[For_Never_EverParticipant]

 Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett are the elite post players of the late 90’s to the mid 2000. The Big Fundamental’ was with a great organization in San Antonio, while the ‘The Big Ticket’ was stuck in dysfunctional Minnesota until joinng the C’s. If the two switched team’s right from the start, would KG be known as the greatest power foward ever like some would say about Tim Duncan ?

[NCarmean18Participant]

 I really don’t believe so.  Tim Duncan’s success was really developed because he was on the San Antonio Spurs, but I still don’t believe that Kevin Garnett would have been as dominate of a player on the Spurs like Duncan was.  

To me, Tim is the greatest power forward of all time.  He is a proven winner, and he filled it up every night.  I love him as a player, love him as a competitor, and love him as a person. 

Duncan was one of those guys who went out and proved it on the court.  He didn’t have to talk trash to the media to get his point across like KG did, he just went out there and did what he does best.  He balled.  Actions speak louder than words, and Tim Duncan is a prime example of that often-used metaphor. 

[ENOGSIWONdede]

 this topic was made before and I got like 100 negs lol.  Although there stats are similar Duncan was a true low post threat could command a double and open thing up for teammates and also had a greater defensive impact.  Also it is arguable that Garnett had a better supporting cast.  

[Professor RozayParticipant]

In Minnesota KG never had a better supporting cast then Tim Duncan. He never played along side another big man like David Robinson. Never played for a coach like Pop. The best team he had in Minny was arguable the team with Spree and Sam (he did have other good players at different times). That team was not better then any of the Spurs teams that won rings. Duncan never had to play with a player like Murbury. Maybe if he would have stayed they could have done something together I don’t know. The Spurs teams were way better then the Minnesota teams that KG played on. He diffenetly had some other ballers on his teams in Minny at certian times but I don’t think they were as good as the spurs teams.

[For_Never_EverParticipant]

 Yeah, I brought this up awhile back in someone else forum. Garnet isn’t a true low post threat, but he is likely the best defensive PF ever, with an all around game. He talked, but backed it up. I think they’re both great in different ways, But Garnet is atleast slightly better. Duncan has had great team’s, he’s had David Robinson help him win a title, and after that, Manu and Tony Parker. This makes it the same like when KG had the Big 3 and won, when he was still young enough. Imagine if he had them from the start. I do believe the championship rings would probably be even, if not, boston more.

[HaleParticipant]

 Duncan was slightly better. He protected the rim better, and was much better offensively on the low block. Garnett had a better midrange game, a far better deep game and was more versatile but he was one of the few superstars you couldn’t count on to score when you needed it and Duncan was. 

[For_Never_EverParticipant]

Duncan has likely one of the greatest Coaches ever. That makes a monumental difference also.

[Raef LaFrentzParticipant]

I know it isn’t the popular pick, but I’m taking The Big Ticket, Kevin Garnett.

[ENOGSIWONdede]

 KG would of won 1-2 titles with San antonio, Duncan would of won about 6 with Minny/Boston combined

[ENOGSIWONdede]

 Also the elite post player of the late 90’s to mid 2000’s was Shaq Diesel hands down fool

[For_Never_EverParticipant]

I’m talking about PF’s. Also Shaq was not a skilled player like these guy’s. He was a force of power and athleticism, that couldn’t be stopped.

[Meditated StatesParticipant]

Powerful too. KG is the better player. Duncan played with greater players easily. Sprewell and Cassell are not Robinsin,Parker,Manu. KG guard all positions in prime and play them too. Duncan was a better post player.

[mgreener_34Participant]

 You guys are over rating Duncan if you think he would have brough those Minny teams to a championship. Come on, I know a lot of people don’t like Garnett, but the only two teams in his life that had any sort of talent on them he brought to the conference finals, and then won the finals. KG was a monster, and not many players can replicate what he did on the court in his early years. If KG can bring the likes of Letrell Sprewell and Sam Cassel within two game of the finals, then he easily could have replicated what Duncan did with Manu, Parker, and Robinson. And we saw what Duncan could do with Stephon Marbury, the most talented player KG played with before going to Boston, and it ended with the most shameful series of basketball games the USA ever played, and an embarrassing Bronze medal. 

