KG vs The Admiral

[Warfan]

Im somewhat torn, even though im leaning toward david

Rebounding is pretty much a wash. Garnett is the better passer (Drob was a very good passer too), id say the scoring edge goes to Robinson(even though there were times where I feel his scoring was 'exposed' in the playoffs; e.g Utah in 94, Portland the year before, and then against Denver and Houston in 95, and then against Utah the following year). They're 2 of the best defenders ever, KG being more versatile on the that end while Drob defended the paint better(I feel overall defensively the edge goes to Drob). Both are 2 of the most skilled big men ever, and Robinson is arguably the most athletic centre of all time. I guess it may depend on what your team needs...
KG is one of the most versatile players ever and displayed some great skill on the block and was of course a great outside shooter. David was quite versatile himself and was a great face up player but could also do work in the paint.

So who do you think was better?

[LAZERUSS]

Both were among the greatest ever, but IMO, KG was the better player. In fact, had Garnett not been saddled with putrid rosters, and in his prime seasons, and instead had jumped ship to another quality organization sooner, he may very well have had a Top-10 all-time career. His 07-08 season with the Celtics is pretty indicative of "what could have been."

[iamgine]

They were both just as good as Duncan, Olajuwon, etc.

[moe94]

Peak Robinson > Peak Garnett
Garnett's career > Robinson's career

[MavsSuperFan]

Peak Robinson > Peak Garnett
Garnett's career > Robinson's career
How though, both career chokers until the got with a clutch playoff star.
duncan and pierce

[moe94]

How though, both career chokers until the got with a clutch playoff star.
duncan and pierce

Garnett was clearly the best player on his team when they won whereas Robinson was clearly not. I hope you don't think Pierce was the best player. :biggums:

[MavsSuperFan]

Garnett was clearly the best player on his team when they won whereas Robinson was clearly not. I hope you don't think Pierce was the best player. :biggums:
I feel its closer that you are making it out to be. I think he was better, but the gap isnt huge and pierce had the better playoffs if i am remembering correctly. Honestly pierce is so underrated

Edit: those celtic teams were crazy stacked. If you are going to deduct credit from robinson's 2 rings, you got to do the same for garnett

[moe94]

I feel its closer that you are making it out to be. I think he was better, but the gap isnt huge and pierce had the better playoffs if i am remembering correctly. Honestly pierce is so underrated

Garnett: 20/10.5/3 on 50%

Pierce: 20/5/5 on 44%

Pierce is overrated if people really think he was the best player on that championship team just because he was handed the FMVP. :coleman:

[MavsSuperFan]

Garnett: 20/10.5/3 on 50%

Pierce: 20/5/5 on 44%

Pierce is overrated if people really think he was the best player on that championship team just because he was handed the FMVP. :coleman:
over reliance on box scores and stats. this was only like 6 years ago. watching those games i felt that the celtics went to pierce to close out the games.

[Harison]

DRob was arguably more gifted than both KG and Duncan, problem was Admiral wasnt a fierce competitor. Mental aspect is as important as physical gifts.


How though, both career chokers until the got with a clutch playoff star.
duncan and pierce

You probably arent aware KG was by far the best closer on the championship team (yes, much more clutch than Pierce and Ray), and his career clutch data is a carbon copy of Duncan's.

Its a team sport, and if compared to competition you have a crap team, you wont win regardless how good player is. Jordan himself was bounced in the 1st round many times, was it his fault too? Get some perspective.

[FireDavidKahn]

over reliance on box scores and stats. this was only like 6 years ago. watching those games i felt that the celtics went to pierce to close out the games.
You're right, that only tilts the favor more to KG's side when you include defense.:oldlol:

[moe94]

over reliance on box scores and stats. this was only like 6 years ago. watching those games i felt that the celtics went to pierce to close out the games.

Yeah, because Pierce was the heart of arguably the GOAT defense. :roll:

[MavsSuperFan]

Yeah, because Pierce was the heart of arguably the GOAT defense. :roll:
im not saying that, I am saying iirc he was the guy they ran plays for to close out the games. That has value to me:confusedshrug:

moments matter to me, not all buckets are equal imo

[MavsSuperFan]

You're right, that only tilts the favor more to KG's side when you include defense.:oldlol:
wasnt talking about defense, KG is one of the best defenders ever, much better than pierce.

Am i the only one that recalls the celtics running plays for pierce to close out the games in the playoffs?

[Bob Dole]

Robinson. Seriously one of the more underrated players of all time. I thing KG is slightly underrated as well though.

[secund2nun]

Garnett: 20/10.5/3 on 50%

Pierce: 20/5/5 on 44%

Pierce is overrated if people really think he was the best player on that championship team just because he was handed the FMVP. :coleman:

Not to mention KG was the best defender on the team by miles. KG was way better than Pierce. Most fans underrate big men and this is an example of it.

[Pointguard]

wasnt talking about defense, KG is one of the best defenders ever, much better than pierce.

Am i the only one that recalls the celtics running plays for pierce to close out the games in the playoffs?

