Who's career will be regarded as better: Tim Duncan or Kobe Bryant

[hawkfan]

Kobe Bryant:

3 titles

Tim Duncan:

About to get his fourth title.

But the difference is that Kobe had a superstar during his run, while TD will have gotten two titles with two very good players - Tony Parker and Manu Ginobilli - but those two aren't superstars.

[thenextgreatbigman]

is this really a serious question?

[Kebab Stall]

In about 20 years, when all we have are stats and highlights, then most people will consider Kobe the better player just because of his scoring ability. I myself will always consider Tim's career to be the better career and the better player.

[Darsh]

In about 20 years, when all we have are stats and highlights, then most people will consider Kobe the better player just because of his scoring ability. I myself will always consider Tim's career to be the better career and the better player.

Bingo!

[starks]

After his 4th ring and 4th Finals MVP Duncan will be a serious contender to challenge the big six. If he wins another ring, then a lot of people will put him in the top 6 all time.

So, there's a big difference at the moment.

[Clutch_City]

Whatchu Talkin'? He had David Robinson for 2 of their titles. Duncan had better role players also with Elliot and alll them. Kobe and Shaq. Thats it. Nadda. But, as for career, Duncan gets the edge. And, Kobe, in terms of producing points.

[bekalc]

They play completely different positions! I think that Duncan will be regarded as the better player. I want to point out that its really hard to judge Tim Duncan with stats only. San Antonio's system forces players to sacrifice their stats during the regular season. Players minutes are limited, and they are all allowed only 14 shots. So of course Kobe/Malone/ etc are going to have higher numbers than Duncan..

In the end though, Tim Duncan is going to end up with a lot more than 3 championships. He could end up with as many as 5/6. Maybe even 7. I think that Tim's legacy is going to be regarded as similar to Bill Russell's legacy. He'll more than likely be regarded as the greatest team player of his generation.

[Darsh]

Duncan will have the better career hands down. Kobe can only beat him on pure individual basketball talent, because he has achieved some amazing things as an individual. Whether or not you include "81 point games" and "stretches of games scoring over 40" as career defining is one way in which im sure people might differ. Surely thogh, Kobe's individual accolades hold nothing against overall team success and Tims role within those teams.

[LakerWarrior12]

Both play two different positions. Does it matter on who's better?

[Diesel J]

Easily Duncan and when both of their careers are over it's not going to be close

[Richie2k6]

Kobe had a bad start. Obviously Duncan.

[MaxFly]

Bryant may have Tim Duncan on the individual accolades, but true greatness is almost always measured in wins and championships. Tim Duncan has that over Bryant easily right now, and will continue to hold that advantage granted Bryant continues to have a mediocre to decent supporting cast.

[ekosky]

Bryant may have Tim Duncan on the individual accolades, but true greatness is almost always measured in wins and championships. Tim Duncan has that over Bryant easily right now, and will continue to hold that advantage granted Bryant continues to have a mediocre to decent supporting cast.
100% agree. I still believe that Duncan holds more invidual stock. 2 MVP's/All-Defensive and All-NBA First teams already surpassed Kobe for the most part. But as of scoring, Kobe takes it easy.

[Kobe24]

Kobe will be the most talked about in 20 years. It doesn't matter if Tim wins another 3 rings, as long as Kobe keeps scoring the way he does, people will remember that.

[Richie2k6]

Kobe will be the most talked about in 20 years. It doesn't matter if Tim wins another 3 rings, as long as Kobe keeps scoring the way he does, people will remember that.
Which is stupid. People care more about 81 points from Kobe than Duncan not having less than 50 wins in any season of his entire career.

[qwerty]

on here: tim duncan
in real life: kobe

[SoCalMike]

Duncan > Kobe



:pimp:

[Richie2k6]

Duncan > Kobe



:pimp:
:applause:

[bleedinpurpleTwo]

what a silly question.
Obviously Duncan over Kobe

Kobe has a long way to go to catch up. But they will both go down as all-time greats.

[Loki]

Bryant may have Tim Duncan on the individual accolades, but true greatness is almost always measured in wins and championships.

What individual accolades does Kobe have over Duncan? (Hint: "81 point game" and "averaged 40+ ppg for a month" aren't accolades)

EDIT: Two scoring titles. And I don't think that's enough to outweigh Duncan's edge in all-NBA and defensive team selections, DPOY/MVP voting finishes, MVP's, Finals MVP's etc.

