Kevin Garnett or Tim Duncan

[Macken]

Garnett in his prime way over duncan in his prime..

 

[stevsta]

Duncan

 

[FirstTimer]

Duncan...but it's close.


LOL at this...

Garnett in his prime way over duncan in his prime..

 

[FedEx227]

Duncan for me. Garnett has an awesome skillset but I've always felt Duncan was a better overall player.

 

[Macken]

Duncan...but it's close.


LOL at this...

what are loling??

neither are in there prime right now.. duncan is obviously playing better now because KG has been a lil banged up.

 

[Senser81]

I would take Duncan because he got the job done in the clutch. Very focused player. I think Garnett was more emotional and more of a headcase (but still a great player). I remember one playoff series where Duncan's Spurs played Garnett's T-wolves, and Duncan dominated the series. Towards the end Garnett resorted to hitting Duncan in the head and trash talking him every play...which I thought was pathetic.

 

[FirstTimer]

what are loling??

neither are in there prime right now.. duncan is obviously playing better now because KG has been a lil banged up.

No shit neither are in their primes right now. Wow.

I'm laughing my ass off that you have Garnett "way over" Duncan comparing primes when in Duncan's prime he was winning 2 MVP's and some championships, when Garnett won his MVP he lost in the conference finals.

Not to mention Duncan is seen as the greatest power forward of all time and you have Garnett ranked" way over him" in their respective prime. It's hilarious.

I could see taking Garnett by a hair over Duncan in their respective primes....maybe...but saying Garnett "way over" Duncan is so idiotic it's hilarious.

 

[Macken]

No shit neither are in their primes right now. Wow.

I'm laughing my ass off that you have Garnett "way over" Duncan comapring primes when in Duncan's prime he was winning 2 MVP's and some championships, when Garnett won his MVP he lost in the conference finals.

Not to mention Duncan is seen as the greatest power forward of all time and you have Garnett ranked" way over him" in their respective prime. It's hilarious.

I could see taking Garnett by a hair over Duncan in their respective primes....maybe...but saying Garnett "way over" Duncan is so idiotic it's hilarious.

and look at the teams that duncan had to play with at those times. KG aint had a team in minnesota to win any decent respectable series with. And duncan as the greatest power forward ever? tell me where u see that and ill believe you

 

[Senser81]

Yeah, McHale in his prime way over Duncan in his prime.

 

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

Garnett by a hair.

He never really had the players around him like Duncan did/has. Duncan's title teams were loaded.

 

[FirstTimer]

and look at the teams that duncan had to play with at those times.

So what? You ever think that the reason those Spurs teams were so great is because of Duncan in the post? Duncan made those teams great and as Senser pointed out when they matched up Duncan took KG to school.

And duncan as the greatest power forward ever? tell me where u see that and ill believe you

Ummm....most anywhere you look and most basketball experts agree that Duncan, if he isn't the greatest PF ever, is at the very least in the discussion for it.

Do you even watch basketball. Honest question.

 

[mfbmike]

I would take Duncan because he got the job done in the clutch. Very focused player. I think Garnett was more emotional and more of a headcase (but still a great player). I remember one playoff series where Duncan's Spurs played Garnett's T-wolves, and Duncan dominated the series. Towards the end Garnett resorted to hitting Duncan in the head and trash talking him every play...which I thought was pathetic.

words out of my mouth.

Garnett is great for selling tickets and without a doubt, extremely talented and a first ballot hall of famer, but Duncan edges him out.

I don't think many people are basing their decisions on the rings comparison. :headache:

 

[LC AAU]

My personal opinion would be KG, as of course he's probably the popular pick. But I mean, both players are probably Top 5/10 at the position in my opinion. I think if KG would have been in a Spurs type system with great players he could have won more championships.

 

[ralaw]

Duncan is far better in the sense of a traditional back-to-the-basket big, but Garnett's all-around game and versatility make him as great as well. However, Duncan in my opinion is the greater player, because his game was more condusive to winning basketball. I've seen Duncan take over BIG games, but never really saw that from KG. Duncan's accomplishments are on par with the games greats and this is why he's the greatest PF off all-time.

