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NBA Report Card: Grading the League's Best Duos

Colin Cowherd Grades the Best Duos in the NBA (Full Video Above)

LeBron James & Anthony Davis

Talent: 5

Chemistry: 3

“Anthony Davis is the best big man in the league in his prime, and LeBron is one of the top 2 players in the NBA, but LeBron doesn’t always get along with bigs.”

Kawhi Leonard & Paul George

Talent: 4.5

Chemistry: 4.5

“I’m not going to give them a five for talent because Paul George is not as good as LeBron or Anthony Davis, but they are both hard-working, nose to the ground, not a lot of drama, respect each other, not ball dominant, and will work together.”

Russell Westbrook & James Harden

Talent: 5

Chemistry: 1

“James Harden is the best one-on-one player in the league and Westbrook is a world-class talent. I don't’ think they are going to work together, though.”

Steph Curry & Klay Thompson

Talent: 4

Chemistry 5

“I’ll give the talent a 4 because Klay can be a little streaky and there are times when Steph gets sloppy and isn’t much of a defender. Their chemistry is as good as any duo ever.”

Kevin Durant & Kyrie Irving

Talent: 5

Chemistry: 2.5

“Kevin is the first or second best player in the world, and Kyrie is the best small finisher perhaps ever. I have my doubts on chemistry though because I think Kyrie is a ball-dominant guard and is hard to play with.”

Giannis Antetokounmpo & Khris Middleton

Talent: 4

Chemistry: 5

“Giannis is a 5 on talent and Middleton is a 3, so it becomes a 4. Middleton is a really nice player but he’s not special. Chemistry is fantastic; you got the hard-working guy who scores down low and the guy who can hit the jumpers.”

Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid

Talent: 4.5

Chemistry: 1.5

“Joel Embiid is arguably the best big man in the league and I think Ben Simmons’ talents are absurd. I don’t like how they work though, Simmons is a penetrator who needs the open paint and Embiid isn’t going to move outside much. If it worked, they would have won the East.”

Kemba Walker & Jayson Tatum

Talent: 2.5

Chemistry: 4

“Kemba Walker is a nice talent but a B player, and Tatum plateaued. Chemistry I’m going to guess it works. Kemba is fairly egoless and Tatum works well with Brad Stevens.”

Damian Lillard & CJ McCollum

Talent: 3

Chemistry: 4

“Lillard is fantastic but CJ isn’t a special player. It’s not easy to play when your best player is a guard who can score, but Lillard is a good dude and they play well together. They’re a poor man’s Steph and Klay.”

Mike Conley and Donovan Mitchell

Talent: 2.5

Chemistry: 4

“I’m only giving talent a 2.5 because I think Conley is past his physical prime and Mitchell hasn’t hit his prime. I have a feeling their chemistry is going to be great; both are really good guys and both play defense.”

Jamal Murray & Nikola Jokic

Talent: 4

Chemistry: 5

“Jokic might be the best ball-handling and passing big ever and Murray is the perfect guy off-ball. I love the way they work together. Jokic is the most underrated player in the NBA.”

Luka Doncic & Kristaps Porzingis

Talent: 4.5

Chemistry: 3.5

“I think these guys are absurdly gifted. Has the NBA ever had a 7’4” slasher? Don’t forget how good Porzingis was before he got hurt. I don’t know how the chemistry will work. Luka could end up as a top 7 scorer in league history.”