Peak/Prime Duncan vs. Peak/Prime Giannis

[Im Still Ballin]

Title.

I'm interested to see what people have to say.

It's a very difficult comparison because they played in radically different eras. The game was played differently back then. Giannis' drive-and-kick game - if such a thing would even be tolerated back then - would be much less effective. David Robinson is probably the closest comparison. He faced up and attacked the basket a lot.

[ShawkFactory]

It's close but I think Duncan ultimately because his offensive game could get you buckets when you needed them in that era and I don't know that Giannis's could.

But Giannis would be an absolute nightmare defensively. He'd of course have less offensive responsibility so I'd expect him to go even harder on defense and on the glass. Thinking multiple DPOYs in an era where it would be even more impressive.

[Wally450]

Give me Duncan. He had more success (I know with more help) in a tougher conference.

Still crazy to me that they never went back to back. But hey, whatever works.

[ShawkFactory]

Give me Duncan. He had more success (I know with more help) in a tougher conference.

Still crazy to me that they never went back to back. But hey, whatever works.

The whole "you have to go back-to-back to be a real dynasty!" thing has always been so stupid to me. They were quite literally two plays away from possibly getting 2 more championships both in 04 and 06. Sometimes it's just luck. They were the best team 4 years in a row from 04-07.

[SouBeachTalents]

The whole "you have to go back-to-back to be a real dynasty!" thing has always been so stupid to me. They were quite literally two plays away from possibly getting 2 more championships both in 04 and 06. Sometimes it's just luck. They were the best team 4 years in a row from 04-07.
I've seen some people legitimately try to argue the Hakeem Rockets & Kobe/Pau Lakers were dynasties and the Spurs weren't on the sole basis they went b2b and the Spurs never did. Who cares if they won more titles :lol. That's definitely one of the dumber arguments I see people make on here. The Brady Pats would nearly fall into that category, they only went b2b once during their run.

[Charlie Sheen]

Title.

I'm interested to see what people have to say.

It's a very difficult comparison because they played in radically different eras. The game was played differently back then. Giannis' drive-and-kick game - if such a thing would even be tolerated back then - would be much less effective. David Robinson is probably the closest comparison. He faced up and attacked the basket a lot.

Another difference in eras...guys just do not last in the league as long today. The Spurs team Duncan was drafted to was loaded with 10+ year vets. Even the players nobody remembers from those early teams like Jerome Kersey and Danny Ferry were true professionals that understood how to win in the NBA... while Giannis was working with OJ Mayo and Jabari Parker.

[L.Kizzle]

Timmy, without question.
KG vs Giannis now I think that would be a better comparison IMO.

[Jasper]

I said it in the past , If Giannis wins 3 chips the conversation of him vs Duncan can begin.
not now.

[SouBeachTalents]

Timmy, without question.
KG vs Giannis now I think that would be a better comparison IMO.
I would like to hear an argument for KG. Even if you want to factor in KG playing in a tougher defensive era, the scoring gap between the two is enormous. I don't think KG is capable of 30 ppg title runs & 35 ppg Finals even in this era.

[tpols]

2004 KG > than both.


https://youtu.be/OUaXbXD_F80

[Gruppenführer]

I would have to take peak Duncan over Giannis. And then I would take peak Detlef over Duncan.

[ShawkFactory]

I would have to take peak Duncan over Giannis. And then I would take peak Detlef over Duncan.

Nine

[HoopsNY]

Giannis the walking traveling carrier? Whose only claim to elite ranking is because of KD's big foot and the refs letting him barrel his way into Ayton and co? To the point that even Ayton said you can't touch him?

Giannis' skillset is weak. He's also nowhere near the defensive player Duncan was, and hasn't dominated the era of big men the way Duncan did during his time, in a tougher conference.

This shouldn't be a question.

Giannis' game is so overrated.

[Jasper]

Giannis the walking traveling carrier? Whose only claim to elite ranking is because of KD's big foot and the refs letting him barrel his way into Ayton and co? To the point that even Ayton said you can't touch him?

Giannis' skillset is weak. He's also nowhere near the defensive player Duncan was, and hasn't dominated the era of big men the way Duncan did during his time, in a tougher conference.

This shouldn't be a question.

Giannis' game is so overrated. lmao

while the league put him League MVP 2x.

[bizil]

With Timmy u get the GOAT PF who brought a 7'0 center's interior two way dominance to the PF position. With Giannis u get a freak athletic positionless 7 foot superstar PF. Giannis is more from the PF tree of KG and AD.

Once Giannis led the Bucks to the chip a couple years, I thought THEN Giannis is likely the best PF EVER peak wise. I just think his blend of great scoring, great floor game, positional versatility, and freak athletic ability it tough to top at the 4 spot. He took what KG did in combining those attributes and amped it up a bit. Not saying he's AS SKILLED as KG was scoring wise. BUT they are similar in terms of being positionless freak athletic 7'0 PF's.

I'm not gonna argue too hard if somebody say Timmy. But Giannis can LEGIT SAY he's Duncan's equal or better scoring, passing, rebounding, and defensive wise. Then he's edges on Timmy in terms positional versatility and freak athletic ability swings it his way. I'm NOT SAYING Giannis is the most skilled PF ever scoring wise. BUT in terms of scoring in general, he's among the top 5 scoring PF's ever. He's in general, he's the most physically dominant PF EVER! And that's saying a lot when freak athletic beasts like Barkley, Kemp, Amare, Blake, LJ, McDyess, KG, AD, etc. playing the PF!

[ShawkFactory]

thank you. it's absurd how many people just roll with the idea that gianna is "great" and towers over icons like Duncan. that bitch was losing the finals series until the refs literally changed their officiating mid series when the suns had the bucks pinned to the wall. i'm not even saying suns would have won otherwise, clearly they had issues and were wet behind the ears...but the officiating changed so drastically that it was stupid to watch play out. ANY semblance of defense against giannis was a foul. anything. ofc he's going to dominate when you can't touch him or breathe on him.

Who says that?