 

[mfbmike]

Duncan is far better in the sense of a traditional back-to-the-basket big, but Garnett's all-around game and versatility make him as great as well. However, Duncan in my opinion is the greater player, because his game was more condusive to winning basketball. I've seen Duncan take over BIG games, but never really saw that from KG. Duncan's accomplishments are on par with the games greats and this is why he's the greatest PF off all-time.

I'm all out of thanks.

And not because I agree with you, but it's fact.

 

[stevsta]

this article is an interesting take

http://community.foxsports.com/blog...rrated_Dissecting_Kevin_Garnett_vs_Tim_Duncan

(Editor's Note: This blog is the result of a back and forth argument between me and another blogger. While most of the time I try and keep topics in story form, this one will be a little more freely constructed as I'm more interested in the discussion then the quality of writing...enjoy and please chime in.)

It says in this corner of the blog world that Kevin Garnett, although a warranted future Hall of Fame player, is overrated.

For years Timberwolves GM Kevin McHale has been looking for a team to build around Garnett, when in fact, he should have been looking for a star that Garnett could complement.

Franchise player is a term that gets thrown around far too easily these days. It seems that anyone that can pair a scoring average in the high teens with one other competent skill and get a max deal while some team pegs him as the cornerstone of their rebuilding movement.

While Garnett is certainly worthy of praise, and is one of the all-time greats, he is hardly a franchise player.

Before we get in too deep, let's define a franchise player (FP) first. A FP must be a Hall of Fame (HOF) worthy candidate, but not all HOF'ers are franchise players. A FP is one that you can put on any roster and have at least a playoff team on a consistent basis.

Now, for the sake of this arguement let's put Garnett against his most often compared peer, Tim Duncan. First we will break down the components of each person's game into five categories: Post offense, Perimeter offense, Rebounding, Post Defense, Perimieter defense -- ranking each one on a scale of 1-10 with one being poor, four being average, seven being All-Star worthy, and 10 being one of the top three at said particular skill. After we rate them, we'll explain.

Kevin Garnett (KG)


Post Offense - 6
Perimeter Offense - 8
Rebounding - 10
Post Defense - 6
Perimeter Defense - 8

The strength of KG's game lies in his versatility. At seven feet tall, KG can do just about everything at a high level of play. Every individual skill you could want in an NBA player Garnett has at an average to near All-Star level, which makes him a great, complete player. But if you take a look at each skill on its own, only one stands out as dominant. Therein lies the problem. Let's examine.

Post Offense: In the current NBA era, KG boasts a post up game that is better than half the league, but falls short of the true post players. His biggest deficiency in this area, and indeed in his whole game, is his lack of bulk, which prevents him from establishing good position against capable defenders.

As a post player, Garnett relies mostly on his length, which he mostly unleashes in the form of various turnaround jumpers. When on, this particular move is unguardable given his length. This approach works for averaging 20 ppg, but has its flaws. Jumpshots, even for the best, are not reliable. In the clutch, KG's pet move does not draw fouls, double teams, or the highest percentage shot.

In this particular aspect of the game, KG ranks below players such as Tim Duncan, Paul Gasol, Shaq, Zach Randolph, Carmelo Anthony, Eddie Curry, and even Elton Brand.

Perimeter Offense: Again, KG shows no true weakness in this part of the game as every aspect is sound but not at an All-Star level. As a ball handler, Garnett has shown to be capable as most average NBA point guards, which for a power forward is pretty remarkable. For his position, he probably only trails Antoine Walker in this department. Indeed, Garnett is good enough to initiate an offense, which he has done in the past.

As a shooter, Garnett displays a stroke that is legit All-Star caliber, but falls short of being a shooting specialist along the likes of Peja, Dirk, or Kyle Korver. KG's primary offensive weapon is a jump shot that is impossible to block due to his height and knowledge, has comfortable range out to 19 feet, and is capable from behind the three-point line. The problem lies in the fact that KG is seven feet tall with his athletic ability and this is his primary weapon. Again, jump shots are good enough to boost the scoring average, but not reliable in playoff series.

Rebounding: This is the one area of his game where Garnett is one of the elite. Despite his thin frame, Garnett uses his length, athleticism, will, and instincts to be one of the best rebounders of his generation.

