I base it on results, I base it on the fact that Duncan could create his own offense consistently in the post. I base it on the fact his teams were almost always better defensively regardless of what trash center was starting next to him after Robinson left. I base it on the fact he has a winning record against KG, and I base it on the fact the Spurs have had the highest winning percentage in all 4 major sports since Duncan was drafted.
You want to get into numbers?
In 2002-2003, 59% of KG's shots were assisted, only 46% for Duncan
In 2003-2004 67% of KG's shots were assisted, only 53% for Duncan
Duncan created from the post for himself, and the numbers show it. The bulk of KG's offense came from jumpshots, while Duncan's offense would be more varied but still centered towards scoring down low.
You can look at boxscores until the end of time, everyone who watched them saw the clear difference between the two of them, and you can see that difference to this day. It's that Duncan had a vicious back to the basket game, he put more pressure on a defense than KG ever could, and you could dump the ball into the post and tell him "Get us 2" in a close game. Meanwhile, KG was taking turn around jumpers over Doug Christie and shyt.
You rave about Spurs defense and ignoring the fact that he ALWAYS played within a great defensive system, with a great defensive coach and great defensive players. If you don't believe how much a great defensive scheme can help a team defense, when you have an anchor, you can start wondering how the hell Boston had the best defense in the NBA last year? Rondo, Ray Allen, Pierce, Bass playing heavy minutes.. It's because they have an anchor in Garnett and a defensive scheme that allows them to execute that defense. Does anyone seriously believe that Flip Saunders would make those Minny teams great defensive? Dude is like one of the worst defensive coaches and played a zone with Garnett at the top. Not to mention their roster was awful defensively and shouldn've been dead last defensively. Cassell, Sprewell, Hassell and Olowokandi has no business being top 6 defensively in the league, come on..
Sure, Garnetts offense was more assisted. I don't deny that Duncan was better at creating for himself in the post but that's not the single thing that makes a great offensive players.
Here are some more food for thought;
In 2002-2003, Garnetts AST% was 25.8, compared to Duncans 19.5 % (his highest ever)
In 2003-2004, Garnetts AST% was 24.4, compared to Duncans 17.4 %.
As you see, Garnett was MUCH better at creating for others in his offense and he did this all while turning the ball over less. That's a HUGE difference.
What you're describing at the end of your post is just another bullshyt made up view of Garnett. He was putting as much pressure on defenses as Duncan at his peak. He wasn't as good as him scoring the ball but the way he initiated their offense from the top of the key and got people in position to score was an aspect of the game that shytted on Duncans ability.
Kobe was NOT elite defensively up until 2009, are you kidding me? I've already read a thousand discussions about this and the obvious answer is that Bryant hasn't been playing great perimeter defense since 2003. And this doesn't even include the fact that Kobe can't match Garnetts impact defensively in the first place since Garnett was a) better defensively and b) is a big men which is more impactful defensively.
