OT: Duncan vs Kobe: Greatest Player of Their Generation? Thread

[DMC]

This post gave me a headache, and I'm not even fluent in English

No, you aren't, and I read it just fine. Now dry my so I can return to the soiree, piss boy.

[Brazil]

It's not anymore even debatable

[spurraider21]

No, you aren't, and I read it just fine. Now dry my so I can return to the soiree, piss boy.

why would you want a filipino man to be touching that... got

[FkLA]

If you poll current or former or even up and coming NBA players, they will almost unanimously select Kobe as the best player in the league.

Most players aren't very smart, and probably wouldn't have amounted to much in life if they hadn't won the genetic lottery. Their opinion is pretty irrelevant. They overvalue flashiness which is a common occurrence amongst dumb people. For example, Harden was the player's choice for MVP last season.

[Killakobe81]

You guys are asking and answering different questions, but still the questions you'd rather answer than the one being asked. Who was the greatest player of their generation? It's not about longevity, not about peak, not about anything other than that question. You look at the entire body of work, and to say anyone was better than Duncan is foolish, since his accolades span his career and his output and results have never dipped below playoff level basketball.

Great point. Said in a simple yet complete way, nicely done.

[Buddy Mignon]

I know it's been discussed to death on ST, but since Kobe announced his retirement, the inter-waves have blown up with "greatest player of his generation" talk. Masses arguing over Kobe vs Duncan, Duncan vs Kobe. Obviously Spurs fans say Duncan and Laker fans Kobe.

But Mike & Mike did a segment on it this morning too (they both picked Duncan, although narrowly). Most NBA analysts/experts agree it's Duncan. But regardless, I figured I'd start a thread where I can post arguments, tweets, discussions, etc. Something to kill the time at the very least.

Duncan and Kobe's peers pick Kobe. I don't even think its close, tbh. Kobe achieved Jim didn't. Kobe was the more dynamic player and owned Jim head to head. Kobe's highs were higher than Jims, team wise and personal wise and Jims lows were lower than Kobes... team wise and personal.

[spurraider21]

Duncan and Kobe's peers pick Kobe. I don't even think its close, tbh. Kobe achieved Jim didn't. Kobe was the more dynamic player and owned Jim head to head. Kobe's highs were higher than Jims, team wise and personal wise and Jims lows were lower than Kobes... team wise and personal.

[Buddy Mignon]

You guys are asking and answering different questions, but still the questions you'd rather answer than the one being asked. Who was the greatest player of their generation? It's not about longevity, not about peak, not about anything other than that question. You look at the entire body of work, and to say anyone was better than Duncan is foolish, since his accolades span his career and his output and results have never dipped below playoff level basketball.

That bronze medal is much lower than missing the playoffs. Jims response to miserably failing was even worse. "FIBA SUCKS!!!"

- Jim Huckleberry

[Cry Havoc]

It's not really a debate. It's Duncan and it's not close. Sorry Killa. Part of what you have to take into account when you get into the top 10 of all-time is more than just the numbers. Duncan has, is, and always will be the consummate teammate. You pick him because you know he's going to bring you les and you're never, ever going to have to ship someone down the river to appease him. He isn't a child in a man's body who's going to throw tantrums to the media in the middle of a freakin' Larry O'Brien chase. He's never going to feud with players or do any of the juvenile BS that can destroy team chemistry.


It's Duncan and it's not close. The stats are in his favor, and his resume as a teammate massively tilts the balance.


If there's a fantasy draft with every player in history, there are probably 3-5 players, at best, you consider taking before Tim.

[FkLA]

It's not really a debate. It's Duncan and it's not close. Sorry Killa. Part of what you have to take into account when you get into the top 10 of all-time is more than just the numbers. Duncan has, is, and always will be the consummate teammate. You pick him because you know he's going to bring you les and you're never, ever going to have to ship someone down the river to appease him. He isn't a child in a man's body who's going to throw tantrums to the media in the middle of a freakin' Larry O'Brien chase. He's never going to feud with players or do any of the juvenile BS that can destroy team chemistry.


It's Duncan and it's not close. The stats are in his favor, and his resume as a teammate massively tilts the balance.


If there's a fantasy draft with every player in history, there are probably 3-5 players, at best, you consider taking before Tim.

But what about flash, 81, cult followings, marketability, and fierce underbites? That kind of events things out.