[MaxFly]

What individual accolades does Kobe have over Duncan? (Hint: "81 point game" and "averaged 40+ ppg for a month" aren't accolades)

I'm referring to the excitement factor. People tuning in to watch Bryant, the individual, peform, put up big numbers, dazzle... and the responses those actions generate. (hint: I'm not referring to MVP awards, scoring titles, all star selections, and the like)

[MaxFly]

Kobe had a bad start. Obviously Duncan.

Even without the "bad start," I'd say Duncan still takes it, wouldn't you?

[Sharas]

much, much more casual fans and people that don't actually watch basketball will remember kobe. even if duncan retires with 6-7 titles more average joes will know about kobe than him.

and that's sad.

[ekosky]

Even without the "bad start," I'd say Duncan still takes it, wouldn't you?
Same. More individual awards plus his his two MVP's showcases how he can tune up to what Kobe can do invidually. He can score, thats about it.

[teflon don]

Why are people allowed to prematurely post nonsense on this board and still go unchallenged? :confusedshrug:

As far as I know, the Finals hasn't even hit Game 2 yet. How disrespectful a lot of you are.

But then again, if Cleveland somehow win this series, you'll be the same people crying conspiracy theory.

[Showtime]

Whatchu Talkin'? He had David Robinson for 2 of their titles. Duncan had better role players also with Elliot and alll them. Kobe and Shaq. Thats it. Nadda. But, as for career, Duncan gets the edge. And, Kobe, in terms of producing points.
Are you serious? LA had very good vets like Hunter, Horry, Fox, Rice, and Fisher that stepped up in crucial situations for their 3 consecutive titles.

[Loki]

I'm referring to the excitement factor. People tuning in to watch Bryant, the individual, peform, put up big numbers, dazzle... and the responses those actions generate. (hint: I'm not referring to MVP awards, scoring titles, all star selections, and the like)

Well that's fine, but those aren't "accolades." It's excitement, pizazz, what have you.

[Showtime]

on here: tim duncan
in real life: kobe
In real life: Tim is the best player to ever play his position.








Kobe is not.

[SsKSpurs21]

i still feel Tim Duncan will be reguarded as the better player because even today when we look back we still regard Bill Russell who was never flashy as one of the GOATS because of his accolades. hardly anyone remembers the flashy guards who helped win championships, they remember the big men with the MVPS and final MVPS.

what will bring kobe down is shaqs greatness. people will hold shaq to such high status because he has taken 3 teams to the finals that it will deminish kobes status UNLESS kobe can carry a team to a championship or two. people will say, well shaq was a top 5 center and he was the finals MVP all three times so he was the MAIN reason why they won, not kobe. actually i think all kobe needs is just ONE championship as "the man" and people will say he was the second best SG behind MJ and hardly anyone will question it besides kobe *****s.

when you look at the regular season MVPS, the finals MVPs, the all nba all defensive like everyone says, you have to think that this guy, tim duncan, must have been on hell of a player to accomplish so much.

[Richie2k6]

In real life: Tim is the best player to ever play his position.








Kobe is not.
Wrong. Remember Kobe dropped 81? Jordan only dropped 69. Therefore, Kobe = better. [/quote=kobe lovers]

:rolleyes:

[Kobe24]

Wrong. Remember Kobe dropped 81? Jordan only dropped 69. Therefore, Kobe = better. [/quote=kobe lovers]

:rolleyes:

Find me a quote that says that or implies that. Oh, that's right, you can't.

[Fudge]

Duncan will, and always will, be known as a team player. His Rings, MVP's, and All-(Defensive, NBA) Teams can all be mentioned. As for Kobe..people are more into the scoring situation when it comes to a player. Kobe takes the game ball for that. People with intelligence would know that Duncan is obviously better and Kobe was just known for his offensive skillset.

[Kobe24]

Kobe was just known for his offensive skillset.

Kobe is known as one of the best all around player in the game right now. 7 all defensive selections?

[starks]

If Duncan wins two more rings and Finals MVPs, he'll be regarded as an upgraded version of Bill Russell.

Kobe will be regarded as an upgraded version of Clydre Drexler.

