Domination (Lakers) vs Sustained Excellence (Spurs)

[Da_Realist]

Would you rather lead a team to a 3-peat or win 4 titles within 8 years but never repeating?

I can't make up my mind. Maybe as a fan, I'll take the extra title. 4 is greater than 3. But as a player I'm not so sure. Winning 3 in a row elevates a team to GOAT-tier status. For three seasons we rule the league, defending ourselves against all challengers. We're being compared to other all time great teams in history.

But 4 titles is still greater than 3. I suppose by the 8th year, I'd be happy to have that extra ring. When these guys are fishing years after retirement, does the guy who has 4 just flash his rings to shut down the argument or does the guy who won 3 straight have any bragging rights?

[NBAGOAT]

I’ll take the 4. You can be an all time great team without repeating at all. Guys decline injuries happen.

[iamgine]

As a player, it would depend on when the threepeat happen. Towards the end of your career? That'd be nice. In the beginning of your career, then never getting another title, not as nice.

If I have the luxury of not knowing I'd take the threepeat. I'd think that's threepeat in the bag, have lots of time to get more. Meanwhile 4 titles in 8 seasons, not as much time to get more.

[FKAri]

To win anything you require it but sustained dominance is usually a sign of an especially great FO.

Those Spurs team had a bunch of things going on. They drafted a superstar while already being a contending team. And then that great FO continued to keep that team at a championship level as Duncan transitioned into the team's leader. The FO continued to keep that team a championship contender as he aged out of being the driving force of the team. And lastly Duncan had the rare ability to be a championship level role player as he aged out of being a superstar.

[Dbrog]

It really kind of shows what kind of star you have doesn't it? Duncan is the ultimate raise all boats guy who is going to give you a chance every year, kinda like LeBron. Kobe was very much the guy who will take you over the top, wrap up chips type guy if he's on a good team, but tend to struggle and be a locker room problem if he's not. Shaq is probably somewhere in between.

I agree with others on here that you probably always take more chips if you're the player as that's the crack you're always itching for. As a fan, it's not so simple for me. I like the mystique that a three peat gives as it essentially never happens. Then again, I'm not gonna be thinking about that if it's been a decade and my team sucks balls and not even close to winning another chip since then. So I guess that means I take the 4 chips spread out as well

[rmt]

Remember that between the 3 Spurs championships was Fisher 0.4 in 2004 and Manu's foul on Dirk in 2006. Two unfortunate events which prevented a possible 5-peat (I was very bullish vs 06 Heat but not so confident vs 04 Pistons [Manu's 2nd year]).

And between 99 and 03, Spurs became a totally different team (personnel-wise).

[Da_Realist]

Remember that between the 3 Spurs championships was Fisher 0.4 in 2004 and Manu's foul on Dirk in 2006. Two unfortunate events which prevented a possible 5-peat (I was very bullish vs 06 Heat but not so confident vs 04 Pistons [Manu's 2nd year]).

And between 99 and 03, Spurs became a totally different team (personnel-wise).

That Derek Fisher shot and the Ray Allen shot were both gut punches. I'm assuming the Ray Allen shot was a little worse...?

[rmt]

That Derek Fisher shot and the Ray Allen shot were both gut punches. I'm assuming the Ray Allen shot was a little worse...?

Of course, Ray's shot was much worse - it was the Finals - when Duncan and Manu were old with limited time. 2004 - the big 3 were young with many chances to come. But the 2014 Finals was BEAUTIFUL - more than made up for the heartbreak of '13 - it was as Bosh said - the best basketball I've ever seen.

[3ba11]

It really kind of shows what kind of star you have doesn't it? Duncan is the ultimate raise all boats guy who is going to give you a chance every year, kinda like LeBron.





Lebron had no chance in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2019, 2022

The only time he had good team was when he teamed up with opposing franchise players or his organic juggernauts in 09' and 10'... otherwise, he didn't lift shit and had crap teams

[ArbitraryWater]

Remember that between the 3 Spurs championships was Fisher 0.4 in 2004 and Manu's foul on Dirk in 2006. Two unfortunate events which prevented a possible 5-peat (I was very bullish vs 06 Heat but not so confident vs 04 Pistons [Manu's 2nd year]).

And between 99 and 03, Spurs became a totally different team (personnel-wise).


You can say the same thing for Dirks injury in 03, Horrys shot in 05, and Amares suspension in 07.

[Mask the Embiid]

No option of winning 3 mvps in 4 years. Winning a ring then flaming out vs a 22 year old kid who is still wet behind the ears?

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