Best team in the NBA without their Top 2 players

yiguiri2002 · 03-26-2021, 11:39 PM

I was thinking about this while watching the Jazz-Nets game the other day...the Nets were without their Big 3 and had no chance. I figured that maybe with Harden they would have one...so, what are the top teams in the league taking away their Top 2 players?

My list:

1. Nets (Kyrie, Harris, DJ, Claxton)
2. Bucks (Middleton, Lopez, DDV)
3. Jazz (Conley, Ingles, Clarkson)
4. 76ers (Harris, Green, Curry)
5. Celtics (Walker, Smart, Time Lord)

I have the Suns and the Nuggets right after them. It's much harder than expected once you get down to it.

ninjacookies · 03-26-2021, 11:43 PM

For as bad as they were without Steph, the Warriors have to be on this list if you subtract the same from the rest of the league.

Oubre, Wiggins, Wiseman.

Spacemanspif · 03-27-2021, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninjacookies

For as bad as they were without Steph, the Warriors have to be on this list if you subtract the same from the rest of the league.

Oubre, Wiggins, Wiseman.

And Draymond. Remember we already been missing Klay.

drobfan8 · 03-27-2021, 12:10 AM

I actually think the Spurs should be there

They have a great record without LMA and DDR this season.

yiguiri2002 · 03-27-2021, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninjacookies

For as bad as they were without Steph, the Warriors have to be on this list if you subtract the same from the rest of the league.

Oubre, Wiggins, Wiseman.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spacemanspif

And Draymond. Remember we already been missing Klay.

Haven't they been well under .500 without Curry?

Quote:

Originally Posted by drobfan8

I actually think the Spurs should be there

They have a great record without LMA and DDR this season.

I thought about them, I think they go after Suns and Nuggets. I haven't seen much of them but had the impression Murray was their second best player?

ninjacookies · 03-27-2021, 01:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spacemanspif

And Draymond. Remember we already been missing Klay.

I need to slap myself for that.

Yes, Draymond too. They're probably the only team in the league that has what could be a legit core of starters minus their top 2 guys. Poole's also been playing very good as of late.

ninjacookies · 03-27-2021, 01:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yiguiri2002

Haven't they been well under .500 without Curry?

Your experiment only works if you keep it constant to all other 31 teams.

Most (if not all) would struggle to be .500 squads against complete teams minus their 2 best guys. With the exception of maybe Brooklyn. But Flat Earth could be a net negative dolo without his native american sage spirits.

ALBASKETBALL · 03-27-2021, 01:28 AM

I like this topic on a broader All-Time level. Would a team like the 2004 Pistons be the best? Maybe one of the Spurs championship teams? or would the Lakers/Celtics dynasty teams still prevail? Could be a good debate.

thejazzcollector · 03-27-2021, 01:45 AM

Might be biased but I do think a starting lineup of Conley, Ingles, Royce, Bogdanovic. D Favors with Clarkson as 6th Man still, would be pretty dangerous, especially if other teams were also missing their best two.
I kind of like Boston though, especially now that they have got Fournier.

RogerGodahell · 03-27-2021, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yiguiri2002

I was thinking about this while watching the Jazz-Nets game the other day...the Nets were without their Big 3 and had no chance. I figured that maybe with Harden they would have one...so, what are the top teams in the league taking away their Top 2 players?

My list:

1. Nets (Kyrie, Harris, DJ, Claxton)
2. Bucks (Middleton, Lopez, DDV)
3. Jazz (Conley, Ingles, Clarkson)
4. 76ers (Harris, Green, Curry)
5. Celtics (Walker, Smart, Time Lord)

I have the Suns and the Nuggets right after them. It's much harder than expected once you get down to it.

