At first I thought we would have a better chance against the Spurs than the Thunder. But seeing how well they're playing, we have no chance against the Spurs (then again, I feel we don't really have a chance against the Thunder either but at least we can make it interesting).
No, not at all. Howard is the only big in the league that other teams have to gameplan for because he completely changes the dynamic of the game. Howard by himself is able to stop the most efficient shot in basketball, which is the foray to the rim. He doesn't seem as effective this year because the Lakers have just godawful perimeter defenders that are forcing him to do too much, but they are much worse without him. If you were to swap Duncan for Howard, the Spurs would be a lot better because what he brings defensively is far more than what Duncan brings offensively. It's the same reason why prime Ben Wallace was one of the best players in the NBA and the reason a Pistons team largely devoid of true stars contended for many years. Heck, Howard himself took a team of scrubs to the Finals. The Laker Howard is not that different... it's just how they use him that is the problem.
The only other big that you could be considered in this arguement is Marc Gasol. Duncan has had ANOTHER outstanding season. He's the best big in the league right now.
Well, LeBron is playing mostly at PF. Other than that... he's as good as anyone. A couple other players would have similarly strong cases but if you pick Duncan i won't argue.
