Is Tim Duncan the only top 10 player of all time that...

[PistonsFan#21]

was never the #1 best player in the league over the course of a full season? His best ranking would probably be during the early 2000's but even then he wasnt better than a prime Shaq

[houston]

2003 Duncan was a god lol

[Carbine]

You must be 15.

You are excused.

[T_L_P]

2003?

[DonDadda59]

Da Fuq? :biggums:

[dreamwarrior]

As far as expectations, he exceeded them. I really thought that Marcus Camby was going to be the better player as he whooped Tim's ass in college but Tim proved to be leagues above Camby

[PistonsFan#21]

2003 Duncan was a god lol


2003?

you guys honestly think he was better than 2003 Shaq?

[PistonsFan#21]

Da Fuq? :biggums:

which year was he the best player? :confusedshrug:

[T_L_P]

you guys honestly think he was better than 2003 Shaq?

Duncan's 03 Playoff run is one of the five greatest ever. Of course he was.

Shaq missed like twenty regular season games so by default Duncan was better. But in the Playoffs Duncan completely kills him. He went on Shaq's court and finished him with a 37/16 game.

[BuffaloBill]

How do I reach these kids? :facepalm

[Rekindled]

da faq:coleman:

[BuffaloBill]

http://lepetitsmudge.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/4391651_700b.jpg

[SHAQisGOAT]

2003

[SilkkTheShocker]

Can't think of one season where Kobe was the best player in the league

[Cold soul]

Can't think of one season where Kobe was the best player in the league

06, 07, and 08 for sure.

[livingby3's]

His longevity and consistency is something else though

[NBAplayoffs2001]

you guys honestly think he was better than 2003 Shaq?

Did you see Shaq's fitness in 2003? IMO his best physical peak years were late 1999 to the nba finals in 2001. 2002, he took a small step. But Shaq took a huge step down in 2003 and I don't blame Kobe having trouble trusting him since he sat out games and the Lakers had to be play catchup after going 11-19 in the start of the season.

[DaSeba5]

2003?

[Warners0]

From 99 to 2007 Duncan was clearly the best player in the league.

Duncan doesn't force offense like most superstars but he scored when he wanted.

When he had to score no one stopped him.

He was also a top defender who was screwed out of some defensive player of the year awards.

Had Duncan not gotten hurt in 2000 the Lakers dynasty might have never gotten started.

[Draz]

He's a god

[Legends66NBA7]

From 99 to 2007 Duncan was clearly the best player in the league.

Why do you say that ?

Are you talking about the specific, season by season or just the stretch overall ?

[Kvnzhangyay]

Can't think of one season where Kobe was the best player in the league

But Kobe isnt a top 10 player...

[GimmeThat]

was never the #1 best player in the league over the course of a full season? His best ranking would probably be during the early 2000's but even then he wasnt better than a prime Shaq

Yes, given the assumption that the best player in the league don't win rings.

because the best players in the league do something else besides winning rings.

as to what?

I sound drunk, don't I.

[BoutPractice]

Tim Duncan in 2003:

- NBA MVP
- Finals MVP
- All-NBA First Team
- All-Defensive First Team
- Top 10 in ppg, top 3 in RPG, top 3 in BPG
- Top 3 in PER, led the league in win shares
- Had no other All-Star on his team
- Played about as perfect all-around as a bigman can
- Averaged 23 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocks per game on 51% shooting in the regular season
- Averaged 25 points, 15 rebounds, 5 assists and 3.5 blocks on 53% shooting in the playoffs
- Averaged 28 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists and 1.5 blocks per game on 53% shooting against Shaq's Lakers. Both Duncan and Kobe outscored Shaq in the series
- Averaged 24 points, 17 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 blocks on 50% shooting in the Finals, including a near quadruple double in the title clinching game

What more do you need? This was one of the most dominant seasons of all-time.

[fiddy]

Can't think of one season where Kobe was the best player in the league
Cant think of one post you are not the biggest fakkit on ish

[Anaximandro1]

Fans don't like watching the Spurs, so they're relatively unknown. Pay attention, OP.

