TNT's 'NBA Player of the Decade' vote

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

FISSION MAILED

Fix it.

I tried to find the actual shot, he knows what I'm referring to.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

Best playoff performance has to be Game 6 2003 Finals. I leave you the stat line.

21 pts 20 reb 10 ast 8 blks. Total domination on the biggest stage in the clinching game. That's the best playoff game of the decade. I'll let you all figure out who the player was (as if it's really hard to figure it out).

Congrats to Duncan, he managed to dominate Kenyon Martin and Jason Collins.

[Trainwreck2100]

lol timt thomas

[Darrin]

Aw how cute you can post a picture of someone hitting a shot over the Suns.



I can play this game too.

Both were great moments, but I think the Suns-Lakers series was much more entertaining.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

Both were great moments, but I think the Suns-Lakers series was much more entertaining.

My bad, I thought your goal was to just remind a Suns fan of a bad moment. I agree the Suns-Lakers series was more entertaining, more drama and hate.

[Darrin]

My bad, I thought your goal was to just remind a Suns fan of a bad moment. I agree the Suns-Lakers series was more entertaining, more drama and hate.

It's an NBA discussion board. Why would I come to a Spurs site as a Pistons fan to target the Suns posters?

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

As impressive as Duncan's stat line was, compe ion and expectations are a factor. Duncan dominated a weak ass team that was only in the finals because they happened to be the highest quality piece of in the 2003 EC. He was supposed to wreck them. Lebron was going up against a superior, well rounded team he was supposed to be several years away from beating.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

It's an NBA discussion board. Why would I come to a Spurs site as a Pistons fan to target the Suns posters?

Cause you were arguing with one

[baseline bum]

My picks

1. Individual Game: NBA Playoffs
LeBron James, game 5, 2007 ECF

2. Playoff Game
Game 5 Spurs/Pistons, 2005 Finals

3. Playoff Dunk
McGrady riding Shawn Bradley like a horse in the 2004 playoffs

4. Playoff Defense
2004 Pistons murdering the Pacers in the ECF and then not allowing LA to do on them in the Finals.

5. Individual Drama: NBA Playoffs
Shaq and Kobe in the 2004 Finals

6. Buzzer Beater: NBA Playoffs
Robert Horry, game 4, 2002 WCF

7. Playoff Series
Mavs/Spurs 2006 WCSF

8. Individual Performance: Regular Season
Kobe Bryant's 81 points against Toronto in 2006

9. Buzzer Beater: Regular Season
Kobe Bryant forces OT in Portland, 2004

10. Regular Season Posterization
Amare Stoudemire over Michael Olowokandi, 2003

11. All-Star Game Play
McGrady's alley-oop to himself off the backboard

12. All-Star Saturday Night Dunk
Andre Iguodala from behind the backboard

13. Player of the Decade
Tim Duncan

[baseline bum]

Since there was no best series (individual), I'll add:

14. Best individual series
Dwayne Wade, 2006 ECF Miami/Detroit

[baseline bum]

I take it back... after reading FWD's post, I have to agree that Mavs/Spurs 06 WCSF was the best series of the decade, even though it didn't decide a championship like 02 Lakers/Kings or 00 Lakers/Blazers did.

[HarlemHeat37]

I'll take Duncan over Kobe all day, but I understand the argument for the Rapist..if it comes down to a fan vote though, nobody has any chance at beating Kobe..his cult is creepy and devoted..

[JamStone]

I am really confounded by the amount of Kobe love. He has won one le as the lead of an absolutely loaded team, and there is little to no question that a Dwayne Wade or a LeBron James in the exact same situation would have won the 09 championship, or perhaps even the 08, but he continuously gets tossed into the debate of best player of the decade.

How loaded were the Lakers last year really? There is a lot of talent, but once you get past Kobe and Pau, they're a lot of role players. Even Bynum to an extent because he was once again not 100% for the playoffs. Odom has never been an all star. Ariza broke out, but that's in great part because he was playing with Kobe. Kobe had an all star sidekick. o, most championship teams did too. Shaq had Kobe and Wade. Tim has had, in his le runs, David Robinson, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili. Wade had Shaq. You're going to discredit Kobe leading his team to a le saying they were absolutely loaded? Who was more loaded? Last year's Lakers or 2008 Boston Celtics? For that matter, which team is more loaded? Last year's Lakers or the 2005 Spurs? That Spurs team to me was more loaded than last year's Lakers. Tony Parker had become a bonafide star, Ginobili was still relatively healthy and was in his peak and could have won Finals MVP, Horry was more clutch than anyone not named Kobe on the Lakers last year, and Bruce Bowen was still a defensive stopper. Kobe's Lakers last year were loaded because of Kobe. It was because of him. Don't take away from Kobe just because you want to hate on him. One could argue that Duncan has only led the Spurs once to a le run in 2003 in this decade, if you look at what Manu did in 2005 and Tony did in 2007. But no one dare make that comment. It's as ridiculous as your suggestions that that's what Kobe did. Kobe did as much as Shaq in 2001 and 2002 to win those two les. It's disheartening that Kobe haters refuse to give him props for those two les.

