Power ranking each NBA team by their 2-on-2 NBA Jam pairings

22. Phoenix Suns: Devin Booker and DeAndre Ayton

This is by no means a perfect pairing, but Booker and Ayton are Phoenix’s cornerstones with diverse strengths. Neither is a plus defender, but Ayton was coming around on that end this season, and Booker has the size to hold up on most perimeter players.

We know Booker can get a bucket from anywhere, and he’s become superbly efficient this season. But the big fella has to be equally aggressive, especially against smaller opponents. If he can become that bruising big that aforementioned teams are worried about while also being an acceptable rim protector, the Suns have a much higher ceiling than this spot.

21. Washington Wizards: Bradley Beal and Davis Bertans

As has been the Wizards’ mantra all season, “screw defense” is the theme in the nation’s capital.  Beal is a major hub of floor-spacing on his own; you add Bertans to the mix, and all defenses can do is put their hands up.

Beal will probably be a better defender in a setting like this, but it might still not be enough. Bertans is the bigger concern on that end, which doesn’t bode well in the wrong matchup. They’ll have to get hot to win many games in this format, but if any tandem can do so regularly, it’s them.