Does Tim Duncan show that Skill >>> Athleticism in a Basketball game?

[tgan3]

Seriously it just goes to show at the end of the day skill overrides athleticism. Of course, having athleticism is always a boost but it is not everything, just look at guys like Tyrus Thomas, James White and Deandre Jordan (Freak athletic ability with no skill)

PG) John Stockton
SG) Manu Ginbolili
SF) Larry Bird
PF) Dirk Nowitzki
C) Tim Duncan

Probably decimate every team.

[WayOfWade]

Zachary Randolf is another one of those guys. Another one that comes to mind is Steve Nash.

[DuMa]

Duncan is skilled but he also hit the genetic lottery being 6'11" with freakish wingspan. lets not act like his size isnt a great benefit.

[NustABut]

Seriously it just goes to show at the end of the day skill overrides athleticism. Of course, having athleticism is always a boost but it is not everything, just look at guys like Tyrus Thomas, James White and Deandre Jordan (Freak athletic ability with no skill)

PG) John Stockton
SG) Manu Ginbolili
SF) Larry Bird
PF) Dirk Nowitzki
C) Tim Duncan

Probably decimate every team.

No kidding.

4 HOFers and an arguable case for Ginobili.

[Johnny Jones]

Ginobili was pretty athletic in his prime. Just saying.

[NumberSix]

Being a 7 footer is more rare than athleticism.

[Heavincent]

I didn't need Tim Duncan to show me that.

[secund2nun]

Though you have to either have good size or acceptable athleticism if you rely on skills unless you are historically skilled. Give most of us posters the skills of dirk and we would still never make the NBA because we don't have the height or athleticism.

[livingby3's]

Skill, unlike athleticism, follows you through your career. Athleticism in a way enhances peak, while those mechanics, those fundamentals, which constitute to skill, enhances your longevity and overall game. So yes that's a good list by the OP

[ThaRegul8r]

Being a 7 footer is more rare than athleticism.

If Duncan were 7 foot, this would be relevant.

[AintNoSunshine]

Shaq
Garnett
Lebron
Jordan
Payton

beats you 8 times outta 10

But on the subject, you gotta have athleticism or you gotta have size, combine either or both with skills and you can be special, see young Duncan, Lebron and etc.

[ThaRegul8r]

Shaq
Garnett
Lebron
Jordan
Payton

beats you 8 times outta 10

Too many people need the ball, and Shaq and Garnett are already on record as saying they couldn't have played together in their primes because it wouldn't have worked:

Former rivals, Shaq and KG form bond in Boston

Posted Dec 7 2010 11:47AM

The longer they're together, the more natural it seems. The more opportunities Kevin Garnett and Shaquille O'Neal get to click on the court and clown off it, to win four out of every five games for the Boston Celtics and then sit back to watch Glen Davis and Semih Erden mop up those closing minutes, the easier it gets to hold these two competing thoughts at the same time. Or more specifically, to see these two formerly competing giants on the same team.

Now, in the twilight -- both players are working on what most assume are their final contracts, lapsing after 2011-12 -- Garnett and O'Neal have meshed well enough that you start to wonder what it might have been like had they teamed up sooner. Eight or nine years ago, say, when one was 25, the other was 29 and the rest of the NBA would not have stood a chance.

Um, you might wonder about that. I might wonder about that. But the two future Hall of Famers in question haven't wasted a moment pondering such a past.

"It wouldn't have worked at all," said O'Neal.

"It wouldn't have happened," said Garnett.

After running the idea past both of the Boston big men recently, the concept was a non-starter. Worse, it might have been like crossing the streams in "Ghostbusters," triggering all sorts of nastiness and disappointment. A Shaq-Kobe thing, only at eye level.

"We'd either have eight," O'Neal said, meaning championship rings, "or we'd have had problems. In my opinion, I don't think it would work."

The obvious snag would have been payroll. For much of this decade, Garnett and O'Neal ranked near the top of all NBA wage earners, soaking up more than $40 million annually on deals that were "grandfathered" in before the maximum salaries collectively bargained in 1999. In 2003-04, their combined take was $52.7 million, KG from Minnesota, Shaq from the Lakers. There only would have been enough money left to pay D Leaguers to deliver the ball to them.

But the real reasons that the two wouldn't have played nice together have nothing to do with cash.

For O'Neal, the basketball wouldn't have made sense. Two big bodies, two offensive missions, two clashing games. "He was a guy who demanded the ball all the time," Shaq said, "and he needed it in some of the same spots as myself. Now we complement each other."

And I think they would know better than anyone. But people never think of things like this.

[NumberSix]

If Duncan were 7 foot, this would be relevant.

Duncan IS 7 foot, just like Garnett is.

[IGOTGAME]

Tbf, in what world is Duncan not athletic?

[Breezy]

How is this a question? just think of all the athletic freaks that don't get anywhere. And there are plenty of super athletic players that are just middling bench warmers. If you look at all the big time Brand name athletic players they all have skill to back up their athleticism.

Look at Lebron. all his best skills have nothing to do with his athletic ability.

Passing, defense, rim finishing, rebounding > Dunking in traffic.