Who has had the better overall NBA career - Kobe or Duncan? - Page 2

ninjacookies · 06-17-2014, 08:42 PM

Really all boils down to your preference in style, seeing as they both are pretty comparable in terms of accolades.

Kobe is the prolific, polarizing, flashy type and fan favorite.

Duncan is the poster boy for consistency and durability. He is the NBA's iron man. Isn't a media darling...quiet and modest almost to a fault...to the point people label him boring. Sad how as fans, people overlook greats like him until they do win it all and you see all they've accomplished.

It's almost like comparing Griffey Jr. To Cal Ripken...basically polar opposites on and off the field and how they're portrayed in the media...but both had incredible careers.

MLH · 06-17-2014, 08:45 PM

I would say Kobe because he was considered the best player in the game for some of his career, plus the rings. I like Timmay better personally, but Kobe was absolutely dominating for a time.

kaushikentucky · 06-17-2014, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MLH

I would say Kobe because he was considered the best player in the game for some of his career, plus the rings. I like Timmay better personally, but Kobe was absolutely dominating for a time.

The hardware would prove he was only the best player in the game for 1 year lol, but I get what your saying!

MLH · 06-17-2014, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaushikentucky

The hardware would prove he was only the best player in the game for 1 year lol, but I get what your saying!

Touche.......

byronscott4ever · 06-17-2014, 08:51 PM

Duncan but I'd be happy with either career

pac213up · 06-17-2014, 08:57 PM

Duncan. Better player & better career.

Dwade Collector · 06-17-2014, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xavieronly1

Who would treat kobe like a family when he tries to get you fried?

I see what you are saying here my man, fried as in Kentucky Fried Chicken!?

Phil Jackson = KFC's "Colonel Sanders"

AdamG007 · 06-17-2014, 09:59 PM

I am always bewildered at how people just dismiss Kobe because he wasn't the primary option or finals mvp during his first three championships. Shaq was definitely the main guy, but has there ever been a championship team(s) that has relied more on their top 2 guys than the early '00s Lakers? Very few, if any.

Regardless of team role, production should matter. For example, I would take Kobe's 2001 playoff run (29.4 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 6.1 apg) in which he didn't win finals mvp over any Duncan playoff run in which he did win finals mvp.

Duncan was never the singular force that Kobe was, but he has had the more consistent career. The Spurs organization has a lot to do with that though. Duncan has always played with at least one other Hall-of-Famer and has been coached by the same great coach in all of his 17 seasons. He was pretty fortunate to never have to deal with a true rebuild.

justdagoodstuff · 06-17-2014, 10:00 PM

Kobe Bryant

bdoody42 · 06-17-2014, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdamG007

I am always bewildered at how people just dismiss Kobe because he wasn't the primary option or finals mvp during his first three championships. Shaq was definitely the main guy, but has there ever been a championship team(s) that has relied more on their top 2 guys than the early '00s Lakers? Very few, if any.

Regardless of team role, production should matter. For example, I would take Kobe's 2001 playoff run (29.4 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 6.1 apg) in which he didn't win finals mvp over any Duncan playoff run in which he did win finals mvp.

Duncan was never the singular force that Kobe was, but he has had the more consistent career. The Spurs organization has a lot to do with that though. Duncan has always played with at least one other Hall-of-Famer and has been coached by the same great coach in all of his 17 seasons. He was pretty fortunate to never have to deal with a true rebuild.

That 2001 finals by Kobe was awesome and if they gave out co-MVP I think he deserved it.

Kobe really only had success under one coach like Duncan and for the majority of his year he has had a hall of fame guy beside him. The years when the had Parker, Kwame, and Walton being the exception. Each player is great and was lucky enough to get put in a place where they could succeed.

kaushikentucky · 06-18-2014, 12:07 AM

lol, Kobe has also played with at least one other hall of famer his entire career. Shaq for so a few years, then 2 years in the dark ages but let's not forget the mailman human glove year, then Pau Gasol for 5 years, now with steve nash....