[Champzilla21Participant]

 Honestly i dont think Duncan is even a pf anyways. Since Robinson left Duncan has essenitially guarded the other teams center and has taken jump balls. If you want to count Nesterovic and Oberto as centers sure but i really dont. Anyways i still think Garnett was the better player. The organization ran the team like crap while he was there, bad drafting, illegal contracts which cost the team 3 first round picks, etc. Once he was given an old cassel and a past his prime spreewell he had a spectacular MVP season and made it to the western conference finals. As while Duncan was in the most positively run organization argubaly in all the major sports. They drafted well, has one of the best coaches in he nba ever, and have brought in the right players to fill specfic rolls down to a science. I do believe if they switched teams Garnett would get more love but i guess hes gunna have to settle for 2nd fiddle

[ENOGSIWONdede]

KG played with 6 all stars in Minny: Brandon, Marbury, Googs, Wally World, Spree, Cassell, outside of Spree all were in their prime, Spree in his prime was 1st team all NBA people forget.  Robinson was only good the first 2 years Duncan played with him, after that he was no better than Rasho.  Parker and Ginobili were non factors on the 2003 title team Duncan won that title by himself, and 1999 with Robinson as the only decent player around him that team was much worse supporting cast wise that the teams KG played with.  Yes in 2006 and 2007 Duncan had better supporting casts, but if you count Boston KG has clearly played with better teams over his career and has one title vs. 4.

[ENOGSIWONdede]

6 all stars but he never had any help lolllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll

It is not like Parker and Ginobili were perennial all stars Ginobili made 2 his whole career and only 1 in the time frame we are talking about.  Parker made 4 but only 2 in the time frame we are talking about.

[Lebron’s HairlineParticipant]

I’ve got to go with KG, I think he would have exceeded if he was in San Antonio under pop. Garnett can defend, pass, rebound, run the floor, shoot, had the desire to win and was very versatile for a guy his size. He would have been a monster in San antonio. Still the greatest all around power forward in NBA history imo

[For_Never_EverParticipant]

 Manu Ginobili is a great player best draft steal of all time. Usually a Great player lack something Lebron lacks competitiveness and clutch, Kobe lacks unselfishness and creating for teammates, Wade lacks consistent outside shot, Dirk lacks individual and team defense. The only one thing I can see Manu lacking is perhaps the endurance to play 40 minutes every game. James Hardin has only been in the NBA a couple years, but he is compared to Manu the most. Manu Ginobili at his prime is he better than James Hardin ? Both are deadly off the bench and both also have won 6th man of the year award. So when it is all said and done which will have the better career ?

[ENOGSIWONdede]

 So could Lamar Odom, Derrick Coleman, Rasheed etc, Tim Duncan was an assassin.  Being versatile does not make you better.  

Cheap shot on Duncan at them losing the Olympics games were called bad and team constructed bad with Iverson and Marbury in the backcourt they were too small.

[For_Never_EverParticipant]

 You forget the role players Duncan has had in the years. Robert Horry, Steven Jackson, Bruce Bowen, McDyess, Finley, Jefferson, Geoge Hill, Fabrico Oberto, Brent barry, Sean Elliott, Antonio Daniels, Avery johnson, Malik Rose, I’m not even going to bother putting my input on the 6 ALL STARS you brought up that played with KG. If you know anything about the game, you should already know.

[omphalosParticipant]

You can’t hold Pop against Duncan anymore than you can use it to negate what MJ did with the Bulls. Great coaching helps, but at the end of the day both of these guys are the greatest at their respective positions. We have tangible proof of what Duncan achieved because he actually achieved it. The case for KG is based around what-ifs.

If you are talking who is strictly a better basketball player in isolation you might have a better debate, but in terms of who is greater, it has to be Duncan hands down.

Also, whoever said KG had a better supporting cast is foolish. All the depth in the world won’t make up for a lack of star-power, which is what KG’s teams faced. take the Denver Nuggets; deepest team in the NBA by far, but the quality at the top isn’t enough to make them a serious threat. Conversely, the Celtics had probably the worst bench of all the contenders and managed to get within 1 game of the Finals.

I feel like KG might have had a bit of Lebron syndrome in Minny; that is to say he wanted to win so badly that he did too much and even though he was REALLY good at it, it stifled the development of some of his teammates to an extent. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xl0EPez9HL8 – this mix makes me really appreciate KG as a competitor though.

[For_Never_EverParticipant]

 I can’t argue with anything omphalos has said. 

[llperez]

both top 5 all time pf’s. But duncan was better. I feel quite confident saying that. KG at his absolute best was just not as treliable a go to player on offense. He couldnt be relied on to get you buckets in the 4th quarter of a tight playoff game. Duncan in his prime could. Also, a true post up presence is much harder to come by then a mid range guy. KG is and was truly great, but this isnt that tough a call for me.

[NbanflguyParticipant]

this topic was made before and I got like 100 negs lol. Although there stats are similar Duncan was a true low post threat could command a double and open thing up for teammates and also had a greater defensive impact. Also it is arguable that Garnett had a better supporting cast.

