duncan228
01-05-2008, 09:21 PM
http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/hawks/stories/2008/01/05/nbainsider_0106.html
Boston's group tops trio charts
By Sekou Smith
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Fans in Boston have been working overtime for an appropriate nickname for the three stars — Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen — that have helped transform the fortunes of the franchise this season.
"The Boston Three Party" is a bit clunky but scores points for historical perspective.
And Boston's Big Three has shot up the charts this season, crashing the party on our list of the NBA's most dynamic trios (and the emphasis here is on the bottom line and not just the stat line):
1. Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen — Boston
Don't worry about their statistical impact, individually or combined. The impact of these three All-Stars begins and ends in the won-loss column. The Celtics' league-leading 27-3 record is all that should matter. But in case you want to nitpick about each man's individual contributions, just know that all three of them average better than 19 points per game and no other player on the roster averages more than 9.6. Rajon Rondo would be the Celtics' Ringo Starr. The rest of the supporting cast will need to either be upgraded or play above their pay grade come playoff time. But with the Big Three leading the way, the possibilities are endless.
2. Chris Paul, David West and Tyson Chandler — New Orleans
These upstarts are not only making noise here, but they're also causing a major ruckus in the Western Conference standings (21-11) and Southwest Division race. With Paul running the show, West as his go-to-scorer inside and Chandler cleaning the glass, blocking shots and defending the paint, the Hornets are poised to continue this surge deep into the postseason. If Peja Stojakovic can find the consistency on his jump shot and Paul makes it through the season without any significant injury, Byron Scott's crew could make some serious noise in the postseason.
3. Chauncey Billups, Rip Hamilton and Rasheed Wallace — Detroit
If we were working with four man units the Pistons would shoot to the top, with Tayshaun Prince being the fourth Musketeer. Truth be told, you could sub him in for any one of the three players on this list and that trio would still rank among the league's very best. Billups is the director and big shot maker when the Pistons (25-7) need a bucket. Hamilton is the No. 1 option and the player most likely to score 20 on you. But Wallace, just as he did when he helped the Pistons to the 2004 NBA title, is the player that brings it all together for Flip Saunders' team on both ends of the floor.
• Three more sets of terrific NBA trios:
1. Steve Nash, Amare Stoudemire and Shawn Marion — Phoenix
These guys do it, and do it big, every night. Now if they could just do it in the playoffs. (:lol)
2. Dirk Nowitzki, Josh Howard and Jason Terry — Dallas
They're still one of the most explosive scoring trios, even with Terry coming off the bench.
3. Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili — San Antonio
They've spoiled NBA fans around the globe with their steady and (minus Duncan) spectacular play, especially during the playoffs.
• And another three to complete the triple play:
1. Allen Iverson, Carmelo Anthony and Marcus Camby — Denver
It's hard to tell which player deserves top billing in this group, Iverson or Anthony, but Camby has earned his tag as the grunt of this group.
2. Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu — Orlando
Howard and Lewis are supposed to be All-Stars. But have you seen Turkoglu's late-game heroics lately? He's been off the charts.
3. Jason Kidd, Richard Jefferson and Vince Carter — New Jersey
This crew might be a bit past their prime, everyone but Jefferson, but they're still as dangerous as any trio here when they're playing their best.
Boston's group tops trio charts
By Sekou Smith
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Fans in Boston have been working overtime for an appropriate nickname for the three stars — Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen — that have helped transform the fortunes of the franchise this season.
"The Boston Three Party" is a bit clunky but scores points for historical perspective.
And Boston's Big Three has shot up the charts this season, crashing the party on our list of the NBA's most dynamic trios (and the emphasis here is on the bottom line and not just the stat line):
1. Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen — Boston
Don't worry about their statistical impact, individually or combined. The impact of these three All-Stars begins and ends in the won-loss column. The Celtics' league-leading 27-3 record is all that should matter. But in case you want to nitpick about each man's individual contributions, just know that all three of them average better than 19 points per game and no other player on the roster averages more than 9.6. Rajon Rondo would be the Celtics' Ringo Starr. The rest of the supporting cast will need to either be upgraded or play above their pay grade come playoff time. But with the Big Three leading the way, the possibilities are endless.
2. Chris Paul, David West and Tyson Chandler — New Orleans
These upstarts are not only making noise here, but they're also causing a major ruckus in the Western Conference standings (21-11) and Southwest Division race. With Paul running the show, West as his go-to-scorer inside and Chandler cleaning the glass, blocking shots and defending the paint, the Hornets are poised to continue this surge deep into the postseason. If Peja Stojakovic can find the consistency on his jump shot and Paul makes it through the season without any significant injury, Byron Scott's crew could make some serious noise in the postseason.
3. Chauncey Billups, Rip Hamilton and Rasheed Wallace — Detroit
If we were working with four man units the Pistons would shoot to the top, with Tayshaun Prince being the fourth Musketeer. Truth be told, you could sub him in for any one of the three players on this list and that trio would still rank among the league's very best. Billups is the director and big shot maker when the Pistons (25-7) need a bucket. Hamilton is the No. 1 option and the player most likely to score 20 on you. But Wallace, just as he did when he helped the Pistons to the 2004 NBA title, is the player that brings it all together for Flip Saunders' team on both ends of the floor.
• Three more sets of terrific NBA trios:
1. Steve Nash, Amare Stoudemire and Shawn Marion — Phoenix
These guys do it, and do it big, every night. Now if they could just do it in the playoffs. (:lol)
2. Dirk Nowitzki, Josh Howard and Jason Terry — Dallas
They're still one of the most explosive scoring trios, even with Terry coming off the bench.
3. Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili — San Antonio
They've spoiled NBA fans around the globe with their steady and (minus Duncan) spectacular play, especially during the playoffs.
• And another three to complete the triple play:
1. Allen Iverson, Carmelo Anthony and Marcus Camby — Denver
It's hard to tell which player deserves top billing in this group, Iverson or Anthony, but Camby has earned his tag as the grunt of this group.
2. Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu — Orlando
Howard and Lewis are supposed to be All-Stars. But have you seen Turkoglu's late-game heroics lately? He's been off the charts.
3. Jason Kidd, Richard Jefferson and Vince Carter — New Jersey
This crew might be a bit past their prime, everyone but Jefferson, but they're still as dangerous as any trio here when they're playing their best.