Most of the games weren't close because they locked teams down. Still, KG's offense was more reliable and consistent than Pierce's which fluctuated and sometimes went astray. Pierce and Allen would sometimes get hot and they would take the fourth quarter scoring. KG was the default guy and moreso structured into the offense.

There was no way you saw the playoffs and though Pierce was even better on offense alone, much less defense.

[Bob Dole]

Most of the games weren't close because they locked teams down. Still, KG's offense was more reliable and consistent than Pierce's which fluctuated and sometimes went astray. Pierce and Allen would sometimes get hot and they would take the fourth quarter scoring. KG was the default guy and moreso structured into the offense.

There was no way you saw the playoffs and though Pierce was even better on offense alone, much less defense.

You my friend, know basketball.

[Milbuck]

over reliance on box scores and stats. this was only like 6 years ago. watching those games i felt that the celtics went to pierce to close out the games.
They wouldn't have even been in a position to close out games without KG. You do understand how significant it is that he anchored one of the GOAT defenses is right?

[ProfessorMurder]

Anyone who thinks Pierce got that for anything other than being a lifetime Celtic is kidding themselves.



For building a team, it's just whether you want a closer to the basket big, or a stretch big. I prefer KG to Robinson, but it's not like either is really much better than the other.

[longhornfan1234]

Robinson slightly.

[houston]

both were choke artists but I'll give the edge to KG

[Cold soul]

KG for me but Robinson was the greater physical talent, but underperformed in playoffs and mentally. KG had the greater career and had higher peak play between the two.

[Rake2204]

DRob was arguably more gifted than both KG and Duncan, problem was Admiral wasnt a fierce competitor. Mental aspect is as important as physical gifts.I'd like to get to the bottom of Robinson's "lack of competitiveness/soft" thing someday. 30/11/5/3 isn't too shabby for someone who wasn't really competitive. I was always on the other side of the coin on that one.

I thought Robinson could give all he could and push as much as possible for victory without having to express that will outward. He still dunked on heads, he still ran as hard as humanly possible, he still swatted heaps of shots, and he still kept himself in supreme condition. I think there's more ways to succeeding on the hardwood than by grimacing, yelling, and leaving a trail of "All I wanna do is win" quotables.

But that's not a dig at you or anything, Harison. I'm just not sure I ever agreed with that shared line of thinking, as popular as it was. I thought his team's lack of success in the postseason had a lot more to do with a lack of options outside of Robinson. Game plans shifted to eliminating Robinson and forcing other players to contribute, for which they largely did not.

[D.J.]

Garnett. My only real knock on Admiral was his disappearing in the postseason. Prime example was 1995 against Houston. Hakeem ran circles around Admiral.

The one thing that impressed me with KG was taking scrubs to 50 wins and the playoffs on the regular:


2000(50-32)
Garnett- 23/12/5
Brandon- 17/9/3
Szczerbiak- 12/4/3
Sealy- 11/4
Nesterovic- 5/5

Bench players- Joe Smith(9/6), Peeler(10/3), Sam Mitchell, Bobby Jackson


2001(47-35)
Garnett- 22/11/5
Brandon- 16/8/4
Szczerbiak- 14/6
Peeler- 11/3/3
Nesterovic- 5/4

Bench players- Ellis(9/6), Billups(9/3), Slater, Sam Mitchell, Dean Garrett


2002(50-32)
Garnett- 21/12/5
Szczerbiak- 19/5/3
Brandon(only played 32 games)- 12/8
Smith- 11/6
Nesterovic- 8/7

Bench players- Billups(13/6), Peeler(9/3), Trent, Sam Mitchell, Lopez, Loren Woods


2003(51-31)
Garnett- 23/13/6
Szczerbiak(only played 52 games)- 18/5/3
Hudson- 14/6
Nesterovic- 11/7
Peeler- 8/3/3

Bench players- Gill(9/3), Joe Smith(7/5), Rod Strickland, Trent, Marc Jackson


Some putrid teams KG led to the playoffs.

[Black Mamba's B]

Pretty sure Drob had some decent playoff numbers, he didn't just vanish like some clueless posters claim

[D.J.]

Pretty sure Drob had some decent playoff numbers, he didn't just vanish like some clueless posters claim


Game 6 against Phoenix 1993- 22 pts on just 6/15 shooting in game 6, including Barkley nailing the game winning 20 footer in his grill.


1994 against Utah- 20/10 in 4 games on 41% shooting. 12/9 in game 2 and 16/11 on 8/21 in game 3.


1995 against Houston- averaged 24/11 on less than 45% shooting. Hakeem averaged 35/13/5/4 on 56% shooting. Those include games of 41/16/4/3/2, 43/11/5/4, and 42/9/8/5.


1996 against Utah- averaged 19/9 in 6 games. Outplayed by Malone.

