[AdamJCallejaParticipant]

 25 yr old Kevin Garnett and a 25 yr old Anthony Davis, who ya taking and why?

[RUDEBOY-Participant]

 I’m Taking KG. AD is the better athlete and shooter. AD has a better per and higher averages. KG had the higher iq, slightly better defender, better footwork,passer,great vocal leader and competitor. But Davis is still improving and haven’t reach his full potential.

[220Participant]

 I’d take KG as well because he was more reliable over his career. Anthony Davis despite being great has been injury prone over his career and I don’t know if he’ll ever be fully able to be healthy. I’d take healthy Anthony Davis over KG though.

[tennislegendParticipant]

 a healthy Anthony Davis would be as good as Hakeem

[whiteflashParticipant]

 No. Just no.

[tennislegendParticipant]

 yes 

[whiteflashParticipant]

 Olajuwon was the best center of all time, played in the golden era of centers and DOMINATED all of them, won two championships, one of which he did with no other HOF’ers or All-Stars (the only player to ever do that), and in the top 10 all time in FIVE major statistical categories, also being the only player to ever do that. So, no.  Just no.

[tennislegendParticipant]

 no he’s the 5th best center of alltime

1 wilt chamberlain

2 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

3 Bill Russell

4 Shaquille O’Neal

5 Hakeem Olajawon

 

 

 

 

 

[whiteflashParticipant]

 Chamberlain and Russell played in an 11 team league comprised of mostly war veterans and Olajuwon kicked the sh!+ out of both Shaq and KAJ. I could go on for days. 

[SubZeroParticipant]

I think AD is better, but KG’s mentality covered any ground there was between them so it’s a push for me. Though if AD had KG’s dog he’d easily be at least top 3 in the league

[whiteflashParticipant]

 KG played in the much tougher era that also happened to be the best PF era (Duncan, Webber, Nowitzki, Brand, Stoudamire, etc..) and was arguably the best of the bunch. He was the superior defender (both individually and team), more durable and is arguably the best passing 4 of all time. He also completely revolutionized the game. Davis offensive versatility is pretty crazy. Don’t think we’ve ever seen a 7 footer who could block the shot, keep it in play, start the break, shake his defender loose and pull-up from foul line extended in the same play before him. It’s close, but I’d take Garnett. 

[ThepessimestParticipant]

 I’m taking KG and it’s really not much of a second thought. Anthony Davis is a guy (like many in this era) who’s numbers are otherworldly but he’s no KG.

Kevin Garnett is a better defender. Anthony Davis blocks shots but he is no where near the individual and team defender KG is. Defense is more than shot block numbers. It’s the consistency of rotating, talking, preventing PG’s from turning the corner on ball screens. Some of you may or may not remember but KG was once placed on Tracy McGrady and Kobe Bryant as a primary defender. He could really slide his feet.

Kevin Garnett has a more complete offensive game. Anthony Davis scores on lobs, pick and pops  and catch and drives from mid post area. KG would do that and had go to moves on the block. Anthony Davis has yet to develop consistent post moves. When I watch him he often falls down (losing his balance) when he is met with contact on his drives. Also; from a passing point of view…KG saw the floor and some of his peak years in Minnesota demonstrated how much he could make his teammates better with the pass. AD does not see the floor as well as KG.

Kevin Garnett is just a more physical/stronger mentally basketball player. KG was a dog. I don’t want to call AD soft but…. I’ll just say KG is a dog. 

Note:Whenever comparisons are made negatives and positives are presented. I am not suggesting AD isn’t great. But when comparing great players and deciding between them you have to nitpick. So I think AD is a great player. I just think KG is better and did it against Tim Duncan, Dirk, Webber, Rasheed, Amare etc etc 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

The 2 areas where Davis is clearly behind Garnett are passing and defensive intensity. Garnett was averaging 5-6 assists a game in his prime, whereas Davis barely averaged over 2 this season. I think finding ways to create shots for others is the next step in Davis’s development. Davis just has a different personality than Garnett, so to expect him to be the type of vocal presence Garnett was on D is unrealistic. He can clearly be one of the best defenders in the nba when locked in. He is getting better at being locked in every night but still has a ways to go to get to Garnett’s level in that regard. 

However, in terms of pure scoring ability Davis already has Garnett beat. He’s more versatile, better off the dribble and has more range than Garnett ever did. And let’s also remember that Garnett didn’t really hit his individual peak as a player until he was about 27-28.

 

[ThepessimestParticipant]

You noted that Davis is more versatile off the dribble. I’m not sure that is accurate.

As a reminder; Kevin Garnett used to start at SF for the Minnesota Timberwolves during points of his career.

In the 1998-1999 season they sometimes started Joe Smith at PF, KG at SF and Dean Garrett at C. You can see the box score on basketball reference during the 1998-1999 season. I tried to put the link in here but it wouldn’t allow me to.

Also; there is a clip of KG with team USA playing 1 on 1 full court. He was defended by guards such as Jason Kidd and was handling that rock.

Sometimes we as fans feel players are just now able to do things because players are now "allowed" to do them. KG in today’s era would likely play a small ball 5 instead of a 4 with the floor spread with shooters in a ball screen heavy offensive system.

He’d likely be even better today with the rules and how the game is so wide open now. KG would be able to switch on guards on ball screens. He would be the ultimate cheat code in today’s game where big men who can switch and guard on the perimeter are so valuable. You also cannot switch and guards on him in ball screens. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

[ThepessimestParticipant]

You noted that Davis is more versatile off the dribble. I’m not sure that is accurate.

As a reminder; Kevin Garnett used to start at SF for the Minnesota Timberwolves during points of his career.

In the 1998-1999 season they sometimes started Joe Smith at PF, KG at SF and Dean Garrett at C. You can see the box score on basketball reference during the 1998-1999 season. I tried to put the link in here but it wouldn’t allow me to.

Also; there is a clip of KG with team USA playing 1 on 1 full court. He was defended by guards such as Jason Kidd and was handling that rock.

Sometimes we as fans feel players are just now able to do things because players are now "allowed" to do them. KG in today’s era would likely play a small ball 5 instead of a 4 with the floor spread with shooters in a ball screen heavy offensive system.

He’d likely be even better today with the rules and how the game is so wide open now. KG would be able to switch on guards on ball screens. He would be the ultimate cheat code in today’s game where big men who can switch and guard on the perimeter are so valuable. You also cannot switch and guards on him in ball screens. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

[HeroescantdieParticipant]

with his fire and intimidation and trash talk he got back then, It’ll be fun to watch. 

[WälseParticipant]

 I agree with the choice of KG for the reasons already stated. Yall did a great job with that…I also like where that Olajuwon debate is going

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