Which 2 players to build around?

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Which 2 players to build your team around?

Kobe Bryant
15
17%
Kevin Durant
19
22%
Steve Nash
4
5%
Dirk Nowitzki
29
33%
Chris Paul
9
10%
Dwyane Wade
11
13%
 
Total votes: 87

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Whopper_Sr
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Which 2 players to build around? 

Post#1 » by Whopper_Sr » Tue Sep 10, 2019 10:12 pm

Which 2 of these players would you pick to build your team around?

Kobe Bryant
Kevin Durant
Steve Nash
Dirk Nowitzki
Chris Paul
Dwyane Wade

It's reasonable to say they had similar peaks. When Durant and Paul finish their careers, their all time rankings would be pretty close to each other as well (longevity edge for Kobe and Dirk have them higher up).

I'm not sure how to account for injuries (mostly for Paul and Wade) since different roles, coaching, load/usage, etc would affect the probability of them getting injured. Luck factors in as well.

In this exercise, pairings such as Nash/Paul and Wade/Kobe would be less ideal due to positional overlap but they are all skilled enough to make it work regardless.

Personally, I would pick Wade and Dirk for their offensive synergy (Wade's slashing and off-ball cutting coupled with Dirk's spacing). No real weaknesses on defense either since Wade is a high activity ball hawk who is elite at playing the passing lane . Dirk is an all-time great defensive rebounder with sound positioning. Plus, I think they are the two best playoff performers of the bunch.

POLL: I'm unable to include all options since there are 15 total and it only allows 10 maximum. I'll still put the 6 names with 2 votes per user to see which players get more love.
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Re: Which 2 players to build around? 

Post#2 » by Ainosterhaspie » Tue Sep 10, 2019 10:17 pm

I'm voting Paul and Nowitzki. Like that synergy the most.
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Re: Which 2 players to build around? 

Post#3 » by Sublime187 » Tue Sep 10, 2019 11:09 pm

I would go Wade and Dirk. If not for longevity it would be an easier decision. Could also go Kobe and Dirk.
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Re: Which 2 players to build around? 

Post#4 » by Narigo » Tue Sep 10, 2019 11:11 pm

Kobe and Dirk imo. Two GOAT level scorers and longevity.
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Re: Which 2 players to build around? 

Post#5 » by eminence » Tue Sep 10, 2019 11:23 pm

I'd give CP3 and KD a try.
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Re: Which 2 players to build around? 

Post#6 » by GeorgeMarcus » Tue Sep 10, 2019 11:33 pm

I'd go Wade and Dirk
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Re: Which 2 players to build around? 

Post#7 » by Matt15 » Tue Sep 10, 2019 11:37 pm

Kobe/Dirk
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Re: Which 2 players to build around? 

Post#8 » by Jiminy Glick » Wed Sep 11, 2019 6:48 pm

Durant and Dirk
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Re: Which 2 players to build around? 

Post#9 » by RCM88x » Wed Sep 11, 2019 7:17 pm

Kobe and Dirk or Kobe and KD
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Re: Which 2 players to build around? 

Post#10 » by Whopper_Sr » Wed Sep 11, 2019 9:25 pm

eminence wrote:I'd give CP3 and KD a try.


Interesting. What do you envision with this pairing? The defensive potential is quite strong but how would their offense look?
Paul has never played with a dominant wing like Durant so it's difficult to picture.
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Re: Which 2 players to build around? 

Post#11 » by Whopper_Sr » Wed Sep 11, 2019 9:26 pm

Do you no longer get notifications for replies to your own post anymore? Strange.
Anyway, thank you all for your responses. Dirk getting the most love isn't surprising but could it be because he's the only big man option?
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Re: Which 2 players to build around? 

Post#12 » by Jaivl » Wed Sep 11, 2019 10:25 pm

eminence wrote:I'd give CP3 and KD a try.

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Re: Which 2 players to build around? 

Post#13 » by LKN » Wed Sep 11, 2019 10:48 pm

The only one I probably wouldn't bother with is Nash.

I'm tempted to pair Wade or CP3 with Dirk or KD... however Kobe did have better health and availability compared to those 2.

If healthy I think Wade/Dirk might have the best synergy (maybe Wade/Durant as well). I like Wade's driving ability paired with a great shooter.
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Re: Which 2 players to build around? 

Post#14 » by eminence » Thu Sep 12, 2019 12:18 am

Jaivl wrote:
eminence wrote:I'd give CP3 and KD a try.

The goal is to win at basketball, not at drama.


Why not both?

But I'll get back to Whopper later this evening with more of an explanation on why I'd like those two :)
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Re: Which 2 players to build around? 

Post#15 » by TheGOATRises007 » Thu Sep 12, 2019 2:39 am

Kobe and Dirk quite clearly for me.
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Re: Which 2 players to build around? 

Post#16 » by Blonde » Thu Sep 12, 2019 3:55 am

I’d be pretty intrigued at building around KD & Dirk at both forward spots. But it’s hard to pick KD in these scenarios when you can’t count on him not to bail. Dirk & Wade seems the most logical.
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Re: Which 2 players to build around? 

Post#17 » by An Unbiased Fan » Thu Sep 12, 2019 4:41 am

Dirk is the only true big, so him and Kobe.
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Re: Which 2 players to build around? 

Post#18 » by _Game7_ » Thu Sep 12, 2019 4:48 am

Honesty Wade and Kobe back-court would be terrifying.
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Re: Which 2 players to build around? 

Post#19 » by An Unbiased Fan » Thu Sep 12, 2019 4:53 am

_Game7_ wrote:Honesty Wade and Kobe back-court would be terrifying.

True, but Dirk is like Pau 2.0, so I would think the spacing advantage would be better. Especially with Wade's injuries problems
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Re: Which 2 players to build around? 

Post#20 » by RxMidnight » Thu Sep 12, 2019 5:08 am

Out of all these guys I'd take Dirk #1, and the best player to pair him with is CP3. I'm not convinced pairing Dirk with another alpha primary scorer would be optimal, which is why I'll pass on Kobe, KD and Wade. Nash is too much of a defensive hole and we already know from real life that Nash+Dirk won't get you a ring.

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