A healthy Duncan was the #1 best player in the league from 1999 to 2007.

He was the best low post scorer in the game for a good chunk of the period and, on top of that, a terrific defensive anchor.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7l1WzDrDFeU/U4CBQ5wXofI/AAAAAAAAC4U/sfxMohRTweQ/s1600/23.jpg


1999

Spurs (6 - 8) got destroyed by the Jazz (11 -2) early in the 1998-99 NBA season (http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199902280SAS.html)



Popovich was going to be fired. The Spurs' players knew that the game in Houston was Pop's last chance.

Duncan (23 pt, 14 rb, 5blk), Avery Johnson (18 pt, 13 as) and Robinson (15 pt, 9 rb, 3blk) saved Popovich. (http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199903020HOU.html)



It was the turning point for the Spurs franchise ... a few weeks later, Lakers and Jazz got totally owned by Duncan.

Las Vegas - Favorites to win 1999 NBA title (Feb 6, 1999)
(http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1999-02-06/sports/9902060234_1_scott-magic-outlaw)
The favorites are the Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers at 7-2. The Lakers are at 3-1, followed by the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs at 5-1, and the Houston Rockets at 6-1.


In 1999 the Jazz and the Lakers were heavily favored to win the NBA title. In fact, Malone won his second MVP in 1999.

Jazz (32-8) dominated the regular season until the Spurs (28-12) visited the Delta Center. Utah had beaten San Antonio in eight of the last nine meetings. The Jazz had eliminated the Spurs from the playoffs in 1994, 1996 and 1998.

The Spurs were obsessed with beating the Jazz

[aj1987]

Duncan's 03 Playoff run is one of the five greatest ever. Of course he was.

Shaq missed like twenty regular season games so by default Duncan was better. But in the Playoffs Duncan completely kills him. He went on Shaq's court and finished him with a 37/16 game.
:oldlol:

I love Duncan, but you guys need to stop overrating him.

[Uncle Drew]

:oldlol:

I love Duncan, but you guys need to stop overrating him.He's right. Duncan won the damn thing on his own that year. The only two I can recall who did the same were Rick Barry and Hakeem.

[Unbiased_one]

06, 07, and 08 for sure.

But no. Maybe 08.

[Chizdog]

06, 07, and 08 for sure.

These kids doesn't even know who Lebron is.

[Marlo_Stanfield]

06, 07, and 08 for sure.
http://cdn.niketalk.com/2/2f/350x700px-LL-2ff5111e_michael-jordan-laughing.gif

[T_L_P]

:oldlol:

I love Duncan, but you guys need to stop overrating him.

Care to name me five better, when context is applied?

[annbafan]

Can't think of one season where Kobe was the best player in the league

it's easier to name the seasons when he wasn't the best player than the ones when he was.

[mehyaM24]

1998-shaq
1999-shaq
2000-shaq
2001-shaq
2002-shaq
2003-shaq
2004-shaq
2005-shaq/lebron
2006-lebron
2007-lebron
2008-lebron
2009-lebron
2010-lebron
2011-lebron
2012-lebron
2013-lebron

yes, he and kobe are the only "top 10" players to never be the best in any of the years they played.

[T_L_P]

1998-shaq
1999-shaq
2000-shaq
2001-shaq
2002-shaq
2003-shaq
2004-shaq
2005-shaq/lebron
2006-lebron
2007-lebron
2008-lebron
2009-lebron
2010-lebron
2011-lebron
2012-lebron
2013-lebron

yes, he and kobe are the only "top 10" players to never be the best in any of the years they played.

:roll:

Yeah, Shaq was really the best player in '99 when Duncan swept his ass. And again in '03 when he got torched by a single star team.

How was Shaq the best player in the world in '03, when he was only marginally better than Bryant himself, and they couldn't even make it out of the second round?

And LeBron in '05? He didn't make the ****ing Playoffs.

[mehyaM24]

:roll:

Yeah, Shaq was really the best player in '99 when Duncan swept his ass. And again in '03 when he got torched by a single star team.

team sport

shaq played with scrubs. once he actually got help (the very next year), LA was a dynasty.


