KG was better because of what? Being less dominant over his career? Being a lesser defensive player? Vastly inferior longevity? A lesser offensive game? The only thing he might have over Duncan is his short peak.
What is your all-time Starting 5?
- Thread starter Cassano
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KG was better because of what? Being less dominant over his career? Being a lesser defensive player? Vastly inferior longevity? A lesser offensive game? The only thing he might have over Duncan is his short peak.
Vamos Rafa
Registered User
Like sjfan said, KG's peak was higher than Duncan's. And vastly inferior longevity? KG played 21 seasons. TD played 19. It depends on your definition of offensive. Duncan was the slightly better scorer but KG was the better passer. Duncan was an elite rim protector and a better defender in the post but KG, because of his athleticsm and a slender built for a PF, could guard the perimeter. If you take away team accomplishments, it's really a wash IMO but I just prefer KG's game.
Tim Duncan was one of the best defensive players in his last NBA season, KG was a passanger ever since he left Boston. I don't see why he would get points for longevity because he played past his best before date.
Vamos Rafa
Registered User
Consider the teams he played for in his last 4 years. I would've loved to see how KG would do under the guidance of Popovich. Yes, Duncan had the better longevity but you exaggerated the part where you said "vastly inferior." Duncan's playing style was always meant to last longer than KG's anyway. Bht peak-for-peak, I'd still take KG.
sjsharks92
Shark Tank Commander
Duncan was basically a superstar from day 1. His "peak" if you will began the minute he entered the league. Whereas for KG it took him 4-5 seasons to really become a superstar talent. Nothing wrong with that, that's the normal curve for star players but that's part of why Duncan's peak lasted longer. Additionally KG's peak really ended starting his 2nd season in Boston. By that point at age 32 he was only averaging 16/8/2/1/1. Nothing wrong with that, still exceptional numbers, but clearly not the same KG we had come to expect. Overall I'd say KG's peak lasted from the 98-99 season (age 22) until the 07-08 season (age 31). An incredible 10 year stretch.
However, as I noted, Duncan's was longer no doubt. I'd argue Duncan's peak was from 97-98 (age 21, rookie year) until 09-10 (age 33) a 13 year span. On top of that, Duncan's fall post-peak was nowhere near as extreme as KG's. Even in Duncan's final season he was still one of the 3 or 4 most important players on a Spurs team that was a very serious title contender. While KG was nothing more than a bench presence for the T-Wolves. Hell, even in Duncan's age 36 season he averaged 18/10/3 with 2.7 blocks per game! KG's career high was 2.2. And for reference KG in his age 36 season averaged 15/8/2/1/1. Nothing wrong with those numbers but not quite on par with Duncan.
I'll give you this though, KG was a more versatile player. He could defend the perimeter (although you didn't WANT to see him doing it) and he had that sweet 18-20 foot jumper from the top of the key. Duncan never developed a consistent shot from that range, he did his best work with his back to the basket. KG on the other hand had a slightly bigger arsenal to score from. That's why for the purposes of my starting 5 I picked KG, even though I do think Duncan was the better player.
I like both players a lot, so I'm not trying to put anyone down who picks KG. But in my opinion while KG is an all-time great, Duncan is still a tier above him.
However, as I noted, Duncan's was longer no doubt. I'd argue Duncan's peak was from 97-98 (age 21, rookie year) until 09-10 (age 33) a 13 year span. On top of that, Duncan's fall post-peak was nowhere near as extreme as KG's. Even in Duncan's final season he was still one of the 3 or 4 most important players on a Spurs team that was a very serious title contender. While KG was nothing more than a bench presence for the T-Wolves. Hell, even in Duncan's age 36 season he averaged 18/10/3 with 2.7 blocks per game! KG's career high was 2.2. And for reference KG in his age 36 season averaged 15/8/2/1/1. Nothing wrong with those numbers but not quite on par with Duncan.
