But Duncan was top 5 from 1997 - 2007
Kobe 2001-2012
roughly the same years. Duncan didn't have Shaq to rely on he had wash d rob and role players until manu and parker blossomed in 05
does Tim Duncan go down as a top 5 player of all time
- Thread starter SkillClash
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But Duncan was top 5 from 1997 - 2007
Kobe 2001-2012
roughly the same years. Duncan didn't have Shaq to rely on he had wash d rob and role players until manu and parker blossomed in 05
Why does every thread on the Coli have to be about Kobe
he's the most important player in the NBA since Michael Jordan. the fact he's got more people talking about him when he hasn't played a meaningful game in 14 months and the NBA Finals is upon us with two legends in their own right is a testament to that.
Kobe is the gawd.
The only reason "people" are talking about him is because of weirdos like you.
why focus solely on finals/regular season MVPs? there is alot more on Kobe's resume that places him very favorably among the top 5. just have a look at what else he's done in addition to 5 titles, 2 finals MVPs, and one regular season MVP:
15 time All-NBA Selection - tied for MOST ALL TIME
11 time All-NBA First Team - tied for MOST ALL TIME
9 time All-Defense First Team - tied for MOST ALL TIME
31,700 points (regular season) - 4th ALL TIME
5,640 points (playoffs) - 3rd ALL TIME
add that to his 5 rings/2 Finals MVPs/1 regular season MVP, and I can make a good case for him over Shaq, LeBron, Duncan, and Bird. He might not have had their short term dominance (if you base that on MVPs and/or Finals MVPs). But his record of SUSTAINED EXCELLENCE is much greater than theirs.
From 2001-2013 (13 regular seasons), Kobe Bryant averaged: 28.1 PPG (on 56 TS%), 5.7 RPG, 5.2 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.5 BPG. In the playoffs he averaged: 28.5 PPG (on 55 TS%), 5.5 RPG, 5.2 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.5 BPG.
13 seasons of being a unanimous top 5 player. And in most cases top 1-2. He may not have had the peaks of some of these other guys, but he didn't have their valleys either. 13 seasons of consistent 28/6/5 basketball has to count for something. In addition to the 5 championships, 7 finals, and countless unforgettable scoring performances. LeBron can surpass Kobe if he continues his current pace. However, both Shaq and Duncan are NOT better than Kobe. They did not have the same level of SUSTAINED EXCELLENCE that Kobe Bryant exhibited for the last decade plus. He was far more consistent in his greatness than anyone that has come after Jordan. That is why he's the best player post-Jordan IMO.
13 years of SUSTAINED EXCELLENCE has to count for something.....right?
2001-2013. last year Kobe dropped 27/6/6 on his highest shooting % since 08.
13 seasons of top 5 ball >>> 11 seasons
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How are we comparing the prime years of a C/PF to a 2 guard? Especially since the big men have equaled the success of the guard in a shorter window...as the clear cut #1 option and leader of the team.
shouldn't a big have a longer prime than a guard? little guys depend moreso on their athleticism and skills than bigs who can always fall back on their size. the fact Kobe's prime lasted 2 seasons longer than Duncan should be telling.
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Bigs usually break down earlier so their window isn't as long as perimeter players. Duncan only survived this long because the Spurs were smart enough to manage his minutes and his game doesn't depend on athleticism. I've got him over Kobe and just out of the top 5.
well my top 5 based purely off accomplishments (since none of us have seen most of em play) is:
1. Jordan
2. Kareem
3. Russell
4. Magic
5. Kobe
rounding out the top 10 (in order): Shaq, Duncan, Bird, Wilt, then Hakeem. LeBron can leap Hakeem with one more ring.
havoc
Superstar
Kobe is an overrated defender. He had a few great run as defender, but for the most of his career, his defense was average overall. I will place Kobe in the top ten.
Jesus Shuttlesworth
I Got Game
Duncan > Russell 
men lie. women lie. selections don't.
At the end of the day, even if he did get a couple of those all-defense selections based on reputation, then so have others. Hell just this year we saw Bron make 2nd team and alot of people thought he mailed it in defensively. I'm sure Jordan also didn't play 1st team defense in 97 and 98 in his mid-30s. Lets just not act like Kobe's the only dude to get certain accolades based on rep. It happens to everyone else too.
Nope.
Read the interviews. Pop has said it many times. Without Duncan, there is no Spurs dynasty.
The team had never won a championship or even a conference championship.
There was nothing.
Then there was Duncan.
Then there were rings, champions, and a dynasty.
Keep in mind he won the first title with Mario Elie and Sean Elliot with his new kidney... and won the second with Speedy Claxton getting major minutes over Tony Parker... and basically NOTHING from Manu.
Some of us actually watched those series.
I ain't disrespecting Duncan. I have him #3 on my list of dudes I've seen play behind Kobe and Shaq. I'm simply saying that they wouldn't have had the SUSTAINED SUCCESS they've had for the past 15 years if their management wasn't so great. Kobe went though lean years. Shaq went through lean years. So did LeBron. None of them had an organization as good as San Antonio when it comes to constantly replenishing the team with good talent late in the draft. most of the teams Kobe/Shaq/LeBron were on got better cause of free agency/trades. not because management was so good at finding talent in the draft.
If Duncan didn't have such great management around him, he wouldn't have made it to the finals the last 2 years when he no longer was the player he used to be.