The landscape of the NBA has changed across the country due to the crazy off-season.  The question of who will win the title floats around. Which duos will prevail?  Who will step up to the plate?   Who will catch fire?  

Let’s look at some of the best, newly formed duos around the league:

1. Los Angeles Clippers: Kawhi Leonard & Paul George

Last year, Kawhi Leonard had a year. At the beginning of the 2018 to 2019 season, he got traded to the Toronto Raptors on a one year deal, told the entire nation that he was a fun guy, hit one of the biggest shots in NBA history, beat the Warriors in the NBA Finals, and headed to his home town of LA with a championship ring.  

Out of the first 22 games for the Clips, Leonard has played 18 of them averaging 25.1 points and 7.9 rebounds, according to NBA.com.  This is about equal with last year where Leonard got 26.6 points, but only 7.3 rebounds.  So far Leonard has had help from other teammates, earning them the record of 17-7. 

Although two big contributors to Leonard’s success are Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell, it’s Paul George that rounds out this duo. It was Leonard who was able to get the Clippers to trade for  George with Oklahoma City Thunder. George, injured to start the season, has played 13 games and is now averaging 23 points per game and 6.2 rebounds on 45.4% shooting.  George is the second leading scorer on the Clippers and he completes the Clippers’ new duo that could defensively rival the Chicago Bulls duo of Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen.

2. Los Angeles Lakers: LeBron James & Anthony Davis

LeBron James made headlines when he left the Cleveland Cavaliers to play with the Lakers for the 2018 to 2019 season.  Likewise, Anthony Davis made headlines during the 2018 to 2019 season, deciding to sit out of numerous games with the New Orleans Pelicans to preserve his body for the next season, where it was rumored he would play with James in LA.  In the end, the Lakers sent Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, and Josh Hart, along with draft picks to New Orleans for Davis.  

Davis is now averaging 27.7 points and nine rebounds over 23 games leading the Lakers to a record of 21-3.  James, stating he would be taking a backseat role to Davis this season, is averaging 25.9 points and 10.8 assists.  The duo is accounting for 47% of the Lakers average points. Davis recently smashed 50 points on the Timberwolves in a Lakers win.

3. Philadelphia 76ers: Adding Josh Richardson & Al Horford

After losing Jimmy Butler, this offseason the 76ers brought in Al Horford and Josh Richardson.  These two players may not seem like players who come across as a super duo. However, Horford averaging 13.9 points and 6.7 rebounds and Richardson averaging 16.1 points on 45.6% shooting provided the two final pieces to a superteam, one of the only ones left in the league.  

With a lineup already consisting of Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid, and Tobias Harris, these two players can pick up the slack when one member of the team has an off night.  The Sixers currently have a record of 17-7, but they are slowly bonding and becoming more deadly.

Other Notable Changes

Kemba Walker: Charlotte Hornets to Boston Celtics

Kyrie Irving: Boston Celtics to Brooklyn Nets

Kevin Durant: Golden State Warriors to Brooklyn Nets

D’Angelo Russel: Brooklyn Nets to Golden State Warriors

Jimmy Butler: Philadelphia 76ers to Miami Heat

Malcom Brogdan: Milwaukee Bucks to Indiana Pacers

Julius Randell: New Orleans Pelicans to New York Knicks

Russell Westbrook: Oklahoma City Thunder to Houston Rockets

Mike Conely: Memphis Grizzlies to Utah Jazz

Despite all of the changes, many teams look the same.  The Los Angeles Clippers, Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets, Utah Jazz, and Oklahoma City Thunder are all pacing to make an appearance in the Western playoffs for the second year in a row.  The Eastern playoffs looks very similar to last year with only one new team, the 17-6 Miami Heat lead by Jimmy Butler and Kendrick Nunn.   

The league has transformed from one filled with superteams to one lead by dynamic duos.  This year everyone is playing to win.