[Warfan]

Pretty sure Drob had some decent playoff numbers, he didn't just vanish like some clueless posters claim

Yeah, I mentioned in the OP that he had a few disappointing series:

Blazers 93: 19PPG on .426FG%, down from 23.4PPG on .501fg% in the reg. season

Utah 94: 20PPG on .411FG%, down from 30PPG on .507FG% in the reg. season

Denver 95: 19PPG on .429FG%, down from 27.6PPG on .530FG% in the reg. season

Houston 95: 24PPG on .449FG%, down from 27.6PPG on .530FG% in the reg. season

Utah 96: 19.3PPG on .475FG%, down from 25PPG on .516FG% in the reg. season

[MMM]

Anyone who thinks Pierce got that for anything other than being a lifetime Celtic is kidding themselves.



For building a team, it's just whether you want a closer to the basket big, or a stretch big. I prefer KG to Robinson, but it's not like either is really much better than the other.

KG was the better player in the playoffs and would of won FMVP if he shot a bit better from the field. KG was still the better overall player in that series but Pierce did lead the team in scoring, avg over 6 assists, and played good defense on Kobe down the stretch of games. Ray also did a good job defensively on Kobe and it helped that they both had KG backing them up.

[Dragonyeuw]

However you rank them, I think they're pretty close to one another. I have them at the lower end of the top 20 GOAT list.

Scoring- Robinson
Rebounding- wash
Passing-Garnett
Defense- arguable either way, Garnett's tenacity and versatility against Admiral's shotblocking

I don't think there's 'major' edges in any category. Career-wise, I think Robinson's legacy took a hit from being abused by Hakeem in 95( I also believe that entire 95 run significantly boosted Hakeem's legacy). I think their careers are comparable in terms of accolades, Robinson has one more ring but he was a roleplayer in 03, and a complimentary star to Duncan in 99. Garnett was the best overall player on that 08 Celtics squad, the anchor if you will. I do think that we were robbed of seeing better things from Garnett due to the mediocrity of his Twolves rosters during most of his prime.

[LilEddyCurry]

How though, both career chokers until the got with a clutch playoff star.
duncan and pierce
Your forgetting about RAY ALLEN

[Warfan]

However you rank them, I think they're pretty close to one another. I have them at the lower end of the top 20 GOAT list.

Scoring- Robinson
Rebounding- wash
Passing-Garnett
Defense- arguable either way, Garnett's tenacity and versatility against Admiral's shotblocking

I don't think there's 'major' edges in any category. Career-wise, I think Robinson's legacy took a hit from being abused by Hakeem in 95( I also believe that entire 95 run significantly boosted Hakeem's legacy). I think their careers are comparable in terms of accolades, Robinson has one more ring but he was a roleplayer in 03, and a complimentary star to Duncan in 99. Garnett was the best overall player on that 08 Celtics squad, the anchor if you will. I do think that we were robbed of seeing better things from Garnett due to the mediocrity of his Twolves rosters during most of his prime.

Yep this is pretty much my sentiments too on the comparison, that's why it's tough for me to rank them.

[Pointguard]

However you rank them, I think they're pretty close to one another. I have them at the lower end of the top 20 GOAT list.

Scoring- Robinson
Rebounding- wash
Passing-Garnett
Defense- arguable either way, Garnett's tenacity and versatility against Admiral's shotblocking

I don't think there's 'major' edges in any category. Career-wise, I think Robinson's legacy took a hit from being abused by Hakeem in 95( I also believe that entire 95 run significantly boosted Hakeem's legacy). I think their careers are comparable in terms of accolades, Robinson has one more ring but he was a roleplayer in 03, and a complimentary star to Duncan in 99. Garnett was the best overall player on that 08 Celtics squad, the anchor if you will. I do think that we were robbed of seeing better things from Garnett due to the mediocrity of his Twolves rosters during most of his prime.

I wonder if I recall correctly, but didn't Dennis Rodman suggest he was soft as a teammate. Power forwards used to go at the Admiral pretty hard - Barkley and Malone were notorious for testing him. I think Malone once said something like Rodman. Not that this should mean much in evaluating Drob as all three are pretty nutty and not great judges of character. D Rob was an exceptional player and I have him ranked very highly. I think he, Ewing and Hakeem spent most of their careers on similar planes of equal play. Hakeem just had more breakout seasons.

[LAZERUSS]

However you rank them, I think they're pretty close to one another. I have them at the lower end of the top 20 GOAT list.

Scoring- Robinson
Rebounding- wash
Passing-Garnett
Defense- arguable either way, Garnett's tenacity and versatility against Admiral's shotblocking

I don't think there's 'major' edges in any category. Career-wise, I think Robinson's legacy took a hit from being abused by Hakeem in 95( I also believe that entire 95 run significantly boosted Hakeem's legacy). I think their careers are comparable in terms of accolades, Robinson has one more ring but he was a roleplayer in 03, and a complimentary star to Duncan in 99. Garnett was the best overall player on that 08 Celtics squad, the anchor if you will. I do think that we were robbed of seeing better things from Garnett due to the mediocrity of his Twolves rosters during most of his prime.

Amen brother.

When someone mentions David Robinson, generally the first thought that comes to mind is that of the '95 WCF's, when he was just destroyed by Hakeem. ONE series (and really only four games out of the six) basically sealed his legacy.

[Bigsmoke]

KG