Why is Larry Bird Normally Ranked ahead of Duncan?

[rmt]

[QUOTE=B

[Yung D-Will]

[QUOTE=B

[vert48]

But he's the GOAT PF.

He would have to play power forward to be a power forward. Duncan was a center in college, and he is a center in the NBA. They just call him a power forward so that he will start in All Star games.

[jlip]

I would say that it's more than likely Bird's versatility that puts him over the top. He shot better than most sgs, rebounded better than most centers, and passed better than most pgs. Having said that, I could see why people would put Duncan over Bird, but I prefer it the other way around.

[SinJackal]

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[OldSchoolBBall]

in what aspect of the game? other than passing?

Uhh, Bird was also a FAR superior scorer.

[rmt]

Duncan is a PF who can play center. He's not a center who's just listed at PF. He's had to play center out of neccessity for the last couple seasons because Splitter did not come to the United States after he was drafted. Matt Bonner obviously can't defend the paint to save his life. Splitter is the Spurs C, not Duncan.

Yes, it's a pity that Splitter's sister was terminally ill and the euro was so strong/dollar was so weak. Sometimes things don't go as expected. Oberto's heart condition, Horry (old), Kurt Thomas (old), Dice (old), Bonner

Duncan should be resting as he gets older - not covering for Matt Bonner. Finally some one who's not over 35 who's half-way decent.

[Dizzle-2k7]

both are unquestionably top 10..

it comes down to how important DEFENSE is for your team. if you need an anchor, and the most unstoppable allround powerforward of all time, you take Duncan.

but i love them both. so whateva.

[magnax1]

Bird is considerably better. By a lot. A whole lot. Not even close.

[Dizzle-2k7]

Bird is considerably better. By a lot. A whole lot. Not even close.

LOL comments like this are why I love ISH...

one leader has 4 rings and is the greatest defender at his position of all time.. the other has 3 rings and... yet hes better.. by a lot.. a whole lot.. not even close.

[ShaqAttack3234]

Did you just start watching the NBA the past couple years?

Duncan was PF every year when DRob was playing, Duncan was PF when they had Muhammed and Nesterovic. He was only playing C duties full game recently due to no real center.

Duncan is a PF who can play center. He's not a center who's just listed at PF. He's had to play center out of neccessity for the last couple seasons because Splitter did not come to the United States after he was drafted. Matt Bonner obviously can't defend the paint to save his life. Splitter is the Spurs C, not Duncan.

I disagree, I think he's a natural center who was playing in essentially a two-center lineup with Robinson. When Duncan went against Shaq, it wasn't the mismatch of a power forward vs a center. Duncan's versatile and had some good ball handling skills, could run the floor and hit the 15-18 footer with good consistency ala Olajuwon and Robinson and of course he could guard either position(though I don't think he should be guarding power forwards anymore). The things that have made Duncan the most special, IMO are shot blocking and interior defense as well as his post game.

I've always compared Duncan's impact to that of the great centers, but he could play either position at an elite level just like Gasol does today, though he was obviously a lot better. However I think he impacted a team much more like say Olajuwon or Robinson than Malone or Barkley.

Obviously, the Rasho/Duncan lineup didn't provide the versatility of the Duncan/Robinson lineup because Rasho could only play center.

But don't forget that as Robinson got older, the Spurs had the Duncan/Rose combo out on the floor more and more and of course Duncan and Horry later.

[magnax1]

LOL comments like this are why I love ISH...

one leader has 4 rings and is the greatest defender at his position of all time.. the other has 3 rings and... yet hes better.. by a lot.. a whole lot.. not even close.

Yeah, rings matter. Basketball is a one on one sport. Thanks for reminding me.

[Dizzle-2k7]

Yeah, rings matter. Basketball is a one on one sport. Thanks for reminding me.

Ok.

Player A -- Best player on team
4 rings
3 finals MVPs
greatest defender at position of all time

Player B -- best player on a STACKED team.
3 rings
average defender

whos better?

[magnax1]

Ok.

Player A -- Best player on team
4 rings
3 finals MVPs
greatest defender at position of all time

Player B -- best player on a STACKED team.
3 rings
average defender

whos better?

Did I not already say Larry Bird is better? Larry Bird is the third best offensive player ever, maybe even the best offensive player ever.

[Dizzle-2k7]

Did I not already say Larry Bird is better? Larry Bird is the third best offensive player ever, maybe even the best offensive player ever.

Oh right. Basketball is only about offense. Everyone always has the ball... no defense is played at all.