How was Shaq the best player in the world in '03, when he was only marginally better than Bryant himself, and they couldn't even make it out of the second round?

injuries (played with turf toe)... when healthy, shaq was still by FAR the best player in the game. the only time san antonio was able to beat the lakers is when kobe either shotjacked or shaq didnt have enough help.

look at shaq and kobe's playoff scoring....
2000 championship year:
shaq- 30.7 ppg
kobe 21.1 ppg

2001 championship year:
shaq- 30 .4 ppg
kobe 29.4 ppg

2002 championship year:
shaq- 28.5 ppg
kobe 26.6 ppg

with that ball going thru shaq they were unbeatable....what happened in 2003? shaq 27.0 ppg, kobe 32.1 ppg.....kobe took 159 fgas to shaqs 102 fgas in the 2003 spurs series

kobe simply shotjacked them out of that series


And LeBron in '05? He didn't make the ****ing Playoffs.

AGAIN....TEAM SPORT

lebron was already the best all-around player in 2005. fact

[T_L_P]

team sport

shaq played with scrubs. once he actually got help (the very next year), LA was a dynasty.



injuries (played with turf toe)... when healthy, shaq was still by FAR the best player in the game. the only time san antonio was able to beat the lakers is when kobe either shotjacked or shaq didnt have enough help.

look at shaq and kobe's playoff scoring....
2000 championship year:
shaq- 30.7 ppg
kobe 21.1 ppg

2001 championship year:
shaq- 30 .4 ppg
kobe 29.4 ppg

2002 championship year:
shaq- 28.5 ppg
kobe 26.6 ppg

with that ball going thru shaq they were unbeatable....what happened in 2003? shaq 27.0 ppg, kobe 32.1 ppg.....kobe took 159 fgas to shaqs 102 fgas in the 2003 spurs series

kobe simply shotjacked them out of that series



AGAIN....TEAM SPORT

lebron was already the best all-around player in 2005. fact

Stop with this when healthy bullshit. When Tim was healthy in '06 he was averaging 32 PPG on 56% shooting in a 7 game Playoff series. Was he the best player in '06?

There's no way Shaq was the best player in '03. He missed twenty regular season games, and then he was taken down by Duncan in the Playoffs. If he couldn't stay healthy that was mainly due to his laziness. He shouldn't get a pass for that.

Shaq was easily the best player from 00-02 (though Duncan outperformed Shaq in the '02 Playoffs, he just didn't have the team -- which is what you spewed about '99). But in '03 it was Duncan's time. Even Rick Fox called him the best player in the world. So did Bill Walton, Jason Kidd, most media outlets.

[aj1987]

Care to name me five better, when context is applied?
Jordan, Shaq, and Hakeem take the top 5. Timmy's run is probably the 7th greatest, IMO.

Heck, as much as I hate on Wilt, he had one of the GOAT playoff runs in '67. 22/29/9? Those are freaking 2k'ish numbers.

[T_L_P]

Jordan, Shaq, and Hakeem take the top 5. Timmy's run is probably the 7th greatest, IMO.

Heck, as much as I hate on Wilt, he had one of the GOAT playoff runs in '67. 22/29/9? Those are freaking 2k'ish numbers.

Shaq in 2000 is about the same. But 2001 and 2002, when he was playing with the second or third best player in the league? Like I said, apply context. Doing it without another star is almost impossible. Shaq had an ultra-star for his next two runs.

Jordan's first run, Hakeem's 94 run, and Shaq 00 run are the only ones that deserve to be put ahead, and even then I'm taking Tim's 03 run over Shaq's. I think ESPN ranked Duncan's second, in fact.

[lilgodfather1]

Kobe Bryant is the answer to this question. Well maybe for obe season. Kobe just had tough luck. He came into the league and Shaq and Duncan were priming all over the place, and then the King was Kinging when they declined.

Know the difference between a King and a Pawn.

