The top 5 trios of the past 3 decades in the NBA(Video)

Duncan’s got more than the other 2

Are they the greatest?Being the high intensity team sport that it is, basketball requires each man on the hardwood to pull his own weight. But as with every team, each outfit has its mainstays. Be it a single player, a duo or a trio, these are the ones who the others look to for direction, drive the team with their consistent brilliance and make the clutch plays to turn games around when all looks lost. The NBA has had many a fabled icon, but it is truly a sight to behold when they join forces. Such as the San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. The 3 just recorded their 541st win together, to surpass the legendary Celtics triumvirate of Larry Bird, Robert Parish and Kevin McHale (540 wins). So where does this place them on our list of the most successful trios of the past 3 decades in the NBA?Let’s find out:

#1 Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker - San Antonio Spurs

Duncan’s got more than the other 2

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Well aware that we’re courting controversy, we have decided nonetheless, to place the only enduring trio of this assemblage, atop it. The three have been with the same franchise since they entered the NBA, an unheard-of occurrence in the current age.

Duncan took over the reigns from long-time Spurs captain David Robinson and lead them to the Larry O’Brien trophy in 2003, silencing those who doubted his stewardship skills. He was joined by Argentine Manu Ginobili in 1999 and Frenchman Tony Parker in 2001. The three would go on to earn four championships rings.

Left of center: Tim Duncan originally wanted to be an Olympic swimmer until a hurricane destroyed the only Olympic-sized swimming pool in his town. Manu Ginobili is only one of 2 players to have a Euroleague title, an NBA Championships and an Olympic gold medal. Tony Parker has released his own music album, titled “TP”.

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#2 Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman

Two three-peats

They had who to many, is the greatest player of all time. No wonder they won six championships in eight years. Following their first three-peat in 1991-93, the Bulls received a major setback when personal tragedy (his dad’s murder) forced Michael Jordan into retirement. Scottie Pippen ably donned the mantle of captain and despite Jordan’s return in 1995, they were unable to get past eventual champions the Orlando Magic.

Come the new season, the Bulls had one of the most improved rosters and it showed in their record as they went from being 47-35 in 1994 to 72-10 the next year. His Airness was his usual dominant self, Pippen fortified their gameplay at both ends, and the greatest rebounder of all time, Dennis Rodman, played an indispensable yet inconspicuous role in their success.

Left of center: Michael Jordan had a “Love of the game” clause in his contract, which allowed him to play basketball against anyone, anywhere at anytime. Scottie Pippen is notoriously miserly, especially when it comes to tipping at restaurants, leading to him being nicknamed “No tippin’ Pippen” by some waiters. Dennis Rodman. No trivia needed, the man’s an embodiment of ‘left of center’.

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#3 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson and James Worthy - Los Angeles Lakers

“Showtime”

The “Showtime” era of the Lakers was called so because of 6”9’ point guard Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson’s no-look passes and fast-paced style of play, that was effective and entertaining at the same time. The most valuable NBA franchise of all time, valued at $2.6 billion by Forbes, also has the dubious distinction of holding the record for most consecutive losses (33) in a single season (1971-72)

Coach Pat Riley’s decision to make Johnson the spearhead over the aging Abdul-Jabbar paid off, as ‘Magic’ teamed with finals MVP James Worthy to beat the Detroit Pistons in the 1988 Finals. The Isiah Thomas-led ‘Bad Boys’ lost 105-108 to the Lakers, a game in which “Big Game” James Worthy notched up the only triple-double of his career.

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#4 LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh - Miami Heat

The new “Big 3”

The 2010 blockbuster free agency saw LeBron James and Chris Bosh joining Dwyane Wade in Miami. The new “Big 3” would have to wait a year after their union for their first title. The trio would lead the Heat to their first championship in five years in 2012, defeating the Boston Celtics.

Their rise to greatness would seem imminent in the following season, as they set a franchise record at 66 wins and entered the finals for the third straight year. They played out what is now considered a classic series against the Spurs, and became the second Eastern conference team after the mighty Bulls of the 90s to win a second straight year.

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#5 Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen - Boston Celtics

The Big 3

The most successful franchise in the history of the NBA was languishing before the addition of defensive specialist coach Doc Rivers in 2006. Add Garnett, Pierce and Allen, and what do you have? An NBA Championship. The “Boston Three Party” would affect the most dramatic turnaround in NBA history by winning 42 games more than the previous season en route to the team’s 17th NBA title.

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Edited by Staff Editor