DeAndre Ayton was selected number one overall by the Phoenix Suns in the 2018 NBA Draft, and he's wasting no time making his voice heard. He compared the newly formed duo of Devin Booker and himself to the historic pair of Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal. While many are quick to dismiss this as arrogant banter, what if we entertain the thought? Could this really be the NBA's next power duo, and one of legendary proportions at that? Let's start by removing the extreme: it would be outlandish and foolish to say Booker and Ayton will have careers that rival those of Kobe and Shaq. But in simpler terms, could the duo have a dominant three-year run like the two Hall of Fame Los Angeles Lakers did in the early 2000's? I think it's quite possible. Consider these two players: Player A: 22.5 PPG, 4.9 AST, 6.3 RPG, 47% FG Player B: 24.9 PPG, 4.7 AST, 4.5 RPG, 43% FG You could really go either way here, a slightly better rebounder and more effective...
by Billy Sakmann, B.S. Sports Management '17