Tim Duncan vs Larry Bird

[Rappin' Duncan]

Who is gonna go down as the better player...!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jaffies]

I can't respond to questions not posed in rap form.

[Rappin' Duncan]

So don't call me a name I wanna play the game the way I feel like living the way I know I can. you know I'm good Tim Duncan is great.. like Larry Bird ain't.

[duncan228]

Who is gonna go down as the better player...!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Duncan.

Duncan's resume is better.
Duncan has 1 more Championship, 1 more Finals MVP.
Bird has 1 more regular season MVP.
They were both ROY.

I didn't research the All NBA Teams, but my guess is that Duncan has had more First Teams than Bird did.

And Duncan isn't done.

I adore Bird, he's the reason I'm an NBA fan. But I think Duncan will overpower him in most catagories by the time he hangs them up.

[Gino]

Who's Tim Duncan? Does he play basketball?

:p:

[tp2021]

Duncan.

Duncan's resume is better.
Duncan has 1 more Championship, 1 more Finals MVP.
Bird has 1 more regular season MVP.
They were both ROY.

I didn't research the All NBA Teams, but my guess is that Duncan has had more First Teams than Bird did.

And Duncan isn't done.

I adore Bird, he's the reason I'm an NBA fan. But I think Duncan will overpower him in most catagories by the time he hangs them up.

Wow. I knew going in that you would probably be the most interesting opinion to hear in the matter.
I thought you would ride the fence at least a little more than you did!

[duncan228]

Wow. I knew going in that you would probably be the most interesting opinion to hear in the matter.
I thought you would ride the fense at least a little more than you did!

It's a question that's come up before, and one I've considered over the years. Like I said, I'm a big Bird fan. I saw him in his rookie season and got hooked on him and the NBA game. He's the only player I've followed anywhere even close to how I've followed Duncan. (It's not that close anymore. :lol)

But now, a decade into Duncan, there's no question left in my mind. I think Duncan is the all-around better player. His resume is one part of it, he's more than proven it to me, and his sustained excellence on both ends of the court, and off of it, is the rest of it.

[polandprzem]

Good argument is also that Duncan is playing better in playoffs

Bird ... not always

[DieMrBond]

On a Spurs Forum, it will be Tim Duncan.

On any other Forum, it would be pretty close - but Bird is part of the 'holy trinity' of Magic, Bird and MJ - so he would almost always get the votes.

[m33p0]

Bird will be remembered more than Duncan. He, together with Magic, brought the NBA to the masses.

Statistically, Timmy will beat him out. But there's a reason why Bird is called Larry Legend. One of the intriguing part of Bird's game is his sheer force of will that Tim often fails to demonstrate.

[mrspurs]

On a Spurs Forum, it will be Tim Duncan.

On any other Forum, it would be pretty close - but Bird is part of the 'holy trinity' of Magic, Bird and MJ - so he would almost always get the votes.

And the fact Timmy is from Sa doesnt help him.

[Sissiborgo]

Who's Tim Duncan? Does he play basketball?

:p:

Funny?... Tim Duncan has a better stats then Garnett,Pierce,Allen,And all of the rest of boston so you should know what he does....:ihit

[XTah]

Who's Tim Duncan? Does he play basketball?

:p:

Yes he does. He's the same person that you guys should have had according to record. :lol

[TDMVPDPOY]

tim duncan is a better swimmer than bird

therefore duncan>bird

[lefty]

WGAF

They are both silent assassins

[dbreiden83080]

Duncan is a more dominant player on both ends of the floor than Bird ever was. Larry is great but Timmy is better.

[duncan228]

They are both silent assassins

Bird was far from silent. He could trash talk with the best of them. My favorite stories are where he would tell his defender exactly what he was going to do, ending with "and you can't stop me." Then he'd do exactly what he told them he was going to, and they couldn't stop him. :lol

[lefty]

Bird was far from silent. He could trash talk with the best of them. My favorite stories are where he would tell his defender exactly what he was going to do, ending with "and you can't stop me." Then he'd do exactly what he told them he was going to, and they couldn't stop him. :lol

He wasn't that silent, true.

Another great Bird story: he was scoring easily in the 1st half of a regular season game; Bird loved challenges.
@ halftime, he told his teammates he would try scoring only with his left hand :wow, and guess what he did :downspin:

Although he plays basketball and golfs right-handed, Bird is actually ambidextrous: he eats and writes mostly left-handed.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

Although he plays basketball and golfs right-handed, Bird is actually ambidextrous: he eats and writes mostly left-handed.

Interesting. I do too. I always knew that Larry Bird was alright.

[Pero]

I always knew that Larry Bird was alright.

But Lefty just told you that he wasn't. :p:

[angelbelow]

duncans on the fast track to winning but lets wwait until he retires.

