Tim Duncan has 5 rings why isn’t he ever mentioned in top 5

[Controversy]

Kobe did outlast Tim as an elite player, but 7 seasons is a huge exaggeration.

Also, Duncan was clearly a better player than Kobe from 1997-2000. When it was all said and done, Kobe had a bit more longevity, but not THAT MUCH more.

duncan was not an elite player after the 05 ring if we are being honest

he wasn't top 5 in 06 or 07 and any yr after that

 

[mitter]

If the argument was Malone vs Duncan, then you'd have a point.

But the thread is Duncan being Top 5 all-time. That's why you're off-base.

I would take MJ, Kareem and Wilt clearly over Duncan. I can't credibly argue that if you were starting a team from scratch, you wouldn't lose anything by taking Duncan over those three.

After that, it's hard to separate people IMO.

Let's leave aside old-timers for a second.

I think Kobe, Duncan, LeBron, Shaq and Hakeem are roughly on the same level. If someone would prefer the others over Duncan to build a team around, I can see that. But if one is being honest and objective, I think it's hard to argue that you would be clearly better off building a team around the others as opposed to Duncan.

 

[mitter]

duncan was not an elite player after the 05 ring if we are being honest

he wasn't top 5 in 06 or 07 and any yr after that

Sombody didn't watch the 2007 playoffs.

 

[mitter]

Kobe's career was effectively over after 2013.

So let's look at 1997-2013.

16 seasons where Kobe and Duncan's careers overlapped.

Personally, I think Duncan was a better player from 1997-98 to 2004-05 (8 seasons). And I think Kobe was a better player from 2005-06 to 2012-13 (8 seasons).

It's a pretty close call between the two.

 

[Controversy]

Sombody didn't watch the 2007 playoffs.

I'm talking about the season in totality, not just playoffs

And he wasn't a top 5 player in 07

 

[Gangstar8]

Hard to be top 5 when you consistently get dominated by kobe In the playoffs

 

[mitter]

One more thing: I think a lot of people are not properly taking into account the impact that Duncan had on the defensive end. As a "big," he was just more impactful than elite wing defenders. His Spurs teams from the late 90s and 00s won primarily because of their defense, and Duncan was the single biggest reason they had such a great defense. He was the centerpiece of it.

But there's no number to easily quantify that. So I guess you all can keep going on about how his 22-11 seasons just don't seem that spectacular on a stat sheet.

 

[Controversy]

Kobe's career was effectively over after 2013.

So let's look at 1997-2013.

16 seasons where Kobe and Duncan's careers overlapped.

Personally, I think Duncan was a better player from 1997-98 to 2004-05 (8 seasons). And I think Kobe was a better player from 2005-06 to 2012-13 (8 seasons).

It's a pretty close call between the two.

We got 5 opportunities to see them as superstars face off agains each other in the playoffs...Kobe was 4-1, and 4-2 overall

Kobe owned Duncan and the Spurs. They prevented each other from getting another 2-3 rings. I'll just put it like this, Kobe was more of a thorn in the Spurs side than vice versa.

 

[mitter]

I'm talking about the season in totality, not just playoffs

And he wasn't a top 5 player in 07

Yes he was. I was alive at the time. Everyone who watched basketball knew he was a Top 5 player.

Since you apparently don't see the value in having watched games, here's something you can look up on a stat-sheet: Duncan made the All-NBA first team in 2007.

 

[mitter]

We got 5 opportunities to see them as superstars face off agains each other in the playoffs...Kobe was 4-1, and 4-2 overall

Kobe owned Duncan and the Spurs. They prevented each other from getting another 2-3 rings. I'll just put it like this, Kobe was more of a thorn in the Spurs side than vice versa.

For 5 of those match-ups, Kobe was on the same team as another Top-10, pantheon level player in his prime (Shaq). Duncan simply did not have as much help. Duncan did not have anyone remotely close to a prime-Shaq level on his team.

And even then, that 4-2 record could very easily have been 3-3 if not for Fisher's 0.4 shot.

 

[Controversy]

For 5 of those match-ups, Kobe was on the same team as another Top-10, pantheon level player in his prime (Shaq). Duncan simply did not have as much help. Duncan did not have anyone remotely close to a prime-Shaq level on his team.

And even then, that 4-2 record could very easily have been 3-3 if not for Fisher's 0.4 shot.

that Fisher shot didn't win or lose the series

Duncan had Tony Parker & Manu for 2 of those series, Tony Parker & Admiral for one of those series

Duncan always had nice supporting casts going back to Avery Johnson, Jaren Jackson, Mario Elie, Malik Rose, etc...

I value vets that know how to win & Duncan always had solid vets to run with

for the totality of his career, Duncan was never put in a position to outright fail

 

[Controversy]

For 5 of those match-ups, Kobe was on the same team as another Top-10, pantheon level player in his prime (Shaq). Duncan simply did not have as much help. Duncan did not have anyone remotely close to a prime-Shaq level on his team.

And even then, that 4-2 record could very easily have been 3-3 if not for Fisher's 0.4 shot.

In Y19 Pop gave Duncan:

Aldridge
Kawhi
Danny Green
Manu
Parker

 

[intruder]

Agree with this.....either you're elite or not, all the other shyt is just stan war shyt. It's all subjective


Hakeem was better easily. He could elevate his games to levels TD couldn't and didnt

I actually prefer Tim over Hakeem even tho I love Hakeem.

If I'm building a team and I had to build around a PF/C my choice would be :

1. Tim Duncan
2. Hakeem Olajuwon
3. Shaquille ONeal

 

[gho3st]

He was a serious passenger in two of his championships. Only reason ppl rank him ahead of Kobe is bc they hate Kobe lowkey

 

[murksiderock]

List the years when he was regarded as a PF and his resume stands above any other PF, the other rings and accolades were icing on the cake

I mean fair enough, but my counter still stands. PF is a weak position historically and it benefits Tim to be viewed as such rather than as a center...

U tweakin cuh

Kob was elite for a good 7 seasons after Duncan was no longer truly elite

Duncan was a great player but Kobe was better, more skilled, more explosive, etc..

duncan was not an elite player after the 05 ring if we are being honest

he wasn't top 5 in 06 or 07 and any yr after that

'07 he finished 4th in MVP votes but wasn't a Top 5 player?

Duncan was still a factor thru 2010 when he was 18/10; after that Parker was the best player and who everything funneled thru (you and I agree on this). Kobe was elite thru 2013. Duncan was elite earlier in his career so when you really add it up Kobe outlasted Duncan in longevity for a net of about 2 years. Nowhere near 7...

He was a serious passenger in two of his championships. Only reason ppl rank him ahead of Kobe is bc they hate Kobe lowkey

Two? Only championship Duncan wasn't the best player for was #5 in '14...

Kobe wasn't the best player in 3 of his championships so if you're using the "passenger theory" to hang your hat on Duncan still greater...