Duncan: the greatest defensive power forward ever

[polandprzem]

Kareem averaged 4.1 blocks and 17 rebounds per game in '75-'76.

Ewing's best averages were 4 blocks ('89-'90) and 12 rebounds ('92-'93) per game.

Wilt averaged 27.2 boards in '60-'61. We'll never know how many blocks per game he averaged, but it's estimated by some to be 6 or more.

Compare to career best 4.5 blocks ('91-'92) and 13 boards ('90-'91) for Robinson and 2.9 blocks and 13 boards for Duncan in '02-'03.

Now Robinson, if considered in the company of centers, is clearly among the best in terms of defensive stats. Duncan, when compared with people who play the game like he does, is not very impressive. What's even more interesting is that his rebounding and blocked shot stats haven't increased since DRob retired.

Kareem was an amazing defender, especially early in his career. Some consider Ewing to be the best defensive center of the modern era (even though I don't really agree with that). I'm sure a lot of people will disagree with Wilt, so here's my justification. I know a lot of people like to play the "that was a different era" card, and for the sake of this discussion I'll grant that it made a big difference. But Wilt still averaged more that double Duncan's career best. I don't care what era he played in, he was a better rebounder than Duncan, especially in terms of desire. He didn't just stick his long ass arms up and catch every shot that careened off the rim like Duncan does. He used to fight mother ers for the boards, which is why he could outrebound other players of similar height (like Darrall Imhoff, for one). One-on-one against Russell, he always did better on the boards and limited Russell's offensive production (most of the time).

And far as Hakeem goes, good jump-shooting does not a power forward make. Just because you can shoot doesn't mean you're a pf. Take Brad Miller for instance, or Sabonis. Hakeem played back to the basket against most defenders, but against taller, longer guys who could block shots (i.e. Ewing and Robinson), he stepped outside and made quick moves to the hoop or shot jumpers. Granted, he slowed down latter on and relied more on his jumper, but early in his career he was a prototypical center (whatever that means).

Now tell me what makes you a center?
An athletic ability? A low post presents?
Dave had the 7'1" and they put him on a center, he faster then eny big men and that was his adventage (yup I can say Hakeem is as fast as Dave and maybe is more mobile).
Bob Pet was a center in college but when he came to the NBA he changes his position to the forward and he became more allaround player, he could shoot the outside shots beat guys of the dribble and he get the edge that's why he was the greatest Foirward at the begining of the leauge. So what makes him a forward?


The problem with the defesnsive centers is that I haven't seen many games of Kareem and Wilt. But I know that reboudning and blocking is not all when you are talking about defense. I heard that Wilt was not that good of a defensive player till the days he was playing with Lakers. Sheesh he was a monster back then...
Ewing was not that quick on his feet as somebody posted here. But I wuold like to see more of his games cause all I know he was beaten by Hakeem and Dave although he had Mason's and Oakley's backing him up.

We can talk about the indywidual abilities but when it comes to winning Duncan is the best of all of them. Wilt couldn't do anything while Russell's team was destrying him. Only the Philadelphia was ateam for him when he can claim his greatness as a winner. he could't win even with West and Baylor on the team. I saw that last game of the Finals when Frazier took over - lakers had no passion no team work what so ever. Next year cam Goodrich and many ppl ssay he was the main reason they won. baylor was out and they "decided" to play like a team. Wilt was ore concentrated on D and it worked. (Damn Wilt was a monster)

[cs100]

I think this thread has been permanently hijacked.

I hope the real votes are the same as this writer's "imaginary" vote. Both TD and Bowen in the first All Defensive Team would be quite an achievement.

BTW, Tim is a PF on paper regardless of how many discussions go on about his style of play.

[TDMVPDPOY]

i think when ur comparing block or reb stats of duncan to the great big men, his stats arent that far off even though they are not dominating stats, but if you take his team defensive stats in consideration > those players teams stats.

todays league, is more catered to teh swingmen.