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Minnesota Timberwolves: Ranking the 5 best Wolves duos for NBA Jam

By Phil Ford

Zach LaVine of the Minnesota Timberwolves dunks as NBA players look on in the Verizon Slam Dunk Contest. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
Zach LaVine of the Minnesota Timberwolves dunks as NBA players look on in the Verizon Slam Dunk Contest. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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Minnesota Timberwolves: Ranking the 5 best Wolves for NBA Jam

Minnesota Timberwolves, Kevin Garnett
Minnesota Timberwolves Kevin Garnett. JAMES NIELSEN/AFP via Getty Images /

1. Kevin Garnett and Stephon Marbury

The original Timberwolves dynamic duo, Kevin Garnett and Stephon Marbury are the perfect pair that would wreak havoc on NBA Jam teams in arcades across the country.

The Big Ticket and Starbury took the NBA by storm when Marbury joined the Wolves in 1996, a year after Garnett. The pair had immediate chemistry and finally took the Timberwolves to the playoffs for the first time in franchise history in 1997.

Unfortunately, the friendship fizzled out when Marbury pushed his way out halfway through the lockout-shortened 1998-99 season.

They only spent two-and-a-half years together, but what an amazing time it was for Wolves fans. The young stars captivated fans with highlight-reel alley-oops and an electrifying style of play.

Marbury averaged 16.9 points and 8.3 assists in his short time in a Wolves jersey. Once Marbury entered the fold, Garnett quickly shot to super-stardom. He averaged 18.5 points and 9.2 rebounds per game and made his first two All-Star appearances in the three seasons with Marbury.

Imagine two young dynamos attempting to destroy everything in their path in video game format. Twenty-one-year-old Garnett would jump out of the virtual stadium and dive-bomb any rim he got close to.

Marbury was the perfect sidekick for an up-and-coming superstar in real life and would translate to NBA Jam. He was one of the best passers in the league as a 20-year-old, had insane handles, and was an ultra-athletic point guard who could throw down his own monster dunks.

They would bring an intensity to NBA Jam that few other NBA superstars have ever been able to match. Imagine Garnett being able to bully other players on defense, knock them out, and lead the two-man fast-break with Marbury. Young Marbury and Garnett are a match made in unrealistic video game heaven.

It’s a shame that Wolves fans could only experience the dynamic duo for 167 games before Marbury decided he was too big for Minnesota. What could have been if he had decided to stay and play alongside one of the best players of all-time is anyone’s guess, but it would have been a lot of fun to watch.

dark. Next. Revisiting preseason expectations for the Wolves

The Wolves have had some very exciting players come through the franchise, but none brought the house down quite like Garnett and Marbury, and the same would be true in NBA Jam.