Best Kawhi duo

[parsnips33]

Fit with Jokic would be really interesting, they would be extremely hard to guard

[AJgriffinFan]

When the Last Dance documentary about Jordan came out, Lebron was asked his thoughts. His response was that his game would have complemented Jordan's and Lebron would have liked to play with Jordan in the prime of their careers. So then, if you constructed a team around MJ and Lebron in their prime with supporting role players, what duo of players could possibly compete against the MJ/Lebron team? Kawhi, in his prime, would be the first player I would build around. He could creditably guard either MJ or Lebron and he could be the focal point on offense. The second player to pair with Kawhi is not obvious to me and there have been a variety of responses to the "best Kawhi duo" question. I would choose ... Andrew Wiggins. I think Wiggins could contain either MJ or Lebron and his 3 point shooting would open the floor for Kawhi. So, the ultimate match up would be MJ/Lebron vs Kawhi/Wiggins, in my opinion.

[Gooner]

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.


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.


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.

He would limit his shot attempts to some degree, but I don't think Kawhi's effectiveness would suffer. If the question was to pick someone next to Kawhi as a second option, then my answer would have to be different. But when I have the chance to pick Jordan, I will do it in most instances. The reason why I like this hypothetical partnership is 2 way domination.

I never said Jordan didn't take a lot of shots, and that he wasn't a focal point of the team. But they played a triangle system which was based on sharing the ball. If you watch some of the old Bulls games, you will see constant movement and passing of the basketball. That system made the game easier for Jordan.

[Gooner]

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.

If Kawhi played with Jordan and a point guard, why would he even have to be a playmaker? That's what everybody seems to be missing here. He is a small forward.

[The-Power]

If Kawhi played with Jordan and a point guard, why would he even have to be a playmaker? That's what everybody seems to be missing here. He is a small forward.

Because then you would have a handpicked superstar next to the already stipulated superstar (Kawhi) and still want to have the ball in someone else's hand a lot (who then has to be trusted to make decisions and set up your two superstars who happen to also like to operate in similar spots and ways, i.e. they do not really play off each other a lot). That's not really what most people would be looking for when they can freely choose a superstar pairing. Why not take someone who brings out Kawhi's strengths and mitigates his weaknesses or limitations, instead of picking someone who brings similar stuff to the table and you need to find all those other things in other players in addition to not creating a naturally synergetic pairing?

[Gooner]

If Kawhi played with Jordan and a point guard, why would he even have to be a playmaker? That's what everybody seems to be missing here. He is a small forward.

Because then you would have a handpicked superstar next to the already stipulated superstar (Kawhi) and still want to have the ball in someone else's hand a lot (who then has to be trusted to make decisions and set up your two superstars who happen to also like to operate in similar spots and ways, i.e. they do not really play off each other a lot). That's not really what most people would be looking for when they can freely choose a superstar pairing. Why not take someone who brings out Kawhi's strengths and mitigates his weaknesses or limitations, instead of picking someone who brings similar stuff to the table and you need to find all those other things in other players in addition to not creating a naturally synergetic pairing?

It's pointless to debate about these hypotheticals. It's all about philosophy. You are a Golden State fan, those splash brothers work pretty well together as a backcourt, even though they operate in similar ways on the court, moving without the ball and shooting. Dealing with Steph is tough, but dealing with him and Klay together is almost impossible. That's what happens when you double down on your philosophy and elite skillset.

[JordansBulls]

Surprised with the MJ picks since Kawhi has the mid game similar. I'd say a guy who has a game different like Shaq, Curry, Magic, Bird

[giordunk]

Kawhi is quite versatile and has no gaping holes in his game so I think it would come down to a personality match more than anything.

I get the feeling he likes more low-key or good teammate guys rather than people who have controversial personalities - so guys like Derrick Rose, Stephen Curry, Nikola Jokic, Klay Thompson, etc.,

KD talks a bit but I think their personalities might also match since they're both very get **** done when it comes down to basketball.