Why Tim Duncan is overrated and KG is underrated

[OsirusCeltics]

Why Tim Duncan is overrated and KG is underrated

Let me guess, because Duncan plays for the Spurs, and Garnett plays for the Celtics... 

So what I wrote has to do with homerism? Hmmm
Homerism is based on emotion of why I hate Duncan. But I logically explained why He is overrated. Can you logically explain why he is not?

[OsirusCeltics]

Also people really overlook how stacked those Spurs teams were. From the '99 team with Avery Johnson, Mario Ellie, Shawn Elliot, Robinson, etc. Then later Kerr, Stephen Jackson,  Ginobili, Parker, etc.

In any other context, I would assume this to be egregiously sarcastic.

Name the players that played with KG in Minnesota that was close to the level of Duncan's teammates...

[snively]

Because of team success.

Agreed.  Team success is a poor metric for judging players, but that and scoring average seem to be the dominant metrics in the mainstream nevertheless.  Kobe is sort of the perfect storm in that category as he's enjoyed phenomenal team success for most of his career and great scoring success when he wasn't winning.

[BudweiserCeltic]

KG has always been and will always be the better player.

[angryguy77]

Imo KG wins just as many titles as Duncan if he had been drafted by the Spurs

[barefacedmonk]

Imo KG wins just as many titles as Duncan if he had been drafted by the Spurs

+1

[xmuscularghandix]

Just check how many titles Duncan has and how many KG has and you will know why. Please.

How many MVP's has KG gotten to play beside?

[zerophase]

Tim Duncan is not overrated. That's like saying MJ is overrated. I also do not feel that KG is underrated. I think he's very properly rated as a first ballot HOF.

[BballTim]

Tim Duncan is not overrated. That's like saying MJ is overrated. I also do not feel that KG is underrated. I think he's very properly rated as a first ballot HOF.

  MJ is somewhat overrated, many claim that he's the best player of all time when there are a handful of others that are clearly in the conversation, just like he is.

[OsirusCeltics]

To me KG is the greatest Power Forward to play this game (With honorable mention to Dave DeBusschere, Kevin Mchale, Bob Pettit, and Elvin Hayes)

Wow, no love for Malone or Barkley?

They weren't good defensive players in my opinion. I just can't rate one way players on my all time list. But I will say if Barkley had the team Jordan had, he would have won at least one or two titles

[greg683x]

I agree with the feeling that if KG were drafted by the Spurs he wouldve won just as many titles.  However I dont think that proves the argument that the OP is making that Tim Duncan is overrated and KG is underrated.

most knowledgeable basketball fans will say that KG and Duncan are pretty much on the same level.  Yes, people do tend to give Duncan more props bc he won the titles, but thats just how the chips fell.  If KG hadnt been able to win a title here in Boston then yes EVERYONE would throw Duncan ahead of Garnett, but he did and most people do acknowledge what KG had to work with in Minny.

You can criticize Garnett to be honest just as much as you are trying to criticize the media here.  If Garnett would have sucked up his pride and left Minnesota years before, then he could have put himself in a position to be competing against Duncan in the finals.  Kevin has said it himself "Loyalty can hurt you."  In the grand scheme of things I dont think KG cares, he's gotten over the hump and hes in the situation now that hes always wanted to be in.  I cant speak for Kevin himself, but if I were him, if theres anyone in the world that I wouldnt mind being the only person people rate higher than me, it'd be a class act like Tim Duncan

[TitleMaster]

If Olajuwon had played on the Riley Knicks, starting in '92, the Jordan era would have ended with two rings, '91 & '92.

I would tend to agree with the Duncan assessment in the sense that he was a fine player be on a well constructed and coached squad. IMO, I wouldn't say that he's overrated.

On the other hand, Ewing was clearly overrated and could never deliver during crunch time. That's why the Knicks had never advanced during the 90s. Ewing clearly needed a 2nd all star wingman, like a Hardaway, because he wasn't the man to handle the ball during the final quarters.

[GreenFaith1819]

I'm sorry - I cannot agree with the premise of the post.

