How it started How it’s going – NBA Playoff Edition

Winning a championship is hard. Really hard. In any sport. 

Having one star gives a team an advantage going into the playoffs. Having multiple stars makes that team a contender on paper. 

Our Sam Hauser ranks each NBA playoff team’s top star combinations going into the playoffs, and adjusts the order based on how they have performed over the opening round’s first two weeks. 

How it started

1. Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, Brooklyn Nets
   
2. Joel Embiid and James Harden, Philadelphia 76ers
   
3. Steph Curry and Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors
   
4. Chris Paul, Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton, Phoenix Suns
   
5. Jason Tatum and Jalen Brown, Boston Celtics
   
6. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kris Middleton, Milwaukee Bucks
   
7. Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon, Denver Nuggets
   
8. Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
   
9. Trae Young and Clint Capela, Atlanta Hawks (Capela missed the start of the series)
   
10. Luka Doncic and Jalen Brunson, Dallas Mavericks
    
11. Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves
    
12. Ja Morant and Desmond Bane, Memphis Grizzlies
    
13. Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum, New Orleans Pelicans
    
14. Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz
    
15. DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls
    
16. Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet, Toronto Raptors 

How it’s going 

1. Jason Tatum and Jalen Brown, Boston Celtics (and it’s not close)
   
2. CJ McCollum and Brandon Ingram, New Orleans Pelicans
   
3. Steph Curry, Jordan Poole and Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors
   
4. Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon, Denver Nuggets
   
5. Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
   
6. Luka Doncic and Jalen Brunson, Dallas Mavericks (honorable mention to Maxi Kleber)
7. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kris Middleton, Milwaukee Bucks (Bobby Portis now with Middleton hurt)
   
8. Joel Embiid and James Harden, Philadelphia 76ers
   
9. Chris Paul, Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton, Phoenix Suns
   
10. Ja Morant and Desmond Bane, Memphis Grizzlies
    
11. Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves
    
12.  Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz
    
13. Trae Young and Clint Capela, Atlanta Hawks (Capela missed the start of the series)
    
14. DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls
    
15. Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet, Toronto Raptors
    
16. Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, Brooklyn Nets