So much for the idea that Kobe has had less hof on his team than duncan.

pepsiporch · 06-18-2014, 12:11 AM

Duncan
Spurs are also closer to getting back to the finals next year .
Plus kobe cryed like a baby and forced a trade to la which is bs

vinsanity15 · 06-18-2014, 12:13 AM

There very similar both had great great careers. But the better player with out a doubt is Kobe.

drob50 · 06-18-2014, 12:47 AM

Both obviously HUGE players in the game! The only thing Kobe has over Duncan IMO is the fact that he was a 13th pick (I think it was 13??) while Duncan was a lock at #1.

You can't compare career stats unless you take minutes into play PROPERLY, but also you have to compare the impact each player has on their TEAM as a whole!

Duncan hands down!

drob50 · 06-18-2014, 12:48 AM

Oh..... and Duncan would NEVER say that he "is not ok with Kobe winning a 6th ring!"

drob50 · 06-18-2014, 12:52 AM

Interesting read here:
as of 2011 B/R had Kobe in front
Kobe Bryant vs. Tim Duncan: Who Has Had the More Impressive Career? | Bleacher Report

dasiegel · 06-18-2014, 01:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EMD34

Duncan has had the better career (his teams were always a lock for 50 wins), but Kobe is the better player.

Man I am agreeing with you a lot in these threads, feel the same way.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hche

Their career achievements are very similar:
Kobe Duncan
Championship: 5 5
Finals MVP: 2 3
MVP: 1 2
AS: 16 14 (Kobe's AS selection for this year shouldn't count. lol.)
AS MVP: 4 1
All NBA Team: 15 (11) 14 (10) - () is 1st team
All Def Team: 12 (9) 14 (8)

Kobe - Lakers all time leading scorer. Duncan - Spurs all time leading scorer.

I can't pick. Leaning towards Kobe for a little since he is more flamboyant.

It's Kobe, MVPs are subjective awards. Like MJ shoulda won MVP a lot more than he did, so should have Kobe. Kobe was more dominant and talented individually and created his own shots... with all that being said, Duncan is very close behind him.

Stoked_81 · 06-18-2014, 01:22 AM

Duncan has been healthy for his whole career for the most part

Russellwilson · 06-18-2014, 06:32 AM

Duncan. Hands down. If Tim played in a LA or a NY he'd be celebrated way more.

byronscott4ever · 06-18-2014, 06:37 AM

Duncan took a pay cut for the good of the team but love that both are 1 team players

kobe824 · 06-18-2014, 06:46 AM

Obviously I'm a huge Kobe fan but I very much respect and admire Duncan. I don't think there is a wrong answer just preference of style. In my opinion:

Kobe is the greater individual talent and one of the greatest scorers the game has ever seen.

Tim is a better teammate and his ability to be coached and treated like any other player allows Pop to do what he does. He is also one hell of a player.

I prefer Kobe personally but can't knock anyone going the other way.

One thing of note, other than maybe the first championship, Kobe was dominate in the NBA playoffs with Shaq so anyone who thinks they would have one those title without him is crazy. Also the Finals they lost to Detroit, he was the only player that showed up in that series for LA.

Hegotgame15 · 06-18-2014, 07:30 AM

It's not hands down either way....Just depends on what you want out of a player or what a team needs...

I'll take Kobe over Duncan because his numbers are coming from a guy that has to carry a much larger offensive load, Duncan never had to average 30 points a game and would struggle to do that with his skill set.

20 points a game to 30 points a game is a huge difference, Duncan's got limits to where he's affective on the court, Kobe has no limit to when and where he can score.

Duncan's had a great solid career where Kobe took a while to get going, they are completely different players and bring different things to a team, Duncan gets you a ring playing a solid role and will probably get the Spurs back there next year, or at least close, Kobe can still get you a ring being the # 1 scoring option if he's got good back up, because his skill set is going to carry him when his legs are to old to get up!
I would never count Kobe out, he's a killer and He'll find a way to get back into the finals before he'll retire.

Either or really, there's a good case for either player, I'm taking the Scorer in this case.

smalltown · 06-18-2014, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dasiegel

It's Kobe, MVPs are subjective awards. Like MJ shoulda won MVP a lot more than he did, so should have Kobe. Kobe was more dominant and talented individually and created his own shots... with all that being said, Duncan is very close behind him.

