More Impressive Streak: TD/Magic

[Thomas82]

After the Spurs beat the Cavs last night to win their 50th game of the season, Tim Duncan joined Magic Johnson as the only 2 players to have 12 straight 50-win seasons.

Which streak is more impressive?

I would like everybody's honest, non-biased opinion.

[DesignatedT]

Does the streak stop at 12 for Magic because Duncans streak should really be 14 straight seasons if it wasn't for the lockout year. We were on pace for 61 wins that year.

[Thomas82]

Does the streak stop at 12 for Magic because Duncans streak should really be 14 straight seasons if it wasn't for the lockout year. We were on pace for 61 wins that year.

The streak did stop at 12 for Magic, it went from the 79-80 season through the 90-91 season.

[Brutalis]

Spurs because they did more with less.

[Thomas82]

spurs because they did more with less.

+1

[Axe Murderer]

definitely the Spurs.

That Lakers team was the most talented ever

[Thomas82]

definitely the Spurs.

That Lakers team was the most talented ever

They had talent on top of talent. To put in in perspective, the NBA has only had 1 player to ever win the DPOY award as a reserve, and it was Michael Cooper in '86-'87.

[baseline bum]

Duncan's easily, as there were lots of good teams in the West he'd have to play 4 times a year: The Shaq & Kobe Lakers, the Gasol & Kobe Lakers, the Nash/Stoudemire/Marion Suns, the Dirk/Nash/Finley/VanExel and Dirk/Howard/Harris/Terry Mavs, the Webber/Divac/Bibby Kings, and the Garnett/Sprewell/Cassell TWolves. In contrast, the West was pretty much shit outside of LA for most of the 80s. The only strong teams Magic had to play over and over in the conference were the '80 Sonics and the early 90s Blazers.

[Obstructed_View]

When Tim Duncan got one of the best players in the NBA who forced a trade to San Antonio, it made it possible for him to do this.

Wait, that was Magic.

14>12

[Thomas82]

Another question I just thought of:

If you had your choice between TD and Magic to start a team, which one would you pick?

All favoritism and bias aside, I would pick Tim Duncan all day everyday, because NBA basketball is a big man's game. As great a PG as Magic Johnson was and the impact he had on the NBA, dominant big men just don't grow on trees. With the exceptions of the MJ/Scottie-era Bulls, the Bad Boy Pistons, and the 78-79 Sonics (they had Jack Sikma, a 2nd-tier big man), every NBA champion has had a dominant C or PF. Out of the 55 MVPs awarded, 35 of them have either been a C or a PF.

[DieMrBond]

Magic WAS a dominant big man. He was what, 2 inches shorter than TD? He just so happened to be a PG. As great as TD is, Magic is top 3 all time - (who had to play against two other (arguably) top 3 all time in Bird and Jordan) - and that can barely be disputed.

Although, thats just my opinion - so your is also valid :D

[baseline bum]

Another question I just thought of:

If you had your choice between TD and Magic to start a team, which one would you pick?

All favoritism and bias aside, I would pick Tim Duncan all day everyday, because NBA basketball is a big man's game. As great a PG as Magic Johnson was and the impact he had on the NBA, dominant big men just don't grow on trees. With the exceptions of the MJ/Scottie-era Bulls, the Bad Boy Pistons, and the 78-79 Sonics (they had Jack Sikma, a 2nd-tier big man), every NBA champion has had a dominant C or PF. Out of the 55 MVPs awarded, 35 of them have either been a C or a PF.

Magic, without any hesitation. He is easily the most versatile player in the history of the game. As rare as a dominant big man is, a Hall of Fame bigman who is also a Hall of Fame point guard is about as rare as they get.

[Thomas82]

Magic, without any hesitation. He is easily the most versatile player in the history of the game. As rare as a dominant big man is, a Hall of Fame bigman who is also a Hall of Fame point guard is about as rare as they get.


Another good answer. How could I forget about him stepping in for Kareem at center in a Finals game as a rookie and DOMINATING, and winning the title?

[boutons_deux]

Didn't Earvin run his streak over more than one coach?

Without Pop all the way, I doubt Tim would have streak.

Hey, Lew Alcindor was "an all time great bigman" to the very end.

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

Magic, without any hesitation. He is easily the most versatile player in the history of the game. As rare as a dominant big man is, a Hall of Fame bigman who is also a Hall of Fame point guard is about as rare as they get.

Tim once said he really is a point guard, it's everyone else that wants to call him a big.:downspin:

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

I give Tim an edge because the West has been pretty well stacked during his entire streak. Magic's streak was a little before my days as a big NBA fan but it seems like the East was where more of the great teams of the era were.

[Juggity]

Spurs because they did more with less.

Even if I wasn't a shameless homer, I'd still say Duncan for precisely this reason

[Obstructed_View]

Remember that Magic got a bit derailed by HIV and missed about five years of playing. He came back toward the end of a season after the layoff and averaged 15 points, 6 boards and 7 assists as a power forward for the Lakers. It's possible he could have increased the streak during a couple of those years, as the Lakers were a 40-45 win team while he was gone.

[Cane]

Easily Duncan. He did it on a small market team with zero drama with less HOFers FWIW. People forget how much of a douche Magic Johnson was such as running his coach out of town even after winning a championship (IIRC).

[wontstartdumbthreads]

Magic, without any hesitation. He is easily the most versatile player in the history of the game. As rare as a dominant big man is, a Hall of Fame bigman who is also a Hall of Fame point guard is about as rare as they get.

