Duncan Passing Bird In Scoring Is Bad Business For Basketball

[Spur_Fanatic]

calm down I already said MJ was greater than Kobe ...and that Kobe would not catch him for GOAT. but thanks for agreeing with me

So if i was right about that then ...

I must havee missed it. My bad. If we agree on that, we cool.

[DJB]

I'm with Kool on this one.

Is like Kobe passing Malone, Kareem and MJ.

Clearly, Kobe is much worse than they are. And only reason he ever scored so much was because he always hid behind bigger players that had to take Kobe's hand every single time.

We all know Kobe can't win by himself.

Makes sense.

[LnGrrrR]

I'd put Kobe close to Bird, but probably not right at his level. It's definitely arguable though. I wouldn't put Duncan there.

[LnGrrrR]

I'll be honest here, that is about right for Tim ...he aint quite in the MJ, Kareem Kobe and Magic class. But a case can be made that Duncan is greater than Bird, KG and Shaq.

Sure, Bird had more impact league wide ...but Duncan put a whole franchise on his back and carried his version of Gasol/Bird to the promise land.He als o was the best player on the only 4 les they have. That trumps Bird 3 for a team that has 17 ...tbh. Not sure I definitely would put Duncan over Bird but I might ...

Look at the compe ion Bird was facing though, and look at how much more physical defenders could be. I think if Bird played in this era, he'd probably average a higher amount of points.

[pass1st]

So should the NBA just deduct some career points from Duncan or something? lol

[lefty]

I'd put Kobe close to Bird, but probably not right at his level. It's definitely arguable though. I wouldn't put Duncan there.

oh well

[ElNono]

Broke ass fans like the OP are bad business for basketball...

[Killakobe81]

I'd put Kobe close to Bird, but probably not right at his level. It's definitely arguable though. I wouldn't put Duncan there.

Fair points, like I said not sure I would put Duncan over Bird but I think he is close though. And even though I put kobe over both I think that is close as well Only MJ, Kareem and Magic do I think are clrearly better than all the other greats I have seen. and Magic is slightly below Kareem and Magic even though he is my favorite all-time player ... but only slightly above kobe who is only slightly above Duncan and Bird.

Again, very subjective ...

[Killakobe81]

1A. MJ
1.B Kareem
2.A. Magic
2.B. Kobe
5. Bird
6. Duncan
7. Shaq
8. Hakeem
9. Isia
10. Lebron, KG, pippen Wade The Malones are all in consideration ...

Besides MJ, Karem and Magic the rest of the list is pretty fluid for me ...

And I never saw Wilt, Russell, west etc. So i cant rank them

[jjktkk]

Look at the compe ion Bird was facing though, and look at how much more physical defenders could be. I think if Bird played in this era, he'd probably average a higher amount of points.

Look at Bird's frontline mates, McHale and Parrish.

[Spur_Fanatic]

1) MJ
2a) Magic
2b) Kareem
3) Shaq
4) Bird
5) Kobe
6) Duncan

Hmm, after this is gets more difficult for me.

[Giuseppe]

Bend over. I'll show ya in' difficult.

[Greg Oden]

2.A. Magic
2.B. Kobe

Please.

[ElNono]

1. MJ
2. Kareem
3. Magic
4. Shaq
5. Duncan
6. Hakeem
7. Bird
8. Manu
9. Isiah
10. Lebron

IMO

[dunkman]

Bird was the heart and soul of those championship teams, they went as far as he would take them. He was much better playmaker and rebounder as Kobe, and just as good as scorer. Bird was also good defensive player, but not elite as Kobe was early in his career.

Bird was clearly the best NBA player the seasons he won his 3 consecutive MVP's. And he was top 3 in the NBA for almost all his career. On the other side, Kobe has a larger career.

Neither Magic, nor MJ were better than him. That was the same level of players. And they are all better than Kobe, it's not even close. Kobe was never clear cut better than anyone else and he has trouble doing something in the finals.

Duncan resembles Bird a lot. That's the first thing I thought when I saw him play. Duncan is better defensive player and rebounder. Bird was much better shooter and playmaker. I think Bird was better, but not by much. They are both better than Kobe, but Kobe without peaking that much enjoys a long career at excellent level.

[leemajors]

Kobe is better than Bird, but I bet Bird could take Kobe's money easily.

[Koolaid_Man]

Kobe is better than Bird, but I bet Bird could take Kobe's money easily.

my man I doubt that seriously..

[z0sa]

LOL i noticed Zosa had no problem with me saying Duncan MAYBE greater than Bird ...

Let Bostonfan defend Bird. I just think it's incredulous to throw Timmy under the bus when both he and Kobe are duking it out for consensus top 10.

[Killakobe81]

Let Bostonfan defend Bird. I just think it's incredulous to throw Timmy under the bus when both he and Kobe are duking it out for consensus top 10.

They duked it out and he lost.
Duncan was clearly head the first 3 rounds. Then Kobe methodically and scientifically started to break him down in the middle rounds while Duncan due to his solid defense and footwork maintained a slim lead. Then in the final rounds the championship rounds, Kobe pulls ahead by winning 2 of the last 3 rounds. Duncan had not won a round on all 3 cards since he won the 4th. Kobe won the last 5 rounds on all 3 judges score-cards and wins a majority decision.

[lefty]

1A. MJ
1.B Kareem
2.A. Magic
2.B. Kobe
5. Bird
6. Duncan
7. Shaq
8. Hakeem
9. Isia
10. Lebron, KG, pippen Wade The Malones are all in consideration ...

Besides MJ, Karem and Magic the rest of the list is pretty fluid for me ...

And I never saw Wilt, Russell, west etc. So i cant rank them

GTFO

[Giuseppe]

1A. MJ
1.B Kareem

I usually don't do these as a religion, but, this is arguable.

Killa

[dbreiden83080]

I'd put Kobe close to Bird, but probably not right at his level. It's definitely arguable though. I wouldn't put Duncan there.

Kobe is better than Bird and this is coming from a Kobe hater.. Bird played on stacked teams just like Kobe did and Kobe has been better for longer..

[z0sa]

They duked it out and he lost.
Duncan was clearly head the first 3 rounds. Then Kobe methodically and scientifically started to break him down in the middle rounds while Duncan due to his solid defense and footwork maintained a slim lead. Then in the final rounds the championship rounds, Kobe pulls ahead by winning 2 of the last 3 rounds. Duncan had not won a round on all 3 cards since he won the 4th. Kobe won the last 5 rounds on all 3 judges score-cards and wins a majority decision.

well played, even though I disagree about the rings being the final argument in this one. There's not really an argument for any of Tim's teammates being better than Prime Shaq.

I realize the fact that due to his scoring, Kobe will most likely be a top 10 player and beat Tim out. But that's not set in stone yet. And certainly, if you want to mention one among the all time best, you have to at least give the other his due.

[dunkman]

Kobe is better than Bird and this is coming from a Kobe hater.. Bird played on stacked teams just like Kobe did and Kobe has been better for longer..

Bird played at higher level than Kobe for almost all his career, except his last season.

[LnGrrrR]

Kobe is better than Bird and this is coming from a Kobe hater.. Bird played on stacked teams just like Kobe did and Kobe has been better for longer..

Yes, but Bird was playing AGAINST stacked teams as well. The Lakers and Celts of the 80s were evenly matched, with strong lines on both sides. Who was considered equal to the Lakers when they had Shaq and Kobe? They were prohibitive favorites in the early 00's, especially because the East was so horrible.