Post Defense: Like on offense, KG's frame prevents him from establishing position in the paint. Because of his length, speed, and smarts, Garnett has developed into a more than capable defender here. However, against some of the better post up players in this league he runs into problems. While undersized power forwards, and average post players post know threat, the T'Woles are vulnerable to the Zach Randolphs, Al Jeffersons, Tim Duncans, and Dwight Howards of the world. However, KG is a respectable shot blocker, altering many would be layups at the rim.

Perimeter offense: While not on the same level as a Bruce Bowen or Ron Artest, or even Trenton Hassell or Raja Bell for that matter, KG uses his long arms and foot speed very effictively on the perimeter, At seven feet tall he is capable of guarding most guards at a high level of performance. For that matter, he is also a good help defender, restricting driving and passing lanes while still being able to recover to his own man.

Tim Duncan

Post Offense - 10
Perimeter Offense - 5/6
Rebounding - 10
Post Defense - 10
Perimeter Defense - 6

Post Offense: Currently Tim Duncan is the best low post player in the game, and second only to Shaq in his era. While Garnett relies primarily on finesse and athletic ability here, Duncan offers a balance of power moves, hook shots with either hand, and indeed every post move is in his working repetoire. When one aspect of his post game is not working, TD is usually able to compensate by drawing fouls. Furthermore, as most of his shots are going towards the basket he is usually in prime position to tip in his own shot. Unlike KG, in the low block Duncan chews up fouls and demands double teams regardless of the matchup.

Perimeter Offense: While not as good as KG in this respect, Duncan has enough versatility to be a threat. In the past TD featured a bank shot from 15 feet that was as accurate as any shot in the league, although TD has used it much less and thus, has been more inefficient as the years have gone by. Overall Duncan is a better shooter than the average big man, which makes him capable, but not up to par with Dirk, Garnett, Bosh, or even a Brad Miller.

Again, while Duncan does not have the creativity of the dribble that KG possesses, he is capable of bringing the ball up the court on occassion, generally makes good decisions, and is an underrated passer.

Rebounding: Unfortunately for KG, the one area he is truely great at his rival is able to match. Both forwards are HOF caliber as far as rebounding is concerned.

Post Defense: With all due respect to Ben Wallace, who may be a better help defender, Duncan has probably been the best post defender of the last seven years, as evident by his selections to several all-defensive teams. Duncan has the size and quickness to match most post players, is a shot blocker both on and off the ball, and rarely puts himself in position to draw fouls. Since the retirement of David Robinson, the entire Spurs defense has been predicated on what Duncan can do in the middle.

Perimeter Defense: While not able to step out and guard perimeter players individually, Duncan is good at deterring ballhandlers from getting in the lane with his help defense and able to show on pick and roles and recover to his man. Again, his footwork his fundamentally sound but his lack of foot speed prevent him from reaching KG levels here.

Conclusion

Never mistake activity for achievement...While Garnett does more things than Tim Duncan, and perhaps more than any other big in the history of the game, Garnett does not have one aspect of his game, other than rebounding, that would be considered HOF material. So although Tim Duncan can't initiate an offense, shoot threes, or take his man off the dribble, the things he can do he is usually the best in the league at. As was the case with most franchise players.

As another mark of true greatness, Duncan has lead three vastly different teams to NBA championships and maintained a level of greatness within the Spurs organization.

So where does that leave us with KG? Well, his skill set reminds me of another great player who will be a Hall of Famer and is one of the 50 greatest of all-time. Scottie Pippen. While we can all appreciate the greatness of Pippen, we all acknowledge that teams were not build around them. Garnett is simply a souped up, seven foot tall of Pippen. So what would KG's ideal legacy be? Why, the greatest sidekick of all time, of course. A combination of Pippen, Michael Cooper, and Dennis Rodman all rolled into one. Unfortunately, we've spent so much time looking for his sidekick, we never thought to find a Michael Jordan he could play his Scottie Pippen to.

 

[stevsta]

I remember one playoff series where Duncan's Spurs played Garnett's T-wolves, and Duncan dominated the series. Towards the end Garnett resorted to hitting Duncan in the head and trash talking him every play...which I thought was pathetic.

i dont think they ever played each other in the playoffs

 

[ralaw]

i dont think they ever played each other in the playoffs

You are wrong...just look it up.

 

[FirstTimer]

i dont think they ever played each other in the playoffs

1998-1999

2000-2001

 

[stevsta]

1998-1999

2000-2001

damn that seems so long ago