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Jesus Christ, lol XDDuncan has averaged 30 points, 17 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks per 100 possessions in the playoffs
http://www.poundingtherock.com/2015/...st-player-ever
You always hold back against comparing something new to something old and great, lest you get sucked into recency bias. You don't want to anoint things before their time. And even then, those things that were great have established importance. Like, "this isn't the best meal of my life," because you had that sushi place in Austin, or that barbecue place in Kansas City.
But at some point I think we do wait too long to look at things. And for those of us that cover basketball, I'm concerned that despite all the accolades and compliments, I think we still shy away from jumping in because we're afraid it's just a hot take pool.
I woke up this morning, and the question crossed my mind.
Is Tim Duncan better than Larry Bird?
Jesus Christ, lol XDDuncan has averaged 30 points, 17 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks per 100 possessions in the playoffs
A 6th legit Championship is gonna push Tim into tons of this media type discussion.
In my mind, he passed Bird when we got 4. Bird was a magnificent player, but he was never a force on defense the way Tim was, and still is.
Nice article
He would definitely be top 2 if we repeat this year. But big if of course. I'm ok with atleast top 3-5 though, lower than that is a travesty.
Tim Duncan has had a much better career than Larry Bird. More of everything.
That is what I said.
Someone had Bird at #2 that isn't Bill Simmons?
It can't be argued he's TOP-5 right now, and if somehow we win it all this year, you can make a case for Duncan being Top-3 or even Top-2.
He's a ing legend.
lol Why didn;t he talked about Kobe?
I started a thread about that awhile back. Amazed how people still have Bird before Duncan. It's purely for nostalgic reasons.
Tim's top 5, undoubtedly. If he repeats, he'll be #2 in my book.
Jordan
Kareem
Russell
Duncan
Magic
Wilt
Bird
Shaq
Kobe
Lebron
Hakeem
Oscar
West
I think with 6 Duncan moves past Russell (wouldn't argue with anyone who says he already has) and if he somehow wins A 4th FMVP, I think he moves past Kareem. Heck, he already has a case over Jordan IMO.
As a 39 year old, that block on Blake at the end of the game might have moved in past Russell.
I don't think so. Jordan with 6 les, 6 FMVPs, 5 MVPs, multiple scoring les, etc still trumps Duncan. It would take at least 7 les for Duncan to make an argument.
Duncan would need to 3 peat and be Finals MVP in the last 2 Finals to have a legit argument.
What makes it more amazing was how he crushed Blake on the second shot attempt. Almost like Manu slapping the bat.
He definitely has a case. When you consider longevity of greatness....
Only Jordan and Kareem are ahead of Timmy at this point imo. Magic is a toss-up.
Not one coach or GM would pick Bird ahead of Duncan as a franchise cornerstone. Duncan is better offensively (by a slight margin) and defensively (by a huge margin). Add in consistency and longevity and it's not close. Bird's trash talking persona might garner him more public attention, but Duncan has arguably similar intangibles (leadership, unselfishness, bonding with teammates/coach, raising his game for the playoffs, etc).
Chamberlain is difficult to rate, since he was a physical phenom, but didn't have the mindset of other all-time greats. I think some GMs would pick Wilt because of the unlimited raw potential, but I bet more GMs would pick Duncan because of his almost guaranteed positive impact on the franchise's trajectory.
Russell is all intagibles and defense, his offense is too far behind for him to be comparable to Timmy
TOP 3-5 now. If he wins another ring- 2nd best.
I've got Duncan #5, Bird #7
gnsfness at it's finest
if we win the series and if we get at least to WCF. I agree
Officially top five as of last year ahead of bird. What he's doing now is just about position within the top 5.
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