Sunday, August 30, 2009

Who is the Most Dominant Player of his era? Kobe, Shaq or Duncan?

In the past decade or so, 3 Dominant players in the NBA have shared the Big stage, it's as if they just need to take turns to win the title. All of whom became League MVP, Finals MVP and won 4 NBA titles each. So is it Kobe? Shaq? or Duncan? What do you guys think?

Let's compare what they have done so far...

Kobe Bryant

4 NBA titles with the Lakers (2000, 2001, 2002, 2009)
2 time regular season scoring leader: 2006, 2007
11 time All NBA selection,
8 time all defensive honors
1 Finals MVP (2009)
1 Season MVP(2008)

His case: Won his first 3 titles with Shaq, but more importantly, he finally won his first title without Shaq last season, and is a league MVP the year before that. He is a player that is most often compared to Michael Jordan (arguably the Greatest Of All Time). Also, the Lakers might be favored to repeat this year simply because they are the defending champs.

Shaquille O'Neal
4 NBA titles: 3 with the Lakers (2000, 2001, 2002) and 1 with the Miami Heat (2006)
1 Season MVP(2001)
Named Finals MVP 3 times (2000, 2001, 2002)
Led the Orlando Magic to an NBA Finals appearance in 1995. Rookie of the Year (1992-1993 season)

His case: Won his first 3 titles with Kobe, then won another in 2006 with D-Wade in Miami. It could be also argued that he is the most Dominant big man during his prime. Is already considered one of 50 Greatest. However, what I don't like about him is that he demands a trade (or makes a reason for him to be traded) when things don't go his way. First, when the Lakers lost in the 2004 Finals to the Detroit Pistons.
Then when Miami has one of the worst season in franchise history and then lastly when the Phoenix Suns didn't make it to the playoffs last season. What I admire about the Big Cactus (or whatever you might call him) is his longevity, I mean the guy has been in the league for 17 years.

Tim Duncan
4 NBA titles with the Spurs (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007)
Named Finals MVP 3 times (1999, 2003, 2005)
2 Season MVP (2002,2003)
Rookie of the Year (1997-1998 season)
And the only player in NBA history to earn both All-NBA and All-Defensive honors in each of his first 12 seasons.
His case: Won all four championships with the Spurs (and with different lineups around him). Arguably the best Power Forward to ever play the game.
It's also a mystery to me why this guy has never won a Defensive Player of the Year Award despite being named to the All-Defensive honors since he entered the league.
And oh, before I forgot! The Spurs has never missed the playoffs since he entered the league and they haven't lost an NBA Finals series , that can't be said to either Shaq or Kobe.

Seems pretty even right? but at the moment, I'd like to give the slight advantage to the Big Fundamental mainly because of the final 2 reasons I just mentioned... Ultimately, I think it will be decided this upcoming season. Whoever gets first to title #5 will seal it. And the great thing about it is, next season these players will be right there in the mix of winning the crown...

13 comments:

Dan said...

It's TD without a doubt!

Unknown said...

Dan, agreed on you on this... hopefully TD get title # 5 first! Cheers!

Anonymous said...

i don't think it's TD. It would still be Kobe Bryant for me... his maturity, his leadership on and off the court, he's way better than michael jordan for me... Shaq, is very good, very playful but there is always a time for everything... Tim Duncan is getting Old and we are speaking here of who is the most dominant.. TD should be taken out from the list as Kevin Garnett is more dominant than him... and lebron james although has not won a title is more dominant than Shaq so it is still Kobe..

Unknown said...

Anonymous,
First of all, thanks for your comment... next time if it's possible please select the NAME/URL on the profile so you can provide your name, URL is optional. Now to the topic,

I limit the list to these 3 players because of the following reasons...
They all have won 4 rings (how's that for being dominant?)In my opinion, stats is not a true measure of being dominant, winning championships is...
You could make a case for Kobe, but he won his first 3 rings with Shaq and vice versa.

I picked TD mainly because of his consistency, the guy has been a 20-10 guy for 12 straight years and his team never missed the playoffs.
you can't say that with Kobe and Shaq.

But still I think whoever win ring #5 first will be most dominant.

Regarding KG, I don't think he's at Duncan's level yet (with all due respect).... Thanks and keep your comments coming, I appreciate it...