I'll give you this though, KG was a more versatile player. He could defend the perimeter (although you didn't WANT to see him doing it) and he had that sweet 18-20 foot jumper from the top of the key. Duncan never developed a consistent shot from that range, he did his best work with his back to the basket. KG on the other hand had a slightly bigger arsenal to score from. That's why for the purposes of my starting 5 I picked KG, even though I do think Duncan was the better player.
I like both players a lot, so I'm not trying to put anyone down who picks KG. But in my opinion while KG is an all-time great, Duncan is still a tier above him.
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- Aug 24, 2011
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Jordan and Orlando Shaq would've been really fun to watch. Maybe throw Rodman in their too. One of the more intimidating defensive lineups i can think of
Neutrinos
Registered User
- Sep 23, 2016
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Duncan played all four years at college, so it just makes sense that he would be NBA-ready when he hit the league
Garnett came straight out of high school, so his career trajectory also makes sense
And are people seriously arguing that Duncan was the superior defensive player?
Garnett was a 9x NBA All-Defensive First Team
They were both elite defensively
Garnett came straight out of high school, so his career trajectory also makes sense
And are people seriously arguing that Duncan was the superior defensive player?
Garnett was a 9x NBA All-Defensive First Team
They were both elite defensively
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Neutrinos
Registered User
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By the time Garnett left Boston, he had played 47801 regular season minutes
For his entire career, Duncan played only 47368
Voight
#winning
KG's 2004 MVP year is one of the best seasons in NBA history and arguably a top 50 one in professional sports. What a treat it was to watch him that year.
KG had to carry his team from day one, fortunately for Duncan he had The Admiral, then Parker/Ginobli and then Leonard. He always had a good supporting cast - not using that as a negative, just for context.
ResilientBeast
Proud Member of the TTSAOA
PG - Chris Paul
SG - Kobe Bryant
SF - Scottie Pippen
PF - Tim Duncan
C - Shaquille O'Neal
Tried to use some less common names and build a more unique team, I'm more of a casual basketball fan anyway
SG - Kobe Bryant
SF - Scottie Pippen
PF - Tim Duncan
C - Shaquille O'Neal
Tried to use some less common names and build a more unique team, I'm more of a casual basketball fan anyway
sjsharks92
Shark Tank Commander
Superior is far too strong of a word. Better though? Yes I'd feel very comfortable saying Duncan was a better defender than KG. That's not a knock on KG either.
sjsharks92
Shark Tank Commander
Agreed. It's a bit tough to cross-reference individual seasons with other sports but there's no doubt KG's MVP season was one of the best in NBA history. I'd say top 3 in the last 20 years up there with Shaq in 99-00 and Steph's 15-16.
VoluntaryDom
Formerly DominicBoltsFan / Ⓐ / ✞
PG: Johnson
SG: Jordan
SF: James
PF: Garnett
C: Abdul-Jabbar
Bench:
PG: Stockton
SG: Bryant
SF: Durant
PF: Duncan
C: O'Neal
Done, use whatever lineups you like.
SG: Jordan
SF: James
PF: Garnett
C: Abdul-Jabbar
Bench:
PG: Stockton
SG: Bryant
SF: Durant
PF: Duncan
C: O'Neal
Done, use whatever lineups you like.
Stylizer1
SENSimillanaire
VoluntaryDom
Formerly DominicBoltsFan / Ⓐ / ✞
Magic Johnson
Michael Jordan
Larry Bird
Tim Duncan
Bill Russel
6th: Lebron James
7th: Kobe Bryant
8th: Shaq
9th: Allen Iverson
Michael Jordan
Larry Bird
Tim Duncan
Bill Russel
6th: Lebron James
7th: Kobe Bryant
8th: Shaq
9th: Allen Iverson
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Hammettf2b
oldmanyellsatcloud.jpg
VoluntaryDom
Formerly DominicBoltsFan / Ⓐ / ✞
This, except you are underrating KG's interior defense and scoring ability.
(Though as a Wolves fan I may be biased)
