2003 Duncan or 2011 Dirk

[Blake]

ESPN article: Greatest Finals performances of all time:

3. Tim Duncan, San Antonio, 2003

The single most underrated Finals performance of all time, hands down, belongs to Duncan in 2003.



Relatively few viewers saw it because of the Spurs-Nets pairing, and because of the general consensus that the East was something of a minor league. But Duncan was unbelievable.



Despite going up against two top-notch defensive players in Kenyon Martin and Dikembe Mutombo, and despite lacking a superstar teammate to deflect attention (Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili were just getting their feet wet, while David Robinson was on his way out), Duncan completely dominated. His averages of 24.2 points, 17.0 boards and 5.3 assists were impressive enough, but what really sealed the deal was his defense.


Duncan averaged 5.3 blocks per game for the series, the most of any player since the merger, and was at his best in the clinching Game 6 as San Antonio rallied from an eight-point fourth-quarter deficit. He fell two blocks shy of a quadruple-double and forced the Nets' Martin into a 3-for-23 disaster from the floor. Overall, his 32.0 PER for the series is the second-best since the merger.


Hands down 2003 Duncan with no need for further debate

/thread #5

[endrity]

I agree. 02 and 03 Duncan was another level. No PF has ever come close to that peak.

[Leetonidas]

It was so amazing watching him back then. He quietly controlled and dominated and instilled his will upon the game without you really noticing it. Now that he is older and slower, it is painfully obvious how much we miss his youth. If 2003 Tim Duncan was on the 2011 Spurs team they probably destroy the regular season and smash through the playoffs.

He made it look so easy. His ability to control the floor on both sides of the court at an elite level is something that has not be replicated recently. Garnett is close but his overall offensive game doesn't touch Tim's post game.

[ambchang]

While I agree Duncan's 03 finals was one of the best performances ever, I have issue with that Hollinger list simply because he placed Wade #1. I mean, the reason he "dominanted" was because of the insane amount of FTs he got, and we all know they are not all legit. Placing him above 03 Duncan, 01 Shaq, 93 Jordan, 94 Hakeem, etc ... is really stretching it.

[endrity]

It was so amazing watching him back then. He quietly controlled and dominated and instilled his will upon the game without you really noticing it. Now that he is older and slower, it is painfully obvious how much we miss his youth. If 2003 Tim Duncan was on the 2011 Spurs team they probably destroy the regular season and smash through the playoffs.

He made it look so easy. His ability to control the floor on both sides of the court at an elite level is something that has not be replicated recently. Garnett is close but his overall offensive game doesn't touch Tim's post game.

BLASPHEMY! I am not even kidding.

[endrity]

While I agree Duncan's 03 finals was one of the best performances ever, I have issue with that Hollinger list simply because he placed Wade #1. I mean, the reason he "dominanted" was because of the insane amount of FTs he got, and we all know they are not all legit. Placing him above 03 Duncan, 01 Shaq, 93 Jordan, 94 Hakeem, etc ... is really stretching it.

He does mentioned the FTs a bit. But the point is, he's measuring PERs, and when you score so much with so little shooting (because FTs don't count as FGs) then you can see why his PER is so absurd.

[Axe Murderer]

While I agree Duncan's 03 finals was one of the best performances ever, I have issue with that Hollinger list simply because he placed Wade #1. I mean, the reason he "dominanted" was because of the insane amount of FTs he got, and we all know they are not all legit. Placing him above 03 Duncan, 01 Shaq, 93 Jordan, 94 Hakeem, etc ... is really stretching it.

[/thread]

[Leetonidas]

BLASPHEMY! I am not even kidding.

What? In terms of being able to anchor an elite defensive and being a #1 scoring option on the other end, the only other play I can think of in this generation is KG. Perhaps not an anchor but he was extremely versatile and could guard big and small guys. Don't even say Kobe Bryant if that's what you're thinking, because while his offensive game is top notch and he USED to be an elite perimeter defender (not since 2004), he definitely wasn't a defensive anchor.

[endrity]

KG's offense was nothing special even at his best. Think of him as an upgraded version of Chris Bosh and that's it. And even as a defender, KG was at his best as a help defender, especially on pick and rolls. But he was not a great post defender, someone who would own the area around the rim. That become painfully obvious when Perkins went down.

But then again, Duncan is close to a center and KG is not.

[100%duncan]