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Year after year, teams are adding big names to make up their very own Big Three, in the hope for an elusive ring. Looking back into the NBA history books, some of the premier Big three's include Miami Heat's Chris Bosh, Dwayne Wade and LeBron James; Lakers' Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and James Worthy; Spurs' Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker and arguably the best is Chicago Bulls' Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman.
This season (2017-18), there are a few solid Big Threes you need to watch out for and ponder as to where the title is going.
Here are my Top 5:
#5 Philadelphia 76ers - Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons & Dario Saric
The Philadelphia 76ers have been putting on a show from Day 1 this season. Ben Simmons is having a dream start to the 2017-18 campaign but in an interview, he seemed unhappy saying he still thinks he can do better. He has a really good vision of the court and has proven to be a great team player. Many have compared him to James. Simmons already has two triple-doubles this season and is looking unstoppable with averages of 17.8 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 8.0 assists.
Joel Embiid, the 7-foot beast, is averaging a double-double with 20.5 points & 10.1 rebounds through eight games. And the third, Dario Saric was No.3 in the ROTY rankings of last season is a consistent contributor to the scoreline and stepping up when needed the most. 76ers are holding a 6-4 record at the moment.
#4 Portland Trailblazers - Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum & Jusuf Nurkic
Damian Lillard, who continues to improve year after year, will always be the face of the franchise. Portland with a decent 6-5 start to this season are looking good. Dame has been consistent with a 25.7 PPG and is not shy to take the crucial shots. Four of his last five games have been 30+ scoring games, including two clutch performances against the Los Angeles Lakers (game-winner) and the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Blazers' number two, C.J. McCollum is always fun to watch. The finesses in his moves coupled with his shooting efficiency (52.4% 3FG) make him hard to mark. CJ is averaging 23.5 PPG in 10 games.
Jusuf Nurkic, the versatile center traded from Denver Nuggets late last season, has already racked up three double-double(s) and has also been a great defensive presence. This year could Portland's if this consistency in performance continues through the season.
#3 Minnesota Timberwolves - Andrew Wiggins, Karl-Anthony Towns & Jimmy Butler
Jimmy Butler being added to the roster to form the Big Three was a great move by the Timberwolves. Although Butler has only a 15.1 PPG, he is reportedly happy as long as the team is winning. Andrew Wiggins, on the other hand, is averaging 19.9 points a game and not to forget, Wiggins' game-winning buzzer beater against OKC was the most memorable play of this season by far.
Karl-Anthony Towns has totaled a double-double in 7 out of 10 games so far, averaging 21.8 points per game and 10.9 rebounds a game, which definitely sounds like efficient. With a 7-3 start to the season, I would say Minnesota is on the right track and can only get better. Timberwolves face Golden State at the Oracle Arena next with a five-game winning streak at stake and the result could boost their morale even more provided they can upset the Warriors at home.
#2 Golden State Warriors - Stephen Curry, Draymond Green & Kevin Durant
One moment of lapse and they will punish you. The Warriors are known to be a team which can score in a hurry. Riding on Stephen Curry's 25.7 points per game, Draymond Green's all-around intensity and Kevin Durant's increased focus on defense this season makes the Golden State Warriors title contenders yet again.
Although the Warriors started with a tough loss against Houston, they have managed to bring their record up to 8-3. Green had a slow start after being forced to play limited minutes against the Rockets but he has come back strong and has been a major reason for Warriors' current four-game winning streak.
Will they make it to the finals gain? Most probably but they will not be cruising through like last season. They will have to bring their A-Game each day en route to defending their 2017 championship.
#1 Oklahoma City Thunder - Paul George, Russell Westbrook & Carmelo Anthony
On paper, this team has the biggest Big Three - Russell Westbrook, Paul George and Carmelo Anthony.
Those three names together will not make it easy for their opponents. OKC is struggling with a 4-6 record to start this season but once the chemistry clicks there will be no roadblocks. Westbrook is close to averaging a triple-double with 20.1 PPG, 10.9 APG and 9.3 RPG. We are already seeing them sharing the ball, giving good looks to each other and more importantly they put the team above individual glory which is essential when there are such players involved. And just to put things in perspective, the trio is averaging 20.1 PPG each ten games into the season. For me, the OK3 are going to make it to the Western Conference Finals but before that, they've got to work on getting in sync that will help register wins for the team.