[daslicer]

I will keep it real simple with this comparison for both of these players. Both Duncan and Kobe had a 3 year stretch where they didn't have all-star teammates. Duncan's stretch occurred from '01-'04 and during that period he won 2 league MVPs, 1 finals MVP, 1 championship. The spurs during that stretch won a total of 175 games with a winning percentage of .711. Kobe's stretch occurred from '04-'07 and during that period he won 2 scoring les that resulted in a lottery appearance and 2 first round exits. The Lakers during that stretch won a total of 120 games with a winning percentage of .487. Both players were at their peak during these stretches and the cir stances were equal so it's very clear Duncan is the better player.

[FkLA]

I will keep it real simple with this comparison for both of these players. Both Duncan and Kobe had a 3 year stretch where they didn't have all-star teammates. Duncan's stretch occurred from '01-'04 and during that period he won 2 league MVPs, 1 finals MVP, 1 championship. The spurs during that stretch won a total of 175 games with a winning percentage of .711. Kobe's stretch occurred from '04-'07 and during that period he won 2 scoring les that resulted in a lottery appearance and 2 first round exits. The Lakers during that stretch won a total of 120 games with a winning percentage of .487. Both players were at their peak during these stretches and the cir stances were equal so it's very clear Duncan is the better player.

Great post. Kirby never learned to use his talents to make others better, he was always concerned with getting his. Top 5 individual talent of all-time but only a Top 15 basketball player.

[The Gemini Method]

Can't go wrong with either player--each means what they do to the respective denizens of their respective cities. One thing is for sure is that they both will go down as some of the greatest players in the NBA. There is no validity to the majority of posts on here-it is all subjected. What's the point in arguing? Doesn't get you any closer to claim responsibility for both team' celebrated success. I enjoyed watching both. I'm a Laker fan,though, and so I would inherently side with the Lakers. But I recognize what Duncan did and that was amazing to see unfold throughout my youth.

[Silver&Black]

[Koolaid_Man]

No one wants to talk bout this knowledge you spittin

Hakeem Olajuwon said it best....the 2 guard position is the toughest position in all of basketball...and this is coming from a 4/ 5 position player...who in my view was 10x the player Tim Duncan ever was....its not even close comparing Hakeem who was far far superior offensively and defensively to Tim...but back to your point Tim Duncan had it easy...while the whole world was gunning for Kobe...every single night....his body gave out because he simply gave more..look at the global impact on the game...people around the world in every country from Asia, China especially China , the Middle East, just about every country in Europe, South America, Africa you name it they all worship Kobe....

The US business moguls from Apple CEO, Facebook, Oprah Winfrey, billionaires such as Richard Branson, Warren Buffet, etc all doing business with and mentoring Kobe...all of the Hollywood elites love Kobe....Floyd Mayweather, Manny Paqucio and atheletes from across all sports such as football, baseball etc all point to Kobe as their inspiration....99% of the All-time greats such as MJ, Kareem, Dr J, Larry Bird, Magic, even Red Auerbach's daughter all have Kobe ranked behind MJ....99% of current players including every rookie class since 2000 all have Kobe as their favorite player and the consensus #2 behind MJ....almost every Olympic atheistic from every country in the world all love Kobe.. don't make me bump all my old threads on how all those white female Olympians from the Swim teams, to the Vollyball teams to the soccer teams all going crazy over that when he steps into the building...I'm jealous as of this

But my point is simple...Tim Duncan pales in comparison to Kobe....its not even close in the grand scheme of things...that's why I let Spur fans have their moment...deep inside they know Tim is not on Kobes level...and if they don't they're delusional...what I've just layed out is proof...Tim plays in pressure less Market...where court side seats sell for as low as 13 cents no way the accomplishments are the same...every night as you mentioned teams ran 2 and 3 athletic wing defenders at Kobe at all times...some of the games most atheletic and compe ive players we've ever seen...

From MJ, to Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, Steve Nash, Tracy Mcgrady, Allen Iverson, Dwade, Lebron James, Mike Bobby, Ron Artest, Tony Allen, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Bruce Bowen, Doug Christie, Rueben Patterson, Grant Hill, Jason Richardson, Vince Carter, Jason Kidd, Jamal Masburn, Jimmy Jackson, Kevin Durant, Westbrook, and on and on and on and on....

What's even more astounding aside from the partial list of tough players Kobe had to defend and play against is the fact that once he got past those athletic players he had to deal with the bigs down low from the 3 to the 5 positions and boy did he ever...thats why I laugh my ass off when people like DPG, Splits, Midnight Pulp, DMC, and KillaKobe say that Duncan was a better player and had a better career..especially in light of position played, le defense and Olympic team contribution...the level of ignorance they show is astounding....