[lefty]

But Lefty just told you that he wasn't. :p:

Nice

[z0sa]

Bird wins a popularity contest, which is what any real poll would be.

But just because hes more vocal of a person, doesnt make him a better leader. I think Tim's timely chosen words are much more powerful chemistry wise than Bird boasting he was going to score 50 and grab 20 boards and 10 assists since his teammates werent doing shit, then attaining half of it.

[dirk4mvp]

Bird.

[Brutalis]

Bird. Duncan is terrible. Not even top 25 all time.

[rj215]

Bird was a legend but the mainstream media (especially out of Boston) makes him out to be the unstoppable force from the 80s. Timmy's had an overall better career and will go own as the best PF ever.

[Allanon]

Bird will be remembered more than Duncan. He, together with Magic, brought the NBA to the masses.

Statistically, Timmy will beat him out. But there's a reason why Bird is called Larry Legend. One of the intriguing part of Bird's game is his sheer force of will that Tim often fails to demonstrate.

Yup.

Bird has the attitude, trashtalking, arrogance and fire that legends are made of. Duncan is the greatest power forward ever but he's too ..... "boring"

[ShoogarBear]

What do you think Duncan would have done if he got to play alongside either McHale or Parish his whole career? He only had that for the first six years with DRob.

[Obstructed_View]

Bird was Ginobili with a little more size and a little more attitude. If I had to choose which one to put on my team, I'd base my choice solely upon the other personnel already on my team.

[Brutalis]

What do you think Duncan would have done if he got to play alongside either McHale or Parish his whole career? He only had that for the first six years with DRob.

Me thinks TD has had a nice surrounding as Bird did. Not a big point there imo.

But I do think if TD was in that generation he would have been even better than he was in this one.

[Brox6]

Me thinks TD has had a nice surrounding as Bird did. Not a big point there imo.

But I do think if TD was in that generation he would have been even better than he was in this one.

precisely :downspin:

The competition before is not the same as this generation...:ihit

[Brutalis]

precisely :downspin:

The competition before is not the same as this generation...:ihit

However in the center position there was more talent back then. But in all other areas, even coaching to the bench players they are better than previous generations.

[m33p0]

WGAF

They are both silent assassins
Bird was a loudmouth. And the awful thing about it was that he can back his words up.

[phxspurfan]

Bird was Ginobili with a little more size and a little more attitude. If I had to choose which one to put on my team, I'd base my choice solely upon the other personnel already on my team.

Seriously? Ginobili is half the player Bird was. It was Jordan vs. Bird in so many games, and Jordan had to learn from those games to achieve greatness. Who learns from Ginobili?

[Many PackYao]

Offensively, they were equally efficient. Difference is Bird could not stop anybody. He did play good team defense though as in getting clever steals from the weak side.So, my vote goes to Timmmmayyy.

[The Franchise]

Let me know how this one turns out.:rolleyes

[lefty]

Bird was a loudmouth. And the awful thing about it was that he can back his words up.

True.

[m33p0]

Who learns from Ginobili?Sasha?

[Galileo]

Duncan is a top 3 to 5 player of all time. Bird is a top 10 player. Duncan > Bird

[dirk4mvp]

Bird is a top 3 to 5 player of all time. Duncan is a top 10 player. Bird > Duncan



fixed

[duncan228]

Duncan will end up a top 5 player of all-time. I don't see how that's even debatable.

[dirk4mvp]

Duncan will end up a top 5 player of all-time. I don't see how that's even debatable.


Because you're a spur fan and tim duncan fan. It's not supernatural.

[Sissiborgo]

Bird. Duncan is terrible. Not even top 25 all time.

Wow a spurs fan showing Duncan some love...You are a true spurs fan...

[tlongII]

It's a tough call. Duncan's Spurs have never had a team like the Showtime Lakers to go against in the Finals so I would discount the fact that Duncan has more rings. Bird put on some of the most amazing shooting displays I've ever seen.

[duncan228]

Because you're a spur fan and tim duncan fan. It's not supernatural.

I'm the first to admit I'm a Duncan homer. Probably the biggest on this board. But Duncan's resume puts him top 5 now, even if he never does anything else. I don't see how his stats and rings and winning percentage is arguable. The ranking doesn't take into account the era they play in, does it? His resume speaks for him.

[Galileo]

fixed

1. MJ
2. Jabber
3. Magic or Duncan
4. Magic, Russell or Duncan
5. Russell or Duncan
6/7.Bird and Cousy
8. Shaq
9. Wilt
10/11/12. the Mailman, Pettit, and Havlicek
13. West
14/15. Olajuwon, Robertson
16/17/18. Kobe, Sam Jones, Baylor

[Galileo]

Duncan has a career win/loss playoff record of 100-55 (series 24-6)

Jordan was 119-60 (series 30-7)

I don't have the stats for Bird, but Duncan is way better.