There really are only two candidates, Shaq and Duncan. Shaq because of his absolute dominance (or perceived dominance) for the first 4 years, and Duncan because of his prolonged excellence.

Kobe's peak was no where near as high as either of them, and the duration in which he dominated was shorter than either of them.

Kobe's peak was greater simply because he's a 6'6 perimeter player dominating a game that has been dominated by big men since its inception. Very few "smaller" players have dominated the game like Kobe has. There's Michael and Oscar. Even guys like Magic and Bird and LeBron are 6'8 and much bigger and stronger for their position. After Michael and Oscar and Kobe and Dr. J, you find very few who have dominated the game like them. But your list of NBA big men who have dominated the game is long. From Mikan to Bill and Wilt to Kareem to Moses to Hakeem and David to Shaq and Duncan. It's always going to be more impressive for a guard to dominate the game than a 7-footer with strength and some skill who will shoot 60% from the field.

If LeBron is the best player in the league now (which I do believe) and has been for the last couple seasons, Kobe was the best player in the league since about 2001-2007, no shorter dominance than either Shaq or Tim.

[JamStone]

6. Buzzer Beater: NBA Playoffs
Robert Horry, game 4, 2002 WCF

Great choice and I don't think anyone would fault it. But, I'm curious if any Spurs fan would seriously consider "0.4" or if all of you just completely "misremember" that and keep it out of your memory banks. Lol. 0.4 actually came to mind before that Horry shot.

[baseline bum]

Great choice and I don't think anyone would fault it. But, I'm curious if any Spurs fan would seriously consider "0.4" or if all of you just completely "misremember" that and keep it out of your memory banks. Lol. 0.4 actually came to mind before that Horry shot.

It's a tough call between 0.4 and Horry's shot, but Horry's shot saved a dying Lakers team and capped off one of the greatest comebacks I have ever seen. Fisher's shot was certainly way harder, but wasn't the season-saver Horry's was (I think that LA team was more than capable of climbing out of a 3-2 hole with one game at Staples against the Spurs that year, but no way they were winning 3 straight vs the Kings with 2 in Sacramento after being trashed both games at Staples).

[Walt Kowalski]

1. Individual Game: NBA Playoffs
Manu Ginobili 39 points 2005 Game 5 against Seattle - he came off the bench and played 36 minutes, if you take his stats and project them over 48 minutes, it beats any other playoff performance. If not for Popovich he would have had 50+ in that game.
2. Playoff Game
Hornets vs. Spurs game 7. Manu's last game when he was healthy. In a must win game, Manu's killer instinct took over and won. He played so hard and killed so hard that he injured an ankle that still hurts him today.

3. Playoff Dunk
Dunks are all hype, Manu is just a winner. He knows what it takes to win, just look at his winning history. He wins games.

4. Playoff Defense
2005 Pistons. Any other defense, Manu averages 40+ PPG in the finals. THAT's how good he was in 2005.

5. Individual Drama: NBA Playoffs
The disgusting injustice and robbery of the 2005 finals MVP from Manu

6. Buzzer Beater: NBA Playoffs
Manu Ginobili, game 1 vs. Phoenix 2008

7. Playoff Series
2005 Spurs vs. Pistons. The San Antonio Manu Ginobili's were victorious over the Detroit team-with-really-classy-fans who understand how good Manu was in 2005

8. Individual Performance: Regular Season
Manu's 48 performance in an overtime victory over the Suns in overtime that went to overtime because Amare Stoudemire did pushups

9. Buzzer Beater: Regular Season
If Manu cared about the regular season it'd be him.

10. Regular Season Posterization
See #3.

11. All-Star Game Play
Whoever wins this is irrelevant because the only reason Manu doesn't is because Popovich brings him off the bench and doesn't let him play big minutes.

12. All-Star Saturday Night Dunk
See #3.

13. Player of the Decade
Manu Ginobili (look at his Euroleague achievements), he's just a winner

[baseline bum]

You forgot Manu's dunk against Ben Wallace in game 7. That should have been on the list.

[Walt Kowalski]

You forgot Manu's dunk against Ben Wallace in game 7. That should have been on the list.

No, dunks don't matter. Winning does. Manu = winner.

[HarlemHeat37]

One could argue that Duncan has only led the Spurs once to a le run in 2003 in this decade, if you look at what Manu did in 2005 and Tony did in 2007. But no one dare make that comment. It's as ridiculous as your suggestions that that's what Kobe did. Kobe did as much as Shaq in 2001 and 2002 to win those two les. It's disheartening that Kobe haters refuse to give him props for those two les.

I think it's stupid to discredit Kobe for the 2001/2002 les, since he clearly had a massive part, but I don't see how you're comparing it to the Duncan les in the way that you're doing it..Tim was a clear best player in all 3 of the les this decade, he received constant double teams, and he also anchored an elite defense, which was the main reason we won les..that seems to be the part everybody forgets when they mention Manu and Tony in 2005 and 2007..this was a defense-first team, so Duncan had to be the best player on BOTH ends for this team to succeed as we did..

