It Takes Two, Baby

While playoff races are staying tight at this point of the campaign, the NBA is also stirring the pot on their awards season. You know the drill for these kinds of honors. Over the course of the next month or two, some person will receive a trophy for their value, their defense, even their effectiveness to combine butt splinters with floor burns.

But all of these awards are for individuals. It's a case of one for all ... and a nice piece of hardware. Even the acknowledgment of being an All-NBA team member is based on isolated talents.

There is one award that focuses on the team. That would be the Larry O'Brien trophy obtained by the NBA Finals victor. However, as far as arbitrary praise for a grueling regular season, the applause seems to go to one man per prize.

I wonder about something, though. If one man can mean so much to a team, what is the impact of an equally important teammate? A star guard can dish, drive, and shoot. Big-time big men get the board, swats, and tough points. But what's wrong with a combination of the talents into a dynamic duo?

Should every team have this at their disposal? In theory ... yes. Then again, you do have teams (i.e. Atlanta, Golden State, and New York) where the concept hasn't caught on yet. I think that a tandem should be awarded for lifting up their team to great heights. Think about it. Where would Michael Jordan be without Scottie Pippen? What about Karl Malone without John Stockton? Or Shaquille O'Neal without Kobe Bryant?

These duets sang some pretty good music together on the basketball court. Why not reward both members of the group? That's where a new postseason award should come in. An honor that rewards great play from not just one, but two outstanding players. That's why I'm here to present the Association with the prototype for the Teammate, or NBA Jam©, award.

Wait a minute ... the what?!?

That's right. I said it. The NBA Jam© award. For those not in the know, the NBA Jam franchise was a series of video games that featured two-on-two contests pitting real stars from the pros against each other in a fantasy format. Think of it as the ancestor to today's NBA Ballers© and NBA Hoopz© franchises.

If you grew up in the '90s, I'm betting you still remember leaping about 20 feet for that backboard-shattering dunk. You can probably still hear the "he's on fire" call when you hit a couple shots in real life. You still laugh at the thought of flailing elbows and scurrying defenders.

While the actuality of those scenarios won't happen at an arena near you, the spirit of a great tandem on the court should be officially recognized by the league. I believe it would add a little more fun to the serious business of awarding the best.

And in hopes of this announcement making it to the ears of the NBA offices, let me give them a little help. Here's my list of the duo candidates for the 2005-2006 NBA Jam award.

Finalists: Tim Duncan and Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs

It's tough to just choose these two because San Antonio puts such a high value on team ball. However, these are the two most important cogs in the system (Manu Ginobili is a razor-thin distance behind). Parker leads the team in points (19.2), assists (5.9), and the ultra-important smokin' celebrity girlfriend category.

Timmy D, meanwhile, is his usual self. His 18.5 points and 11.1 rebounds per game are impressive. Then there's the intimidating presence of his 2.0 blocks that keeps opponents out of his lane. Is there any question why the defending champs are near the top again this year?

Finalists: Steve Nash and Shawn Marion, Phoenix Suns

It was supposed to be Nash and Amare Stoudemire in this category, but Marion has been an outstanding fill-in. The 6'7" forward has been amazing this season, averaging 21.4 points and 12.1 boards a contest. Marion also has a defensive presence, with almost 2 steals and blocks a game.

Nash (19.2 ppg, 10.4 apg) is only reminding everyone why he's the reigning (and possibly continuing) MVP. We know one thing. The Canadian has found his niche in the Valley of the Sun.

Finalists: Dwayne Wade and Shaquille O'Neal, Miami Heat

The second coming of Shaq and Kobe continues to play nice together. The Diesel is plodding through another successful campaign, even though his motor is slowing down (20.3 ppg, 9.2 rpg). Even though O'Neal is averaging more than six points and two rebounds below his career numbers, I don't think anyone would choose another running mate to patrol the paint.

Wade is in a fight with LeBron James for props as the most complete player in the league. Flash's numbers (27.5 ppg, 6.8 apg, 5.8 rpg, 1.92 spg) are astonishing, especially with the infusion of big names and ballhogs into the Heat lineup this season.

Champions: Sam Cassell and Elton Brand, Los Angeles Clippers

"Sam I Am" finally got out of Minneapolis, and he's making a huge impact in the big city. Cassell's numbers (17.3 ppg, 6.3 apg) and, more importantly, experience were possibly the biggest acquisitions in the league last offseason. Brand (24.8 ppg, 10.1 rpg) has always been a stud as a pro, but he's taken his game up a level this season and received a couple of whispers for MVP votes.

Thanks to these two, the Clips are enjoying successes they haven't felt since 1997 (last playoff appearance) and 1992 (last time above .500). This has to be the best press the team has received since the NBA Jam© franchise came out. Maybe the team can win a title outside of a pixilated arena.

What's that? You object to my pick for Teammates of the Year? All right, all of you out there, raise your hands if you expected the Clippers were going to make the playoffs this year. That's what I thought. 'Nuff said.