When KG and Starbury Ruled The World

The list of my favorite NBA duos of all time looks like this: Michael and Scottie, Kobe and Shaq, Isiah and Joe D. Each of those duos won multiple titles together and represented different eras for the league. Zeke and Dumars' glory days were sandwiched in between the 80s (which belonged to Magic and Larry) and MJ's dominance of the 90s. And before splitting up in dramatic fashion, Kobe and Shaq brought trophies back to L.A. while ushering in the 21st century.

In my heart, however, a special spot will always be reserved for a duo that never got the chance to accomplish what all of those others did. Just as MJ's singular dominance on the League was coming to an end, and Kobe and Shaq were about to assume his place, two players joined forces to form what was supposed to become the next great dynasty. The two players in question are Kevin Garnett and Stephon Marbury.

For just over two seasons, they formed perhaps the most exciting combination in the entire Assocation. They had everything going for them: magazines rushed to plaster their mugs on covers; alley-oops were just as likely to occur on the Wolves' fast break as they were in their halfcourt offense; the keys to the franchise were handed to them; people were openly speculating if they were hip hop's answer to Stockton and Malone; championships seemed to be only a short distance away; and the world was theirs for the taking.

Of course, they would go on to win exactly zero titles together (not even a playoff series), and even though they eventually settled their differences, what had become a very close friendship suffered after Marbury left. As you know, both men have gone on to lead less than satisfying careers in different cities. Now, as I watch this current Timberwolves team struggle through another surely disappointing season, I can't help but recall a happier time, a time when KG and Starbury seemed on the verge of joining the list of legendary duos.