Would you rather have 10 years of Bird or 16 years of Duncan?

[TheMarkMadsen]

Bird played 12 seasons, however in 89 he only played 6 games, in his last year he was done, only played 45 games and I think he only played a few games in the playoffs..

I think i'd take Duncan, that doesn't necessarily mean i think Duncan> Bird as a player, (because I don't)..

but when building a team if you have two top 10 GOATS to choose from, I'm going to take the guy who will give me 16 years over the guy who will give me 10.

Who would you take?

[T_L_P]

I look at it like this:

Bird had more help and Duncan faced easier competition.

After arriving at this point I would choose Duncan, because of the longevity which this thread is based on.

Personally, my rankings go like this:

4. Duncan
5. Shaq
6. Bird

[DMAVS41]

The answer to that is Duncan and it's not close...


Duncan vs Bird is obviously close in all time rankings and just as basketball players, but Duncan's longevity is just too much for Bird in comparison

[bdreason]

Duncan.

[TheMarkMadsen]

I look at it like this:

Bird had more help and Duncan faced easier competition.

After arriving at this point I would choose Duncan, because of the longevity which this thread is based on.

Personally, my rankings go like this:

4. Duncan
5. Shaq
6. Bird

yeah it's not about where you rank these two as players it's who would you take in a draft

I'm assuming you're taking Duncan

I think there is an argument for both players, looking forward to some posters that are knowledgeable about the 80's..

To be fair, Bird did spend 4 years in college, which obviously takes away from his longevity, Wasn't that required at the time?

[Micku]

I'm going to ignore who'll be their coach, teammates, and modern day medical.

In terms of competing for championships for a long time, Duncan because he last longer at his level of play on the floor.

But I do think Bird is the more exciting player and will generate more money, thus would be better for business. Prime to prime, Bird is the easier sell. And Bird would be winning championships too.

So...maybe Bird for money reasons? Do you think you can make more money with 10 years of Bird than you would with 16 years of Duncan?

[D.J.]

You're comparing 16 years of consistent ball with no real injuries versus 10 years of probably slightly better ball but significant back problems from that point on. Bird's slight advantage as a player doesn't make up for Duncan's significant edge in terms of longevity.

[T_L_P]

yeah it's not about where you rank these two as players it's who would you take in a draft

I'm assuming you're taking Duncan

I think there is an argument for both players, looking forward to some posters that are knowledgeable about the 80's..

To be fair, Bird did spend 4 years in college, which obviously takes away from his longevity, Wasn't that required at the time?

Yeah, my all-time list is my list of, "Who would I take in a draft?"

Duncan did spend 4 years at college too though

[fpliii]

Yeah, my all-time list is my list of, "Who would I take in a draft?"

Duncan did spend 4 years at college too though

Same. Not big on accolades (other than winning championships as a key guy), or random seasons as a non-star.

[STATUTORY]

2 decades of kobe

[ProfessorMurder]

I don't care, I take Bird.

[Milbuck]

Duncan. Switch Bird with Duncan on those Celtics, and replace McHale with a PG/SG/SF of equal talent & skill, and I think Duncan would have 4-5 rings.

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

Depends.. are both healthy? With no back ailments, I'd take Bird without having to think twice.

[TheMarkMadsen]

Depends.. are both healthy? With no back ailments, I'd take Bird without having to think twice.

yeah they're both healthy, but Bird still only play as long as he did in real life..

Bird was the better scorer, better passer, better play maker, equal at rebounding

[Railgun]

yeah they're both healthy, but Bird still only play as long as he did in real life..

Bird was the better scorer, better passer, better play maker, equal at rebounding

how were they equal at rebounding...