Charles and Malone have zero rings. They had more talent around them, I would argue. Duncan never had a Stockton or Kevin Johson helping him out.
Hakeem only got 1 MVP doesn't mean Duncan is better than him either. Shaq in his prime actually was a defensive force, we just don't remeber as he gas gotten bigger, slower and older now. He typically blocked more shots than Duncan (Shaq has had 2 seasons above 3BPG, TD, zero) and got more rebounds. Oneal was also the centerpiece on some quality defensive Laker teams. Had TD played center like Shaq--he would not have been 1st team defense over Zo, Deke and Ben Wallace during that period either, Shaq does have a bunch of 2nd teams all-defensive centers, probably equally impressive is landing all-defense in one of the two forward spots as the best defensive players usually play C. This if Duncan had more of a defensive impact when they were in their prime (debatable), it wasn't by much. I'll show the stats again modified from an earlier post...
I'm glad that Duncan's attempt to hide as a pf so he could avoid having himself compared to the great centers is back-firing. Another 31% shooting game will do much to seal his legacy....
How does his performance in this series relate in any way to what he calls himself? If he called himself a center, he would still be guarded by both Sheed and Wallace and Mcdyess. too bad you gave up on your argument after the spurs' two home games.
Duncan's ass was saved. I think Duncan's prime years are gone. You look at this whole series, he's been even more complacent. Right now I wouldn't even trade 'spoon for him let alone Yao.
i'm sure the upcoming title will wash this game away somewhat, but tim duncan's legacy just got its ass kicked tonight. that may have been the most hardcore choke by a big name player in nba playoff history. can anyone think of something close? those free throws were lucky to catch rim, much less go in. nick anderson is the only thing i can think of to top this and nick anderson wasn't a big name player. timmy just made karla look like mj at crunch time.
the same wagon that says that Duncan is still going to retire as the best PF ever. I'm going to give credit where credits due and i'm going to criticize him where it's needed. Duncan did put up 26/19 (which is just about the same as both wallaces combined) but he hasn't shown up to dominate like he's done in years past. But the man still has the rings. If he can redeem himself in game 6, i'm pretty sure historians will go easier on him a bit for his chokejob in game 5. But all in all, i'd still take a Duncan IN HIS PRIME over any PF past and current. does that answer your question?
I think you have to remember Robert would not be that open if Duncan didn't do-minate. He's the focal point.
Generally speaking, I agree with you. But in the last 9 min of game time tonite, Horry was manufacturing plays on his own. A three with Rasheed right in his face....Another one....A put back layup out of nowhere....A drive for 2 freethrows.....A drive and a dunk.....Game winning 3. Bob was a man possessed and literally wrestled this game away from the Pistons by himself.
Yes, I will always remember how he dominated at the FT lines in the face of triple team and still managed to go 1-7 since the 4th quarter. At least he was 1-5 from the field since then, and had a clutch TO in the last 2 min of OT when they were down 4.
Duncan put the team in a position to win the game at the end. If he does not have a monster game in the first three quarters, then it doesn't matter what Manu, Parker, and Horry do in the fourth and overtime. Duncan was the player of the game and will probably get the finals MVP. FT shooting in one quarter of a game that you win does not have a big impact on how you are remembered. Averaging almost 20 and 15 with 2+ bpg in the finals is a lot more important.
What are you, a Spurs fan? DUncan has been just pathetic after Game 2. What's he shooting for the series, 41%? He can't hit a clutch shot, missed a point blank layup to win the game, can't hit a FT to save his life, and can't score effectively when presented with quality defense. You don't win a Finals MVP shooting as poorly as he has. Duncan has proved just how overrated he is this year. He just happens to have a superior supporting cast. MVP's don't gag like he did last night, that was a choke that even Karl Malone would be ashamed of.
He will still win the finals MVP. However, the real star of the finals is Billups. He just has that cocky Parisian ass handed to him on a silver plate. The Spurs have one of the top 3-4 one-two combo in the league (Tracy-Yao, Amare-Nash, Shaq-Wade). However, the reason that they win is that they have superb role players who can star and shine in one or two games in a series (Horry, Parker, Barry, Bowen, Nazi). The Rockets, unfortunately, don't have that luxury and they need that to compete with the Spurs in the years to come.
He missed 3-4 times more clutch shots than made ones. I kept telling myself last night that if it were Dream in that situation at his prime, he would have delivered no matter what.