I believe that KG gets due respect on Celtics Blog. Right now, NBA-wide his rep seems to have taken a small hit because of low-ball tactics by Alvin Gentry, Channing Frye and Charlie V, but he is still loved by many.

Just ask George Karl.

In my lifetime, though - as far as back-to-basket, Old-School PFs - Tim Duncan gets the slight nod.

I've worn Green-Tinted Glasses since 1981, and I've seen the game morph so much in that time. We now have Andrea Bargnani's who shoot threes - but man the Center Spot.

KG? There will never be another like him, in my book. He won't get the same accolades as maybe Tim, Larry, Michael, or Magic - because of the Rings -  but when I saw him first come into the NBA and progress, he affected the game on so many levels - physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional.

In that respect, I don't believe I'll see another Kevin Garnett in my lifetime. I hope I'm wrong, and I hope whoever he is he plays for the Celtics.

With that being said, it is no disrespect - to me - to state that Tim Duncan is the greatest "Traditional" PF that I've seen. I'm just Joe Fan at the end of the day, but Timmy gets my slight nod here.

I cannot see where this is underrating KG - at all....someone help me out here.

During KG's time in Minny, Flip Saunders utilized his vast skillset all over the place...he played all 5 spots sometimes....ran the point a few times...often guarded the opposing teams best player-regardless of position.

He did that because he had to. I'm sure Flip thanks him for it.

In San Antonio? Tim, to my knowledge, never had to guard a 3 or lower. I'm sure he could - in stretches - but not an entire game like KG could. He did not have the ability to maintain that kind of mobility. I'm sure that David Robinson shielded him from a lot of the bigger opponents since he manned the 5. Tim also has a slightly bigger frame which kept him a little closer to the basket.

I can agree with the argument that maybe Timmy had better talent around him. That's how it happens sometimes.....and that better talent translating into more titles. That is the sad part about sports, and a main reason why great players like Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, Karl Malone and John Stockton, etc - never won one.

KG is blessed to be able to claim AT LEAST one title...and I believe it will be another before it's all said and done. Who knows? Maybe he will claim TWO more - once Jeff Green gets up to speed.

But even with everything considered - I still consider Tim Duncan to be - in my mind - the greatest "Traditional" Power Forward to ever play the game - in my time. I'm not even considering the rings.....just in my mind what a Traditional Power Forward does.

[Greenbean]

I disagree with the original post quite whole heartedly.

However, the debate for best power forward of this generation has always come down to KG and Duncan. Thus far I say the nod goes to Duncan for sure.

The question I have is this.Duncan is now a glue guy. He is putting up 13 and 9 now. He is definitely really solid but he is not even close to the focal point of that team anymore.

Kevin Garnet is still dominating on one half of the court and team still have to respect his offense. Now that he is healthy, he might even get another ring.

If KG plays 2-3 more years at this years level, wins another ring, and Duncan continues to put up 12-14 and 7-9...does KG overtake him as the best pf of this generation?

I think it is up for debate but...yes.

[dmopower]

The whole Tim Duncan a PF thing is what is silly. He scores in the post and he defends in the post, he is a pure center  reguardless of height. David Robindon was forced to play center on defense because he could do it better than anyone on the team till duncan arrived, even then his offensive game was that of a PF.

 KG is a pure PF that can play some center on offense and defense depending on matchups.

 If we get into the whole height thing then you might as well call Charles Barkley a SG since he is less than 6 foot 5!
 
It isnt their height that dictates their possition it is their style of play.

 Someone reciently called Hakeem O a true PF cause he was only 6 foot 10, how silly is that!

People do this because they want to call TD the best PF ever and they know he will never be considered the best center ever because there are 3 or 4 at least he can never surpass!

If I had to pick one of the two to start a team I would still take TD because of his post ability and ability to draw doubles and that allows others more room to operate, even when KG does draw a double team it is still usually further out on the floor shortening the distance the 2nd defender has to close out the open man.

 I love KG though so lease dont try and turn this into Im hateing on him!


KG however IS the best PF ever hands down!!!