Tim Duncan or Shaq O'Neal

[tyrant]

i'd have to go with shaq. duncan would never be able to do a 3-peat. shaq might of had kobe, but the spurs got manu and parker. shaq was too much of a force for anyone to stop. never had an off game in the postseason. duncan had plenty. shaq was always on top of his game. even if that meant hitting freethrows in the final minutes. shaq has made the finals 6 times. duncan=4.

 

[AriesMar27]

it has to be duncan.... kobe for his career averages 6 fewer points than parker and manu combined.... when kobe is your 2nd option you have it easy.... duncan has accomplished more with less talent... outside of robinson what other potential hall of famers has duncan played with? while winning just as many rings and more mvps.... and he is still in the running for more rings...

 

[Dave McNulla]

i'd have to go with shaq. duncan would never be able to do a 3-peat. shaq might of had kobe, but the spurs got manu and parker. shaq was too much of a force for anyone to stop. never had an off game in the postseason. duncan had plenty. shaq was always on top of his game. even if that meant hitting freethrows in the final minutes. shaq has made the finals 6 times. duncan=4.

shaq had a lot of off games in the post season and he lost in the finals twice (1-8 in those series) including to the team the spurs beat. i can't argue with the force that was shaq, but some of your comments are off.

 

[AleksandarN]

Also Spurs never had another player that demanded a double team like Shaq had with Kobe.

 

[Bricklayer]

I read this somewhere (here?) but couldn't find the original reference. If my count is right, 25 of the last 27 NBA titles have been won by seven players:

• Magic (80, 82, 85, 88)
• Bird (81, 84, 86)
• Isiah (89, 90)
• Hakeem (94, 95)
• Jordan (91, 92, 93, 96, 97, 98)
• Duncan (99, 03, 07)
• Shaq (00, 01, 02, 06)

The only two outliers in the last 27 years are Dr. J's 1983 76ers team and the 2004 Detroit Pistons. Doesn't give me much hope when I think about it that way.

As an aside, that's impressive and all, but why all the obscure guys? Go for the guys who have actually dominated that period. 6 players, 24 of 27 titles:

Horry (94, 95, 00, 01, 02, 05, 07)
Rodman (89, 90, 96, 97, 98)
Paxson (91, 92, 93)
Rambis (82, 85, 87, 88)
Parish (81, 84, 86)
Rose (99, 03, 05)

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

Dude, how can you leave the "Human Dynasty" Steve Kerr off that list? Man, at one point, it was Kerr and Horry winning all the rings! Hell, between the two of them, they've still won eleven of the last thirteen...

 

[chrisnu]

7 players, 23 titles

Cooper (80, 82, 85, 87, 88)
Grant (91, 92, 93, 01)
Salley (89, 90, 00)
Kerr (96, 97, 98)
Elie (94, 95, 99)
Bowen (03, 05, 07)
Hunter (02, 04)

 

[Gargamel]

I read this somewhere (here?) but couldn't find the original reference. If my count is right, 25 of the last 27 NBA titles have been won by seven players:

• Magic (80, 82, 85, 88)

1987

Shaq. Shaq 3-2 over Duncan in playoffs and those 2 losses were mediocre/fragmented seasons for LA.

Where is this Duncan-doesn't-have-another-superstar stuff coming from? I've seen numerous people claiming this on various boards. Are we to believe that the same core that has won 3 titles together is not to be considered talented? Are we to believe that Duncan doesn't have help?

 

[NewMonkey]

As an aside, that's impressive and all, but why all the obscure guys? Go for the guys who have actually dominated that period. 6 players, 24 of 27 titles:

Horry (94, 95, 00, 01, 02, 05, 07)
Rodman (89, 90, 96, 97, 98)
Paxson (91, 92, 93)
Rambis (82, 85, 87, 88)
Parish (81, 84, 86)
Rose (99, 03, 05)

I predict that Robert Horry will be playing for the Cavs when he's 50. He'll be on his 73rd championship by then.

 

[Gargamel]

Also Spurs never had another player that demanded a double team like Shaq had with Kobe.

Nope. Kobe wasn't doubled consistently against Portland, SA, or Sac during the three peat (in 8 total series among those 3 opponents).

 

[NewMonkey]

1987

Shaq. Shaq 3-2 over Duncan in playoffs and those 2 losses were mediocre/fragmented seasons for LA.

Where is this Duncan-doesn't-have-another-superstar stuff coming from? I've seen numerous people claiming this on various boards. Are we to believe that the same core that has won 3 titles together is not to be considered talented? Are we to believe that Duncan doesn't have help?

That wasn't really my point. My point was: No superstar, no championship. You have to have at least one.

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

7 players, 23 titles

Cooper (80, 82, 85, 87, 88)
Grant (91, 92, 93, 01)
Salley (89, 90, 00)
Kerr (96, 97, 98)
Elie (94, 95, 99)
Bowen (03, 05, 07)
Hunter (02, 04)

Don't pencil-whip the "Walking Ring Factory" John Salley; he won a fourth one in '96, too.

And let's not forget "Living Legend" Ron Harper, either: five rings for LL.

 

[chrisnu]

Don't pencil-whip the "Walking Ring Factory" John Salley; he won a fourth one in '96, too.

Oh, I know, I just didn't want to post duplicates. Otherwise, there'd be Spurs titles listed for Kerr. Chief also had a title with the Bulls in '97.

 

[AleksandarN]

Nope. Kobe wasn't doubled consistently against Portland, SA, or Sac during the three peat (in 8 total series among those 3 opponents).

But his talent demanded it. That is why the Lakers has those ships.

 

[Rookie]

Duncan...2000's aint over yet and I think Duncan can still play while Shaq is slowing down exponentially. Shaq's the rabbit and Duncan's the turtle..you know the story.

 

[vladetomiller]

But his talent demanded it. That is why the Lakers has those ships.

LOL and LOL

Parkers talent demanded a double team , the cavs didnt do that thats why this championship. Manu demanded a double last time when he had that crazy hair and flop, the pistons didnt, thats why that championship

 

[AleksandarN]

LOL and LOL

Parkers talent demanded a double team , the cavs didnt do that thats why this championship. Manu demanded a double last time when he had that crazy hair and flop, the pistons didnt, thats why that championship

so Parkers talent= kobe's talent
so Manu's talent= kobe's talent

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

I'm not sure that I understand why you think that someone has to be at or equal to Kobe Bryant's level in order to demand a double-team. ****ing Michael Redd demands a double-team when he's on. And, as the Finals proved this year, so does Tony Parker, when he's on. That doesn't require his talent to be "= kobe's talent."

 

[uptempo-kings]

the diesel hands down, after shaq left the lakers... well look at them enough said

 

[Fresno King]

Shaq, without any hesitation whatsoever.