[r15mohd]

Duncan's 03 Playoff run is one of the five greatest ever. Of course he was.

Shaq missed like twenty regular season games so by default Duncan was better. But in the Playoffs Duncan completely kills him. He went on Shaq's court and finished him with a 37/16 game.


this...TD was definitely the best that year, 2004 was a descent year for him too. Nash did emerge tho

[gts]

I Can't stop thinking of Kobe, it's like he's become part of me

fixed

[DMAVS41]

Stop with this when healthy bullshit. When Tim was healthy in '06 he was averaging 32 PPG on 56% shooting in a 7 game Playoff series. Was he the best player in '06?

There's no way Shaq was the best player in '03. He missed twenty regular season games, and then he was taken down by Duncan in the Playoffs. If he couldn't stay healthy that was mainly due to his laziness. He shouldn't get a pass for that.

Shaq was easily the best player from 00-02 (though Duncan outperformed Shaq in the '02 Playoffs, he just didn't have the team -- which is what you spewed about '99). But in '03 it was Duncan's time. Even Rick Fox called him the best player in the world. So did Bill Walton, Jason Kidd, most media outlets.

He and Wade would be my picks...

[Kiddlovesnets]

He was the best from 03-07, or maybe 05-07 if you believe Shaq was still in his prime till 2004.

[gts]

:oldlol:

I love Duncan, but you guys need to stop overrating him.Although he does overrate Duncan in most aspects Duncan's 2003 playoff run was incredible..

that being said when there's a debate whether he was the best player for even one year and it comes down to a playoff run it shows how overrated he is by some

[FireDavidKahn]

2003 Duncan was a god lol
True, but KG was better in that particular year.:confusedshrug:

Edit: thought you meant 03-04.:facepalm :hammerhead:

[Kiddlovesnets]

True, but KG was better in that particular year.:confusedshrug:

KG's MVP year was in 2004, not 2003. Even in 2004 Id still take Duncan over KG, but its a toss up.

[r15mohd]

Shaq in 2000 is about the same. But 2001 and 2002, when he was playing with the second or third best player in the league? Like I said, apply context. Doing it without another star is almost impossible. Shaq had an ultra-star for his next two runs.

Jordan's first run, Hakeem's 94 run, and Shaq 00 run are the only ones that deserve to be put ahead, and even then I'm taking Tim's 03 run over Shaq's. I think ESPN ranked Duncan's second, in fact.


I wouldn't use another star player to discredit any of them tho...I can understand it being used on your end due to the TD fan support, but majority of players in the top 10-15 all had star caliber players on their teams. TD is no different for many of his years.

[mehyaM24]

Stop with this when healthy bullshit.

its not bullshit. im saying shaq played great even WITH his injuries.


There's no way Shaq was the best player in '03. He missed twenty regular season games, and then he was taken down by Duncan in the Playoffs. If he couldn't stay healthy that was mainly due to his laziness. He shouldn't get a pass for that.

when shaq came back from injury, he was easily the best player in the league. dude practically carried the lakers into the playoffs, who before allstar break, were struggling just to stay .500.


Shaq was easily the best player from 00-02

agreed

[T_L_P]

I wouldn't use another star player to discredit any of them tho...I can understand it being used on your end due to the TD fan support, but majority of players in the top 10-15 all had star caliber players on their teams. TD is no different for many of his years.

But those are generally the toughest ones to win. Hakeem didn't have a star in 94, nor Dirk in 11, nor Duncan in 03. :confusedshrug:

Looking at the raw numbers, sure, Duncan didn't have a top 5 Playoff run. But when you take into account he had to anchor his team on both sides of the floor, lead his team in most statistical categories by a hefty margin, and go up against some very tough individual matchups, it's definitely up there.

[T_L_P]

You know what's funny, I think Shaq also called Tim the best player in the world after his team go dissected in the Playoffs.

Isn't that when Shaq gave him the Big Fundamental nickname?

