Top 12 Best Father-Son Duos In NBA History
Top 12 Best Father-Son Duos In NBA History. The NBA is jammed packed with the world’s best talent. Throughout NBA history there have been a handful of players with world-class genetics. To be a little more specific some of the most relevant stars were sons of former NBA players. It certainly does help to have a father who was a professional athlete, because that truly sets the stage for their son to have successful careers.
When looking at the most top-tier talent in the NBA today, it is blatantly clear which father and son duos were the best in NBA history. It is time to begin to rank them all, based on their combined careers. Here are the top-12 father and son basketball duos in NBA history.
12. Melvin Booker and Devin Booker
Melvin Booker(1995-97): 32 games with Houston Rockets (11), Denver Nuggets (5), and Golden State Warriors (16)
His son Devin Booker (2015-Present): Selected by the Phoneix Suns with the No. 13 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, Booker won the 2018 3-Point contest and was selected as a 2020 NBA All-Star
11. Greg Anthony and Cole Anthony
Greg Anthony (1991-02): selected by the New York Knicks with the Number 12 overall pick in the 1991 NBA Draft. Greg averaged 7.3 points and 4.0 assists over 757 games
His son Cole Anthony (2020-Present): Selected by the Orlando Magic with No. 15 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.
10. Larry Nance and Larry Nance Jr
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qm4A53APbG4
Larry Nance was truly a consistent player for both the Phoenix Suns and Cleveland Cavaliers over his successful career. Larry averaged 17.1 PPG and 8.0 RPG over his career which spanned 13 seasons, and he even managed to make 3 All-Star Teams and 3 All-Defensive Teams.
His son, Larry Nance Jr, was not the player his father was but is more athletic. Nance Jr has played for the Lakers and Cavaliers so far in his career, averaging 8.3 PPG and 6.7 RPG over his career. Nance Jr is only 28 years old so he has time to solidify his status as a starting power forward in the league, but he has been a role player so far.
9. Stan Love and Kevin Love
Stan Love only played 4 NBA seasons, averaging 6.6 PPG and 3.9 RPG. Love was the 9th pick in the 1971 Draft, and his 6’9″ height was a major factor in his draft position. Love wasn’t a star but he was a capable role player who could offer 15 MPG. Stan’s son, Kevin Love, was a much better player.
Kevin Love was a superstar with the Minnesota Timberwolves, but he sacrificed his individual accolades to assist LeBron James and Kyrie Irving to win an NBA title in 2016. Besides that, Love is a 5-time All-Star and 2-time All-NBA power forward who is one of the best shooters over the past decade.
8. Dolph Schayes and Danny Schayes
Dolph Schayes is a Hall of Famer and one of the best big men to ever play. Schayes made 12 All-Star Teams over his entire career along with 12 All-NBA Teams. His career average of 18.5 PPG and 12.1 RPG along with his NBA title in 1955 solidifies his status as an all-time dominant power forward.
His son, Danny Schayes, wasn’t the same kind of player at all. He never made an All-Star Team and was a role player for the majority of his career. Danny still played a whopping 18 seasons in his career, so his longevity as a player paired with his superstar father ranks them in the top ten with ease.
7. Tim Hardaway and Tim Hardaway Jr
Tim Hardaway is one of the most underrated stars in NBA history. Hardaway averaged 17.7 PPG and 8.2 APG over his career and made 5 All-Star teams and 5 All-NBA Teams. Hardaway’s numbers were All-Star caliber, but he is one of the best ball handlers ever and he popularized the crossover for guys like Allen Iverson and Steve Francis.
His son, Tim Hardaway Jr, is a current sharpshooter for the Dallas Mavericks. Hardaway Jr is averaging 13.8 PPG over his career on 35.9% shooting from three and is a very capable scorer. Hardaway Jr doesn’t have his father’s ball-handling, but he is a better shooter and their combination places them 7th all-time.
6. Bill Walton and Luke Walton
The great Bill Walton could have been greater. Walton suffered injuries that prevented him from being recognized as one of the best bigs to ever play, but he was still a dominant superstar. Walton averaged 13.3 PPG and 10.5 RPG for his career, but the accolades he captured in a short amount of time were truly impressive. Walton won an MVP, 2 NBA titles, and a Finals MVP during his career.
Luke Walton was never a star, but an average role player. He is mainly known for his time spent as a Los Angeles Laker alongside Kobe Bryant, and he averaged 4.7 PPG and 2.8 RPG. Walton had his best season in 2007 by averaging 11.4 PPG in 33.0 MPG, and he also won 2 NBA titles with the Lakers.
5. Jimmy Walker and Jalen Rose
Jimmy Walker, the father of Jalen Rose, was a very good player in his day. Jimmy made 2 All-Star appearances in 1970 and 1972, averaging 20.8 PPG and 21.3 PPG. Jimmy also holds career averages of 16.7 PPG and 3.5 APG, Rose spent the majority of his career with the Detroit Pistons. His son, Jalen Rose, was a part of the Fab Five and was also a good player.
