Best Kawhi duo

[uberhikari]

If you could choose any player in NBA history who would be the best player to pair with Kawhi? I couldn't really come up with a perfect partner.

[Tomtolbert]

I can't think of an ideal fit. My boring pick would be LeBron.

[Jaivl]

Kevin Garnett

[Cavsfansince84]

I think I'd go with Duncan. Neither needs a great pg and personality wise they meshed well.

[Dnt hate]

Duncan, KG, Hakeem, Ray Allen

[Stan]

Jordan.

[homecourtloss]

KG/Kawhi, Duncan/Kawhi, LeBron/Kawhi, Curry/Kawhi

[Rich Michmond]

With Kawhi as the clear best player? I'd go with Chauncey Billups. He makes up for Kawhi's not-that-great playmaking but would also have no problem giving him the rock and playing off the ball. Not to mention his leadership, durability, and decent defense.

When Kawhi played with Kyle Lowry it led to great results, and Lowry is essentially a middle-class man's Billups.

[prolific passer]

Kawhi and Kawhi. Double the laughter. Double the.....fun?

[ronnymac2]

Leonard is great but he's got three things going against him: durability/toughness, mental fragility (what he did to SAS), and he's not a draw. I think you have to go with Jordan. MJ is obviously a mega draw all by himself. I'm not a huge fan of his bullying or "leadership", but it's the best bet to toughen up Kawhi and make him actually play games consistently.

[Gooner]

I would have to say Michael Jordan. Physical attributes of those 2 would be unmatched with their long arms and athleticism. Defensively they would be dominant. Offensively same thing, MJ clear alpha, Kawhi the best number 2 you can imagine.

[Dutchball97]

Kawhi is the best example of a pure wing player imo. He can score at every level, is an elite perimeter defender and has passable playmaking (read he can create for himself and make basic passes on a consistent basis).

The main things he lacks are primary playmaking abilities and rim protection so putting a dominant big and a pass first PG next to him and practically recreating the 80s Lakers but with Worthy as the star would be my best bet for success around Kawhi. However, since that are two players and we can only pick one I'd go a similar route as the Clippers have with Paul George and go for a big wing who can handle the ball at a high level. LeBron would probably be the best option but I'd consider Bird as well here.

[70sFan]

I would have to say Michael Jordan. Physical attributes of those 2 would be unmatched with their long arms and athleticism. Defensively they would be dominant. Offensively same thing, MJ clear alpha, Kawhi the best number 2 you can imagine.

Kawhi wouldn't fit that well next to Jordan. They usually operated at the same spots on the court and Jordan wouldn't cover Kawhi's weaknesses that well (rim protection, playmaking).

I like Dutchball97 answer here - put him as a upgraded version of James Worthy next to Magic and Kareem, he would be deadly.

[Gooner]

I would have to say Michael Jordan. Physical attributes of those 2 would be unmatched with their long arms and athleticism. Defensively they would be dominant. Offensively same thing, MJ clear alpha, Kawhi the best number 2 you can imagine.

Kawhi wouldn't fit that well next to Jordan. They usually operated at the same spots on the court and Jordan wouldn't cover Kawhi's weaknesses that well (rim protection, playmaking).

I like Dutchball97 answer here - put him as a upgraded version of James Worthy next to Magic and Kareem, he would be deadly.

Well, you can put them on opposite sides, court is big enough. Kawhi could play off of Jordan. Kawhi is a small forward by the definition, he doesn't have to be the main playmaker or a rim protector. Jordan was a great playmaker himself, very underrated because of his APG numbers, which aren't even that "bad".

[70sFan]

I would have to say Michael Jordan. Physical attributes of those 2 would be unmatched with their long arms and athleticism. Defensively they would be dominant. Offensively same thing, MJ clear alpha, Kawhi the best number 2 you can imagine.

Kawhi wouldn't fit that well next to Jordan. They usually operated at the same spots on the court and Jordan wouldn't cover Kawhi's weaknesses that well (rim protection, playmaking).

I like Dutchball97 answer here - put him as a upgraded version of James Worthy next to Magic and Kareem, he would be deadly.

Well, you can put them on opposite sides, court is big enough. Kawhi could play off of Jordan. Kawhi is a small forward by the definition, he doesn't have to be the main playmaker or a rim protector. Jordan was a great playmaker himself, very underrated because of his APG numbers, which aren't even that "bad".

That's not how the modern spacing works though, you can't have two players operating on midrange or high post on either side, that would clog the lane without illegal defense.

Of course Kawhi doesn't have to be the main playmaker or a rim protector, that's why it's better to find a playmaker or shotblocker for him. Jordan is a great playmaker, but mostly because of his constant pressure on defense, I am afraid that style would marginalize Kawhi's offensive impact.

Of course, it doesn't meant they wouldn't dominate, they are way too talented not to, but I think you can find a more fitting pair than that. I'd even say that Jordan/Pippen pair is better than Jordan/Kawhi, despite Scottie not being as good as Kawhi offensively.

[Gooner]

Kawhi wouldn't fit that well next to Jordan. They usually operated at the same spots on the court and Jordan wouldn't cover Kawhi's weaknesses that well (rim protection, playmaking).

I like Dutchball97 answer here - put him as a upgraded version of James Worthy next to Magic and Kareem, he would be deadly.

Well, you can put them on opposite sides, court is big enough. Kawhi could play off of Jordan. Kawhi is a small forward by the definition, he doesn't have to be the main playmaker or a rim protector. Jordan was a great playmaker himself, very underrated because of his APG numbers, which aren't even that "bad".