[T_L_P]

its not bullshit. im saying shaq played great even WITH his injuries.



when shaq came back from injury, he was easily the best player in the league. dude practically carried the lakers into the playoffs, who before allstar break, were struggling just to stay .500.



agreed

If we're talking about help, why isn't Duncan ahead of Shaq in '02? He didn't have as good a squad, Robinson completely broke down and missed most of the Playoffs, and he outplayed Shaq in their series.

Duncan > Shaq in '02? Of course not. Shaq > Duncan in '03? See '02.

[aj1987]

Shaq in 2000 is about the same. But 2001 and 2002, when he was playing with the second or third best player in the league? Like I said, apply context. Doing it without another star is almost impossible. Shaq had an ultra-star for his next two runs.
That's why I SAID '00. Shaq was better in '00 than Timmy was in '03.


Jordan's first run, Hakeem's 94 run, and Shaq 00 run are the only ones that deserve to be put ahead, and even then I'm taking Tim's 03 run over Shaq's. I think ESPN ranked Duncan's second, in fact.
Nope. ESPN had LeBron at #2 and Duncan at #4.

I rank MJ's first 3peat, Hakeem's 2peat, Shaq in '00, and Wilt's '67 run over Duncan's '03 run. Those are the guys that I remember of the top of my head.


Although he does overrate Duncan in most aspects Duncan's 2003 playoff run was incredible..

that being said when there's a debate whether he was the best player for even one year and it comes down to a playoff run it shows how overrated he is by some
No doubt. An almost quad double with 21 points, 20 boards, 10 reounds, and 8 blocks in a Game 6 of the Finals? That's just incredible.

[mehyaM24]

If we're talking about help, why isn't Duncan ahead of Shaq in '02? He didn't have as good a squad, Robinson completely broke down and missed most of the Playoffs, and he outplayed Shaq in their series.

Duncan > Shaq in '02? Of course not. Shaq > Duncan in '03? See '02.

because shaq was a better player. you said so yourself. 00-02 shaq, his peak, was the best player in the game.

do you even know what you're arguing? :oldlol:

[r0drig0lac]

Fans don't like watching the Spurs, so they're relatively unknown. Pay attention, OP.

A healthy Duncan was the #1 best player in the league from 1999 to 2007.

He was the best low post scorer in the game for a good chunk of the period and, on top of that, a terrific defensive anchor.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7l1WzDrDFeU/U4CBQ5wXofI/AAAAAAAAC4U/sfxMohRTweQ/s1600/23.jpg


1999

Spurs (6 - 8) got destroyed by the Jazz (11 -2) early in the 1998-99 NBA season (http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199902280SAS.html)



Popovich was going to be fired. The Spurs' players knew that the game in Houston was Pop's last chance.

Duncan (23 pt, 14 rb, 5blk), Avery Johnson (18 pt, 13 as) and Robinson (15 pt, 9 rb, 3blk) saved Popovich. (http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199903020HOU.html)



It was the turning point for the Spurs franchise ... a few weeks later, Lakers and Jazz got totally owned by Duncan.

Las Vegas - Favorites to win 1999 NBA title (Feb 6, 1999)
(http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1999-02-06/sports/9902060234_1_scott-magic-outlaw)

In 1999 the Jazz and the Lakers were heavily favored to win the NBA title. In fact, Malone won his second MVP in 1999.

Jazz (32-8) dominated the regular season until the Spurs (28-12) visited the Delta Center. Utah had beaten San Antonio in eight of the last nine meetings. The Jazz had eliminated the Spurs from the playoffs in 1994, 1996 and 1998.

The Spurs were obsessed with beating the Jazz … Duncan dropped 36 pt/10 rb/7blk on Malone's Jazz at Delta Center. (http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199904200UTA.html)

The Spurs beat the Jazz again just a week later... Duncan led San Antonio with 26 points, 14 rebounds and 4 blocks. (http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199905020SAS.html)

Jazz still finished with the league's best record at 37-13, but the Spurs matched that mark and won the No. 1 seed in the West by beating Utah 2-1 in the season series. A few weeks later, the Jazz were eliminated by the Blazers. The rest is history.



