Where does Tim Duncan rate?

[peternorth]

ESPN's coverage included a short skit on the best PFs of all time.

1. Duncan
2. Barkley
3. Malone
4. Garnett
5. McHale

Of course its just one persons opinion.

Is Duncan the best PF of all time? Here's my take:

TD is a different PF to Barkley and Malone who are more bruisers (although Malone developed an awesome J as well). Garnett has more range. McHale had a great post game, excelled in back to the basket stuff and was a tough player.

Duncan - a mix of finese and power. I think his quiet demeanor suggests hes a "softer" player. A firm grasp of the fundamentals, and let's face it no one shoots off the glass like he does. Seems to just accumulate rebounds and blocks without anyone noticing. Just goes about his stuff, although as Phil Jackson once said Duncan is always amazed whenever being whistled for a foul.

Could he play center? Defend the pivot? By having Elson, Rasho, Robinson around it protects him from guarding say a Shaq, Stoudemire, Howard. On paper he'd get bulldozed by those guys, but Duncan's smart (and so are the Spurs by putting a bonafide 5 in the lineup). Incidentally Im sure he can play the 5.

So how about all time across all players (which is what this post is supposed to be about)? Obviously Jordan is no 1.

Duncan has 2 MVPs, 3 titles and 3 finals MVPs, and hes on the way to getting another title. Just as a comparison, Magic has 5 titles, 3 MVPs, 3 finals MVP.

By the way, just found these vids of Magics retirement

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKTi-0XpMJ8

 

[Portmanteau]

...so what's your take. Deliver a conclusion!

For mine, he's numero uno power foward-o.

 

[peternorth]

...so what's your take. Deliver a conclusion!

For mine, he's numero uno power foward-o.

oops forgot.

yep, no 1 in my book for PFs. has the titles, mvps etc. i guess we give me creed to players with championships, in this case duncan > malone.

not ahead of jordan, magic, bird....cant comment on west, walt, russell etc.

 

[Osmodiar]

I always thought Garnett was better than Duncan, he just lacks the support Duncan has always had. saying that, I have no beef with Duncan being number 1.

 

[Peninsula Boy]

Second to Elgin Baylor but it wouldn't bother me if you called him numero uno either.

Absolute superstar. Boring but amazing.

 

[Hawkie_McHawkHawk]

Too hard to say as i haven't scrutinized Barkley and Malone as much as i have Duncan, but on stats and titles he'd have to be come mighty close.

Personally i love watching Duncan play, his spins, drop steps, bankers and soft touch around the hoop is something to really appreciate.

 

[eathb]

Duncan has always been number one for quite a while... heres my great summary to prove why he is the best PF to ever play the game:

Tim Duncan the 2-time MVP will get his fourth ring and maybe fourth finals MVP in 9 seasons. Duncan has been named in an all-NBA team and an all defensive team in every single season (nine and still going!!). The only other player who has even gotten close to accomplishing this feat is his former team mate David Robinson (7 seasons). Duncan is also the ONLY player in the NBA history to be named to the All-NBA First team in his first 8 seasons (next closest is Larry Bird, who was on the all-first team for his first 5 seasons).

Duncan is always among the leaders in points, rebounds, and blocks, but his ability to effectively pass out of double teams is why he already has three rings in his belt and soon to be fourth.He murdered the Nets in 02-03 with a near quadruple double and Duncan's passing against the Pistons led the Spurs to victory in the fourth quarter of game 7, his inside presence dominance killed off the Suns this year. Infact the reasons why the Spurs are the best team this year, Timmy D is the main reason.

 

[C-Dog]

Superstar player and extremely under-rated because hes not at all flashy.

 

[goDees22]

Superstar player and extremely under-rated because hes not at all flashy.

spot on

 

[peternorth]

Superstar player and extremely under-rated because hes not at all flashy.

spot on

yet there's still something gravitating about his game - watching him work the post, step out and hit the bank shot! thing of beauty

 

[tin can sam]

I think the stat that really highlights his influence is the fact that since Tim Duncan joined the Spurs, they are the most successful team in all of Sport over that time.

(W/L record)

 

[C-Dog]

yet there's still something gravitating about his game - watching him work the post, step out and hit the bank shot! thing of beauty

yeah i know a lot of people dont care for that though

 

[thepower]

yeah i know a lot of people dont care for that though

let me guess, bandwagon cavs, bulls/jordan, 2006 miami heat fans.

timmy D is the best big man in the comp. just a gun. end of story.

 

[C-Dog]

let me guess, bandwagon cavs, bulls/jordan, 2006 miami heat fans.

timmy D is the best big man in the comp. just a gun. end of story.

yeah i agree

 

[jerry springer]

theres no way garnett is in the top 5.great individual player.cant carry a team

i would have Mchale in my team ahead of him everyday of the week too

insert Elvin Hayes or Bob Petit ahead of Garnett.

 

[jerry springer]

Chris webber in his prime was more damaging than garnett too

 

[eathb]

theres no way garnett is in the top 5.great individual player.cant carry a team

Tim Duncan has always had good team mates... Parker, Robinson

Garnett is the 03-04 MVP, and the T'Wolves would've won the championship that year if Sam Cassell didn't get injured in the Conference Finals. The T'Wolves also didn't have their backup PG Troy Hudson at the time and had to go with Darrick Martin as their PG and essentially play 4 on 5.

 

[jod23]

Duncan has to be the greatest PF of all time. He has the runs on the board and the titles to back it up. Although I suppose it's unfair on Barkley and Malone, being his two biggest competitors for the top spot, they had to beat the unbeatable.

Duncan never had to beat the unbeatable.

 

[GmeUP]

KG is the best present 4 in the game, Malone probably the best i've seen in my time.

 

[tin can sam]

KG is the best present 4 in the game, Malone probably the best i've seen in my time.

Nope, It's Duncan

Followed by Dirk.

 

[GmeUP]

KG has a much more complete game than Duncan. He has the rebounding/Power game of Duncan, he has as much range on his shot and he is quicker with better handles.

As for Dirk he's well off the pack. If he was a franchise player he would have 5 rings now with the teams that have been put around him.

 

[tin can sam]

KG has a much more complete game than Duncan. He has the rebounding/Power game of Duncan, he has as much range on his shot and he is quicker with better handles.

As for Dirk he's well off the pack. If he was a franchise player he would have 5 rings now with the teams that have been put around him.

He dosn't have Duncan defesive ability though, that's what sets Duncan apart.

 

[peternorth]

malone was an underrated defender as well. shame he copped injuries in our (lakers) final year with shaq/payton/kobe/malone combo.

he understood sacrifice and didnt complain about a lack of shots a la payton in that year.