Peak Duncan vs 2021 Giannis

[MadDog]

I believe Giannis was a more versatile defender, whereas Duncan was better around the rim - and ultimately just as impactful. Duncan had better footwork and a postgame while Giannis had better handles and arguably better finishing ability. Other than volume scoring, their playoff numbers are pretty similar.

Giannis
30/13/5/1 shooting 60% TS .224 WS/48, 10 BPM & 28 PER

2003 Duncan
25/15/5/3 shooting 60%TS .279 WS/48, 10 BPM & 28 PER

Who was the better player? :confusedshrug:

[Dagoods]

DUNCAN is the GOAT PF...Giannis can easily claim he's the 2nd greatest PF now.

[warriorfan]

Dunno…that 50 point close out game was pretty wild.

[SouBeachTalents]

Definitely Duncan. He carried a significantly weaker cast to 60 wins and the title, while Giannis had Middleton & Jrue. Let's be real, Duncan would almost certainly win the title this year in Giannis' place, I would not feel nearly as confident Giannis could do the same

[HBK_Kliq_2]

Clearly Giannis.

He pretty much has Kevin Garnett defense with shaq offense. That's easily a better player then any version of Duncan

[Nowitness]

Clearly Giannis.

He pretty much has Kevin Garnett defense with shaq offense. That's easily a better player then any version of Duncan

His ceiling is higher, but Duncan only needed to be an elite rim protector and elite post scorer to win with far weaker squads than Giannis has.

I’d take Duncan as the best rim protector since Hakeem >>> Giannis defense, and whilst Giannis is a better offensive player, Duncan carried a team whose second best scorer was 14 PPG on 39% shooting to a title, whilst Giannis still had a dude put up 23/7 who also closed for the Bucks.

[Carbine]

Giannis is Shaq offense with KG defense....... yikes.

That's the best player of all time. Shaq has an argument for best peak of all time and his defense wasn't the reason.

[DoctorP]

I voted Giannis but I just guessed.

[DoctorP]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Z-ZcYbGMm0

[DoctorP]

https://youtu.be/wHPLeWsAQw4

[bobopenguin]

Clearly Giannis.

He pretty much has Kevin Garnett defense with shaq offense. That's easily a better player then any version of Duncan

wtf???

[SATAN]

Duncan is the better basketball player. Giannis is the better athlete and runs the floor better. Hard to compare players who play nothing alike.

[Jasper]

I believe Giannis was a more versatile defender, whereas Duncan was better around the rim - and ultimately just as impactful. Duncan had better footwork and a postgame while Giannis had better handles and arguably better finishing ability. Other than volume scoring, their playoff numbers are pretty similar.

Giannis
30/13/5/1 shooting 60% TS .224 WS/48, 10 BPM & 28 PER

2003 Duncan
25/15/5/3 shooting 60%TS .279 WS/48, 10 BPM & 28 PER

Who was the better player? :confusedshrug:

giannis could and has defended all 5 positions, Duncan camped at rim for rim protection.
Even though Duncan's arsenals was maybe better than Giannis , when Giannis drives to the rim , (which Duncan did not do) NO ONE CAN STOP HIM.
Giannis a better passer as well .
Giannis all the way.

[Jasper]

Duncan is the better basketball player. Giannis is the better athlete and runs the floor better. Hard to compare players who play nothing alike.

both are 6'10" and a 1/2

:D

[rmt]

giannis could and has defended all 5 positions, Duncan camped at rim for rim protection.
Even though Duncan's arsenals was maybe better than Giannis , when Giannis drives to the rim , (which Duncan did not do) NO ONE CAN STOP HIM.
Giannis a better passer as well .
Giannis all the way.

Makes a big difference to a player who drives when there's a big man who can protect the rim behind his defender - ask Lebron.

[hold this L]

giannis could and has defended all 5 positions, Duncan camped at rim for rim protection.
Even though Duncan's arsenals was maybe better than Giannis , when Giannis drives to the rim , (which Duncan did not do) NO ONE CAN STOP HIM.
Giannis a better passer as well .
Giannis all the way.
He gets stopped all the time in the last 5 minutes of every playoff game, which is the most important time. Middleton went on a goat-clutch run last PS to make up for it (which is his job). It's funny how quickly perception changes with winning, even if it doesn't make sense.

[Wally450]

Dunno…that 50 point close out game was pretty wild.

One could argue Duncan's 2003 Finals closeout game was better. A block or two away from a quad double in a closeout game.

21/20/10/8 is an insane stat line.

[MadDog]

Dunno…that 50 point close out game was pretty wild.

His finals play was a big reason I made the thread. Giannis had three 40 point games (including the 50 piece), and one of the best closeout games in history. If not THE best. Not that I don't think Duncan has a good case, but I am surprised by the lopsided poll. Then again, Tim did go through a prime Shaq and Kobe.