Best possible Twin Towers?

[Tomtolbert]

You can pick any 2 players in NBA history to create a Twin Towers (PF and C) on a team, with emphasis on peaks and the following criteria:

Modern era (assume players from previous generations will be given some time to adjust to today's league)

Minimum height 6'10"

Must have played almost exclusively PF or C in their careers, and be able to predominantly play C in today's league (so no Bird, Durant, etc)

[Colbinii]

Garnett and any ATG Center

[Ol Roy]

Kevin Garnett and David Robinson are perfect for today. Two-way stars, fast and athletic, able to play on/off ball, shooting, driving and passing skills, etc.

[OhayoKD]

You can pick any 2 players in NBA history to create a Twin Towers (PF and C) on a team, with emphasis on peaks and the following criteria:

Modern era (assume players from previous generations will be given some time to adjust to today's league)

Minimum height 6'10"

Must have played almost exclusively PF or C in their careers, and be able to predominantly play C in today's league (so no Bird, Durant, etc)

Giannis and Jokic is probably the most talented combo. Giannis and AD/KG would work well too.

[MacGill]

On D: KG & Russell

On O: Hakeem & Shaq

Both sides: KAJ & Duncan

[The Master]

Jokic-Garnett.

The greatest offensive big man ever and the most versatile GOAT-level defender fitting well to Jokic due to his jumper.

In terms of overall value of impact, I guess that's Kareem/Russell-Duncan.

[HeartBreakKid]

I'd go Garnett/Russell. I think they're the best at their positions more or less (I see Duncan more as a center and more redundant playing with centers).

The paint would get locked down with Bill Russell and Garnett can shut down the pick and roll. If they pull out Bill Russell then they just switch roles and would do more than well enough.

Offensively, they're far from the best duo but Garnett's outside game with Bill cleaning up the glass still works well. They can play off ball, play open court, will move the ball around - for bigs I don't think you need insane scoring.

[durantbird]

You can pick any 2 players in NBA history to create a Twin Towers (PF and C) on a team, with emphasis on peaks and the following criteria:

Modern era (assume players from previous generations will be given some time to adjust to today's league)

Minimum height 6'10"

Must have played almost exclusively PF or C in their careers, and be able to predominantly play C in today's league (so no Bird, Durant, etc)

Why Barkley is disqualified?

[Rishkar]

Russell Jokic for me. I think Russell in the modern game would be a potent lob threat for Jokic, and help cover his defensive weaknesses. And Jokic is an offensive force rivaled by very few NBA players ever, which would make Russell's limitations less relevant. Picture Russell in the role of Aaron Gordon, with Kawhi like ability to clamp basically anyone.

[Colbinii]

You can pick any 2 players in NBA history to create a Twin Towers (PF and C) on a team, with emphasis on peaks and the following criteria:

Modern era (assume players from previous generations will be given some time to adjust to today's league)

Minimum height 6'10"

Must have played almost exclusively PF or C in their careers, and be able to predominantly play C in today's league (so no Bird, Durant, etc)

Why Barkley is disqualified?

Because the concept of Twin Towers is to have two very tall players. Barkley is like a shopping mall, not a sky scrapper.

[prolific passer]

Jokic and McHale. Jokic with a great inside option.
Jokic and Dirk. Jokic with a great outside option
Jokic and Sheed. Jokic with a guy who can score inside and out.

[dygaction]

Jokic and Dream, two spinners to get the defenders dazzy

[iggymcfrack]

I do kinda feel like KG and Jokic would be an amazing fit with KG's amazing help covering any Jokic missteps on offense while his ability to operate from the perimeter would allow Jokic to playmake from the post.

[prolific passer]

Jokic and Kemp. Big to big alley oops galore.

[trex_8063]

Orthanc and Barad-dur.

Spoiler:

Whoops. My nerd is showing (sorry ladies).

[DraymondGold]

Looking at some of the various twin towers over NBA history...
-1964–1965 (partially injured in '65) Wilt and (young) Nate Thurmond
-1980s Robert Parish and Kevin McHale
-1985–1987 (young) Hakeem and (later injured) Ralph Sampson
-1998–2003 Tim Duncan and (old) David Robinson
-early 2000s Garnett and {insert center from those Timberwolves here}, then late 2000s Garnett and Kendrick Perkins
-2009–2010 Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol
-2017–2018 Anthony Davis and (injured for playoffs) Demarcus Cousins
-Maybe 2010s/20s Draymond (he does play small ball center in today's league) and {insert rotating Warriors Center here}

... what do people think differentiated the successful ones from the unsuccessful ones, fit wise? Are there any traits that stand out as being particularly important, either offensively or defensively?

[70sFan]

Orthanc and Barad-dur.

Spoiler:

Whoops. My nerd is showing (sorry ladies).

We have the answer!

[NO-KG-AI]

I go KG, and I could be swayed at any of Shaq/Hakeem/Duncan, but lean more toward Hakeem and Duncan. I think KG/Duncan would be so switchable and dominant on D, unselfish and amazing passing, and both are so good at exploiting mismatches. There just really isn’t a hole or anything you could attempt to exploit.

[flaco]

KG-Jokic

They complement each other perfectly.

[flaco]

Jokic and McHale. Jokic with a great inside option.
Jokic and Dirk. Jokic with a great outside option
Jokic and Sheed. Jokic with a guy who can score inside and out.

All these guys are drop bigs. I'd argue starting 2 drop bigs isn't viable in the modern game. Jury's still out on the Wolves. Personally, I expect them to flame out in the playoffs cause neither Gobert nor KAT can defend the perimeter.