More Impressive Longevity: Duncan or Kobe?

[DMAVS41]

Yet another Duncan vs Kobe argument where you ramble on and on, page after page, about points while completely ignoring the other end of the court.

This is certainly debatable but, as always, you pick and choose what information you want to make your argument, try to beat it into everyone else's head with enlarged bold font, and think you're on to something because you repeat yourself over and over and over.

You are too kind...it's not even debatable.

Duncan was elite from the jump...he was first team all nba in 98 (his first year) and was already amongst the games elite.

Kobe took until year 5 to reach that level. It took Kobe until 01 to get as good as Duncan was as a rookie.

LOL at people saying Duncan's prime ended in 07. Maybe his peak, but in 08 and 09 Duncan was still a beast. Duncan put up 20/13/3 in the playoffs in 08 and 09 combined.

If anything Kobe has done post 2010 is still considered prime or relevant...then Duncan in 08 and 09 is still prime. 2010...really 2011 is when Duncan declined.

Also, part of longevity is not getting hurt. Kobe has missed a lot more time than Duncan has over their careers and has battled way more injuries. Not only that, but also part of longevity, is being able to adopt different roles and adjust your game. Kobe has shown no ability or willingness to adjust his game for the best of his team.

This was a decent question after the 2011 season in which Kobe was still going strong (until the playoffs) and Duncan was considerably worse. Then Kobe has been hurt and missed the playoffs 2 years in a row while Duncan is the best player on a team in back to back finals...

It's easily Duncan at this point.

[DMAVS41]

As a side note, it's a lot easier to be an effective defender in the post as you age, than it is on the perimeter where you have to chase around young quick guys. Especially with the lack of great big men in today's game. Yes Duncan is a great defender but his job on defense is easier than Kobe's in today's NBA

Newsflash...being taller/bigger is often an advantage for playing basketball.

We don't grade on a curve for this shit. Lebron has huge built in advantages for arguments like that...doesn't change the fact that he is who he is.

Duncan may have built in advantages here. Means nothing for the ultimate question.

[Smoke117]

Duncan. It's a lot harder to stick around and be effective when you are 7 foot tall big man as opposed to a 6'5"-6'6" shooting guard.

[Mure]

Duncan and it isn't really close. Give me the guy who came in and dominated from the jump, and is still playing at a high level, over the guy who handed people water for 2 years.

[kennethgriffin]

Duncan. It's a lot harder to stick around and be effective when you are 7 foot tall big man as opposed to a 6'5"-6'6" shooting guard.

a tall guy who doesnt need speed/quickness as much and can survive on length, power twice as much has shorter careers than a 2guard?


wtf are you smoking.. its way more rare for a high scoring guard to last 20 years than it is for a low scoring center. especially in todays league with a ton of depth at the wing position and none at the center position


you on crack bro?

[JellyBean]

Kobe. That dude has been playing since he was 18 years old in the league, clocking major minutes. He has played hurt and critically hurt.

[Noob Saibot]

the one who is the double double king in the playoffs.