T-Wolves: Has Duncan already passed bird...

[ambchang]

Comparing Bird to Duncan has the same elements of comparing Shaq to Duncan.

Both Shaq and Bird had extremely high peaks (some of the highest in NBA history), but those peaks were only for a few seasons. Their off peaks were still best of all time worthy though, but overall, it wasn't all that long.

Duncan's peak wasn't as high, but his drop off wasn't as dramatic either.

Duncan's also much better on defense than either one of them. Shaq's defense (along with Fisher) was actually what made careers for guys like Bibby, and Stoudemire. Bird probably had the worst defense (along with Magic) amongst the top 10 all time players.

In the end, it really depends on how much weight you put on absolute peaks vs. longevity. People who have seen Bird at his most dominant will understand that he bullied the league. He was as dominant in the mid 80s as Jordan was in the 90s. Duncan really never had that peak, even at his best, he had to share equal billing with Shaq in the early 00s, but he outlasted Shaq, and just kept on chugging.

From a purely technical perspective, Duncan has a strong case of already surpassing Bird. From a league historical and impact perspective (also nostalgic reasons), Bird still has the upper hand.

[TDMVPDPOY]

hate volume stats used as a comparison, cause duncans stats are crap compared to any of the individuals in top10

ducnan was never a volume stat padder, he get his 20/10 in limited minutes and calls it a day after securing the win...spurs do play at a slower pace during his prime years...

[lefty]

Bird is one of the most overrated players ever. Mainly because of his skin color tbh

Um no

[lefty]

Bird and Magic are 2 of the most overrated players of all-time, tbh..

Played in a league where 25% of the players were White Americans, and neither player had any impact on the defensive end..they benefit greatly from the hype of the 80s, as they were the faces of the league when it was revived following the NBA's embarrassing 1970's era..

Magic was still able to own s in the mid 90's when the league had more black players, and he was an overweight TOSB who hadn't played in years

First game since his retirement and almost regiters a triple double?

Not overrated

[UZER]

Just like the spurs themselves, Tim has do go above and beyond just to be in the same conversation among NBA, media, fans, historians, etc.

in the conversation of the greats, any Lakers or Celtic will be will immediately be put ahead of Duncan just because it's the Lakers and Celtics.

the early 70s Knicks teams are still talked about and revered as such a great team in nba history even though they only won 2 in 4 years. But since its the Knicks, they still get mentioned 40 years later. Other teams have a chip here or there, but none get mentioned as many times as that Knicks team.

If Duncan played in NY, LA, Bow, CHI, he would be top 5 with no questions asked.

[The Batman]

Bird and Magic are 2 of the most overrated players of all-time, tbh..

Played in a league where 25% of the players were White Americans, and neither player had any impact on the defensive end..they benefit greatly from the hype of the 80s, as they were the faces of the league when it was revived following the NBA's embarrassing 1970's era..

Harlem while hyping this era =

[Clipper Nation]

You on Twitter to Chris Bosh, Ochocinco and Fatmelo =

[The Batman]

You on Twitter to Chris Bosh, Ochocinco and Fatmelo =

Didn't they all reach the conference finals? Yet you begged for a 3rd round Virgin

[Clipper Nation]

Didn't they all reach the conference finals?

Bosh didn't in Toronto when you were begging for him

Ocho isn't even a basketball player

[The Batman]

Bosh didn't in Toronto when you were begging for him

Ocho isn't even a basketball player

Isn't a conference final, a conference championship?

[Clipper Nation]

Isn't a conference final, a conference championship?

When you were begging for Ocho, he had never even won a playoff game, let alone make it to a CCG

[Horse]

You mean like shaqs finals contributions to #4?

Who the would put shaq above Timmy? shaq is another one way player but atleast dirk could hit free throws. Now if he wasnt a lazy piece of maybe. Remember that one yr phoenix traded for him went from the #1 seed down to 3 or 4 or something then lost in the first round.

[Horse]

One must pass the immediate milestone to intercept the next. O'Neal and Duncan have existed in the same era, this means they are comparable in this way directly. Bird, however, existed at a different era and comparisons will have to change as well.

As it stands, O'Neal has shown he deserves his rank over Duncan and it's questionable if Duncan can even be directly after.

hahahahahahahah shaq had one clean le run 2000 Duncan was hurt and the refs screwed portland game 7, 2001 they were unstoppable, 2002 the refs screwed the kings And I had as much to do with 2006 as shaq did. Overrated one way lazy bas .

[UZER]

Who the would put shaq above Timmy?shaq is another one way player but atleast dirk could hit free throws. Now if he wasnt a lazy piece of maybe. Remember that one yr phoenix traded for him went from the #1 seed down to 3 or 4 or something then lost in the first round.

Laker fan

[gameFACE]

Duncan passed Bird a long time ago. The only reason people keep Bird on their list is to include a white guy.

[Katherine Robinson]

Realist

Tad of a correction for you.