[DLeagueWannabe]

i still feel Tim Duncan will be reguarded as the better player because even today when we look back we still regard Bill Russell who was never flashy as one of the GOATS because of his accolades. hardly anyone remembers the flashy guards who helped win championships, they remember the big men with the MVPS and final MVPS.

what will bring kobe down is shaqs greatness. people will hold shaq to such high status because he has taken 3 teams to the finals that it will deminish kobes status UNLESS kobe can carry a team to a championship or two. people will say, well shaq was a top 5 center and he was the finals MVP all three times so he was the MAIN reason why they won, not kobe. actually i think all kobe needs is just ONE championship as "the man" and people will say he was the second best SG behind MJ and hardly anyone will question it besides kobe *****s.

when you look at the regular season MVPS, the finals MVPs, the all nba all defensive like everyone says, you have to think that this guy, tim duncan, must have been on hell of a player to accomplish so much.

I agree...

If he wins 1 more, I think he could silence all the critics...Not even a regular season MVP award because that award has become a little weak over the last couple years....

He needs one more ring, and then it's a wrap because his road to a championship will probably be regarded as one of the, if not the toughest roads ever (physically and mentally speaking)

[Skywalker]

Well, it doesnt help that Kobe has the GOAT at his position, and the second best at TD's position is Malone.

[dudeguykid]

hardly anyone remembers the flashy guards who helped win championships, they remember the big men with the MVPS and final MVPS.


But people remember Wilt AND West or Kareem AND Magic. So I think even if Kobe doesnt get anymore rings he will still be remembered as one of the greatest shooting guards to play the game. Maybe top 3 maybe top 2.

But like someone said before we dont know how the next 7-9 years of their careers will go yet. Alot can happen in 7-9 years. If they both retired during this offseason then I would have to say Duncan.

[SsKSpurs21]

But people remember Wilt AND West or Kareem AND Magic. So I think even if Kobe doesnt get anymore rings he will still be remembered as one of the greatest shooting guards to play the game. Maybe top 3 maybe top 2.

But like someone said before we dont know how the next 7-9 years of their careers will go yet. Alot can happen in 7-9 years. If they both retired during this offseason then I would have to say Duncan.

certainly there are exceptions to everything. i was refering in general. thats why i said hardly anymore, not just everyone.

you also have to look at your wilt and west comparision. wilt is arguably the GOAT. noone mentions jerry west in that discussion. Magic has finals MVPs, he has waaay more personal AND team accolades than kobe.

[LakerWarrior12]

I agree...

If he wins 1 more, I think he could silence all the critics...Not even a regular season MVP award because that award has become a little weak over the last couple years....

He needs one more ring, and then it's a wrap because his road to a championship will probably be regarded as one of the, if not the toughest roads ever (physically and mentally speaking)


It probably won't silence the critics.

[dudeguykid]

certainly there are exceptions to everything. i was refering in general. thats why i said hardly anymore, not just everyone.

you also have to look at your wilt and west comparision. wilt is arguably the GOAT. noone mentions jerry west in that discussion. Magic has finals MVPs, he has waaay more personal AND team accolades than kobe.

I think Jerry West was regarded the GOAT shooting guard up until the 90s.
and Magic was just a beast of a player. GOAT Point guard.

This isnt directed at you but I always see these threads here and i dont understand why people like to pass judements on players careers that are only 50% complete. Timmys probably going to play 6 or 7 more years and Kobes got about 8 or 9 left in him

[qwerty]

In real life: Tim is the best player to ever play his position.








Kobe is not.



question was: Who's career will be regarded as better: Tim Duncan or Kobe Bryant?


not who is the better player. most people outside of these NBA forums do not really know how good tim duncan really is. basically everyone other than the ****** know/think that Kobe is the best player in the NBA. While tim duncan rarely gets mentioned as top 5 for a casual NBA fan.

[SsKSpurs21]

question was: Who's career will be regarded as better: Tim Duncan or Kobe Bryant?


not who is the better player. most people outside of these NBA forums do not really know how good tim duncan really is. basically everyone other than the ****** know/think that Kobe is the best player in the NBA. While tim duncan rarely gets mentioned as top 5 for a casual NBA fan.

good point. players like to see flash, and entertaining plays. i bet casual fans think amare and dwight are better than duncan and thats fine. thats their right and opinion... but why waste your time arguing with that person?

i agree with you dudeguykid that everyone should wait until the careers are over, buts more fun to predict and to debate the unpredictable. when careers are over all you have to look at is facts, and if its lopsided then it doesnt make for interesting debates.

russell had a better career but people still put wilt over him.
bill walton had more accomplishments than willis reed but people still remember reed for his dramatic enterance.
people remember players who create memories and thats a fact. tim duncan doesnt do anything out of the ordinary besides keep winning. kobe on the other hand gives you those amazing shots, and strings of 40-50 point games that people will remember.

i guess you cant say who will be remembered as better, because to the knowledgeable nba fan it will be tim duncan, but you can say who will be more memorable and that has to be kobe bryant.