I agree it's subjective. But i don't think Kobe should've won more MVPs.

marinocollector · 06-18-2014, 08:44 AM

Kobe. His career playing wise is in the same league as Duncan. The kicker? Kobe made 50 million more over his career in salary alone. That doesn't even include the huge amount of endorsements he's had. That's something to consider when talking successful careers.

skycat · 06-18-2014, 10:16 AM

Kobe is a better athlete with a killer instinct!
Kobe is alway jealous of the great 1 on his team(Shaq), he desires to be greater than any of them.
Kobe takes more money from the Lakers and give em nothing last year!

Duncan is better leader! He makes his teammates better. Just asked Parker and Kawhi about winning the Finals MVP and Duncan just did not care.
Duncan takes less money even though he could gets alot more anywhere else!

I don't see anymore tank in Kobe game, unless he gets alot of help from his teammates next season.

But For Duncan, another 50 plus wins and probably a great run in the playoff again next year, so Duncan has a better career for sure!
Winning a championship a his current age, the man sure found a fountain of youth!

View Poll Results: Who has had the better overall NBA career?
Kobe	81	43.55%
Duncan	105	56.45%
Voters: 186. You may not vote on this poll

06-17-2014, 08:57 PM	#31
pac213up Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 8,268	Duncan. Better player & better career. __________________ "Show me a good loser and I'll show you a loser." - Red Auerbach

06-18-2014, 12:07 AM	#36
kaushikentucky Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 1,326 mohan-enterprises1	lol, Kobe has also played with at least one other hall of famer his entire career. Shaq for so a few years, then 2 years in the dark ages but let's not forget the mailman human glove year, then Pau Gasol for 5 years, now with steve nash.... So much for the idea that Kobe has had less hof on his team than duncan. __________________ IG: the_iron_shik

06-18-2014, 12:11 AM	#37
pepsiporch Banned Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 2,716	Duncan Spurs are also closer to getting back to the finals next year . Plus kobe cryed like a baby and forced a trade to la which is bs Last edited by pepsiporch; 06-18-2014 at 12:13 AM.

06-18-2014, 01:22 AM	#43
Stoked_81 Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 392 stoked_81	Duncan has been healthy for his whole career for the most part __________________ http://s927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/stoked_81/ Collecting Gala 2015-16 Basketball Base. David Johnson. Psa/Jsa Memorabilia.

06-17-2014, 08:42 PM	#26
ninjacookies Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: All the girls see the (boi)/ Look at his flips / Look at his kards / All they say is (oh boi). Posts: 57,206	Really all boils down to your preference in style, seeing as they both are pretty comparable in terms of accolades. Kobe is the prolific, polarizing, flashy type and fan favorite. Duncan is the poster boy for consistency and durability. He is the NBA's iron man. Isn't a media darling...quiet and modest almost to a fault...to the point people label him boring. Sad how as fans, people overlook greats like him until they do win it all and you see all they've accomplished. It's almost like comparing Griffey Jr. To Cal Ripken...basically polar opposites on and off the field and how they're portrayed in the media...but both had incredible careers.

06-17-2014, 08:45 PM	#27
MLH Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 3,632	I would say Kobe because he was considered the best player in the game for some of his career, plus the rings. I like Timmay better personally, but Kobe was absolutely dominating for a time.

06-17-2014, 08:51 PM	#30
byronscott4ever Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 11,460	Duncan but I'd be happy with either career

06-17-2014, 09:59 PM	#33
AdamG007 Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 293	I am always bewildered at how people just dismiss Kobe because he wasn't the primary option or finals mvp during his first three championships. Shaq was definitely the main guy, but has there ever been a championship team(s) that has relied more on their top 2 guys than the early '00s Lakers? Very few, if any. Regardless of team role, production should matter. For example, I would take Kobe's 2001 playoff run (29.4 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 6.1 apg) in which he didn't win finals mvp over any Duncan playoff run in which he did win finals mvp. Duncan was never the singular force that Kobe was, but he has had the more consistent career. The Spurs organization has a lot to do with that though. Duncan has always played with at least one other Hall-of-Famer and has been coached by the same great coach in all of his 17 seasons. He was pretty fortunate to never have to deal with a true rebuild.

