Its gotta be killing KG to see Duncan

[Django]

I'm sure he's happy to see the Heat dominated in the paint. But I'm sure a part of him is shaking his head at the fact Duncan could be well on his way to getting another ring.

To me? KG lost his title chances the moment he hurt his knee. Call me crazy, but I think we win the next two championships if KG never got hurt.

Would the Heat have still beaten us last year? Maybe, maybe not. I do think last year was LeBron's "time".

Now as far as KG....

There are two things that have kept him from individually being as good or better than Duncan. One thats not his fault and the other is also his biggest strength.

1. He just doesnt/didnt have the weight Duncan has. It allows Duncan to play more down low and absorb contact. I have no doubt KG was just as talented as Duncan. I have belief that with no knee injury he wouldnt trail Duncan by that much in championships. But Duncan was able to be more of a true big man because of his size.

2. His biggest strength....also one of his biggest weaknesses.....his emotions. Tim is just so calm and steady on the floor. While its great when KG is "in the zone". Sometimes he would get too emotional and take himself out of the game. So riled up to battle with Pau that he got himself in foul trouble (game 1?) of the finals in 2010. Even he admitted that. It causes him to lose a lot of energy. He would tire out quicker. He would sometimes think too much down the stretch of games.

It pains me to say those things. But its the truth. I feel as though if KG just dialed it back a tad....he could/would have been a better player he currently is/was known for.

[Yogi]

1. Great point about their weight.  Duncan is a 4/5.  KG is a 3/4 forced to play 5 because of his declining athleticism. 

2. 4 years of playing college instead of coming straight to the NBA means even though they are about the same age, KG is much older in the NBA.

3. Duncan spent his career with the same coach and the same organization and the same core.  KG's career did a 180 going from a team stuck between the lottery and the playoffs to a contender.  His role changed from the star of a young team to the leader of a veteran team. 

4.  I'm sure it was killing Duncan to watch KG go further in the playoffs sitting at home for the last 5 years too. 

[sed522002]

1. Great point about their weight.  Duncan is a 4/5.  KG is a 3/4 forced to play 5 because of his declining athleticism. 

2. 4 years of playing college instead of coming straight to the NBA means even though they are about the same age, KG is much older in the NBA.

3. Duncan spent his career with the same coach and the same organization and the same core.  KG's career did a 180 going from a team stuck between the lottery and the playoffs to a contender.  His role changed from the star of a young team to the leader of a veteran team. 

4.  I'm sure it was killing Duncan to watch KG go further in the playoffs sitting at home for the last 5 years too.

TP...all great points.

[hpantazo]

I hope so. I also hope (and really believe) that it's killing Rondo to see Tony Parker in the finals and being referred to as the best PG in the league. I hope It pushes Rondo to step up his game big time when he fully recovers.

[KGs Knee]

I'll tell you what is probably "killing" KG, seeing Duncan play next to a big as talented as Splitter.

I'd bet KG would die to have a front-court counterpart like that.  The Spurs front office just continues to outclass every other team by miles.

[D.o.s.]

I'll tell you what is probably "killing" KG, seeing Duncan play next to a big as talented as Splitter.

I'd bet KG would die to have a front-court counterpart like that.  The Spurs front office just continues to outclass every other team by miles.

Don't forget that it took Splitter three years to really fill his role well when he came to the NBA.

[CelticConcourse]

4.  I'm sure it was killing Duncan to watch KG go further in the playoffs sitting at home for the last 5 years too.

Eh, I don't know about that one

[Yogi]

4.  I'm sure it was killing Duncan to watch KG go further in the playoffs sitting at home for the last 5 years too.

Eh, I don't know about that one

Duncan is as much a competitor as KG.  Just different personalities.  He didn't enjoy leaving in the first and second rounds watching the just as old Celtics and Mavs with Dirk and KG go to the finals back to back. 

[Fan from VT]

4.  I'm sure it was killing Duncan to watch KG go further in the playoffs sitting at home for the last 5 years too.

Eh, I don't know about that one

Really its probably killed Duncan to watch KG get to play in the much easier and terrible East each year rather than have to constantly fo through the West to try for the title. Duncan in the East = at least 3-4 more title appearances.

[KGs Knee]

4.  I'm sure it was killing Duncan to watch KG go further in the playoffs sitting at home for the last 5 years too.

Eh, I don't know about that one

Really its probably killed Duncan to watch KG get to play in the much easier and terrible East each year rather than have to constantly fo through the West to try for the title. Duncan in the East = at least 3-4 more title appearances.

I don't think that is true at all. Since 2008 (when KG came to the C's), I don't think the Spurs have been better than any of the teams that have represented the EC.  Maybe the 2009 Magic, but that's it.

2008-Celtics
2009-Magic
2010-Celtics
2011-Heat
2012-Heat
2013-Heat

Like I said, the only team there the Spurs "might" have beaten is the Magic.  Maybe this years Heat too, but that remains to be seen.

[Yogi]

Defense wins in the playoffs.  That's why the Thunder breezed through the West and got slaughtered by the Heat last year.  Miami  struggled more with the Pacers and the banged up Celtics than they did with the Thunder.  Philly, Atlanta, Chicago, Indiana, Orlando, Miami and Boston all have been bruising defensive teams that makes it so much more difficult to advance in the eastern conference. 

If Duncan played in the east, the chances of him getting injured go WAY up.  He won't be playing the Clippers, Warriors, Rockets and the like here.  Offense wins games in the regular season, that's why the West has a much better record.  In the playoffs the eastern conference is always tougher. 

[scaryjerry]

Kg isn't Duncan, never has been, never will be...did it also kill him to see Dirk dominate his way to a title with his original team without a paul pierce type ? Who cares

[PhoSita]

I'm sure it's killed KG to see Duncan, his long time rival, ultimately have a significantly better career.

At their respective peaks, they were both amazing.  But for a number of reasons + luck, Duncan has cemented himself as a Top 10 All-time great, whereas KG is a sure-fire Hall of Famer, and maybe top 25 All-time, but he's not on the same level.

[KGs Knee]

I'm sure it's killed KG to see Duncan, his long time rival, ultimately have a significantly better career.

At their respective peaks, they were both amazing.  But for a number of reasons + luck, Duncan has cemented himself as a Top 10 All-time great, whereas KG is a sure-fire Hall of Famer, and maybe top 25 All-time, but he's not on the same level.

Honestly, there is just no way anyone will ever convince me Duncan was more talented or a better individual player than KG.  Don't see it.

That said, it is undeniable Duncan has accomplished more.

[Roy H.]

I'm sure it's killed KG to see Duncan, his long time rival, ultimately have a significantly better career.

At their respective peaks, they were both amazing.  But for a number of reasons + luck, Duncan has cemented himself as a Top 10 All-time great, whereas KG is a sure-fire Hall of Famer, and maybe top 25 All-time, but he's not on the same level.

I agree.  I think Duncan has only been the slightly better player in terms of talent, but in terms of accomplishments and legacy, Duncan has trumped him.

It's hard to mount a serious argument that KG, or anybody else in NBA history, was a better PF.  Maybe some guys had a higher peak for a year or two, but there's never been a PF as consistently great as Duncan.