How Dominant Would a Michael Jordan/Tim Duncan Duo be?

[24]

Might as well change the topic. Who would you rather have Jordan/Duncan or Magic/Shaq?

[AlexBrady]

Re: How Dominant Would a Michael Jordan/Tim Duncan Duo be?

I remember an older thread about fictional duo's being on here a while ago and watching the game tonight really got me thinking. Assuming both players are in their Primes how dominant could a Jordan/Duncan duo be? I personally think they would be unstoppable and I can only imagine how it would work out. Thoughts?

I remember the topic being discussed and I preferred the Magic/Shaq duo over MJ and Duncan because of their huge edge in power.

Magic was an excellent post feeder and Shaq is a can't miss target. No high screen/rolls necessary for these two. Just play power ball.

MJ and Duncan would play high screen/roll and Duncan would be stationed at the high post while MJ made his swift cuts. More of a precision/finesse attack. Defense? MJ was a stopper with incredible closing speed. Duncan's straight up defense is only average, but it's his impeccable baseline rotations that make him a great team defender.

Certainly, MJ and Duncan would win titles, but not as many as a Magic and Shaq duo would.

[d11king]

Re: How Dominant Would a Michael Jordan/Tim Duncan Duo be?

I could only imagine it'd be similar to the Kobe/Shaq duo.

[GOBLUE_08]

Magic and Shaq would have been just plain filthy. Talk about domination..sheesh.

[ojandpizza]

I'd take Jordan and Timmy

[24]

Re: How Dominant Would a Michael Jordan/Tim Duncan Duo be?

I'd take Jordan and Timmy

I feel like the reason why MJ and Duncan would work so well would be because of the fact that Duncan wouldn't mind playing second fiddle to Jordan.

[ehh]

Re: How Dominant Would a Michael Jordan/Tim Duncan Duo be?

I would definitely take MJ/Timmy.

[23]

Re: How Dominant Would a Michael Jordan/Tim Duncan Duo be?

I feel like the reason why MJ and Duncan would work so well would be because of the fact that Duncan wouldn't mind playing second fiddle to Jordan.

...and defense

[ojandpizza]

My reasoning -

I agree with what AB said, Magic is excellent at feeding the post and playing well with a great big man, and Shaq is a huge cant miss target.. But then what happens? Feed Shaq then everyone stand a watch? Magic isn't exactly the type of guy to create his own shot, especially with Shaq's big *** in the paint.. It would seem to me that the other 3 starters would have to be excellent knock down shooters for when Shaq has to pass out, and also be great at forcing turnovers and running the break with Magic.. I would see defenses cramming into the lane, making it hard on Shaq to score and no room for Magic to cut.. It's not like Magic is going to beat them from outside..

Also because of defense. Duncan is his prime could defend either a PF or a C. Which ever player was hurting them he could guard. And as far as playing solid team oriented defense I would see Jordan and Tim would both be top 5 of all time. Tim is excellent with help rotations, and while he isn't the greatest shot blocker ever he makes it nearly impossible for players to get clean looks at the rim..

Offensively Tim can do multiple things that compliment Jordan. He can screen and roll or pop, spot up, post up, play a passing big for Jordan's cuts.. Basically any thing you want in a big man. I remember how well of a fit Horace Grant was with Jordan on the first 3-peat team, I can only image how could Tim could be..

While Magic would be the better passer, Jordan is the ultimate break down a defense type player. You can't not help when Jordan has the ball. Duncan's basketball IQ alone makes him the perfect fit for collapsing defenses and reading how to space the floor.

[AlexBrady]

Re: How Dominant Would a Michael Jordan/Tim Duncan Duo be?

My reasoning -

I agree with what AB said, Magic is excellent at feeding the post and playing well with a great big man, and Shaq is a huge cant miss target.. But then what happens? Feed Shaq then everyone stand a watch? Magic isn't exactly the type of guy to create his own shot, especially with Shaq's big *** in the paint.. It would seem to me that the other 3 starters would have to be excellent knock down shooters for when Shaq has to pass out, and also be great at forcing turnovers and running the break with Magic.. I would see defenses cramming into the lane, making it hard on Shaq to score and no room for Magic to cut.. It's not like Magic is going to beat them from outside..