Garnett had Mark Madsen on his team….

[ENOGSIWONdede]

 Madsen>Mengke Bateer

 

I did not even mention Joe Smith who was better than anyone on that supporting cast list.  Did not even mention Chauncey Billups who was a 7th all star but does not really count because was not playing near an all star level in Minny,  KG held him back so he had to leave Minny to play better.  But the other 6 all stars 5 in their prime and Sprewell still near an all star level, so most of the time KG had two all stars and solid role players and could not win.

Smith> McDyess

Hudson> Daniels

Nesterovic> Nesterovic

Hoiberg> Kerr

Eddie Griffin> Matt Bonner

Malik Sealy> Jaren Jackson

Billups> Claxton

etc. etc.

 

 

[TheBigEasyParticipant]

 I am totally biased on this discussion and will go for Duncan. I am spurs fan, so what would you expect.

Besides that I think both are the two best power forwards I have ever seen since following the NBA (that would be since approximately 1997). I just like the cerebral approach of Duncan a bit more, than the hyper active Garnett. Also the way that Garnett sometimes behaves on the court (all the trash talking etc.) is not up my alley. Nevertheless Garnett is in my opinion awfully close to Tim Duncan.

[ENOGSIWONdede]

 1. Duncan

2. Barkley

3. KG

4. McHale

5. Malone

[LerinErinParticipant]

 Duncan is one of my favourite players ever but I wonder how he would have handled the situation in Minni if he and KG swapped teams from the start.  Pops was the perfect type of coach for Duncan. I also agree Duncan is really more of a centre than a PF. 

 

I imagine history  will view them as about equal overall.  I think it still possible either one could win another title,  play devil’s advocate, I imagine if  Garnett were to win  one more  they would basically be  judged almost the same  based on how they are rated.

 

[B-ball fanParticipant]

 I am biased as I am a Celtics fan, but I have always viewed Garnett as the slightly superior player.  Both are truly elite players and some of their value depends on their supporting cast, but Garnett gets the edge in my bood for his superior defensive game.

Duncan was an outstanding defender in his prime, but Garnett was something else.  Garnett may still be the league’s best defensive player, entering his 18th year in the league.  I think Garnett will be remembered as the greatest defender of the NBA’s modern era.  

Garnett was probably not the offensive player Duncan was in his prime, but he was still tremendously good.  And while Garnett may not be a guy you give the ball and isolate in crunch time, he is still a clutch player.  Just look at his playoff stats, which are tremendous.

[ENOGSIWONdede]

 If Duncan went to Minnesota:

 

Marbury= HOF

Eddie Griffin= alive and more famous than the comedian

Malik Sealy= alive and not best known for acting in Eddie

Rick Rickert= 9 year NBA career

KG ruined careers and ended lives fuk him

 

[CynthiaParticipant]

 Why would you even go there? That isn’t kool.

[NbanflguyParticipant]

You should get banned for this comment. Like seriously. wtf

[blood]

 played with OLD David Robinson who was 34 when they won first one,and his next best teammates were 57th pick Ginobili and 28th pick Parker….He made them champs…IMO its not even close beetwen the 2, plus Garnett now is just dirty player and alot of NBA players said that,i never heard anyone say something like that about Timmy…TD IS THE BEST PF OF ALL TIME!

[theballerwayParticipant]

Timmys been banking them midrange jumpers for years now. He left the low post after like his 2nd year. As mentioned though in crunch time he was on the block . I just dont think thats been his post up game has been his main weapon for a while. Often when he gets it in the post he is used as a faciltator (as he commands a double team) , which is a tribute to the type of player he is. I just dont really buy all that low post stuff bing the seperating factor with the 2 players

[ENOGSIWONdede]

 Duncan left the low post in 99?  lol maybe in 2009.

 

Tunisia is blowing Argentina out of the water right 28-14, so maybe this Ginobili guy is nothing special what has he done without Tim Duncan?  If Tunisia wins outright I win the supporting cast argument by default.

[CynthiaParticipant]

You kidding me? Manu Ginobili led Argentina to Gold in Athens 2004 . That’s right, gold. 

[Professor RozayParticipant]

Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan are such good players. They both do it in different ways but the both are very good at what they do. Kevin Garnett is a mid range guy that plays great defense. He is a true leader on the floor becasue his communication skills are so good especially on the defensive end. He is one of the most selfless superstars in the NBA. He is always willing to do what is best for the team. Not so much anymore but he ran the floor better then any other big man in the league for years. He was not your typical back to the basket player but he did bang out and get buckets in the post. Now Tim is silent and deadly. He is what the say he is the Big Fundmental. He has a wonder bank shot that he has put on display for years. He can score on the block and played pretty good defense. He was the prefect player for a Pop run team. They both when all said and done are going to go down as arguable the best power fowards in the game. But I will say this if Kevin Garnett was a spur he would have more rings.

