Are Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol the NBA’s Best Post-Perimeter Duo?

The Los Angeles Lakers can thank Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol for their win against the Oklahoma City Thunder Tuesday night, because if the duo hadn't stepped up, the series could have a much different look than it does now.

The Lakers were able to take a commanding two-game lead against the Thunder because of the 64 points scored by Bryant and Gasol combined on a night where no other Laker reached double figures.

The 64 points accounted for more than two-thirds of the Lakers' total of 95, and Bryant's 15-point fourth quarter proved the deciding factor against an Oklahoma City team that plays nothing like an eight seed.

The Thunder are young but supremely talented, and they have one of the league's brightest stars in forward Kevin Durant, who was able to find his offensive game after a dismal showing in Game One.

Durant scored 32 points, and his teammates responded to being dominated in the paint in Game One by blocking 17 Lakers' field-goal attempts, and preventing Andrew Bynum from controlling the interior.

The Thunder did everything necessary to win except slowing Bryant and Gasol, so instead of heading back to the Ford Center with the series tied, Oklahoma City must now climb out of a two-game hole.

There is no question Bryant and Gasol are one of the more talented perimeter-post combinations in the league, but after witnessing Tuesday's dominant performance, I have to wonder, are they the best?

Few teams have two players with the ability to dominate a game either from the post or the perimeter, and that talent becomes paramount once the postseason begins.

San Antonio with their combination of Tim Duncan and Tony Parker immediately come to mind, but there are others such as Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups of Denver, as well as Rajon Rondo and Kevin Garnett of the Boston Celtics.

Phoenix Suns' stars Steve Nash and A'mare Stoudemire deserve consider...

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