Some people feel he plays more like a center than a power forward. As a power forward, you could argue he's the greatest ever. But he has more competition if he's a center...is he better than Shaq, Olajuwon, David Robinson, Kareem, Wilt, etc?
2007-07-03 11:45:44 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Basketball
Duncan is very close to being the best power forward ever, if he's not already there.... The only real argument at that position is Karl Malone. Duncan will historically have an edge because of his posts-season success. Malone was the best of the pure power forwards, Duncan is really a hybrid.
At center, Duncan wouldn't come close to being the best.
Wilt, Russell, Jabbar, Shaq and Olajuwon would all have to be considered better centers than Duncan. One of the main reasons Duncan is such a good center today is because the NBA doesn't have more than a couple of good centers any more anyway.
There are probably a few other centers that would tear Duncan up in their prime, such as Willis Reed and Dave Cowens... Duncan's height advantage would be negated by other factors... Cowens, at 6'8 or 6'9, was very effective against both Wilt and Kareem. Reed was as well.
Reed and Cowens were consistent double-double guys as well.
It would take Russell about 2 1/2 minutes to figure out Duncan's game, and it would be all over.
There are a lot of centers through the years that would give Duncan a lot of trouble...guys like Bill Walton would pick him apart, and a guy like Robert Parrish would do a great job on Duncan as well....it'd be a hell of lot easier for Parrish to play against Duncan than it was to play against Jabbar.
And actually, Kevin McHale was actually a better low post player, with more moves, than Duncan... Duncan will rate higher than McHale in history because he was a starter from day one, and will put much better career numbers on the board. But Duncan wouldn't be able to guard McHale in the low post.
Duncan is ranked as highly as he is in NBA history because of his play at power forward, not at center. He can hold his own and outplay almost every center in the NBA today, but that's not really saying much, as the NBA has only one definite, first ballot hall of famer at this point in time (at the center position), and that's Shaq.
2007-07-03 12:27:09 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 4⤋
As a power forward you could argue that but you could argue that for a few others as well. (Karl Malone).
As a center he does have more competiton. The way Wilt dominated during his time you would have to say he was the best. He avg. over 30 pts and 22.9 rebs a game for his career, over 40pts a game during his first six seasons.
I believe he is better than David Robinson and just slightly ahead of Olajuwon with Kareem, Shaq and himself all very close to each other.
Good question.
2007-07-03 11:54:12 · answer #2 · answered by bump pickle 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all, I'm a huge Tim Duncan fan since his Wake Forrest days & I've followed his career all the way to San Antonio.
Arguably, he's the best power forward of all time (w/ apologies to Karl Malone) combining individual excellence w/ team success effortlessly.
However, If you classify him as a center, he'll definitely be outside the top five behind legends such as WILT, RUSSEL, KAREEM, OLAJUWON & recent players ROBINSON & SHAQ. Maybe he's a top ten w/ EWING, WALTON, MIKAN.
He's really a PF but due to today's trend of small ball he's sometimes forced to play center in a line up w/ basically 3 guards & a small forward.
2007-07-03 13:58:25 · answer #3 · answered by riqtan 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If I were building an all Time team,Duncan is my power forward. No way in the world is he a better center Wilt Chamberlain. Wilt could dominate physically, he could also do everything Duncan can do like bank shots, pump fakes and more offensively.Wilt even led the league in assists one year.
2007-07-03 11:51:44 · answer #4 · answered by maze_wanderer 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The best now or the best then, or the best in the future?
What does it matter? Why are people always asking who is or is not better than the rest. Its all a matter of opinion.
But at Center I would rank Duncan over Shaq, because on the way to San Antonio's first they beat the lakers on the way to 2 of their 3 championships. The lakers only beat San Antonio in one of their 3 championship runs.
2007-07-03 12:11:09 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabar, and Bill Russell at the least, rank ahead of Duncan if he is considered a center.
2007-07-04 11:15:22 · answer #6 · answered by Big Z 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Duncan's an outstanding player, definitely one of the best, and even though I am from San Antonio, I feel most people who are educated with the NBA would agree.
His stats are amazing; a double double career average, one of the highest ranking top scorers, rebounds, and shot blocks. He's one of the most consistent players in the game. However, he does have some tough competition if you want to consider him the greatest center of all time. It's really a matter of opinion, but I do believe he'd be considered the best power forward/ center in the NBA currently.
2007-07-03 11:58:12 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
He behind Wilt, Kareem, Shaq, Russell, and Olajuwon. I put him prolly at 6 or 7
2007-07-03 11:56:25 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Personally, I do consider him a center. His style of play is more akin to a center's. Also, the guy is 7'0''. So, he looks like a center, plays like a center... he must be a center. But no, he would not be the greatest center ever. a top 5, maybe. But not the best. He may be the best fundamentally-sound center ever. I just want to add I love his unselfishness in playing the game.
2007-07-03 18:58:38 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
He has the potential to be a good center but he mostly takes midrange shots. Is he was a center I don't think he would ever be able to be better than the all time greats like shaq.
2007-07-03 15:00:15 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