Shaq vs Tim Duncan

[23]

Who's career as a player will go down as the best?

Aftere careful consideration, What do you say?

[cjonesfan921]

Re: Saq vs Tim Duncan

Duncan.

[Macar91]

Re: Saq vs Tim Duncan

Duncan.

Shaq may be the name people remember, but Duncan has been on the All-NBA 1st team all but 1 year in his career(last year) and on the All-NBA Defensive 1st team all but 3 years(while still on the 2nd team those 3 years) of his career. He won a few rings and could win another before his career is done.

[billmatic]

Re: Saq vs Tim Duncan

If they both retired now, it's Shaq, but Duncan has more years left than he does, so it's a bit premature to pick.

[X*Cell]

Re: Shaq vs Tim Duncan

Tim Duncan might have been the more talented player and I will always profess that especially as a devout San Antonio Spur fan, but Shaquille O'Neal changed the game. Rules were devoted to him (zone defenses being allowed). He was completely dominant and damn near impossible to stop, and all teams had choice words for having to deal with it. He won three straight championships with L.A., one with Miami, and reached the finals once with Orlando.

I say Shaq at this point, but Duncan hasn't lost yet.

[skitch]

Re: Shaq vs Tim Duncan

Are you guys crazy?

Yes, Tim Duncan is one of the most talented guys to play the game in a long time. He combines size and skill in ways that most people can only dream of. Yes, he's accomplished a lot, and will definitely go into the Hall when all is said and done.

However, how can argue that he'll be acknowledged as a force greater than Shaq? The man's won four out of the five Finals he's been in, and the NBA had to change their rules because of the man. He was so dominant in his prime that the entire League had one objective in mind: How do we stop Shaq? He was, and still is, an absolute force.

Right now, I'd say Shaq's career would go down as the better one. Ask me again a few years down the road, and that might change a little.

[NovaStar]

Re: Shaq vs Tim Duncan

If by career you mean total NBA experiences, stats and hardware. I would have to say Shaq. I do think TD is the most talented out of the two, but Shaq is/was by far the most dominant player to step on the court in his prime. As others have stated, the NBA modified play because of shaq, hell, they even had to change the way they made the backboard suspension system! But all things considered, i would have to go with Shaqfuscious.

[utexas]

Re: Shaq vs Tim Duncan

Shaq is simply the most dominant force at center the game has seen. Can you imagine him against the cpmpetiton that Wilt and Bill Russell plowed through? That is taking nothing away from either of those dominant big men, but Shaq is a freak of nature.

[fsquid]

Re: Shaq vs Tim Duncan

Why can't we just say they were both good? Why the need to put one above the other? This would be like trying to compare Russell and Chamberlin.

[Gilateen]

Re: Shaq vs Tim Duncan

Why can't we just say they were both good? Why the need to put one above the other? This would be like trying to compare Russell and Chamberlin.

Yep.

[DW Rutledge]

Re: Shaq vs Tim Duncan

i don't know if you can put one ahead of the other. any franchise out there would be thrilled to have either.

[MikeRo72]

Re: Shaq vs Tim Duncan

Both will go down as all time greats but Shaq is a once in a generation center. When it's all said and done and Shaq was sooooooooooooooooo dominant. Dont look at the last 2 years, look at the full body of work. Both great, Shaq gets a nod...but just a nod.

[skitch]

Re: Shaq vs Tim Duncan

Why can't we just say they were both good? Why the need to put one above the other? This would be like trying to compare Russell and Chamberlin.

While I do agree with you, I just thought it'd be an interesting discussion.

[JSimon]

Re: Shaq vs Tim Duncan

Are you guys crazy?

Yes, Tim Duncan is one of the most talented guys to play the game in a long time. He combines size and skill in ways that most people can only dream of. Yes, he's accomplished a lot, and will definitely go into the Hall when all is said and done.

However, how can argue that he'll be acknowledged as a force greater than Shaq? The man's won four out of the five Finals he's been in, and the NBA had to change their rules because of the man. He was so dominant in his prime that the entire League had one objective in mind: How do we stop Shaq? He was, and still is, an absolute force.

Right now, I'd say Shaq's career would go down as the better one. Ask me again a few years down the road, and that might change a little.

Couldn't have said it better myself. Shaq absolutely changed the way the game was played. There has never been a more dominant figure in the history of any American sport like Shaq (maybe Barry Bonds during his 1998-2003 surge would be the exception). He made coaches shiver in his prime, and continues to change gameplan's of every team in the league. Although he didn't have a highlight year last year, without him, there is no way the Heat would have won the championship.

Tim Duncan does has more years left to play and is definitely a dominant player, also changing the way teams prepare like Shaq, but I just think it is juvenile to make a claim that Tim Duncan has had a better overall career than Shaq.

Again, all this might change in years' team, but I still don't see it happening.

[skitch]

Re: Shaq vs Tim Duncan

Wait... he's won 4/6 Finals, right?