Also because of defense. Duncan is his prime could defend either a PF or a C. Which ever player was hurting them he could guard. And as far as playing solid team oriented defense I would see Jordan and Tim would both be top 5 of all time. Tim is excellent with help rotations, and while he isn't the greatest shot blocker ever he makes it nearly impossible for players to get clean looks at the rim..

Offensively Tim can do multiple things that compliment Jordan. He can screen and roll or pop, spot up, post up, play a passing big for Jordan's cuts.. Basically any thing you want in a big man. I remember how well of a fit Horace Grant was with Jordan on the first 3-peat team, I can only image how could Tim could be..

While Magic would be the better passer, Jordan is the ultimate break down a defense type player. You can't not help when Jordan has the ball. Duncan's basketball IQ alone makes him the perfect fit for collapsing defenses and reading how to space the floor.

Shaq would be catching the ball four feet away from the basket. This puts an enormous strain on the defense and forces them to contort into alignments that are totally unsound. Also, realize that the feeder (Magic) would always speed cut, drift, or squeeze which is another unstoppable action.

Duncan's outside shooting has always been erratic. Horace Grant was a more reliable shooter. And Grant moved better without the ball than Duncan did, which is why his speed cuts to the foul line were always undefended.

As great as Jordan was, a nuclear power big man like Shaq puts more pressure on a defense.

[23]

Re: How Dominant Would a Michael Jordan/Tim Duncan Duo be?

Shaq is lazy on the pick and roll and if Magic doesn't cover his part which he couldn't, then its over, all day...

[AUChase]

Re: How Dominant Would a Michael Jordan/Tim Duncan Duo be?

I typically shy away from a lot of the comparison type threads in this forum, but I actually like this question a lot.

Gun to my head I think I would choose Jordan|Duncan. It's really close though.

Magic was a little before my time so I don't have much to compare with him outside of the older games I have went back and watched. I get the feeling that you would get something similar to what you had with Kobe & Shaq. It wouldn't be exactly the same because Magic's game is clearly different, but the results on the court would be really similar.

I just think Jordan and Duncan would mesh together a lot better and you would even be able to keep the two together for a longer period. Tim Duncan has shown time and time again that he's a really unselfish guy.

I can think of more cons for Shaq/Magic than I can for a Jordan/Duncan duo.

[soxnut1018]

Re: How Dominant Would a Michael Jordan/Tim Duncan Duo be?

It's close on offense, but the defensive end swings this question severely in Jordan and Duncan's favor.

[Taer]

Re: How Dominant Would a Michael Jordan/Tim Duncan Duo be?

I'd want Jordan/Duncan, even though Magic Johnson is my all-time favorite.

The reason I'd want Duncan/Jordan is Ego.

What I remember about Shaq's time in LA was Shaq causing a lot of drama over every perceived slight he received. Eventually, it blew up when Shaq made demands of Dr. Buss and tried to force Dr. Buss' hand.

Timmy and Jordan could be cornerstones for a decade. Shaq, no matter who he was paired with would eventually destroy the situation and you'd get 3 titles out of it if you were lucky.

Shaq would be gone sooner or later with Magic there no matter what at any rate. Why do I say that? Look at what happened with Norm Nixon. Nixon was one of the best guards available in the game at the time and the Lakers had a "big three" pre-made. But then Nixon started making waves and bam he was traded to the Clippers.

The same would have happened with Shaq, no matter how good the dynamic duo was to begin with.

[AlexBrady]

Re: How Dominant Would a Michael Jordan/Tim Duncan Duo be?

Shaq is lazy on the pick and roll and if Magic doesn't cover his part which he couldn't, then its over, all day...

True, Shaq never shows on the shooting side of a high screen/roll. But screen/roll defense isn't Duncan's speciality either, though he is better here than Shaq. Heck, even Jordan had difficulty beating speed players to the high screen.