2000 and 2001

Shaq deserves the benefit of the doubt, but Duncan missed the playoffs in 2000 ... so who knows.



2002

Duncan was the best player in 2002 ... Lakers were the best team.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iQps2pyp0_4/U4w4O15iDyI/AAAAAAAAC5s/UjWkfChKddk/s1600/29.jpg



2003

GOAT Forward at the peak of his powers.


http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t-GfV7k1U4s/UzdI1w7K9BI/AAAAAAAACsY/F7D84r1ycnc/s1600/8.jpg



2004

Derek Fisher' miracle shot saved the Lakers ... and Shaq.

Game 5 - Lakers 74 - Spurs 73

Duncan 21 pt, 21 rb, 4 blk vs Shaq 11 pt, 11 rb, 3 blk (http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/200405130SAS.html)


Duncan outscored the Lakers (8 - 6) in the last five minutes of game 5 (http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/pbp/200405130SAS.html)



2005

Duncan gets the job done on two bad ankles.



2006 and 2007

Duncan suffered from plantar fasciitis ... a healthy Duncan was still better than Kobe and LeBron.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4uYdgJsEuCI/U4w4O46l3uI/AAAAAAAAC5o/gE1Vno8Mytw/s1600/30.jpg :applause: awesome ... to end this bs shaq> duncan kobe​​> duncan ... maybe kobe ​​+ shaq> Duncan Duncan .... not to mention that he played elite defense.
watching in 2003 I could not understand .. but looking at these numbers it is just fantastic added its fundamental defense

[T_L_P]

because shaq was a better player. you said so yourself. 00-02 shaq, his peak, was the best player in the game.

do you even know what you're arguing? :oldlol:

Exactly. It's pretty much fact that Shaq was the best player over that span, just as it is that Duncan was the best player in '03.

Shaq said so himself. Rick Fox, Shaq's teammate said so. Bill Walton, Jason Kidd, most media outlets, statistically, accomplishment wise, overall impact.

The only case Shaq has is, "If he isn't injured so much that year it's him." Sorry, he was injured. What he did in '03 doesn't match what Duncan did.

Then again, you think Shaq was better in '04 than Garnett was -- again, very laughable.

[pastis]

Shaq in 2000 is about the same. But 2001 and 2002, when he was playing with the second or third best player in the league? Like I said, apply context. Doing it without another star is almost impossible. Shaq had an ultra-star for his next two runs.

Jordan's first run, Hakeem's 94 run, and Shaq 00 run are the only ones that deserve to be put ahead, and even then I'm taking Tim's 03 run over Shaq's. I think ESPN ranked Duncan's second, in fact.

just for information: what is Dirks playoff run 11 ranked? i really dont know

03 Duncan was fvcking strong:applause: :applause:

[T_L_P]

just for information: what is Dirks playoff run 11 ranked? i really dont know

03 Duncan was fvcking strong:applause: :applause:

I don't even think they ranked it in the top 50. :eek:

I could be wrong; I haven't looked at the list in like a year and I don't have Insider.

It should be much higher than that though. At least top 20, though I'm leaning around 10-13 range.

Correction: the ranked it 50th.

[pastis]

I don't even think they ranked it in the top 50. :eek:

I could be wrong; I haven't looked at the list in like a year and I don't have Insider.

It should be much higher than that though. At least top 20, though I'm leaning around 10-13 range.

Correction: the ranked it 50th.

wow ranked 50. after seweeping kobe, than destrying singlehandly okc, 2 game winners vs maimi, more than 10 points in the 4th in the playoffs a game, came always strong when the team needed it most. and just 50.. :D

can you give me a link pls?

[T_L_P]

wow ranked 50. after seweeping kobe, than destrying singlehandly okc, 2 game winners vs maimi, more than 10 points in the 4th in the playoffs a game, came always strong when the team needed it most. and just 50.. :D

can you give me a link pls?

