Published by http://www.probasketballnews.com/ on 6/10/2008 There have been four trades in the NBA this year that could result in "twin tower" basketball becoming fashionable again. One way or another these tandems will have an impact on the NBA next season, and may force other teams to follow suit in order to keep pace.
For the uninitiated, in basketball terms, "twin towers" refers to a team that plays two guys on their frontline who are both capable of playing the center position. Typically, these players bring different skills to the table so as to compliment each other, rather than clash.
Looking back, there are two duos that come to mind when you think "twin towers" in the NBA. The Houston Rockets’ pairing of Hakeem Olajuwon and Ralph Sampson (1984-1988) and the San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan and David Robinson (1997-2003). While the Rockets were good, finishing runner-up to the Celtics in the 1986 Finals, the Spurs went one step further, winning the championship in 1999. Unless you were a Knicks fan, it was a thing of beauty watching Duncan and Robinson dominate their much smaller opponents. There were times when the Knick players appeared completely helpless against the twin tower assault.
Let’s examine the twin tower tandems of today’s NBA.:
LAKERS – Pau Gasol (7-0) and Andrew Bynum (7-1)
On paper this combination appears the most lethal. Because of Bynum’s mid-season knee injury we were denied the chance to see these two in action, but all indications are they will take the floor together for the 2008-09 season.
In Bynum you have an extremely young (20) and talented post player who was beginning to blossom in a major way prior to injury. He was averaging 13.1 points and 10.2 rebounds in 28.8 minutes per game. The work he put in with Laker assistant Karem Abdul-Jabbar really began to bear fruit, with his post moves, decision-making and defense all showing dramatic improvement. Simply put, for such a young man with so little experience, at times he looked awesome.
Coming over from the Grizzlies mid-season, Gasol was everything the Lakers hoped he would be. He picked up the triangle offense with remarkable ease and blended seamlessly with Kobe Bryant and the rest of the Lakers. Gasol proved that he is an elite post player in the NBA, with consistent scoring and exceptional passing ability for a big man. Although his defense and lack of toughness were exposed in the Finals, this was no great surprise, simply a case of "he is what he is." He is a highly skilled, finesse big man who plays very good team basketball. Defense is not a strong part of his game. If he doesn’t receive support in this area he will be exposed, as shown in the Finals.
With Bynum at the 5 and Gasol at the 4, interior defense will be less of a problem, as Bynum will handle the bulk of the inside dirty work, to which he is more suited. Playing further away from the basket, Gasol’s passing skills and shooting ability will be used to greater effect, while Bynum sets up closer to the basket. The only real area of concern will be Gasol’s ability to defend the more mobile power forwards in the league (i.e. Josh Smith, Antwan Jamison, Michael Beasley/Shawn Marion). However, as most of these players reside in the East, it shouldn’t be a factor in the bigger Western Conference. If it does become an issue, Phil Jackson would likely jiggle the lineup, with Lamar Odom guarding the more mobile bigs.
With their combination of skill and length this truly could be a devastating matchup for opposing teams. If they remain healthy, a return trip to the Finals should be the outcome.
RAPTORS – Jermaine O’Neal (6 -11) and Chris Bosh (6-10)
Both Jermaine O’Neal and Chris Bosh are technically power forwards, but in today’s NBA they can more than hold their own at the center position. Again, health will be a factor due to O’Neal’s injury-riddled past, but if he can stay on the floor, and that’s a big if, it could be a dynamic combination.
Bosh is a superstar in the NBA, but by playing for the Toronto Raptors he keeps a low profile. However, he is widely recognized as one of the best big men in the league, he’s a perennial All-Star, an All-NBA performer and Olympian. He can do it all -- rebound, defend, shoot, play inside and outside. Team him up with a healthy O’Neal and the results could be spectacular.
O’Neal is quite similar to Bosh in many respects but he does possess a more refined low post, back-to-the-basket game. Like Bosh, he’s a strong rebounder and capable defender. O’Neal’s on-court performance is not in question, rather the amount of time he spends on the trainer's table instead of the basketball court. I for one hope he stays injury free because with O’Neal at the 5 and Bosh at the 4, they will be an absolute nightmare to defend. They’re both 20-10 guys in their own right, so together -- with their versatility, all-around skill and explosiveness -- they will be a formidable tandem in the Eastern Conference.
CLIPPERS – Marcus Camby (6-11) and Chris Kaman (7-0)
Not as sexy as the other two but intriguing none the less. Both players complement one another, with Camby known for defense and Kaman for offense. At 26 years old, Kaman is a good young center with a surprisingly well-rounded game. Despite losing focus in the previous season (the by-product of signing a massive 5-year $52.5 million extension), he returned to form during '07-08 with career-best averages of 15.7 points and 12.7 rebounds per game. Kaman is a highly skilled offensive player and underrated rebounder, and should continue to improve in the coming years.
Camby’s defense is exactly what the doctor ordered for the Clips. He won the defensive player of the year in '07 and makes his living as a standout shotblocker and team defender. He seems to be an unselfish player -- which is an added bonus for the young Clippers. With Kaman at the 5 and Camby at the 4, it will give the Clippers an imposing frontline that will cause major headaches for opposition coaches.
SUNS – Amare Stoudamire (6-10) and Shaquille O’Neal (7-1)
This combo looks great on paper, but it wasn’t enough to get the Suns past the Spurs in the first round of the playoffs. On a positive note, the trade for O’Neal rejuvenated Stoudamire by freeing him up defensively, and thus allowing him to be even more dominant on the offensive end. However, the reality is that Shaq’s well past his prime and no longer able to control a game the way he once did.
The only way for the Suns to get optimal production out of O’Neal while enhancing his durability would be to reduce his playing time, perhaps limiting him to short-sharp bursts. Fifteen-to-20 minutes per game, or no more than 5 minutes per quarter would be ideal. He simply cannot handle the riggers of a full NBA season anymore and therefore must be treated like the veteran role player he is. At a hefty $20 million per year that’s a bitter pill to swallow, but the team’s success will ultimately depend on it.
BLAZERS – Greg Oden (7-0) and LaMarcus Aldridge (6-11)
This pairing is downright scary. Should Oden recover from his knee injury and fulfil his potential as the NBA's next great center, and Aldridge continues his rise as one of the best power forwards in the game, everyone beware. The Trail Blazers will have set themselves up to be a powerhouse club over the next decade.
I don't ever recall a more talented PF-C pairing than these two developing together on the same team. In fact, nothing comes close. With Oden 20 years old and Aldridge 23, the potential is there for them to become one of the best big man combos ever. Portland fans, sit back and enjoy the ride. It could be special.