I agree with everything you said except the conclusion of Magic over TD. If I were to start a team without knowing any of the other players, I'd have to pick TD. Magic had the best "supporting" cast in the history of the league. With 4 scrubs, I'd rather have a dominant big man that everyone can dump the ball down to for close shots, grab rebounds for putbacks, and block shots in the paint.
As good as Magic was, I don't know that he would be effective without Kareem, Worthy, Scott, etc. ALthough I guess the other point is that he could probably take a group of scrubs and make them look a lot better than they really were.
Shit, I don't know.
Go Spurs. I pick Timmy.

[Thomas82]

I agree with everything you said except the conclusion of Magic over TD. If I were to start a team without knowing any of the other players, I'd have to pick TD. Magic had the best "supporting" cast in the history of the league. With 4 scrubs, I'd rather have a dominant big man that everyone can dump the ball down to for close shots, grab rebounds for putbacks, and block shots in the paint.
As good as Magic was, I don't know that he would be effective without Kareem, Worthy, Scott, etc. ALthough I guess the other point is that he could probably take a group of scrubs and make them look a lot better than they really were.
Shit, I don't know.
Go Spurs. I pick Timmy.


I also give TD the edge over Magic in defense. TD has made an All-NBA team every year, and as far as I know, Magic never made it.

[YODA]

Easily Duncan

1. There are more teams now( Hornets, Magic, Toronto, Mephish, Minnisota, Dallas). Im sure I m missing a few teams. This delutes the amount of talent on teams and maked it very tough to keep the teams competitive.


2. Market- Free Agency and slary cap has really effected the game. Back in the day and even now LA gets many players because they can afford to pay more. Kareeem came to LA for basically nothing. Any high profile player will not only make more money there, but will have ton more oppertuniites in endorcements versus san Antonio. Remember players like Shaq, KAreem, Gasol, artest and many more I cant think of came to LA and were not drafted by them.


3. Someone mentioned Charter planes now versus then. I could be wrong, but I think LA one of the only teams to have a charter plane. The Spurs didnt get one till mid 90's I beleive.

[TampaDude]

Does the streak stop at 12 for Magic because Duncans streak should really be 14 straight seasons if it wasn't for the lockout year. We were on pace for 61 wins that year.

Yeah, if you prorate the .740 win %, we win 60 or 61 games that season. :toast

[wontstartdumbthreads]

I also give TD the edge over Magic in defense. TD has made an All-NBA team every year, and as far as I know, Magic never made it.

You're right. I think it all can be boiled down to defense. After thiking about it, it seeems a pretty clear cut decision.

Each was a spectacular offensive force in his own respective way. Having Timmy in the paint make all other players on the team better defensively.

[lefty]

Magic is a hypocrite anyway

[Obstructed_View]

Yeah, if you prorate the .740 win %, we win 60 or 61 games that season. :toast


Actually, if you properly adjust the percentage for that season, you have to remember that they started off 6-8. Once they started to click, they went .861, which is a 71 win pace, or 65 games despite the slow start.

[mingus]

If Duncan played for a big market like LA he'd be at 12 straight 60 win seasons.

[Cry Havoc]

Yeah, if you prorate the .740 win %, we win 60 or 61 games that season. :toast

Don't forget, we lost like 8 of our first 14 games that year.

[Thomas82]

You're right. I think it all can be boiled down to defense. After thiking about it, it seeems a pretty clear cut decision.

Each was a spectacular offensive force in his own respective way. Having Timmy in the paint make all other players on the team better defensively.

Also, TD covered a lot of deficiencies and mistakes for his teammates.


Don't forget, we lost like 8 of our first 14 games that year.

Who can forget everybody calling for the Spurs to fire Pop and trade David Robinson?

[Thomas82]

If Duncan played for a big market like LA he'd be at 12 straight 60 win seasons.

You might be right.

[Obstructed_View]

If Duncan played for a big market like LA he'd be at 12 straight 60 win seasons.

That would have been great reading the ESPN articles on how free agents flock to play alongside Duncan because he's so much fun to play with and such a good teammate.

[Thomas82]

That would have been great reading the ESPN articles on how free agents flock to play alongside Duncan because he's so much fun to play with and such a good teammate.

I would never get tired of reading that.

[Obstructed_View]

I would never get tired of reading that.

Yeah you would, because those would only be written about Tim Duncan the Laker or Tim Duncan the Knick.

[buttsR4rebounding]

Does the streak stop at 12 for Magic because Duncans streak should really be 14 straight seasons if it wasn't for the lockout year. We were on pace for 61 wins that year.

With a potential lockout looming next year it looks like the only team that can stop Tim Duncan is one of lawyers...

[slayermin]

Duncan's streak is more impressive but Magic was the better player.

But if TD gets another one, it will be a tough call.

Here's a question for Spurs fans, do the Spurs make the Finals in TD's rookie season if he doesn't sprain his ankle in game two against Utah?

And if the Spurs play the Bulls, could they beat them?

[Thomas82]

Duncan's streak is more impressive but Magic was the better player.

But if TD gets another one, it will be a tough call.

Here's a question for Spurs fans, do the Spurs make the Finals in TD's rookie season if he doesn't sprain his ankle in game two against Utah?

And if the Spurs play the Bulls, could they beat them?

I give TD the slight edge because of his defense as far as the better player. From what I remember, Magic seemed to be somewhat of a defensive liability.