Dwight Howard or Tim Duncan?

[Walter Craparita]

Howard is better right now. Simple as that.

When the game is on the line? You go with what has won. Duncan.

[mystargtr34]

Is it me or does Pastrey seem like a Magic fan who decided to jump on just for this debate

[bdictjames]

Its like you're comparing a young Robinson to an aged Duncan.. just kidding

I'd take Duncan, but not realistically. I feel like Spurs owe this guy so much he should not be traded unless he requests so.

[mystargtr34]

I personally enjoy watching Al Jefferson much more than Dwight... Dwights high flying act is great to watch... but for me dunk after dunk after dunk can get a little lost ... Al Jefferson is so skilled for a 22 year old.

I would take Dwight over Al... you cant pass up that once in a generation combination of size strength and athleticism but for me... i enjoy watching Al more... far more skilled.

[dbreiden83080]

Duncan all day long. Howard looks like a guy that is going to put up HUGE numbers every year, his legacy will come down to rings.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Dwight Howard is playing great right now, but he's just months removed from being totally shut down by Detroit in the playoffs.

Tim, doubled or tripled >>> Dwight, doubled or tripled.

That's not a fair comparison about the ring thing, seeing as how Duncan walked into a fantastic situation, whereas Howard got stuck with a genuine lottery team.


Having said that, I agree with whoever said they'd take Duncan right, but Howard down the line.

[Nikos]

Dwight Howard is playing great right now, but he's just months removed from being totally shut down by Detroit in the playoffs.

Tim, doubled or tripled >>> Dwight, doubled or tripled.

You know I don't really see that much of the Spurs offense being dominated by Duncan anymore. Ginobili and Parker are probably the #1 and #2 options so far this season. Yes Duncan gets doubled more, but it seems that he doesn't even produce that many passes that lead to assists for teamattes as in the past. I have seen a handful of games where he was doubled several times and it didn't lead to an assist or even produce an easy basket later in the shot clock.

The offense is clearly shared by the big three. Only difference is Duncan is clearly the most valuable defensive cog. When Duncan is playing good defense the Spurs are elite. When he doesn't they are just above average.

The beauty of Duncan's game is his balance of offense and defense. And so far this season he hasn't been overly dominant on either end (but still excellent).

[Walter Craparita]

I'm hoping he is holding back and can step it up (like usual) on the offensive side come playoff time.

Until then just hope everyone starts pulling a Madsen to get him kick started.

[duncan228]

He will be fine.
In Duncan I trust.

[inconvertible]

Duncan cuz howard is still to stupid to do the things TD does in the playoffs.

[exstatic]

Duncan's assists per 40 minutes are spot on for his career numbers. You really can't take a small sample of some possessions in one game, and project from that that his passing isn't what it used to be.

[Vinnie_Johnson]

Duncan all day and twice on Sundays.

[v2freak]

Howard's numbers are better.

I don't care.

Give me Duncan over anyone in this league.
I will say that until he retires, even if he doesn't win another le. Even as he "declines" in his remaining years.

Duncan has given us 4 Championships. I do think he'll bring at least one more home before he's done. He's cemented in his legacy, on what he's done for this game in his career.

There's so much more than numbers in this game.

Duncan has played the right way his entire career. He's put team first his entire career. He's given back to his communities, both in time and money. And not just San Antonio, but St. Croix and the Carolinas.

His game is almost flawless on both ends of the court. (Forgetting FT's for the moment.) His footwork is a thing of beauty. His at ude is remarkable.
He is still who this team runs through, regardless of the elite player Parker has become and the wonder that is Manu.

For me, Duncan is more than a basketball player.
He's a role model, someone I want my kids to look up to.
He's a joy to watch, he's the reason I'm a Spurs fan.

Howard is a great player, I like watching him. But I wouldn't trade a "declining" Duncan for anyone, even a guy who will probably only get better in these next few years.

[SRJ]

Better? Better how?

If you need someone to carry the load of scoring production, Howard's your guy. He can play huge minutes, his strength and stamina are practically limitless at 22. He explodes off the floor and his basketball skill in the post is improving nicely.

Orlando needs that. They are a young team, and they are laying the foundation for a system built around Howard that will maximize his skill set year after year - recall Duncan's early years, when he was playing 3000+ minutes per year.

