Debating Duncan Stix

Da realist:

where do you rate him?

Spurs star isn’t flashy, explosive, but is game’s ultimate winner — like Mike

Gangsta D:

I don't know if Duncan is the ultimate winner, hyperbole alert, but he is one of the greatest ever. He's incredibly boring and I wouldn't pay to see him play, but his greatness is undeniable.

Da Realist:

i honestly don't know how i feel about tim duncan. (sounds like the reverse of our conversation about roger federer yesterday lol...)

Waldini:

Can you name a PF during our era that accomplished more individually as a player AND won as much as a team member? McHale matches him number of titles won, Malone matches him in MVP awards won but neither won the other. He's a ratings killer, his wife is white AND not Carmen Electra fine, he's got the worst case of acne next to Carlos boozer BUT compared to most of the league, he's crazy efficient. SHoot he singlehandley saved the Admiral's career

Gangsta D:

"I don't know what the man has to do to convert you over." lol

Da Realist:

i don't know what i'm looking for. he's a great player. i guess it's skewed me somewhat that he couldn't lead his teams to wins against the lakers from 2000-2002. it ain't just that they lost, they were EMBARASSED. they never really scared the lakers like portland in 2000 or sacto in 2000/2002. i do give them credit for beating you guys in 2003, but they were supposed to that year. then they lose the next year???

it just seems like he wins during the *absence* of a great team. like this year. none of his teams were great, just good enough to beat the average competition he faced.

Gangsta D:

True, that's kind of how I feel but you still have to give him credit. Neither the Suns nor the Jazz could win when Jordan retired the first time, so he does win when he's supposed to. That counts for something. and trust me, it's HARD giving Duncan praise:)

Waldini:

VERY HARD

Da Realist:

he deserves credit, but.. for every great championship run there's an inexplicable loss the next year. they've never repeated. they've never even been to the finals 2 year in a row yet.

he's a consistent threat. he produces numbers every game, but the spurs need a few things to win other than tim duncan

1) the absence of a great team

2) they mustn't have won the year before

3) somehow bypass the team that would have challenged them the most (dallas this year)

4) the supporting cast has to be awesome and get a lot of (flopping) calls while the refs look the other way at some (hacking) questionable fouls on the perimeter (bowen)

5) face a scrub east team (the lone exception -- 2005 detroit)

Gangsta D:

That's why I don't think he's the ultimate winner. They've never really beaten a great team. Maybe the '05 Pistons qualify as very good, but not great. Nevertheless, he usually comes through.....unless it's when he's getting smoked by the '01 Lakers....and has been the best player on three, soon to be four, championship teams. Yep, had to throw that fastball at his head. What else can i brag about right now? lol

Da Realist:

i definitely don't want to get THAT started...