That's not how the modern spacing works though, you can't have two players operating on midrange or high post on either side, that would clog the lane without illegal defense.

Of course Kawhi doesn't have to be the main playmaker or a rim protector, that's why it's better to find a playmaker or shotblocker for him. Jordan is a great playmaker, but mostly because of his constant pressure on defense, I am afraid that style would marginalize Kawhi's offensive impact.

Of course, it doesn't meant they wouldn't dominate, they are way too talented not to, but I think you can find a more fitting pair than that. I'd even say that Jordan/Pippen pair is better than Jordan/Kawhi, despite Scottie not being as good as Kawhi offensively.

They don't have to be in the post all the time, but when you have 2 dominant post players, it's tough for defence to deal with.

With Jordan and Kawhi, you would still have 3 positions to fill, so it would be about finding the best fit next to those 2. Of course you would want your center to be a good rim protector and point guard to be a good playmaker. But if I can choose only 2 players to start with, those 2 would be my choice because they are both as complete as it gets for their positions.

[70sFan]

They don't have to be in the post all the time, but when you have 2 dominant post players, it's tough for defence to deal with.

Of course it's tough, we're talking about top tier superstars. The question is - is it tougher than stopping one high post player and another off-ball shooter? Or one lead playmaker with Kawhi? That's the question, not whether they'd be good.

With Jordan and Kawhi, you would still have 3 positions to fill, so it would be about finding the best fit next to those 2. Of course you would want your center to be a good rim protector and point guard to be a good playmaker.

So wouldn't it be a better choice to pick a playmaker or rim protector instead of Jordan to get a better fit? It's not like Jordan is so much better than anyone else that such little things don't matter.

But if I can choose only 2 players to start with, those 2 would be my choice because they are both as complete as it gets for their positions.

Jordan - probably, but Kawhi has some weaknesses relative to other great players. I'd prefer to hide these weaknesses, instead of taking a player with the same strengths as Kawhi (but better) and without the ability to cover those weaknesses.

[Gooner]

They don't have to be in the post all the time, but when you have 2 dominant post players, it's tough for defence to deal with.

Of course it's tough, we're talking about top tier superstars. The question is - is it tougher than stopping one high post player and another off-ball shooter? Or one lead playmaker with Kawhi? That's the question, not whether they'd be good.

With Jordan and Kawhi, you would still have 3 positions to fill, so it would be about finding the best fit next to those 2. Of course you would want your center to be a good rim protector and point guard to be a good playmaker.

So wouldn't it be a better choice to pick a playmaker or rim protector instead of Jordan to get a better fit? It's not like Jordan is so much better than anyone else that such little things don't matter.

But if I can choose only 2 players to start with, those 2 would be my choice because they are both as complete as it gets for their positions.

Jordan - probably, but Kawhi has some weaknesses relative to other great players. I'd prefer to hide these weaknesses, instead of taking a player with the same strengths as Kawhi (but better) and without the ability to cover those weaknesses.

Whenever I have a chance to pick Jordan, I'll do it, it's really as simple as that. I like his game and Kawhi's game and that would be my focus if I built a team, to dominate with their qualities-post up, mid range, athleticism, defense. Then I would look to fill out the roster around that. I also like the fact that both of them played in a team system where they shared the ball. That's why I consider them complete players for their positions and easy to build around.

[RCM88x]

My first reaction was Magic Johnson. Playmaker/shot creator, ball handler.

I guess you could pick Jordan too simply because its Jordan but I think Kawhi's lack of real playmaking prowess could be harmful there. Sure hes capable of making the easy passes out of set plays but in terms of shot creation Kawhi really doesn't offer much there, so you'd probably want a guy who's as good as possible in that role.

[70sFan]

They don't have to be in the post all the time, but when you have 2 dominant post players, it's tough for defence to deal with.

Of course it's tough, we're talking about top tier superstars. The question is - is it tougher than stopping one high post player and another off-ball shooter? Or one lead playmaker with Kawhi? That's the question, not whether they'd be good.

With Jordan and Kawhi, you would still have 3 positions to fill, so it would be about finding the best fit next to those 2. Of course you would want your center to be a good rim protector and point guard to be a good playmaker.

So wouldn't it be a better choice to pick a playmaker or rim protector instead of Jordan to get a better fit? It's not like Jordan is so much better than anyone else that such little things don't matter.

But if I can choose only 2 players to start with, those 2 would be my choice because they are both as complete as it gets for their positions.

Jordan - probably, but Kawhi has some weaknesses relative to other great players. I'd prefer to hide these weaknesses, instead of taking a player with the same strengths as Kawhi (but better) and without the ability to cover those weaknesses.

Whenever I have a chance to pick Jordan, I'll do it, it's really as simple as that. I like his game and Kawhi's game and that would be my focus if I built a team, to dominate with their qualities-post up, mid range, athleticism, defense. Then I would look to fill out the roster around that. I also like the fact that both of them played in a team system where they shared the ball. That's why I consider them complete players for their positions and easy to build around.

So your take is that you'd always pick Jordan, no matter what. I understand, just keep in mind that Jordan wouldn't elevate Kawhi to new heights and it's likely that he'd limit his effectiveness to some degree.

Also, Jordan's "team system" was about his taking 25 shots per game and be surrounded by passers and offensive rebounders. The whole team was centered around hi strengths and it's not a bad thing, but do not turn Jordan into someone he wasn't.