and this statement sums up why Kobe >>> Duncan
longer stretch of excellence
That's really what it comes down to. I don't agree with a lot of ROFL's arguments, but Kobe's string of dominance is longer than Duncan and so was Shaq's I don't know why people ignore the fact that Shaq was dominant from 92 to 2004.
Duncan was dominant from his rookie year in 97 until that 06-07 season, but in the finals Tony Parker took over. Parker has been the better player since. Duncan was still very good for 2 or years after that but he really only had a 9 year stretch of dominance.
Still plays elite defense though and gives you flashes. So if you're going to say Duncan is better than Kobe then you're going to have to be arguing that being elite for Duncan's 9 is better than being dominant for Kobe's 12. When the Lakers won their first ring Kobe was very good, but not dominant yet. He was clutch though.
2000 to the present. 12 years of Kobe being dominant. In that span he's made numerous all defensive teams, won MVP, two finals MVPs, second in DPOY voting. All NBA First teams, etc. Also 4 rings.
In the same span Duncan won 3 rings, two finals MVPs and two regular season MVPs. Perhaps he adds to this in June. Who knows. It very well be LeBron's year.
If he wins, he'd still be where he is right now. Top 10. Somewhere around Hakeem and Kobe.