[MaxFly]

Well that's fine, but those aren't "accolades." It's excitement, pizazz, what have you.

I've always considered indivudual achievements or performances "individual accolades." Big O's tripple double season... individual accolade. Wilt's 100 point game and 50 ppg season, individual accolade. Anything that brings praise, recognition or honor to an individual player, I'd consider an individual accolade... basically a salient exploit that garners or, at the very least, deserves recognition or praise.

[EricForman]

Kobe Bryant:

3 titles

Tim Duncan:

About to get his fourth title.

But the difference is that Kobe had a superstar during his run, while TD will have gotten two titles with two very good players - Tony Parker and Manu Ginobilli - but those two aren't superstars.

You just answered your own question with that bolded part.... seriously, how is this a question?

Kobe has almost zero shot to catch Duncan at the all time rankings.

[MaxFly]

i still feel Tim Duncan will be reguarded as the better player because even today when we look back we still regard Bill Russell who was never flashy as one of the GOATS because of his accolades.

It's important to note that many regard Wilt as the better player of the two because of the amazing individual numbers he put up, inspite of Bill Russel's 11 rings. I'm not sure too many people would take Russel over Wilt if we had to choose.

[vert48]

Duncan's career will be regarded better, and by a wide margin if they were both to retire this summer. If Kobe were able to win a couple more rings as THE MAN, then I think they would viewed about the same.

[geeWiz15]

obviously Duncan.

Kobe's mainstream reputation will continue to go down throughout his career I bet. I mean in the end he'll still be considered an elite all time player but nobody will think he's better than Duncan. more and more people will eventually figure out he can't win.

[EricForman]

Duncan has more rings, awards, and team success (by far).

But people are saying "Kobe is more exciting, he scores more, he's more well knownto casual fans"

as if that has anything to do with antyhing?

Kobe has almost zero chance to catch up to Duncan. He'll have to win at least one ring, one MVP, one finals MVP and several more years of playoff runs on "top seeded teams" to ever have a shot at being ahead of Duncan on the all time list.... and that's all assuming Duncan never accomplishes ANYTHING AGAIN after next week.

the gap is FARRRR wider than you Kobe fans are making it out to be. The other guy has a point, if Duncan wins more ring after this year (gives him five total), or if not another ring, at least several more 60 win seasons and playoff runs), he'll be inching towards the top guys, as in Magic, Bird, etc.

He'll go down with the highset winning % ever, probably.

[Noob Saibot]

Tim Duncan folks, especially if he wins another ring.

a better topic would be,

Tim Duncan or Shaq.

[EricForman]

Tim Duncan folks, especially if he wins another ring.

a better topic would be,

Tim Duncan or Shaq.

Yup.

Duncan and Shaq are inching towards the Bird/Magic level.... and people on ISh still compares them to guys like, KG, Dirk, Kobe, guys who would be ranked a full 15 spots or so behind Duncan and Shaq on any all time list today. :confusedshrug:

[Noob Saibot]

why are we still talking about Kobe?

people love Kobe too damn much. GET OFF HIS NUTS!!!

[DAXX]

Tim Duncan folks, especially if he wins another ring.

a better topic would be,

Tim Duncan or Shaq.

There was a thread like that a few weeks back.

[Poseidon]

Now- Duncan

In 7 years - Kobe (after he wins a couple of more championships)

[The Answer]

Now- Duncan

In 7 years - Kobe (after he wins a couple of more championships)

Duncan has a much better chance of winning a couple more championships.

[Rockets(T-mac)]

Duncan no doubt. Kobe has a very small chance of winning another title. While Duncan can still get another after this yea, maybe even more than one more.

[eeeeeebro]

that depends. if kobe goes to chicago this year he will have his chance to beat Duncin every year. Wallace will hold duncin down while Kobe (SCORE!)

but if that dont happen the duncin = king of the hill until Michael beasley gets to the NBA!