The Spurs are a veteran team - and what they need down low is exactly what Tim Duncan gives them. As great as Howard already is, and as much as he will continue to improve, his skill set wouldn't fit this Spurs team right now.

This is Tim Duncan's team - all of the complements are in place. When the matchup is right (for instance Dallas 2006) he will destroy whoever is in front of him. When the defense is better suited to slow Tim down a bit (for instance Detroit 2005), he will use the threat of his post game to set up the open shooters on the perimeter and other Spurs will shine. Cleveland had absolutely no way of containing Tony Parker in last year's Finals, and Parker had his day in the sun.

This is exactly how Tim likes it. On most other teams, the superstar gets the shots and the touches. In San Antonio, the right guy makes the play.

If we had a 31-year old Patrick Ewing (for instance) in San Antonio right now, he'd be averaging 25 points - and the Spurs would be something like 10-7.

I love Howard, and I hope that when the time comes, he grows a wild hair up his ass and signs with the Spurs. But right now, in 2007, Tim Duncan, in (alleged) decline, is better for the Spurs than super-stud Dwight Howard.

[Spurminator]

Are the Spurs the favorite for the 2008 le with Dwight Howard instead of Tim Duncan?

Good talk.

[Indazone]

Yeah but Howard plays for a bad Orlando team. He's the first option. Wonder what Duncan would be doing if you switched them out for each other.

[SpurOutofTownFan]

Tim Duncan all the way. DHs numbers mean nothing if he doesn't get them the ring. He's good and posting better numbers than Duncan but the roles are very different. If Duncan was supposed to be a primary scorer and rebounder he would be playing more minutes and would have a responsiblity he doesn't now. He would be there with DH in that case. But it doesn't matter, as I said DH is good, very good but hasn't won a championship. TD is the core of the spurs and he just shows up when it counts given his minimized role compared to that of many years ago. TD will probably be over anyone else in the league in that position until he retires, at least in my mind.

The numbers DH is putting up, when used to compare with Duncan, mean nothing reallly. You can't compare those 2 players now.

[slayermin]

Do you want to win a championship?

[dastrey]

Would you trade 2007 Duncan for 2001 Shaq? The answer should be easy.

[Ronaldo McDonald]

Howard's numbers are better.

I don't care.

Give me Duncan over anyone in this league.
I will say that until he retires, even if he doesn't win another le. Even as he "declines" in his remaining years.

Duncan has given us 4 Championships. I do think he'll bring at least one more home before he's done. He's cemented in his legacy, on what he's done for this game in his career.

There's so much more than numbers in this game.

Duncan has played the right way his entire career. He's put team first his entire career. He's given back to his communities, both in time and money. And not just San Antonio, but St. Croix and the Carolinas.

His game is almost flawless on both ends of the court. (Forgetting FT's for the moment.) His footwork is a thing of beauty. His at ude is remarkable.
He is still who this team runs through, regardless of the elite player Parker has become and the wonder that is Manu.

For me, Duncan is more than a basketball player.
He's a role model, someone I want my kids to look up to.
He's a joy to watch, he's the reason I'm a Spurs fan.

Howard is a great player, I like watching him. But I wouldn't trade a "declining" Duncan for anyone, even a guy who will probably only get better in these next few years.

u should give a speech at his funeral

[polandprzem]

Umm the beast mustb to change into a winner then I will compare both.


MVP?
3 people - Dwight, Kev, LeJames

[duncan228]

u should give a speech at his funeral

I specialize in Duncan.
Anytime I have a chance to go off about him I will.

Though I'm not thrilled with the funeral reference.

[TampaDude]

These es putting team accomplishments ahead of individual accomplishments and Howard eats Duncans lunch anytime...

Howard>>>>>>>Duncan

It's all about TEAM, dude...

Spurs>>>>>>>>>>LeBron

[SouthernFried]

If you asked coaches in the NBA, who is the one guy you want more than anyone else right now....it would be Tim Duncan.

Coaches are generally pretty smart.

Isiah don't count.

[Jimcs50]

Would I trade TD for Howard right now?

Yes


Why?

Because TD has 4-5 years left before he becomes insignificant. Howard will be great for another 10 yrs. Put Howard on the Spurs right now, and they might win it all....maybe. But they will still be a contender to win it 5 yrs from now too. Put TD on Orlando right now, and they can win it all too, but not in 3 yrs.

Now in their primes, I would not trade TD for any player.