Why Tim Duncan is overrated and KG is underrated

[raynman]

I've been a KG fan ever since and I've never really liked Duncan that much (especially since he wore KG's number 21) but to say that Duncan is overrated and KG is way better than him is totally absurd! They both have different skillsets, strengths and weaknesses but both are definitely great power forwards.  True, TD had better teammates but 4 championships and 2 MVPs (though i still think the 2003 award should've gone to KG) are no joke. If you are a true basketball fan, you'd appreciate what Tim Duncan has done over his career and to the league. In spite of all his accomplishments, though, Duncan has never really gotten the respect that he deserves. Everybody likes the Kobes, the Lebrons, the Griffins and Duncan seems to have been forgotten .  Be that as it may, I think Boston-San Antonio would be a perfect Finals matchup. Maybe KG can finally win a series against TD!

[OsirusCeltics]

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.

+1
Very good point
I'm not saying Tim Duncan is a bad player. He should be in the Hall of Fame regardless. But I don't put him in that elite all time status

[Onslaught]

Why is Tim Duncan overrated? Well that one easy, he isn't.

[LilRip]

hes not overrated. him and KG are up there in the conversations for best ever, except timmy's got more titles. i feel like this thread vastly underrates TD by saying that he's only good because of pop's system.

[Onslaught]

If Duncan had been drafted by Boston then you'd never see a post like this.

[OsirusCeltics]

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!!!

Omg, you are so right about people who know TD is no where near rated the best center ever, so they say he's the best power forward. He plays like a true center Dead on! lol

[wdleehi]

Duncan, most underrated top 10 player of all time. 



All because he didn't play like the other ESPN highlight over-hyped players of the past decade plus.

[LilRip]

Duncan, most underrated top 10 player of all time. 



All because he didn't play like the other ESPN highlight over-hyped players of the past decade plus.

lol, this is so true. a big reason why people hate the Spurs is because 1) they keep winning and 2) they're boring to watch.

[Roy H.]

Duncan, most underrated top 10 player of all time. 



All because he didn't play like the other ESPN highlight over-hyped players of the past decade plus.

lol, this is so true. a big reason why people hate the Spurs is because 1) they keep winning and 2) they're boring to watch.

Yeah, I concur with you both.  When Duncan's nickname is "The Big Fundamental", it tells you all you need to know.  Duncan isn't particularly demonstrative, he's not a huge dunker, and he doesn't have a ton of endorsements.  However, what he is is a guy who dominated games, both on the stat street and in terms of wins and losses.

[MBz]

Duncan, most underrated top 10 player of all time. 



All because he didn't play like the other ESPN highlight over-hyped players of the past decade plus.

lol, this is so true. a big reason why people hate the Spurs is because 1) they keep winning and 2) they're boring to watch.

Yeah, I concur with you both.  When Duncan's nickname is "The Big Fundamental", it tells you all you need to know.  Duncan isn't particularly demonstrative, he's not a huge dunker, and he doesn't have a ton of endorsements.  However, what he is is a guy who dominated games, both on the stat street and in terms of wins and losses.

His defense is being vastly under-rated on this board I think.  People are talking like KG is a much superior defender to Duncan, but that's far from the case.  Duncan has been as good of a defender as KG his entire career. They have the same amount of all defensive first teams, but Duncan actually has 3 more all defensive second teams.  Duncan is one of the best of all time and someone I always love to root for.  If the C's don't win it all this year I hope it's the Spurs.

[NoraG1]

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

Check out the players Duncan was surrounded by and the players KG was surrounded by on the Twolves and you will know why.

[guava_wrench]

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.

To be fair, Jackson/Ginobili/Parker is a seriously talented supporting cast, even if Parker had no jumper back then.

The Spurs were also a very strong team before Duncan came excluding the Robinson injury year. They had 2 straight .700+ seasons before the Robinson injury season. In other words, he had strong teams.

Nevertheless, Duncan had great talent and is an all-time great.

[KobeShesNotConsenting!]

Duncan, most underrated top 10 player of all time. 



All because he didn't play like the other ESPN highlight over-hyped players of the past decade plus.

lol, this is so true. a big reason why people hate the Spurs is because 1) they keep winning and 2) they're boring to watch.

Yeah, I concur with you both.  When Duncan's nickname is "The Big Fundamental", it tells you all you need to know.  Duncan isn't particularly demonstrative, he's not a huge dunker, and he doesn't have a ton of endorsements.  However, what he is is a guy who dominated games, both on the stat street and in terms of wins and losses.

His defense is being vastly under-rated on this board I think.  People are talking like KG is a much superior defender to Duncan, but that's far from the case.  Duncan has been as good of a defender as KG his entire career. They have the same amount of all defensive first teams, but Duncan actually has 3 more all defensive second teams.  Duncan is one of the best of all time and someone I always love to root for.  If the C's don't win it all this year I hope it's the Spurs.

Hmm, Im not sure that Duncan has had the kind of team defensive impact that KG does over his career (and no way in hell these days). I dont remember seeing him frequently run out on the perimeter and be able to keep up with point guards. KG has Duncan beat on longevity, if you ask me. He's a strong candidate for DPOY while Duncan is really showing he's not the same player he once was

The thing that kills me is losing that title last year, that was a chance to really put kg up on that plateau with a 2nd ring, then who knows from there, maybe he 3peats (big maybe i know). Now we'll have to see for this year cus if he can get 2 or 3 rings, with a great team like the c's, in just 5 or 6 years, while duncan has had his whole career on great teams, that will really say something about kg.

[shuttles20]

This is the craziest thing I've ever heard. Because Duncan had/has a great coach, he is overrated? We would never have won a 17th title if it weren't for the big 3, so.....what are you saying about us? . Do you have proof that Duncan was afraid of Shaq? Duncan is the greatest PF of all time. Pipen was huge in the Bull's 6 championships. I guess Jordan is overrated, huh?

[shuttles20]

Also, yeah it was impressive what KG did with the Timberwolves, but if you want to talk about that, LeBron carried the Cavs to the 2007 NBA Finals. I despise LeBron, but to praise KG for what he did with his team is not a fair assessment. Championships matter. No one remembers what KG did in the ECF. Of course no one would say anything about what LeBron did though.