06-17-2014, 10:00 PM	#34
justdagoodstuff Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 4,149	Kobe Bryant

06-18-2014, 12:13 AM	#38
vinsanity15 Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 1,946	There very similar both had great great careers. But the better player with out a doubt is Kobe.

06-18-2014, 12:47 AM	#39
drob50 Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Perth, Australia Posts: 4,369 spur92021	Both obviously HUGE players in the game! The only thing Kobe has over Duncan IMO is the fact that he was a 13th pick (I think it was 13??) while Duncan was a lock at #1. You can't compare career stats unless you take minutes into play PROPERLY, but also you have to compare the impact each player has on their TEAM as a whole! Duncan hands down!

06-18-2014, 12:48 AM	#40
drob50 Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Perth, Australia Posts: 4,369 spur92021	Oh..... and Duncan would NEVER say that he "is not ok with Kobe winning a 6th ring!"

06-18-2014, 12:52 AM	#41
drob50 Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Perth, Australia Posts: 4,369 spur92021	Interesting read here: as of 2011 B/R had Kobe in front Kobe Bryant vs. Tim Duncan: Who Has Had the More Impressive Career? \| Bleacher Report

06-18-2014, 06:32 AM	#44
Russellwilson Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 681 Swstuhr	Duncan. Hands down. If Tim played in a LA or a NY he'd be celebrated way more. __________________ PC Griffey Jr.

06-18-2014, 06:37 AM	#45
byronscott4ever Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 11,460	Duncan took a pay cut for the good of the team but love that both are 1 team players

06-18-2014, 06:46 AM	#46
kobe824 Banned Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 3,567 lakerskb824	Obviously I'm a huge Kobe fan but I very much respect and admire Duncan. I don't think there is a wrong answer just preference of style. In my opinion: Kobe is the greater individual talent and one of the greatest scorers the game has ever seen. Tim is a better teammate and his ability to be coached and treated like any other player allows Pop to do what he does. He is also one hell of a player. I prefer Kobe personally but can't knock anyone going the other way. One thing of note, other than maybe the first championship, Kobe was dominate in the NBA playoffs with Shaq so anyone who thinks they would have one those title without him is crazy. Also the Finals they lost to Detroit, he was the only player that showed up in that series for LA.

06-18-2014, 07:30 AM	#47
Hegotgame15 Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Australia. Posts: 1,764	It's not hands down either way....Just depends on what you want out of a player or what a team needs... I'll take Kobe over Duncan because his numbers are coming from a guy that has to carry a much larger offensive load, Duncan never had to average 30 points a game and would struggle to do that with his skill set. 20 points a game to 30 points a game is a huge difference, Duncan's got limits to where he's affective on the court, Kobe has no limit to when and where he can score. Duncan's had a great solid career where Kobe took a while to get going, they are completely different players and bring different things to a team, Duncan gets you a ring playing a solid role and will probably get the Spurs back there next year, or at least close, Kobe can still get you a ring being the # 1 scoring option if he's got good back up, because his skill set is going to carry him when his legs are to old to get up! I would never count Kobe out, he's a killer and He'll find a way to get back into the finals before he'll retire. Either or really, there's a good case for either player, I'm taking the Scorer in this case.

06-18-2014, 08:44 AM	#49
marinocollector Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Locally Posts: 8,301	Kobe. His career playing wise is in the same league as Duncan. The kicker? Kobe made 50 million more over his career in salary alone. That doesn't even include the huge amount of endorsements he's had. That's something to consider when talking successful careers. __________________ There's 100 made! Lets hope that one of the .00000001% of the world population that actually own this card decides that today is the day they offer it for sale.

06-18-2014, 10:16 AM	#50
skycat Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1,161	Kobe is a better athlete with a killer instinct! Kobe is alway jealous of the great 1 on his team(Shaq), he desires to be greater than any of them. Kobe takes more money from the Lakers and give em nothing last year! Duncan is better leader! He makes his teammates better. Just asked Parker and Kawhi about winning the Finals MVP and Duncan just did not care. Duncan takes less money even though he could gets alot more anywhere else! I don't see anymore tank in Kobe game, unless he gets alot of help from his teammates next season. But For Duncan, another 50 plus wins and probably a great run in the playoff again next year, so Duncan has a better career for sure! Winning a championship a his current age, the man sure found a fountain of youth!