While Kobe DOES deserve a lot of credit for being dominant in those le runs AND being a great closer, he did a lot of work with less attention from the defense compared to Shaq and Duncan..Shaq was double and triple teamed throughout those runs, everybody was scared of him, there was a reason he was considered the most dominant player in the game..

I don't see how Duncan shouldn't get MORE credit than Kobe does for his les as the 1a/#2 option, since Tim was the clear best player for all of the le runs..I'm not discrediting Kobe, just saying..

I do agree with you about Kobe's le last year..absolutely deserves a lot of credit, and I highly disagree with anybody that talks about how stacked the Lakers were..great team and support, but nothing historic..

If LeBron is the best player in the league now (which I do believe) and has been for the last couple seasons, Kobe was the best player in the league since about 2001-2007, no shorter dominance than either Shaq or Tim.

I consider Kobe to be the best player in the NBA from 2005-2006 up until 2007-2008..I can see arguments for him in 2003, 2009, and even now, but nothing otherwise, at least IMO..Duncan and Shaq have much stronger arguments from 2000 until 2005, especially factoring in his meltdown in 2004 and his relatively poor season in 2005..

[BullsDynasty]

Re: TNT's 'NBA Player of the Decade' vote
My picks

1. Individual Game: NBA Playoffs
LeBron James, game 5, 2007 ECF

2. Playoff Game
Game 1 Spurs/Phoenix, 2008 1st Round

3. Playoff Dunk
Baron Davis Dunk on Kirilenko 2007 WCSF

4. Playoff Defense
2005 Finals, 2 of the League's best defensive teams squaring off.

5. Individual Drama: NBA Playoffs
Shaq and Kobe in the 2004 Finals

6. Buzzer Beater: NBA Playoffs
Derek Fisher Buzzer beater 2004 WCSF

7. Playoff Series
Bulls/Boston 2009 1st Round

8. Individual Performance: Regular Season
Kobe Bryant's 81 points against Toronto in 2006

9. Buzzer Beater: Regular Season
2008 Rasheed Wallace Steal then halfcourt buzzer beater to force OT vs Nuggets

10. Regular Season Posterization
Vince Carter over Alonzo Mourning 2005

11. All-Star Game Play
Michael Jordan first allstar game as a wizard/Last Career Allstar and hitting that "Would have been" the Game winning shot

12. All-Star Saturday Night Dunk
Jason Richardson between the legs reverse dunk 2003

13. Player of the Decade
Tim Duncan

[himat]

1 - November 19: Individual Game: NBA Playoffs - Lebron against Detroit in 2007, game 5.

2 - November 26: Playoff Game - Suns vs. Spurs 2008 game 1

3 - December 3: Playoff Dunk - Shaq dunk game 7 2000 vs. Portland

4 - December 10: Playoff Defense - 2004 Pistons

5 - December 17: Individual Drama: NBA Playoffs - Bell vs. Kobe

6 - December 31: Buzzer Beater: NBA Playoffs - .4 second Fisher shot

7 - January 14: Playoff Series - 2008 Bulls vs. Celtics

8 - January 21: Individual Performance: Regular Season - Kobe 81 points

9 - January 28: Buzzer Beater: Regular Season - There's not really one that stands out.

10 - February 4: Regular Season Posterization -

11 - February 8: All-Star Game Play - who cares?

12 - February 11: All-Star Saturday Night Dunk - who cares?

13 - February 12: Player of the Decade - Tim Duncan

Great list.

For the regular season buzzer beater....

Kobe's game winning fadeaway three in the last game of the season in 2004 against the Portland Trailblazers. That win got them the Pacific Division championship. Btw he also hit a game tying 3 with one second remaining in the 4th quarter in the same game.

Here it is. This was absolutely ridiculous.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfB3d1FjhCc

[ChrisRichards]

I'd say it's a toss-up among Tim, Shaq, and Kobe.

I'd probably give the edge to Tim, but I wouldn't discount Kobe.

LOL dont be an idiot. Duncan has more MVP's than Kobe this decade. Its Duncan all the way lol.

[Killakobe81]

I agree with those that discount Shaq in the debate. Hewas dominant for MOST of the FIRST 5 years of this decade a supporting player the rest ... this debate BEGINS with Duncan and ends with Kobe. I would give the Kobe the edge but could not be bitter if it went to Duncan either ...Shaq was like Hakeem dominant for too short of time ...at his best he was more dominant OFFENSIVELY than Kobe or Duncan but i still feel they are BOTH better all around players and winners ...

[Killakobe81]

LOL dont be an idiot. Duncan has more MVP's than Kobe this decade. Its Duncan all the way lol.

Nash has two MVP's as well so does he deserve more praise?

IMHO the factors are dominant talent or skill, rings, stats and MVP's last. Kar; malone has MVP's and better stats than Duncan as well but Duncan is way better than Karl ...

[Killakobe81]

And i also disagree on playoff shot. Derek's was great. BUT Horry's (vs. SAC) was crtical to winning a le AND it also helped deny SAC from a le ...no way SAC doesnt win that series with a 3-1 lead ...and SAcramento is PROBABLY the NBA champs ...plus the camera angles on that shot is well AMAZING!! Watch the staples center erupt as one as it goes down ....