You can now add Fournier to that list for the Celtics as well. I'm curious to see if they can turn things around. They've had a rough season but if they can get it going down the stretch for the playoffs you never know. Time Lord has been great on defense. Averaging nearly 2 blocks a game on only 17 mins. I wouldn't mind seeing him as a starter getting more mins. 2 steals and 5 blocks vs the Bucks in 27 mins.

hairyangryfella · 03-27-2021, 02:12 AM

The Suns without Paul and Booker still have Ayton and a decent squad.
The Heat without Bam and Butler are also reasonably well rounded (though no bigs after moving Leonard and Olynik).
The Hawks as well without Trae and Collins are relatively handy (and arguably underachieving this year).

drobfan8 · 03-27-2021, 04:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yiguiri2002

Haven't they been well under .500 without Curry?

I thought about them, I think they go after Suns and Nuggets. I haven't seen much of them but had the impression Murray was their second best player?

DDR and Aldridge have been All Stars pretty recently..

I think you'll find the Spurs woild probably whoop all the teams you mentioned.

LMA has hardly played this season and DDR has missed time also.

Coach Pop would run rings around the other coaches.

And if you want to take Dejounte out and DDR and give us a healthy LMA than we're still better than most.

Forever underrated. Sigh

03-26-2021, 11:39 PM	#1
yiguiri2002 Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Torrance, CA Posts: 12,574 afigueroaquevedo2002 yiguiri2002	Best team in the NBA without their Top 2 players I was thinking about this while watching the Jazz-Nets game the other day...the Nets were without their Big 3 and had no chance. I figured that maybe with Harden they would have one...so, what are the top teams in the league taking away their Top 2 players? My list: 1. Nets (Kyrie, Harris, DJ, Claxton) 2. Bucks (Middleton, Lopez, DDV) 3. Jazz (Conley, Ingles, Clarkson) 4. 76ers (Harris, Green, Curry) 5. Celtics (Walker, Smart, Time Lord) I have the Suns and the Nuggets right after them. It's much harder than expected once you get down to it. __________________ Basketball Sets: Threads Century Greats Jerseys - Innovation Stat Line Jerseys Soccer Sets: 2018 World Cup Prizm Peru Parallels - 2015 Select Soccer Peru Parallels Players: Red Bulls Parallels, 17-18 Thibs Prizms, Soccer Legends Autos

03-26-2021, 11:43 PM	#2
ninjacookies Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: All the girls see the (boi)/ Look at his flips / Look at his kards / All they say is (oh boi). Posts: 57,063	For as bad as they were without Steph, the Warriors have to be on this list if you subtract the same from the rest of the league. Oubre, Wiggins, Wiseman. __________________ #5 world ranked Ledell Eackles superclection as recognized by Tuff Stuff junior managing editor, Barry McCaulkinner. Somethin' like a cross between Teddy Aguhob and Kaboom Mystery Packs. I got that Givenchy denim flow.

03-27-2021, 12:10 AM	#4
drobfan8 Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 17,849 drobfan8 drobfan8	I actually think the Spurs should be there They have a great record without LMA and DDR this season. __________________ Wanted, 03/04 Exquisite Base Gold Tim Duncan and 05/06 Exquisite Base Gold /25 Michael Jordan

03-27-2021, 01:45 AM	#9
thejazzcollector Member Join Date: Feb 2020 Posts: 897 bl15bas71	Might be biased but I do think a starting lineup of Conley, Ingles, Royce, Bogdanovic. D Favors with Clarkson as 6th Man still, would be pretty dangerous, especially if other teams were also missing their best two. I kind of like Boston though, especially now that they have got Fournier. __________________ PC: Donovan Mitchell, Steph, Kareem, Jimmer Fredette IG: thejazzcollector

03-27-2021, 01:28 AM	#8
ALBASKETBALL Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,113	I like this topic on a broader All-Time level. Would a team like the 2004 Pistons be the best? Maybe one of the Spurs championship teams? or would the Lakers/Celtics dynasty teams still prevail? Could be a good debate.

03-27-2021, 02:12 AM	#11
hairyangryfella Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: New Zealand Posts: 13,219	The Suns without Paul and Booker still have Ayton and a decent squad. The Heat without Bam and Butler are also reasonably well rounded (though no bigs after moving Leonard and Olynik). The Hawks as well without Trae and Collins are relatively handy (and arguably underachieving this year).