Ranking the Best 'Big Threes' In NBA History

The 10 Best Big Threes In NBA History

Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics
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While it seems like Big Threes are just a part of the modern day NBA, they've obviously always been around. The label of Big Three became popular about six years ago, and it's taken off ever since.

With the concept of a Big Three in mind, let's take a look at the top trios in NBA history:

10. Suns - Steve Nash, Amare Stoudemire, Shawn Marion

2005 NBA All-Star Game Portraits
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10. Suns - Steve Nash, Amare Stoudemire, Shawn Marion

2005 NBA All-Star Game Portraits

This trio is the only one on the countdown that doesn't have a championship to show for its efforts. However, it doesn't mean that they weren't awesome and truly fun to watch back in the 2000s.

9. Lakers - Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor

Los Angeles Lakers
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9. Lakers - Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor

Los Angeles Lakers

These three NBA hall-of-famers teamed up in the late 1960s and early 1970s, winning one championship together in 1972.

8. Celtics - Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen

Boston Celtics v Los Angeles Clippers
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8. Celtics - Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen

Boston Celtics v Los Angeles Clippers

This trio really got some steam behind the term Big Three. The Celtics Big Three lived up to the hype in its first season, taking home the 2008 NBA title.

7. Heat - LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh

Miami Heat v Brooklyn Nets: Game Four
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7. Heat - LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh

Miami Heat v Brooklyn Nets: Game Four

While the trio of LBJ, D-Wade and Bosh is a great one, it's still only four years into its existence. If the Heat trio decides to stick together, it could easily rise to the top of the Big Three ranks.

6. Pistons - Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, Bill Laimbeer

1988 NBA Finals Game 5: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Detroit Pistons
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6. Pistons - Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, Bill Laimbeer

1988 NBA Finals Game 5: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Detroit Pistons

The three key pieces to the Bad Boys of Detroit wreaked havoc on the Eastern Confernce for many years in the 1980s. In total they made it to the conference finals in five straight seasons and won two NBA titles.

5. Celtics - Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Robert Parish

v Boston Celtics
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5. Celtics - Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Robert Parish

v Boston Celtics

While these guys may not look like straight up ballers -- they were. The Celtics ruled the 1980s along with the Lakers and Bird, Parish and McHale were the main reason why.

4. Celtics - Bill Russell, Bob Cousy, Tom Heinsohn

Boston Celtics team photo
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4. Celtics - Bill Russell, Bob Cousy, Tom Heinsohn

Boston Celtics team photo

This old timey Big Three three was part of the legendary Celtics teams that won eight straight titles during the 1950s and 1960s. Russell, Cousy and Heinsohn won five straight together.

3. Spurs - Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobli

San Antonio Spurs v Memphis Grizzlies - Game Four
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3. Spurs - Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobli

San Antonio Spurs v Memphis Grizzlies - Game Four

Even though these three have had tremendous success together over the past decade-plus (three titles), they're still somewhat underrated. Not on this list.

2. Lakers - Magic Johnson, James Worthy, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Los Angeles Lakers
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2. Lakers - Magic Johnson, James Worthy, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Los Angeles Lakers

How is success measured in the NBA? Rings. This trio won three rings together in the 1980s, while Kareem and Magic won a total of five together.

1. Bulls - Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman

Heat v Bulls
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1. Bulls - Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman

Heat v Bulls

You can argue that Jordan, Pippen and Horace Grant were the better big three in Chicago, but the Bulls reached new heights once Rodman came on board in 1996. Plus, Rodman is in the HOF, while Grant is not. Either way, this Big Three sets the standard.

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