NBA Power Rankings: The Best Combinations by the Numbers

Here's the task. Going by the numbers take the best combinations going from one to five on the court. I'll start with the best player (which I suppose technically isn't a "combination" but I'll run with it  anyway. Then the best two player combination, three player combination, four player combination and finally starting five in the NBA. 

One catch, no  player can be used twice. The reason being it keeps us from having the Heat horde up the top three mostly. Otherwise it's just no fun. So let's get started. 

One: LeBron James

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - JANUARY 30: Forward LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat during play against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Ford Center on January 30, 2011 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by download

Regardless of how you feel about him, the numbers speak for themselves. Yes, LeBron James is the best player in the NBA. I know about the Decision. I know about the playoffs. I know about all that. I also know that when it comes out to the simple event of playing basketball, no one in the world is better than LeBron. Kobe Bryant is the greatest, but LeBron is the best. 

Other players in consideration were Kobe, Kevin Durant, Chris Paul, Derrick Rose and Dwight Howard. 

Two: Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 21: Teammates Kevin Durant #35 and Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma Thunder warmup before the start of their game against the Charlotte Bobcats at Time Warner Cable Arena on December 21, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOT

Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook are the best two player tandem in the NBA outside of Miami. In terms of total stats, the Miami Heat duo and the Oklahoma City duo account for four of the top nine players in the NBA.

My first instinct was to put Kobe and Pau here, but I can't vindicate it based on the numbers. It's very close, but not quite there. The Lakers combo combines for 67.7 points/rebounds and assists. The Thunder combo, 74.8. If it were closer, I'd let defense tip the balance. It's just not close enough though. 

Also in consideration were Boozer/Rose, Stoudemire/Felton, Paul/West and Gordon/Griffin

Three: Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker, Tim Duncan

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

SAN ANTONIO - MAY 27: (M) Tony Parker #9 and Manu Ginobili #20 of the San Antonio Spurs talk while Tim Duncan #21 stands alongside while taking on the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Four of the Western Conference Finals during the 2008 NBA Playoffs on May 27

I was thinking there should be an MV3 award. This trio is the best in the NBA including the Miami big three. Sure stats might not show it, but the NBA's best record does. Honestly this was the easiest decision to make. This trio isn't just the best right now, but one of the best ever, and certainly the most underrated. All the G.O.A.T. conversations that omit Tim Duncan are short-sighted. He's a top 10-12 player in the history of the league, and may well be greater than Kobe Bryant. And that's a compliment to the greatness of Kobe to say that. 

Other trios considered: Kobe/Pau/Lamar, Rose, Boozer, and Noah; Rondo,Garnett and Pierce; Williams, Millsap, Jefferson 

Four: Derrick Rose, Carlos Boozer, Luol Deng, Joakim Noah

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 01: (L-R) Loul Deng #9, Derrick Rose #1 and Joakim Noah #13 of the Chicago Bulls watch their teammates during a loss to the Orlando Magic at the United Center on December 1, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Magic defeated the Bulls 10

The Bulls top four is a big part of the reason they are in second place in the Eastern Conference in spite of the injuries to two of the four. Luol Deng is starting to earn some respect around the league. He's averaging 17 points per game and routinely been the guy to guard the other team's best player and guard them well. As a foursome they combine for over 120 points, rebounds and assists per game, the highest of any foursome in the NBA.

Other quatros I considered were Rondo,Allen,Garnett, and Pierce, and Howard, Turkoglu, Richardson and Nelson.

Five: Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Kendrick Perkins

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

PHOENIX, AZ - JANUARY 28: (L-R) Rajon Rondo #9, Shaquille O'Neal #36, Kendrick Perkins #43 and Ray Allen #20 of the Boston Celtics react while sitting on the bench during the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on January 28, 2011 in P

Through most of the season the Celtics have had the best passer in the league trying to figure out which of the four Hall of Famers on the court he wants to pass to. Now that Perkins is back they've "upgreaded" from one of those Hall of Famers. How can you argue against that? The Celtics have the best starting five in the NBA, period. 

Also in consideration: Dallas? Lakers? It is difficult to say anyone is even close. Who else has a guy the caliber of Perkins/Shaq as the fifth best starter?