If Duncan gets that 5th ring....

[CJ Mustard]

That's what the FMVP usually means..

Cedric Maxwell was the man on the 1981 Celtics ladies and gentlemen!

[The-Legend-24]

So you think Tony Parker was the "man" on the 2007 Spurs?

Isn't that how it works?

Ah shit my bad, that's only for Kobe.

[Magic 32]

What's the funny part of that statement?

Any real NBA fan, not Laker groupie, knows that Hakeem was on another level than Kobe.

This is that silly peak argument, right?

[CJ Mustard]

Isn't that how it works?

Ah shit my bad, that's only for Kobe.

Because Kobe was the best player on those early 2000's Laker teams and was the one who got them to the Finals, right?



Kobe fans might have the worst arguments I've ever seen.

[KG215]

That's what the FMVP usually means..

[Sarcastic]

Duncan is not better than Shaq, even with a 5th ring or 6th ring.

[fpliii]

Hmm...I don't have an all-time list, but, though Duncan is my favorite player, I don't know if I could get on board with that. Though I disclose that I'm more cautious about favorite players, because most people tend to overrate their favorite players and stan for them. I'd be open to hearing an argument though.

As I think about it, it wouldn't be biased to say that Duncan is a far better rebounder and defender than Kareem was at this point, was a better teammate, better at fostering an environment conducive to winning, and his career wasn't extended by Magic. Hmmm...I guess I'd have to analyze it, and Duncan's career is still going while Kareem's is in the books, and I dislike comparing players when one's career is a finished product and the other's is still ongoing. Still, as I said, I'll entertain an argument so long as it isn't biased in either direction.

I'm certainly jumping the gun here, but the bolded is exactly what I had in mind. It would definitely be welcomed if this particular discussion garners some interest.

I'll have to refrain from engaging in hypotheticals though, there's still a good 3 weeks of basketball remaining.

[rmt]

But he has 3 FMVP's?

The finals against the Cavs were won when LeBron was contained on the perimeter by Bowen and in the paint by Duncan. When he couldn't drive into the paint he either had to pass to a useless team mate or take a contested jump shot which he was terrible at back then, that series was a sure win for the spurs.. Too much firepower from the spurs - they went to the mismatch - to vs a hobbled Eric snow and rookie Daniel Gibson

[ProfessorMurder]

Duncan is not better than Shaq, even with a 5th ring or 6th ring.

Dominance over a long period of time vs. unstoppable for a good chunk of time. It's arguable.

[KG215]

The finals against the Cavs were won when LeBron was contained on the perimeter by Bowen and in the paint by Duncan. When he couldn't drive into the paint he either had to pass to a useless team mate or take a contested jump shot which he was terrible at back then, that series was a sure win for the spurs.. Too much firepower from the spurs - they went to the mismatch - to vs a hobbled Eric snow and rookie Daniel Gibson

And Duncan was their best player in the other three rounds. He averaged 23-11-3-3 on 57% TS compared to 20-3-6-1 on 50% TS for Parker.

Duncan had a monster series in the second round against the 61 win, 7.27 SRS Suns in the second round.

[tpols]

If Duncan plays great, wins FMVP, and beats the Heat... I give him a serious a case for top 5 all time. That would be a great cap.

If Parker continues to be the Spurs best player throughout the playoffs and ends up winning FMVP again Duncan might move up one spot. And Parker gets a gigantic bump in the standings.

If Spurs lose, not much changes.

None of this means anything to Spurs though.. They play as a team not individuals.

[Sarcastic]

Dominance over a long period of time vs. unstoppable for a good chunk of time. It's arguable.

Duncan was never the best player in the NBA. Shaq's dominance > Duncan's longevity.

[ProfessorMurder]

Duncan was never the best player in the NBA. Shaq's dominance > Duncan's longevity.

- Duncan won 2 MVPs during Shaq's prime. Shaq has one.

- They both have 4 championships and 3 FMVPs.

- They both have similar career averages.

- They're 15-15 against each other in the playoffs.

- Duncan is a 14 time all star, 10 all nba 1st team, 3 all nba 2nd team, 1 all nba 3rd team... With 8 all nba defense 1st team, 6 all nba defense 2nd team, and an all rookie 1st team selection.

- Shaq is a 15 time all star, 8 all nba 1st team, 2 all nba 2nd team, 4 all nba 3rd team... With 3 all nba defense 2nd team, and an all rookie 1st team selection.

That's the definition of arguable.

[RichieW]

Duncan was never the best player in the NBA. Shaq's dominance > Duncan's longevity.

A back to back MVP wasn't the best player in the league?

03 Duncan carried a retiring Robinson, rookie Manu and sophmore Parker to a title against Shaq/Kobe.

[RichieW]

If Duncan plays great, wins FMVP, and beats the Heat... I give him a serious a case for top 5 all time. That would be a great cap.

If Parker continues to be the Spurs best player throughout the playoffs and ends up winning FMVP again Duncan might move up one spot. And Parker gets a gigantic bump in the standings.

If Spurs lose, not much changes.

None of this means anything to Spurs though.. They play as a team not individuals.

If Spurs are going to beat the Heat, Duncan will have to be Finals MVP. He should put up 25/15 against such a tiny Heat team.