King James said...

Posted by King James203 on Sep 14 2009, 07:02AM
on PBFantasy.com

I would still go For Kobe for his leadership, and his maturity.. Shaq is still taking the game as if it's a joke.. it's ok to have fun and show off but there is always a time for everything... Tim Duncan is getting old and if he wants to get #5, the spurs has got to put in some new and young players to help TD

Unknown said...

King James,
If leadership and maturity is your point on Kobe, TD has proven he's just as good leader (if not better) than Kobe... he has won 4 championships with the Spurs with different lineups. Tim Duncan has made his team better by making players around him better (Tony and Manu) while TD is getting old and certainly needs some help, Shaq is older and Kobe won last year because of a great supporting cast that includes Gasol, Odom, Bynum, Fisher and now Artest....

Unknown said...

Anonymous,

I respect your opinion, but I don't Kobe is at Michael Jordan's level so saying that he is "way better than MJ" is a little bit over the top.

Jordan is still arguably the Greatest Of All Time... The guy won 6 rings without a dominant center how great is that?

And also taking out Duncan from the lists for KG? c'mon KG has only 1 ring and he won it with proven All Stars in Pierce and Allen. (not to mention Pierce won the finals MVP)... and before Boston? KG's former team (Timberwolves)has not gotten any success...

Just my thoughts... keep commenting, I enjoy it! Thanks...

Anonymous said...

ok ok ok, i said i chose Kobe for his maturity and leadership, i know TD has proven that in his time... now i forgot to mention, we are talking here about MOST dominant player and TD is certainly not a part of the choices cause there are a lot of more dominant players out there like Lebron and all other players... but if in terms of leadership, sure i would say TD has really proven that but i chose Kobe because i have seen his transition from being the "do-it-all" guy to the player he is today.. for TD it was always been in him but right now, K0be has become the premier elite in leadership going with the likes of Billups, Steve Nash, Jason Kidd and as you've said Tim Duncan... i know Kobe can do more so i chose him as he is already practically one of the most dominant today with still a lot of rooms for improvement.. and thanks for replying to my comment, i'll comment again later

Unknown said...

Anonymous,

Thanks for your comments (It's fans like you who enjoys discussion that makes blogging more fun).... If I'm not mistaken your the same person as King James right? (please correct me if I'm wrong)... just a remider you can use the NAME/URL profile then supply your name, URL is optional...

First of all I respect your opinion, and as it stands it seems like your a Laker/Kobe fan... I have high respect for the guy as I see his transition for being selfish to being team oriented and that he finally won a title without Shaq..

Regarding Tim Duncan, maybe you see him as boring (as most people see him) and stats line will not wow you... But If you are following the NBA closely, how many big men (legends) respect his game? Kareem, Bill Walton, Bill Russel and Dr. J does just to name a few...

Being dominant is not about stats, it's about winning... and we could argue that Duncan makes the Spurs relevant year in and year out, his ability to elevate his game during the playoffs is so exceptional and he is also clutch...

Nash, LeBron or Kidd doesn't have a ring yet...
Duncan has 4... So much for being dominant.

Thanks for your insights, If you like you can go to this link for more blogs... there you can even leave a reply on other articles and maybe drop aline @ my message box if you would like to recommend a topic for future discussion... again thanks and keep your comments coming..

Anonymous said...

Duncan is very effective and efficient.. but his moves are kinda boring..

Unknown said...

Anonymous,
In basketball there is no extra points for flashy moves or highlight dunks... I'd take "boring" but effective and efficient anytime and please next time post your comment using the NAME/URL profile, that way you can post a comment under your name... and you don't need to specify your URL if you don't have one... Thanks! keep the comments coming I really appreciate it!

Ravens said...

Posted by ravens on Sep 16 2009, 11:41 PM at PBFantasy.com

KOBE BRYANT ROCKS!
he proved that he can win the championship even w/o shaq's help. that's what a good star player can be capable of doing.
lakers is still the team to beat this season.

Unknown said...

Ravens,

Thanks for the comment you can certainly make the case for Kobe as he won a ring without Shaq... But I'm still going with Duncan due to the fact that he won 4 rings as top dog of the Spurs with practically different lineups surrounding him...