Pick two players to form a Twin Towers duo

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Pick two players to form a Twin Towers

Bill Russell
4
6%
Wilt Chamberlain
1
1%
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
6
8%
Bill Walton
2
3%
Hakeem Olajuwon
13
18%
David Robinson
7
10%
Shaquille O'Neal
7
10%
Kevin Garnett
19
26%
Tim Duncan
9
13%
Giannis Antetokounmpo
4
6%
 
Total votes: 72

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Pick two players to form a Twin Towers duo 

Post#1 » by Ol Roy » Thu Dec 5, 2024 11:02 pm

I thought this would be a fun exercise. For the poll, you can pick two players to form your preferred Twin Towers combination, and the result will show a collective outcome. Unfortunately, it's limited to ten choices, and I selected players who had at least some defensive inclination, but alternative choices are welcome in the comments.

You'll notice an interesting possibility is joining several pairs of direct rivals together. I think I'll select a Dream/Admiral combination for myself.
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Re: Pick two players to form a Twin Towers duo 

Post#2 » by B-Mitch 30 » Thu Dec 5, 2024 11:10 pm

I think a Kareem and Bill Russell combination would genuinely be unstoppable. Have Kareem focus on offense and Bill on defense, and I think you would have one of the best net ratings of all time.
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Re: Pick two players to form a Twin Towers duo 

Post#3 » by AEnigma » Thu Dec 5, 2024 11:24 pm

I like the versatility of Garnett and Duncan specifically because they can also accommodate a variety of other pairings. Hakeem third choice because he is less proven in a hypothetical power forward role and less proven as a dedicated second or even third option scorer, but theoretically should be able to scale down fine and play next to other centres.
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Re: Pick two players to form a Twin Towers duo 

Post#4 » by eminence » Thu Dec 5, 2024 11:26 pm

I'd give Walton/KG a go, think I'd enjoy them playing off one another quite a lot.
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Re: Pick two players to form a Twin Towers duo 

Post#5 » by Cavsfansince84 » Thu Dec 5, 2024 11:33 pm

Since op says alt choices are allowed I think I would probably go Jokic/Russell for today's league but really any era that duo is gonna dominate.
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Re: Pick two players to form a Twin Towers duo 

Post#6 » by Ol Roy » Fri Dec 6, 2024 1:21 am

Whoever only voted for one player...please pick another!
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Re: Pick two players to form a Twin Towers duo 

Post#7 » by lessthanjake » Fri Dec 6, 2024 2:19 am

It seems to me that the best answer to this is probably to take whichever player one thinks is the best of all of these, and then to add Kevin Garnett as the second player because Garnett doesn’t want to play in the same part of the court on offense as the others so he probably would be the best complement to one of these other guys. Given that logic, I picked Kareem + Garnett. That said, I think I could see an argument for Kareem + Robinson, for similar reasons.
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Re: Pick two players to form a Twin Towers duo 

Post#8 » by capfan33 » Fri Dec 6, 2024 3:09 am

The obvious combo that stuck out to me off the bat is Shaq and KG. I don’t think Shaq is better than Kareem or Hakeem, but next to KG specifically I think there’s a more natural synergy, specially defensively. As KG was incredible at every aspect of defense but merely a very good rim protector, while Shaqs biggest calling card is rim protection (and post defense).

And then on offense KG spaces for Shaq, can pass well, and they basically complement each other very well. Most of the other pairings on this list would be extraordinary talented but awkward. Ofc, you can basically put KG with anyone and it will be historically great, but I think in this case the pure ceiling + synergy of Shaq and KG appeals to me the most.
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Re: Pick two players to form a Twin Towers duo 

Post#9 » by penbeast0 » Fri Dec 6, 2024 2:03 pm

I'd go Russell/Giannis. Both run the floor extremely well, Russell is the greatest defender, one of the best rebounders, and one of the smartest guys ever; Giannis has that great physicality and with Russell in the high post, Giannis has more room.

KG would be as good as Giannis on the floor but his personality could be a bit offputting; Duncan may be better but is more of a stationary post player.

This is even more true for Wilt, Kareem, or Hakeem though all were great, but unlike Russell, Giannis, or KG, none were good at chasing guys out on the perimeter.

Shaq is the greatest physical specimen but the most limited game, DRob had some playoff issues and a shorter prime, Walton could never stay healthy.
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Re: Pick two players to form a Twin Towers duo 

Post#10 » by jojo4341 » Fri Dec 6, 2024 5:07 pm

Ol Roy wrote: I think I'll select a Dream/Admiral combination for myself.


I also went with Hakeem + DRob. I thought, why not get the best defensive bigs that I've ever seen?...no disrespect to Russell or Wilt since they were before my time. They're elite rim protectors with the footwork to guard the perimeter in the modern game. Fill the other 3 with shooters and/or scorers and you're good to go. If Jokic were one of the picks, I'd be tempted a Hakeem + Jokic duo. :o
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Re: Pick two players to form a Twin Towers duo 

Post#11 » by Wallace_Wallace » Fri Dec 6, 2024 9:25 pm

I picked Hakeem and Giannis, both of whom are capable #1 options for a championship team as well as defensive anchors for elite defense. Their skills on both end translate well regardless of era, last but not least, gotta give some love to the Yoruba tribe!
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Re: Pick two players to form a Twin Towers duo 

Post#12 » by giordunk » Fri Dec 6, 2024 9:26 pm

My vote for best is Hakeem/Garnett

But the one that intrigues me the most is Garnett/Giannis. Forget about guarding Shaq, imagine that big man duo in the modern game. Two elite defense bigs that can run the floor and bring the ball up the court, and for the most part both very vocal guys who are willing to run through a wall for their team.
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Re: Pick two players to form a Twin Towers duo 

Post#13 » by wafflzgod » Fri Dec 6, 2024 10:13 pm

Shaq + KG
I think Garnett is an obvious choice because of his incredible versatility on both ends compared to other bigs -- offers a ridiculous combo of defensive versatility, roaming/help-defense as well as shooting+passing as a big. With KG there, I think Shaq is the best choice to pair with him. One of the potential drawbacks of choosing him in a twin tower pairing is his limitations outside the paint on both ends, which could siphon some of the value of other bigs and the overall duo, but KG is the most immune to this among these players.
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Re: Pick two players to form a Twin Towers duo 

Post#14 » by One_and_Done » Fri Dec 6, 2024 11:07 pm

Duncan and KG/Giannis is tough to top.
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Re: Pick two players to form a Twin Towers duo 

Post#15 » by MacGill » Sat Dec 7, 2024 2:13 pm

Shaq/KG - then debate for second best duo.
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Re: Pick two players to form a Twin Towers duo 

Post#16 » by spree8 » Sat Dec 7, 2024 3:26 pm

Dream/KG
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Re: Pick two players to form a Twin Towers duo 

Post#17 » by Johnny Tomala » Sun Dec 8, 2024 1:06 am

Kareem + KG.
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Re: Pick two players to form a Twin Towers duo 

Post#18 » by rrravenred » Sun Dec 8, 2024 3:06 am

Not on the list, but Jokic/DRob would be fascinating. Given Jokic's vision and shooting and Robinson's slashing, they'd have incredible offensive synergy. Defensively, Jokic is obviously a tier or two below everyone on the list, but he remains a wide body to go around, giving DRob's athleticism the ability to switch/ adjust.
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