Jalen Rose never made an All-Star Team like his father, but he made the All-Rookie Team in 1995 and also won the Most Improved Player Award in 2000. Jalen averaged 14.3 PPG and 3.8 APG, with his best season (23.8 PPG and 5.3 APG) coming in 2002 with the Chicago Bulls. Jalen and Jimmy were a solid father and son duo who had success in the league and they kick off the list at number five.
4. Rick Barry, Brent Barry, Jon Barry, and Drew Barry
Many of the younger generations do not know how great Rick Barry was. Barry, the Hall of Famer, was a 12-time All-Star with the NBA and ABA and even won the NBA championship with the Golden State Warriors in 1975. Rick Barry also won the Finals MVP that season, and his career has many more accolades. Rick also captured the 1966 Rookie of the Year Award, averaging 25.7 PPG and 10.6 RPG.
His son, Brent Barry, had a long career which spanned 14 seasons. A three-point shooter by nature, Barry averaged 9.3 PPG on 40.5% shooting from deep. Brent was a role player throughout his career, using his shooting ability to make an impact when his star teammates drew defensive attention. He also won the 1996 Slam Dunk Contest which included a dunk from the free-throw line.
Jon Barry was a role player who averaged 5.7 PPG over his career while Drew Barry only played 3 seasons in the league and averaged 2.2 PPG. Still, the fact that 4 Barry’s made it to the NBA is very impressive and it is mainly thanks to Rick Barry’s greatness as a player.
3. Mychal Thompson and Klay Thompson
Mychal Thompson was a legitimate star in the league during his prime. Thompson averaged 13.7 PPG and 7.4 RPG for his career, winning two NBA titles with the Los Angeles Lakers. Thompson had his best season in 1982 with the Portland Trail Blazers by averaging 20.8 PPG and 11.7 RPG, and it is no wonder why his son would go on to become another great player.
Klay Thompson is one of the best shooters in NBA history and also one of the most underrated players ever. Klay is a 5-time All-Star, 3-time NBA champion, and a 2-time All-NBA Team performer. Thompson averages 19.5 PPG for his career, on 41.9% shooting from deep. Thompson’s role as Stephen Curry’s Splash Brother was one of the main reasons the Warriors won 3 NBA titles in 4 Finals appearances.
2. Joe Bryant and Kobe Bryant
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlbox70_Hzc
Joe Bryant was a 6’9″ power forward who spent most of his time in the paint. Unlike his son, Bryant didn’t have tremendous explosiveness and the ability to score from the perimeter. Joe Bryant had his best season with the San Diego Clippers averaging 11.8 PPG and 3.7 RPG. His son, Kobe Bryant, was a much more special player.
Kobe Bryant is the greatest overall player on this list, and his father was also a solid NBA player. Bryant won 5 NBA titles with the Los Angeles Lakers and captured 2 Finals MVPs and the 2008 MVP Award. Bryant, with his career average of 25.0 PPG, is one of the best scorers in NBA history and also one of the most clutch performers ever.
Gianna Bryant Kobe Bryants daughter passed away January 26th, 2020 with her father Kobe but was selected as an honorary pick at the WNBA draft.
1. Dell Curry, Stephen Curry, and Seth Curry
Dell Curry was also an all-time great shooter, averaging 11.7 PPG on 40.2% 3-point shooting. Dell Curry played a whopping 16 seasons in the NBA, averaging over 15 PPG for 5 separate seasons in the league. While Kobe ranks over Stephen Curry on the all-time greatest players list, his duo with Dell Curry usurps Kobe and Joe.
Stephen Curry is the greatest shooter in NBA history, with a total of 3 NBA titles and 2 MVP awards. Curry is the man responsible for changing the league to what it is today and the face of the most dominant dynasty over the past 10 years. Seth Curry, the younger brother of Stephen, is also an NBA player.
While he wasn’t quite as impactful as his father or brother, Seth Curry averages 44.4% from three over his career, making him one of the best shooters in the NBA today. Kobe and Steph are an all-time great talent, but Dell Curry had a better NBA career than Joe Bryant and the added marksmanship of Seth makes the Curry family the best father-son duo in NBA history.
The second-generation hoopers don’t stop there. Here’s a list of father-son duos where the elder member last played prior to the 1995-96 NBA season in no exact order.
- Manute Bol (1985-95), Bol Bol (2019-Present)
- Richard Coffey (1990-92), Amir Coffey (2019-Present)
- Corey Crowder (1992-95), Jae Crowder (2012-Present)
- Winston Garland (1987-95), Darius Garland (2019-Present)
- Tito Horford (1988-94), Al Horford (2007-Present)
- Frank Kornet (1989-91), Luke Kornet (2018-Present)
- Pace Mannion (1983-89), Nicco Mannion (2020-Present)
- Wes Matthews (1980-90), Wesley Matthews (2009-Present)
- Sonny Parker (1976-82), Jabari Parker (2014-Present)
- Mitchell Wiggins (1983-92), Andrew Wiggins (2014-Present)
- Rickie Winslow (1987-88), Justice Winslow (2015-Present)
- Doc Rivers (1983-1996), Austin Rivers (2011- Present)
- Gary Payton (1990- 2007), Gary Payton ll (2016 – Present)