You need ESPN Insider to see 6-50. Here's screenshots on ISH:

http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showthread.php?t=324464

Just zoom the images to read them. :cheers:

[pastis]

You need ESPN Insider to see 6-50. Here's screenshots on ISH:

http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showthread.php?t=324464

Just zoom the images to read them. :cheers:

i mean, duncan was fvcking monster 03. but are there more than 40 places between his performance and dirks 11 O.o?:biggums: :biggums:

[T_L_P]

i mean, duncan was fvcking monster 03. but are there more than 40 places between his performance and dirks 11 O.o?:biggums: :biggums:

There obviously shouldn't be. It's absurd.

I personally have Duncan's ranked second or third all time and Dirk's around tenth. Dirk faced so many great teams that year.

ESPN. :facepalm

And the way they shove LeBron in at number two is just as shameless.

[pastis]

There obviously shouldn't be. It's absurd.

I personally have Duncan's ranked second or third all time and Dirk's around tenth. Dirk faced so many great teams that year.

ESPN. :facepalm

And the way they shove LeBron in at number two is just as shameless.

incredible, no really objective explications

i mean duncan 03. 30 PER, fvcking monster.

dirk as a 33 year old, past his prime, having such a clutch and epic palyoffrun. i mean it was dirks 2nd life "spring" if you can say it son in english. :applause:

[ArbitraryWater]

Shaq in 2000 is about the same. But 2001 and 2002, when he was playing with the second or third best player in the league? Like I said, apply context. Doing it without another star is almost impossible. Shaq had an ultra-star for his next two runs.

Jordan's first run, Hakeem's 94 run, and Shaq 00 run are the only ones that deserve to be put ahead, and even then I'm taking Tim's 03 run over Shaq's. I think ESPN ranked Duncan's second, in fact.

ESPN ranked it 3rd after Lebron 2012.... Jordan 1991 was 1st.

Edit: Aj already corrected

[ArbitraryWater]

You need ESPN Insider to see 6-50. Here's screenshots on ISH:

http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showthread.php?t=324464

Just zoom the images to read them. :cheers:

loool that was ridiculous :lol

put him 50 :facepalm

[T_L_P]

loool that was ridiculous :lol

put him 50 :facepalm

I don't get it. Maybe they didn't want to remind people of Bron in the Finals?

[Magic 32]

Jordan 96-98
Shaq 99-02
Duncan 03-05
Kobe 06-08
Lebron 09-13

[Anaximandro1]

-NBA regular season is meaningless (Kevin Durant was the latest example)

-PER, WS, ORtg, DRtg need context: similar minutes played, similar usage percentage, tend to decline when you make a deep playoff run, etc. Just make sure that you're comparing alpha dogs to alpha dogs.


Year-By-Year


1998

Jordan was the best player in the game

[SCdac]

first player to win back to back MVP's since Jordan, yet he's never been the best player? :oldlol:

http://celticstitletown.webs.com/Tim_Duncan_and_the_MVP_Trophy_05.05.03.jpg
http://media.scout.com/Media/NBA/99035_timduncanmvp.JPG
http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/multimedia/photo_gallery/0906/si.cover.history.june7/images/tim-duncan.jpg

[ArbitraryWater]

Jordan 96-98
Shaq 99-02
Duncan 03-05
Kobe 06-08
Lebron 09-13

Wait, you got 2014 for Durant?

[T_L_P]

And let's face it: Duncan was the best player in '99 as well.

We can't say Shaq was the best but he lost to the better team and still call him the best player in '02, because Shaq's team beat Duncan's, even though Duncan seriously outplayed both Shaq and Kobe in their series against each other.

[DFish24]

I don't think there was ever a year where Duncan was the clear cut best player in the league.

[T_L_P]

I don't think there was ever a year where Duncan was the clear cut best player in the league.

'03, when he beat Shaq and Kobe, the second and third best players in the league, without another top fifty player on his team (don't give me that depth shit, the Lakers were still the clear favourites to win the title that year and even before the Playoffs started). I'd say it's near impossible to win the MVP, title (going through the other two best players), and Finals MVP and not be considered the clear cut best player that season.

If there wasn't a clear year for Duncan, there wasn't a clear year for Kobe, Dirk or Garnett either (even though there really was).