The Jazz's newest dynamic duos


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SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Jazz featured one of the most dynamic duos in NBA history. John Stockton and Karl Malone combined for 24 All-Star appearances, two trips to the finals and four Olympic gold medals. Both were first ballot Hall-of-Famers and hold a series of NBA records from their time in Utah.

The fad behind the dynamic duo, popular in the 1990s with Stockton and Malone, Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp, Shaquille O'Neal and Penny Hardaway, has given way to the Big Three. It originated with Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker, was made popular with Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen and was cemented with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.

Now the Big Three may be giving way to the Death Lineup, which is pretty much seen only in Golden State, with five smaller players on the floor all capable of scoring inside and out and switching most positions defensively.

The Jazz meanwhile have found two sets of duos that appear ready to carry the team over the next several seasons.

Hayward and Hood

First, the Jazz wing combination of Gordon Hayward and Rodney Hood has turned into a playmaking combination unlike many in the NBA. Hood and Hayward are both at 6-foot-8, capable of attacking the rim, posting up smaller defenders and making deep shots, in addition to setting up other players on the floor. Since Jan. 1, the two wings have combined to average 40 points, 8.8 rebounds and seven assists.

Only six teams in the NBA have wing combinations that average a combined 40 points per game, and of those only Portland isn't currently in the playoff picture.

Even fewer teams have a combination of players on the wing with that height. With both players standing 6-foot-8, opposing defenses will continue to have a tough time matching up with two players at that size, capable of scoring and making plays for each other.

While some fans may wonder if the Jazz will have to pick either Hood or Hayward going forward as their go-to offensive player, the team will be best served keeping them together.

Rodney Hood (5), Alec Burks (10) and Gordon Hayward (20) of the Utah Jazz celebrate their win over Memphis during NBA basketball at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015. (Photo: Ravell Call/Deseret News)
Rodney Hood (5), Alec Burks (10) and Gordon Hayward (20) of the Utah Jazz celebrate their win over Memphis during NBA basketball at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015. (Photo: Ravell Call/Deseret News)

Favors and Gobert

The Jazz's second dynamic duo is one of the most unique in the NBA, and it's the frontcourt combination of Derrick Favors and Rudy Gobert. Favors and Gobert combine to average 3.9 blocks per game, the highest average of any duo not partnering with Miami's Hassan Whiteside.

Favors and Gobert combine to make up the Jazz's second best regularly used lineup, with a net rating (a measurement of the team's points minus the opponent's points over 100 possessions) of +7.6. It's one of the top 10 starting frontcourt duos in the entire league.

Since returning from injury, the Jazz have won six of seven games with Derrick Favors in the lineup, and are unbeaten with Favors playing 20 minutes or more. Favors has scored in double digits each outing.

What remains for the Jazz to make the jump from a group of dynamic duos to a starting lineup to be considered one of the best in the NBA is to lock in a full-time starter at point guard. Before Dante Exum's injury, he appeared to be the heir apparent, with the majority of the point guard minutes shifting between Raul Neto and Trey Burke in his absence.

While neither the duo of Hood and Hayward nor Favors and Gobert will rival the output seen from Stockon and Malone, perhaps the two duos can combine to get the Jazz back to their once prominent position atop the Western Conference.

It's a look at two sets of duos that have the Jazz trending in the right direction for the Western Conference playoffs.


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About the Author: Ben Anderson ------------------------------

Ben Anderson is the co-host of Gunther in the Afternoon with Kyle Gunther on 1320 KFAN from 3-7, Monday through Friday. Read Ben's Utah Jazz blog at 1320kfan.com, and follow him on Twitter @BenKFAN.

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