Like I said both guys are great but I just like Kevin Garnett better. I just think he is the better player of the two but it is really close.

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

Both guys are great, but are different players. I could spend a lot of time breaking down the differences, but the main differences to me that made Tim Duncan better were:

1. True low post game that drew double and triple teams… Made the game easier for his teammates. You could put average players around him and he’d make them look above average or good. Duncan embraced playing on the low block and went to the mid-range bank when necesary.

2. Go-to player down the stretch… Duncan came through consistently. For whatever reasons, Garnett just didn’t come through in the clutch. I don’t feel like looking for it, but Scottie Pippen made a huge quote about this concerning Garnett in 4th quarters.

Garnett was more talented and more fun to watch, but there’s no doubt in my mind who was the better player and who got the max out of his teammates.

 

[joecheck88Participant]

 This is such a close one. I don’t think you can mention Pop in the argument. Duncan was there the whole time Pop was. Duncan has a lot to do with Pop’s success as well. I don’t like the role player argument either. Great players make role players great. The difference is Ginobili & Parker. They are much better than what Garnett ever had. Would Garnett have rings if he were a Spur during those years. Probably, but I can’t say he would have 4. 

You just can’t know how it would have been. So for that reason I have to go with Duncan. As far as better player, I don’t think there is an answer to that. They are equals in my eyes. Would KG win a one on one? Most likely but that is irrelevant in a team game. 

[ItsVictorOladipoParticipant]

This is such a close one. I don’t think you can mention Pop in the argument. Duncan was there the whole time Pop was. Duncan has a lot to do with Pop’s success as well. I don’t like the role player argument either. Great players make role players great. The difference is Ginobili & Parker. They are much better than what Garnett ever had. Would Garnett have rings if he were a Spur during those years. Probably, but I can’t say he would have 4.

You just can’t know how it would have been. So for that reason I have to go with Duncan. As far as better player, I don’t think there is an answer to that. They are equals in my eyes. Would KG win a one on one? Most likely but that is irrelevant in a team game.

——————————————————————————————————————–

 

Agree completely with this.

Although I will take things one step further and say that Garnett probably would not have been able to carry the Spurs to the 2003 championship, not with a 20 year old Tony Parker (albeit one who averaged 15.5 PPG in the regual season and 14.7 in the playoffs), a 37 year old David Robinson (8.5 PPG, 7.9 RPG in 26.2 MPG and just 7.8 PPG and 6.6 RPG in the post season) and a young Ginobli (just 7.6 PPG in just over 20 MPG during the season with 9.4 PPG on 27.5 MPG in the playoffs).

Garnett lacked the ability to be a go to scorer and carry an offense, especially when teams keyed on him. Duncan had no such issues, he played like a man possessed in the 2003 post season averaging 24.7 PPG, 15.4 RPG and 5.3 APG in 24 games.

[HobbyOGParticipant]

Tim Duncan was more fundemental then KG…He is the king of the bank shot. Tim came in the league first year as an all-star..

[GoJOSH HUESTISParticipant]

 Yeah I think people forget tony Parker of today wasn’t the same Parker of Duncan’s Prime years. k.G had comparable talent for a couple of years in Minny with at least one other All Star. 

[GoJOSH HUESTISParticipant]

 With that said its not a very easy debate, seems easy because Duncan has all those titles but he also had a much better coach, when you add stats in the mix their career numbers are almost identical

[ENOGSIWONdede]

 Popovich is a good coach but lets face facts when Duncan retires he is gone into the sunset and will never coach again

[ENOGSIWONdede]

 Why should i get banned Sealy died drving home from Garnett’s birthday party it is true?

Griffin would of had a legendary career if he played with a big man who was on the block instead of floated on the perimeter and got more girls and money and would not of jacked off while driving

[For_Never_EverParticipant]

Your’e a one sided Jackass. I didn’t mind debating with you, but all you do is blame everything on KG.

[Bad DogParticipant]

Personally I would choose Duncan. Dominant big men are hard to find and as the saying goes, big men win championships. I’m not taking anything away from Garnett though. He was an excellent player, but I would pick Duncan before him. Duncan was very reliable when it came to closing out games. Garnett was good some of the time too, but there were too many times where he would come up short in critical moments.

[Author]

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