaged 32/9/4 and while he's off to a slow start, you can expect him to bounce back soon.
Harrison Barnes is now the best of the bunch. He gets better every year and becomes more and more efficient. He is, no doubt, a future MVP.
This trio and the fact that they are the reigning champions, makes the Pistons the team to beat in the UOSLR.
If you don't think so, ask Darko yourself:
10) Celtics: Al Jefferson, Andre Iguodala, Russell Westbrook
Yes, people rip Andre Iguodala's contract, but the numbers and percentages speak for themselves - he is legit... For now. When he's 36 and making $31 million, we can re-open the discussion.
But Iggy also has a solid supporting cast with one of the all-time great big men, Al Jefferson and combo guard Russell Westbrook.
Jefferson is no longer the complete and utter beast that he once was, but he's still an all-star caliber big man.
Westbrook has incredible ratings, but would be better served in a different system. He would excel at shooting guard in an inside offense with an efficient point guard in the same backcourt.
This trio barely makes the list.
9) Raptors: Trey Thompkins, Gordon Hayward, Xavier Henry
The increase in quality from the Celtics to the Raptors is dramatic.
Henry is an MVP candidate with his incredible scoring output and unbelievably low turnovers-per-game. He does it all and he does it well. It makes you wonder what could have been if the Nets hung onto Henry and Derrick Favors, who we'll get to a bit later on.
Alongside Henry is a nice collection of talent which is not indicative of the team's current 5-7 record.
Gordon Hayward is another impressive, efficient player. He's never made an all-star team, but his versatility speaks volumes, making him the ideal complimentary player. He would start on any team in the league.
Why is Thompkins completing the trio rather than Hasheem Thabeet? A great question with a great answer... He does more. He shoots better, grabs more boards and has more value on the trade market.
The Raptors have a great starting lineup, but need to work out some kinks in their depth chart.
8) Clippers: Blake Griffin, Josh Selby, Ricky Rubio
The Clippers lost Jordan Price in free agency, but that didn't stop them from making a huge splash in the offseason. They used their 2nd overall pick Jabari Parker and their young up-and-coming point guard Ray McCallum to acquire Ricky Rubio and Blake Griffin, who will make the team's GM dreamweaver go from zero to hero in a hurry.
The Golden State Warriors are responsible for legitimizing the Clippers by providing them with Rubio, Griffin and upstart Andre Drummond, who will be a 20/12 player in the coming years.
While 20/12 is nice, the perpetually underrated Blake Griffin averages 21/14/3 with 1 steal and 2 blocks per game. He is one of the most overlooked players in the league.
Josh Selby, while he could learn to handle the ball better, is an upgrade on Jordan Price. Selby can defend, pass and shoot high percentages.
Ricky Rubio's numbers are down, but he's one of the best two-way point guards in the league and does a solid job of running the Clip ship.
Once Drummond catches up with the rest of this trio, they will certainly contend.
7) Nuggets: LaceDarius Dunn, Brandon Roy, John Wall
The Denver Nuggets currently hold the best record in the Western Conference. John Wall is incredible and it will be hard for the Nuggets to ever consider trading him. He was an all-star last year and made the All-League 2nd Team. However, Wall can only be as good as the sum of his parts.
LaceDarius Dunn may have the best value contract in the league. He shoots the lights out, is efficient and shares the ball and the exact same can be said, minus the value contract, about Brandon Roy. Roy is like a fine wine, he gets better with age.
The beauty of this trio is that they have a great complimentary frontcourt. Expect them to be in the race for the championship at year's end.
6) Knicks: Dwight Howard, Kelenna Azubuike, Tyreke Evans
It wasn't tough deciding on Azubuike over Monta Ellis for this trio - people like Kelenna and won't touch Ellis.
Either way, the third wheel of this trio, Azubuike, is what keeps the Knicks out of the top-5 on this list.
Since joining the Knicks, Tyreke Evans has elevated his game to levels of greatness. The reigning MVP has actually managed to make trading Perry Jones look like a great move.
The other part of that deal, Dwight Howard, has remained a beast on the boards and also leads the league in blocked shots as one of two players with over 4 blocks per game.
If the Knicks can add a legit power forward, they may be able to sneak by the Pistons.
5) Suns: Dexter Pittman, Derrick Favors, Evan Turner
If Dwight Howard is a beast, then Derrick Favors is a BEAST. 23/15/3 on 50% shooting? Are you kidding me?
The Suns, who have the ultimate treadmill GM in Jahallstar actually look like a contender in the West with perhaps the best frontcourt in the conference.
The other half of that frontcourt duo is Dexter Pittman who is shooting 60 per cent, I repeat, 60 per cent from the field.
The Suns also have the versatility of Evan Turner who has yet to meet his tremendously high expectations, but is a solid player nonetheless.
The other pieces of the Suns backcourt, Kenny Boynton and Brandon Triche, make this an efficient and strong team.
4) 76ers: Deron Williams, Gilbert Arenas, Amare Stoudemire
The over-the-hill club are proving the haters wrong with an 11-1 record. The 76ers were lambasted for trading Travis Outlaw and Tony Parker for Amare Stoudemire to get under the hard cap, but it may have actually improved their team. Addition by subtraction so to speak.
Meanwhile, 76ers staples Deron Williams and Gilbert Arenas are having great seasons and providing ample leadership for this team.
The lone pup on this team is Jared Sullinger, who is great in his own right, but is the odd man out in this trio. He certainly helps their rating though.
3) Bucks: Greg Monroe, Travis Leslie, Dwyane Wade
Even though he's only been an all-star once, Travis Leslie is my favorite player in the league. He does everything so well and if the early part of this season is any indication, he'll make his second all-star appearance in about 40 sim days.
In the frontcourt, Greg "G-Money" Monroe is struggling a bit in the early season, but he'll likely pick it up. He and Leslie are both career Milwaukee Bucks and good luck trying to get Kru to part with them on your terms - he loves both of these guys.
Former MVP Dwyane Wade's career averages tell his story. He's a stud, plain and simple and he's the glue that brings this incredible Bucks trio together.
2) Warriors: Nicolas Batum, Kevin Durant, LeBron James
I was going to toot my own horn, but decided to settle for the silver.
The Durant, Batum, James trio account for 80 points per game and thus 80 per cent of the Warriors' scoring. That is absolutely absurd.
LeBron has finally reached a point in his career where he is, on first glance, no longer a liability at point guard.
Kevin Durant is one of the most explosive scorers in the league after AVERAGING 38 ppg last season.
It's shocking that last season was Nicolas Batum's first all-star berth, but this season, his ratings are higher and so are his numbers.
These three guys will likely all be all-stars in the Western Conference this season.
This may be the greatest backcourt in the history of the UOSLR and yet, it still does not reach the heights of our top trio.
1) Pistons: Darko Milicic, Rudy Gay, Harrison Barnes
They're the UOSLR champions and no disrespect to Roy Hibbert, but this trio is an absolute force!
Darko is a former all-star and Defensive Player of the Year. He also averages 3 assists-per-game over his career, which has helped make him one of the league's best frontcourt players.
Rudy Gay was last year's Playoffs MVP and he put on a show in the playoffs last year. During the regular season, he averaged 32/9/4 and while he's off to a slow start, you can expect him to bounce back soon.
Harrison Barnes is now the best of the bunch. He gets better every year and becomes more and more efficient. He is, no doubt, a future MVP.
This trio and the fact that they are the reigning champions, makes the Pistons the team to beat in the UOSLR.
If you don't think so, ask Darko yourself:
