Kevin Durant-Russell Westbrook and 10 Best 1-2 Punches Under 25

As each and every NBA franchise aims to build their respective rosters into championship contenders, a proven strategy has begun to run rampant throughout the nation. While the free agency-driven Big Threes have gained momentum, what we have always seen are elite 1-2 punches that lead their respective teams to glory.

In 2012-13, that will be no different.

The question is, who are those elite tandems? More importantly who are the pairings of tomorrow that will lead their units to titles?

To answer that question the answer can be found within the youth of the league. The group of players who are under 25, to be specific, as each will progress and develop alongside their respective partners.

As for who these players are, the following slides will offer insight to just that. Let's take a look at who may the dominant duos of tomorrow will be.

10. Ryan Anderson & Anthony Davis, New Orleans Hornets

Ryan Anderson's Age: 24

Anderson's Position: Power Forward

Anthony Davis' Age: 19

Davis' Position: Power Forward/Center

Although this tandem has yet to step onto an NBA court, there may not be a better big man duo under 25. While we could speculate about Sacramento's Thomas Robinson and DeMarcus Cousins and Detroit's Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond, this pairing holds a slight edge in legitimacy due to Davis' Team USA experience.

As for how the tandem will play together, consider this the best possible outcome for Anderson.

This past season, Anderson took home the Most Improved Player of the Year award. The reason behind this honor was the sharpshooting 4's ability to stretch the floor with Dwight Howard in the paint. This time around, it will be first overall draft choice Davis who plays a similar role.

Davis may not be the most polished offensive force, but he's a force on the glass. For that reason, his defender must hold him accounted for at all times, thus, opening up one-on-one opportunities for Anderson.

On the other end, Anderson's weak defense can be made up for by Davis' elite shot blocking. This is, once again, similar to the role Howard played in making up for Anderson's shortcomings.

All in all, this combination is lethal and ready to make their mark on the NBA.

9. Brandon Knight & Greg Monroe, Detroit Pistons

Brandon Knight's Age: 20

Knight's Position: Point Guard

Greg Monroe's Age: 22

Monroe's Position: Center

Detroit Pistons fans will inevitably argue that this tandem should be higher on the list. This comes with good reason as these two may be the most compatible of any tandem listed.

In fact, Knight and Monroe have the type of fundamentally sound skill set that compliment each other, a type of pairing that resemble that of Malone-and-Stockton's. This, of course, is not to suggest that the two will reach that legendary level, but instead to describe how they make each other a better player.

Knight may not have been a star during his rookie season, but he's one of the more rapidly developing players in the league. While he is of a shoot-first nature Knight is sound in the pick-and-roll and is very solid on defense.

Oh, and did we mention that Knight has crazy handles?

This makes Knight a strange fit alongside Rodney Stuckey, but a perfect one for Monroe. Monroe, who is offensive-minded in his own right, has needed a pick-and-roll artist to work with since entering the league two years ago.

Knight has proven to be just that, as he helped lead Monroe to much-improved numbers of 15.4 points and 9.7 rebounds per game.

Together this tandem could be the next great point guard and center grouping. They could also provide the necessary offense to a team looking to return to their defensive ways, thus, creating a legitimate postseason contender.

One way or another, the success of this team flows through Knight and Monroe's hands.

8. Stephen Curry & Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors

Stephen Curry's Age: 24

Curry's Position: Point Guard

Klay Thompson's Age: 22

Thompson's Position: Shooting Guard

If Curry could just remain healthy, this combination would be of elite status.

While many have forgotten about Curry's status as one of the better point guards in the game, his injuries cannot trump his talent. When on the court, the 24-year-old is one of the game's elite three-point shooters and as versatile a player as you'll find at the position.

Career averages of 17.5 points, 5.8 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game should offer insight into that.

As for Thompson, last year's breakout rookie started slow but emerged into one of the game's premier shooting guards. From March 14 on, Thompson quietly averaged 18.8 points per game. Thompson did this while shooting upwards of 40 percent from distance for the season.

His development into a legitimate slashing scorer only further bolsters his status as a star on the rise.

While both of these players lack defensive fundamentals, each is an explosive enough option on offense to make a legitimate difference in the outcome of a game. Both can light it up from distance and are versatile enough to contribute in a variety of ways.

Should this tandem find some defensive consistency, they could make their case for the most promising young back court in the NBA. Once again, however, the lack of experience together hurts their stock.

7. DeMarcus Cousins & Tyreke Evans, Sacramento Kings

DeMarcus Cousins' Age: 22

Cousins' Position: Center

Tyreke Evans' Age: 22

Evans' Position: Guard/Forward

Admittedly, I've been one of the harshest critics of Evans since he entered the league without a position in 2009. After reviewing hours of game film, however, I must admit defeat in one instance.

Evans has a legitimately bright future with the Sacramento Kings.

Evans may not be your conventional player, but he's an elite slasher with the physical abilities to lead a team through the postseason. The issue for Evans is that he has never had consistency surrounding him, as coaches have changed throughout his three-year tenure and his position is in constant flux.

With a second consecutive season under head coach Keith Smart, Evans should have a more defined role in 2012-13. He should also find that his partner in crime, Cousins, is the perfect player for him to grow with.

Cousins may not be known for much more than his consistent criticism from the higher-ups, but the kid can ball. His averages of 18.1 points, 11.0 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.2 blocks per game suggest he is already elite while his turnover and foul numbers prove he has a slight way to go.

With maturity should come an even greater level of dominance at the NBA level.

Together this tandem could be the next big thing in the NBA. Evans has the ability to light up a box score while Cousins is one of the best scorers and rebounders in the NBA. In fact, his average of 14.4 rebounds per 40 minutes is actually higher than that of Kevin Love's 13.7.

As long as the two continue to develop themselves in their respective ways, there will be no way around this: the Kings have two elite prospects.

6. Danilo Gallinari & Ty Lawson, Denver Nuggets

Danilo Gallinari's Age: 24

Gallinari's Position: Small Forward

Ty Lawson's Age: 24

Lawson's Position: Point Guard

If we're honest with this situation, Gallinari has not progressed in the way that many had expected of him. Regardless of that fact, there are few pairings in the NBA with as much explosiveness and scoring ability as this tandem has proved to possess.

Through all of his shortcomings, Gallinari remains one of the more respected players at his position. He's a respectable shooter with a career mark of 36.8 percent from distance while averaging 14.0 points per game through four years, numbers that are likely to increase with his first full training camp in a Denver Nuggets uniform.

Lawson, meanwhile, took his first steps towards becoming a star during the 2012 NBA postseason. Lawson, who has always been able to push the pace in transition, established himself as a half court killer.

His averages of 19.0 points and 6.0 assists per game came as a direct result of such improvements.

Should these two be able to work together during the 2012-13 season, their ranking on this list will inevitably rise. Both are two of the league's premier players at their positions, and they are as unstoppable as any tandems are in the league.

For that reason, this proven duo finds their way onto this list.

5. Blake Griffin & DeAndre Jordan, Los Angeles Clippers

Blake Griffin's Age: 23

Griffin's Position: Power Forward

DeAndre Jordan Age: 24

Jordan's Position: Center

The Los Angeles Clippers' pairing of Griffin and Jordan does not receive the credit they truly deserve. From their athletically gifted ways to the proper combination of offensive focus and defensive prowess, this is a potentially elite tandem whether critics of Jordan's lack of fundamentals want to accept it or not.

Griffin is an explosive power forward who has become as known for his ferocious dunking ability as he has been over-criticized for other aspects of his game. For instance, Griffin is a much better low-post scorer than acknowledged, although he could still seriously improve in that department.

Jordan, meanwhile, is the perfect complement.

Although Jordan's fundamentals are weak, the 24-year-old center is an elite shot blocker who can dominate the glass. For those in need of proof, during games in which Jordan played at least 30 minutes, he averaged 9.8 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game.

Through a season of fluctuating playing time, Jordan still managed to average 8.3 rebounds and 2.0 swats.

If Jordan and Griffin can progress fundamentally on both ends of the floor, we could be seeing the next great front court pairing in motion. Should that occur during the 2012-13 NBA season, they could compete for the top spot.

4. Andrew Bynum & Evan Turner, Philadelphia 76ers

Andrew Bynum's Age: 24

Bynum's Position: Center

Evan Turner's Age: 23

Turner's Position: Guard/Forward

Evan Turner is an up-and-coming force in the NBA whose season averages from 2012 don't truly reflect how significant his development was. Not only did Turner emerge as one of the Philadelphia 76ers' primary ball handlers, but he also emerged as an elite rebounder for his position and a reliable option on both ends of the floor.

It's a progression that is certain to improve with the arrival of a legitimate star finding his way to Philadelphia.

That star, of course, is none other than Bynum. The All-Star and unanimous selection for the second-best center in the game, Bynum should offer the Philadelphia 76ers what they've lacked since... Well, since they believed in Derrick Coleman (for some reason).

