True, they are probably only bringing Dream into this because Duncan just tied or surpassed his blocked shots record in playoff games making him number 2. That being said, Hakeem did more with less. While I believe Parker and maybe Ginobilli wouldn't have developed into the world class players they are if they weren't on the same team as Duncan, outside of the aging Clyde or/and Barkley you can't say Dream had anyone that good along side him. Not to mention, they play different positions. Malone is more comparable, but even with that, their is no denying Duncan is the best PF in History at this point.
Parker or Kenny Smith? I'd go with Parker. I think he's the fastest and quickest point guard in the history of NBA. if you're not convinced, ask Brent.
I've gotten criticized for this, but centers, like Wilt, Kareem, Olajuwon, and even Shaq were on another plateau than Duncan. Some people have said I only say that, because Duncan was not as polarizing or had as much pizzazz. Simply, I think he's not quite as good as those centers. He did not have the same kind of scoring ability or the same domination on offense against higher level opponents. I brought this up in the other Tim Duncan thread as well. I've seen him get neutralized quite a bit by lesser players (Horry/Grant, older Karl Malone, Gasol, the Wallace, and the Suns small ball on occasion). Another big thing was he tended to stay away from the monster centers (only guarding them for certain stretches of the game) - like Shaq and even Yao Ming (who is another lesser player). I hate saying this, but I don't think he could ever be the best center in any era of basketball. Even in the 90s, he'd arguably be the 4th to 5th best center. You almost never saw the other guys (Wilt, Shaq, and Olajuwon) get neutralized in a playoff series by much lesser players on several occasions. You weren't going to keep Shaq or Wilt out of the post with that kind strength and athleticism (both are even superior passers to Duncan). Kareem and Hakeem, unintentional rhyme, probably had the most devastating serious of unstoppable offensive moves than most of their big men peers. Throw in the fact that both players could play all-world defense as well as or better than Duncan. I thought he was dominant for a power forward, but not quite as much for a center. He never posed matchup problems, like any of those three centers did. Olajuwon was a nightmare (on both ends), if you didn't utilize illegal defensive tactics or had a rather quality and lengthy competent defender. You stood no chance against him. Shaq was unmovable and could get around you rather easily, even with his size. If the same version of Shaq from Orlando and early Los Angeles played now, he could make a modest team into a championship contender. Wilt was probably the most unstoppable NBA player, ever who might have been the strongest. Also add in the fact that he was lengthy, agile, and most of all, maybe the best conditioned player in NBA history. I doubt very few players could keep him off the boards. People still underestimate his overall basketball skills, and not realize he could do alot more than scoring and rebounding. He had over seven assists in a season twice, and placed in top 10 once. How many other centers have done that, while leading all centers and big men in all time assists average? I don't care how many titles Tim Duncan wins, the only person I would give him a remote shot of being slightly better than is Shaq. That's only because Shaq lagged off on defense at times. Duncan has very little on Olajuwon, and not much on Wilt. Beside, Duncan has played in a much weaker era of basketball for big men without alot of heavyweight teams, yet all he has managed is 4 scattered NBA titles.
Are they still pretending Duncan isn't a center? It doesn't matter. In addition to being a better center than Duncan, Olajuwon is also a better power forward than Duncan.
If Ralph Sampson doesn't have his career cut short then dream goes down and easily the best PF of all time with 5 or 6 rings himself. After Sampson retired dream simply became a top 3 center and top 10 player of all time. This is no contest Hakeem is the best and most versatile big to ever play the game.
I disagree that Tim is even the PF to play the game. Moses, Karl Malone, Barkley. I'm sure I'm missing others, but he's not a clear winner.
Dream would tear Duncan apart head to head. But Duncan played for the superior organization and it isnt even close. Thus Timmy has more hardware, the Spurs know how in the front office is Duncan's biggest advantage.
Can you imagine Hakeem on a organization run as well as the Spurs..? I mean great job winning the back-to-backs Rockets, but there should have been a couple more championships. Some of that was the bad luck of losing Ralph, but IMO there should be about two more banners regardless.
Power Forwards of the 80s Barkley Thorpe Chambers Malone Buck Williams Sam Perkins Roy Tarpley Jack Sikma Kevin McHale Dennis Rodman Centers of the 80s Kareem Moses Dream Ewing Robinson Brad Daugherty Robert Parish Bill Lambeir I'll take the big men from the 80s over the big men of Tim Duncan's era any day.