[duncan228]

After more thought, I've come to this. (And yes, I'm all about Duncan, but Bird is why I'm an NBA fan).

There's digital and there's subjective.

Digitally, going by Championships and MVP's and Finals MVP's, etc., Duncan has Bird beat. Subjectively, Bird brought magic back to the game. Literally, with Magic, and with his whole "hick from French Lick" thing. It was a wonderful era for the league, having these 2 players continue a college rivilary through the 80's. Bird made the most of the talent he had, he was an incredible team leader. So, I think Bird has the edge subjectively.

Duncan is a technician and Bird is a virtuoso. Jeff Beck is a technician, Eric Clapton is a virtuoso.

This has always been a tough ranking for me because of my personal preference for these 2 players.

[dirk4mvp]

1. MJ
2. Jabber
3. Magic or Duncan
4. Magic, Russell or Duncan
5. Russell or Duncan
6/7.Bird and Cousy
8. Shaq
9. Wilt
10/11/12. the Mailman, Pettit, and Havlicek
13. West
14/15. Olajuwon, Robertson
16/17/18. Kobe, Sam Jones, Baylor

Is this the official list?

[Galileo]

Is this the official list?

semi-official.

[century]

Who's Tim Duncan? Does he play basketball?

:p:

Gino, I wonder who boots up the computers in the morning for obtuse greaseballs like you...:lmao

[Galileo]

semi-official.

quasi-official

[honestfool84]

its hard to argue against bird after this video:

ULvo7__wwBU

[honestfool84]

but then you watch this video...

and dang.
duncan is crazy good.
o_m90Ec_OxE

[Galileo]

its hard to argue against bird after this video:

ULvo7__wwBU

you're right, Bird > Jordan

[duncan228]

its hard to argue against bird after this video:



but then you watch this video...

and dang.
duncan is crazy good.

And that leads us to the debate. They're both incredible, they both have brought great things to the game. It's a tough choice.

[honestfool84]

And that leads us to the debate. They're both incredible, they both have brought great things to the game. It's a tough choice.


i wonder how duncan would have done back then, and how bird would play in this era.

[xtremesteven33]

The only other players i would chose over Tim Duncan are Michael Jordan,Magic Johnson, and Bill Russell.

everyone else doesnt really make a great case as a franchise transforming player like Duncan has done.

Larry Bird is a fantastic player. But like the old saying goes. You always go with the Big man unless its Michael or Magic.

[Pero]

When Magic Johnson says he's afraid of you (only you), that means something...
I think Bird said something similar about him too.

[dirk4mvp]

i wonder how duncan would have done back then, and how bird would play in this era.


I hope that's not a knock against Bird. He'd knock the piss out of these softies in the league today.

[dirk4mvp]

but then you watch this video...

and dang.
duncan is crazy good.
o_m90Ec_OxE


I heard Magic mention Brid was the only player he feared when he played.

Saw this duncan mix, didn't hear a player of magic's caliber say they were scared of duncan.

[honestfool84]

I heard Magic mention Brid was the only player he feared when he played.

Saw this duncan mix, didn't hear a player of magic's caliber say they were scared of duncan.

who's Brid?
an evolutionary form of Larry Bird?

and there's a reason why many say duncan is the greatest forward - ever.

[dirk4mvp]

o wow, i mixed some letters up. you fail.


damn, it's almost as bad as talking to laker fans about kobe in here. except noobdy has wished death on anyone in my family.


Bird > Duncan

[honestfool84]

i fail?
you your name is 'dirk4mvp'...

dirk deserving to be mvp is a joke.
he showed his true colors in the playoffs.

[dirk4mvp]

o look, more fail


way to stay on topic.

[honestfool84]

oooh.
lets google 'greatest power forward in history'; lets see what comes up.

here, ill help you.

google. (http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en-us&q=greatest+power+forward+in+history&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8)

[duncan228]

oooh.
lets google 'greatest power forward in history'; lets see what comes up.

here, ill help you.

google. (http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en-us&q=greatest+power+forward+in+history&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8)

Bird wasn't a power forward, McHale was.

[honestfool84]

Bird wasn't a power forward, McHale was.



larry bird. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Bird)

three rows down.

[dirk4mvp]

google images provided me with this


http://www.bballone.com/karlm/lakers/images/lakers8_border.jpg

[honestfool84]

google images provided me with this





well there you go then.
that settles this.

[Thomas82]

What do you think Duncan would have done if he got to play alongside either McHale or Parish his whole career? He only had that for the first six years with DRob.


And D-Rob was already on the decline by the time TD got here. He never got a chance to play with D-Rob when he was at the top of his game, pre back injury.