But like I said let them have their moment

[weebo]

Can't go wrong with either player--each means what they do to the respective denizens of their respective cities. One thing is for sure is that they both will go down as some of the greatest players in the NBA. There is no validity to the majority of posts on here-it is all subjected. What's the point in arguing? Doesn't get you any closer to claim responsibility for both team' celebrated success. I enjoyed watching both. I'm a Laker fan,though, and so I would inherently side with the Lakers. But I recognize what Duncan did and that was amazing to see unfold throughout my youth.

The NBA tried to manufacture another "Air Jordan" type (Grant Hill, VC, TMac, Jerry Stachouse ) and failed. Along came the Shaq led lakers and roll off a three peat and all of a sudden kirby is raping white women, buying 4 million dollar rings, throwing teammates under the bus and becomes the second coming of Jordan. Was he a great scorer? Yes, but so was AI and for the NBA market machine that was good enough to proclaim kirby as the closets thing to MJ. The sheep drank the Kool Aid and kirby was annoited the heir apparent. Had it been anyone else on those stacked laker teams ( TMac, AI, VC) instead of kirby, we would be comparing them to Duncan.

[Raven]

no way is kirby in the discussion for top 5 of his era.

[weebo]

What the does all this really have to do with basketball?

All the "love" kirby gets from all these sheep has more to do with the fact kirby got the hype and he and everyone bought it hook line and sinker...it doesn't make kirby >Duncan

[Koolaid_Man]

The NBA tried to manufacture another "Air Jordan" type (Grant Hill, VC, TMac, Jerry Stachouse ) and failed. Along came the Shaq led lakers and roll off a three peat and all of a sudden kirby is raping white women, buying 4 million dollar rings, throwing teammates under the bus and becomes the second coming of Jordan. Was he a great scorer? Yes, but so was AI and for the NBA market machine that was good enough to proclaim kirby as the closets thing to MJ. The sheep drank the Kool Aid and kirby was annoited the heir apparent. Had it been anyone else on those stacked laker teams ( TMac, AI, VC) instead of kirby, we would be comparing them to Duncan.

The 1000lb elephant in the room you so casually choose to ignore is?

Tmac, AI, and Vince that you use to make your case all have 0 rings between them...whereas Kobe has 2 without Shaq while Shaq only 1 without Kobe..

Conclusion?


You fail

[Koolaid_Man]

What the does all this really have to do with basketball?

All the "love" kirby gets from all these sheep has more to do with the fact kirby got the hype and he and everyone bought it hook line and sinker...it doesn't make kirby >Duncan

So your dumbass knows something that the whole world doesn't ?

Yeah ok whatever you say jackass

[Horse]

You guys are asking and answering different questions, but still the questions you'd rather answer than the one being asked. Who was the greatest player of their generation? It's not about longevity, not about peak, not about anything other than that question. You look at the entire body of work, and to say anyone was better than Duncan is foolish, since his accolades span his career and his output and results have never dipped below playoff level basketball.

And he's not done yet. Pick any Spur even today and Duncan is the most reliable playoff performer.

[weebo]

The 1000lb elephant in the room you so casually choose to ignore is?

Tmac, AI, and Vince that you use to make your case all have 0 rings between them...whereas Kobe has 2 without Shaq while Shaq only 1 without Kobe..

Conclusion?


You fail

son put AI on the lakers with Shaq and we would be talking who's greater AI or Duncan

and those 2 that kobe got without shaq he can thank Pau, LO, and Bynum...its no ing mystery the lakers only won when they had dominant front lines...kirby was a great complimentary piece though give you that

[Koolaid_Man]

son put AI on the lakers with Shaq and we would be talking who's greater AI or Duncan

and those 2 that kobe got without shaq he can thank Pau, LO, and Bynum...its no ing mystery the lakers only won when they had dominant front lines...kirby was a great complimentary piece though give you that

Same ole love song...zippede-do-dah....woulda coulda shoulda

[LkrFan]

If Colorado never happened, the narrative changes. It wouldn't even be a debate. Colorado cost him #6 in 2004. Colorado permanently stained his image with White Americans (who dominate the media and pay most of the bills like merchandise and ticket sales). Colorado cost him a few more MVPs. Colorado will cause his inevitable retirement to not be celebrated like an MJ or a KAJ. He's made millions (upwards of $720 million?) but Colorado cost him more because for a spell he lost his endorsements (and they were given to the Kang - SMFH). His shoe and other merchandise sales should only be second to MJ, but it won't be. Yeah, Colorado cost him more than meets the eye. LkrFan or not, he's the player of his generation and that's no knock on Duncan, tbh.

[Silver&Black]

If Colorado never happened, the narrative changes.

If ifs were fifths, we'd all be drunk Cesar....