[Timmy D for MVP]

Historically Big Men are considered bigger impacts, and a true great Bigi is more rare than a true great swingman. That being said, because Timmy is unflashy and quiet, Kobe might be remembered more favoribly, but Tim Duncan will have the better career and will be rmrmbered longer. I say that because he's condidered the best PF to ever play, and will be the measuring stick for other true bigs like him.

Plus Timmy was the number 1 on his team basically his entire career.

[td21spurs]

Seriously except stupid kids in LA noone else would say/think that Kobe is better or will be better than Timmy.

[Timmy D for MVP]

that depends. if kobe goes to chicago this year he will have his chance to beat Duncin every year. Wallace will hold duncin down while Kobe (SCORE!)

but if that dont happen the duncin = king of the hill until Michael beasley gets to the NBA!

Could you spell Duncan right next time?

[Chalkmaze]

By me, it will be Tim Duncan by a large margin. It's not even close.

[Poseidon]

By me, it will be Tim Duncan by a large margin. It's not even close.

Not even close? :oldlol: <idiot>

[EuJazz]

Not even close? :oldlol: <idiot>

Great detailed post with tons of reasons debating the 'idiot's' opinion. :rolleyes:

[beau_boy04]

Whatchu Talkin'? He had David Robinson for 2 of their titles. Duncan had better role players also with Elliot and alll them. Kobe and Shaq. Thats it. Nadda. But, as for career, Duncan gets the edge. And, Kobe, in terms of producing points.


who gives a **** if he had DRob (on decline) and all those role players? the main is he won all those titles as the main man, can we say the same thing about Kobe? no of course not!

If we talking about being lucky Kobe is lucker coz he had Shaq in his prime and Duncan had DRob wayyyy passed his prime.

:cheers:

[Diesel J]

Until Kobe wins as the "man" he's not better than Duncan

[Diesel J]

Tim Duncan folks, especially if he wins another ring.

a better topic would be,

Tim Duncan or Shaq.

exactly

[West-Side]

Two scoring titles. And I don't think that's enough to outweigh Duncan's edge in all-NBA and defensive team selections, DPOY/MVP voting finishes, MVP's, Finals MVP's etc.

Yeah Duncan will have the better career, more then likely unless Kobe gets the help Duncan has had his ENTIRE career...but what accolades does Kobe have?

What's more funny is that your arrogant ass named All-NBA team and All-Defensive team for Duncan, but forgot to mention how many times Kobe made those teams in his career?

Duncan has always been in a better situation then Kobe, he has always been the leader of his team...he would have NEVER won those MVP's if he played along side Shaquille and we all know that, no player in the world including Jordan would have won MVP playing along side Shaquille in his prime years, he's was too much of a force.

Kobe will arguably be considered the greatest scorer of all-time...a player who will most likely make atleast 10 All-NBA teams, 6-7 1st-Team Defense, he'll win a couple more scoring titles, will make the All-Star game around 15 times, 3 championship titles. I see Kobe having 6-7 more good years in him.

He must win 2 MVPs, 2 Titles, 2 scoring titles, make 4-5 All-NBA teams, 2-3 All-Defensive teams in those 6-7 years...to have a shot at not only beating TD but to actually be a legit candidate to be one of the 10 greatest players ever.

I don't see Kobe having a better career then TD.

[Loki]

Yeah Duncan will have the better career, more then likely unless Kobe gets the help Duncan has had his ENTIRE career...but what accolades does Kobe have?

What's more funny is that your arrogant ass named All-NBA team and All-Defensive team for Duncan, but forgot to mention how many times Kobe made those teams in his career?


How about you learn to read. I asked what accolades Kobe has over Duncan. Yes, Kobe has all-NBA and defensive team selections, but Duncan has more of them, which is why they weren't mentioned. Like I said, the only accolades Kobe has over Duncan is two scoring titles, and I don't think that's enough to outweigh Duncan's edge in all-NBA/defensive selections, MVP's, and Finals MVP's (and soon, rings).

[Kobe_6/8]

Which is stupid. People care more about 81 points from Kobe than Duncan not having less than 50 wins in any season of his entire career.

Scoring 81 points in 1 game > Winning 50+ games in a season

81 points is alpha and aesthetic.

[SwayDizzle]

Let's be real, Kobe is GOAT #5 and Duncan GOAT #6.