New article on ESPN + by Tim Bontemps ranks each team by top 3 stars.
Article starts with “For decades, the concept of a big three as the core of an NBA team has been a defining characteristic of the league.”
Here are the top 9
1. Celtics: Tatum, Brown, White
2. Thunder: SGA, Williams, Chet
3. Nuggets: Jokic, Murray, Gordon
4. Mavericks: Luka, Kyrie, Lively
5. Bucks: Giannis, Lillard, Lopez,
6. Sixers: Embiid, Maxey, PG
7. Knicks: Brunson, OG, KAT
8. Cavs: Mitchell, Garland, Mobley
9. Grizz: Ja, JJJ, Bane
The disrespect is almost laughable at this point. Grizz vs errbody.
5 comments
It’s a weird list for sure. I mean, Luka and Kyrie are doing a ton of the heavy lifting to bring Mavs up to 4, and the same goes for Giannis and Dame at number 5. Also crazy to think they have a big 3 in New York that ignores Mikal Bridges, especially considering what they gave up for him.
This whole list is just working backwards to support a flawed narrative and it shows.
To be fair, this is just recency bias. ESPN is just a rag meant to churn clicks and lock eyes. So they focus on large markets and current trend… aaaaaand our big 3 haven’t all been healthy together in so long I can’t remember. But also… Memphis vs Errybody!
The only ones on the list above the Grizzlies at this point that’s questionable is the Bucks. Lillard and Lopez are fairly washed. Don’t know that there’s a strong claim that the others shouldn’t be above the Grizzlies. It’s not a list of potential but rather recognized talent.
I mean, we’re 10-7. Not exactly setting the west on fire currently. Ja has also barely played in two years. Bane has had his own injury problems too.
I wouldn’t necessarily call this list disrepectful considering we’ve barely seen all 3 on the court together recently.
I respect Bontemp’s opinion and to his point; the core 3 haven’t exactly played a lot of games together over the past two seasons due to injury and off court stuff, and we haven’t won a playoff series since 2022. I believe in our core trio and look forward to use reestablishing our dominance, but to cry bias here shows a lack of awareness to our reality.