Bynum will pound it down low and provide the Sixers with an elite scoring threat in the paint. While Elton Brand was respectable, this is the first time that Doug Collins has had a true attention-grabber down low.

As a result, expect Turner to have a breakout season.

Turner is not a profound jump shooter, but with space, he can knock down a three or a two. This opens up the opportunity for Turner to attack the basket and draw fouls in the way that he used to while attending Ohio State.

While it'd be outrageous to label Turner as Bynum's new Kobe, it's not outrageous to imagine the pairing functioning in the same way. The main difference here, however, is that Turner is capable of running the pick-and-roll.

Expect big things out of Philadelphia.

3. Kevin Love & Ricky Rubio, Minnesota Timberwolves

Kevin Love's Age: 23

Love's Position: Power Forward

Ricky Rubio's Age: 21

Rubio's Position: Point Guard

When you have the best power forward in the league, it's not hard to imagine your pairing finding their way onto this list. When you also have one of the elite facilitators in the game today, it's hard to explain why your tandem isn't in the top spot.

Unfortunately, this grouping has a postseason drought, a lack of time together and a history of injuries. For Minnesota Timberwolves fans, be thrilled with this position.

Ricky Rubio entered the league as a highly-touted rookie during the 2011-12 NBA season. While many had high expectations, no one truly knew what they were going to get. After all, Rubio was more about hype than production as even his European numbers lacked luster.

Oh how pleasant a surprise can be.

Rubio was running step by step with the Cleveland Cavaliers' Kyrie Irving in the Rookie of the Year standings before falling victim to injury. This came as a result of his season averages of 10.6 points, 8.2 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game.

Numbers that would have seen Rubio rank sixth in assists and second in steals amongst all NBA players.

As for Kevin Love, the UCLA alum has made his name known for a handful of reasons. Most notably, Love is an elite scorer and, arguably, the best rebounder in the NBA. His averages of 26.0 points and 13.3 rebounds reflect his dominance in those categories.

Together, the duo became one of the most prolific offensive tandems in the game today. Love's scoring was at a career-best level, while Rubio ran the pick-and-roll to virtual perfection.

As long as the duo can remain healthy, expect big things out of the Ricky Rubio-to-Kevin Love connection.

2. Kevin Durant & James Harden, Oklahoma City Thunder

James Harden's Age: 23

Harden's Position: Shooting Guard

Kevin Durant's Age: 23

Durant's Position: Small Forward

Although another Oklahoma City Thunder pairing draws the headlines, Kevin Durant and James Harden just so happen to be one of the most efficient tandems in the NBA. Both score at a high rate and each have proven to be killers in the fourth quarter.

Together, it's safe to say that they are two of the most unstoppable forces in the NBA.

During the 2012 NBA season, the duo took home their fair share of NBA honors. Durant won his third consecutive scoring title while James Harden took home his first career Sixth Man of the Year award.

An honor that he's a favorite to garner once again in 2013.

As for what they bring to the table, it's quite the unique situation. Both players are sound ball handlers that are capable of facilitating an offense. They're also elite level scorers with effective shot selection and big time ability.

Although a certain teammate's athleticism and defensive prowess exceeds the level that Harden puts forth, there's no way around how dominant this tandem can be. After all, it was James Harden and Kevin Durant who were shining through three postseason rounds.

Let's just hope that James Harden will show up next time the NBA Finals roll around.

1. Kevin Durant & Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder

Kevin Durant's Age: 23

Durant's Position: Small Forward

Russell Westbrook's Age: 23

Westbrook's Position: Point Guard

There should be no question about this one. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder make for one of the best pairings this game has to offer, regardless of age.

When you consider that Durant and Westbrook combined for an average of 51.6 points per game, it's not hard to see why. The next best number came from LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, who collaborated for 49.2 points per game.

What's greatest about this young tandem, however, is how well they keep each other in check.

While Russell Westbrook has been heavily-criticized for his poor shot selection, Kevin Durant has always been the person who encourages him to play his style. With Westbrook blocking out the critics, he had a phenomenal season, despite posting a career-low in assists.

With Westbrook's aggression comes an elevated level of play from Kevin Durant. While his passive nature remains a concern, the fact that Russell Westbrook is always in attack mode gives Kevin Durant's holes to find and places to pick.

This elite scoring tandem comes in at first overall for their ability to pour in the points and positively influence one another. They boost their stock with the consideration of Russell Westbrook's elite perimeter defense and Kevin Durant's potential to reach that very level.

Durant's length and Westbrook's athleticism speak volumes to the perfection of their complementing nature.