Who's higher on your All Time List: Tim Duncan or Magic

[ryan in Maine]

The difference maker here for me is Magic's sheer entertainment. Magic could keep you on your feet in a way that Duncan couldn't (unless you were a serious basketball head into the minutiae of fundamentals lol).

[HMFFL]

It's Tim, his longevity is vastly superior while his peak is still crazy. And we're talking super valuable longevity of being a defensive anchor and important complementary piece offensively on a contender. Magic may have a better peak, but that's only one regular season MVP more while Duncan was robbed of DPOTY awards.

If it's Duncan it can be said without mentioning "longevity"

I don't believe he needs "longevity" attached to his name as a selling point. Therefore, I voted Magic Johnson.

[Hook_Em]

Magic was a one and done superstar before it was a thing. Ppl forget how great he was at 20 years old. I know he brought more drama than Duncan but prime for prime I’d side with Magic because he’s the greatest primary ball-handler in NBA history.

[Johnny Tomala]

Magic 6th, Duncan 9th.

[SA37]

Magic, easily.

[bonita_the_frog]

Magic is the clear-cut Greatest Point Guard of all-time, and that's saying a lot because Point Guard is an extremely deep position.
Whereas Duncan is not the clear-cut greatest anything of all-time, PF or C, he's not the clear-cut GOAT of either.

[MavsDirk41]

I have Magic 5th and Duncan 6th

[nomansland]

It's a close one but I give it to Duncan because of his defense.

[Woodsanity]

Very slight edge to Duncan due to longevity.

[bonita_the_frog]

Magic Johnson led the league in steals twice:
1980-81 with 3.4 steals per game,
1981-82 with 2.7 steals per game.
Also averaged 2.4 steals in his rookie season 1979-80.

[Cavsfansince84]

I have Duncan at 5 and Magic at 8. Maybe it's different if Magic didn't retire at 31 or 32 while still mvp caliber.

[bonita_the_frog]

I have Duncan at 5 and Magic at 8. Maybe it's different if Magic didn't retire at 31 or 32 while still mvp caliber.

WhoM do you rate as the #1 Point Guard in NBA history?
Longevity doesn't stop Magic from being the #1 Point Guard, so it shouldn't stop him from being better than Duncan...

[Cavsfansince84]

WhoM do you rate as the #1 Point Guard in NBA history?

why do you ask

[rtiff68]

It's Tim, his longevity is vastly superior while his peak is still crazy. And we're talking super valuable longevity of being a defensive anchor and important complementary piece offensively on a contender. Magic may have a better peak, but that's only one regular season MVP more while Duncan was robbed of DPOTY awards.

If it's Duncan it can be said without mentioning "longevity"

I don't believe he needs "longevity" attached to his name as a selling point. Therefore, I voted Magic Johnson.

When assessing a player’s greatness, I think it’s fair to say that most people weigh peak performance against longevity (to varying degrees).

You outright dismissing half of that equation is a bit odd…

[jokeboy86]

Magic is the clear-cut Greatest Point Guard of all-time, and that's saying a lot because Point Guard is an extremely deep position.
Whereas Duncan is not the clear-cut greatest anything of all-time, PF or C, he's not the clear-cut GOAT of either.

This is news to me. I have yet to hear one ex-athlete or NBA historian or media person not say Duncan is the greatest PF of all time. And as much as people believe the greatest pgs of all time is a deep position it's nowhere near close to PF and C. You have Magic, Oscar, Stockton, Isaiah, Steph, Cousy but it kind of drops off imo compared to Petit, Schayes, Malone, Barkley, KG, Hayes, Giannis and that's not even mentioning guys like Mchale or Dirk. And I won't even mention Centers because that position to me is the deepest when it comes to all-time greats.

[bonita_the_frog]

Magic is the clear-cut Greatest Point Guard of all-time, and that's saying a lot because Point Guard is an extremely deep position.
Whereas Duncan is not the clear-cut greatest anything of all-time, PF or C, he's not the clear-cut GOAT of either.

This is news to me. I have yet to hear one ex-athlete or NBA historian or media person not say Duncan is the greatest PF of all time. And as much as people believe the greatest pgs of all time is a deep position it's nowhere near close to PF and C. You have Magic, Oscar, Stockton, Isaiah, Steph, Cousy but it kind of drops off imo compared to Petit, Schayes, Malone, Barkley, KG, Hayes, Giannis and that's not even mentioning guys like Mchale or Dirk. And I won't even mention Centers because that position to me is the deepest when it comes to all-time greats.

Giannis is more dominant than Duncan, in scoring and playmaking, and they are about the same defensively at their peak.

And I have no doubt the Spurs would have won just as many rings if we replace Giannis with Duncan, maybe even more with Giannis.
Whereas I'm not sure Duncan would have won a ring with Milwaukee... in fact I doubt it.

Giannis just needs spot-up shooters, whereas Duncan actually needed a Point Guard.
Giannis for the last SEVEN years has averaged 29.6 points, 12.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists, .575 field.
And now it appears his best scoring years are still to come...

[DaPessimist]

There can be arguments made for both players, but I'm going with Magic, because I just believe he's the more talented player. I love Timmy D, literally patterned my game after him growing up, but I'm drafting Magic over Timmy without much hesitation.

[FrobeBryant]

Magic, cmon now

[jokeboy86]

Magic is the clear-cut Greatest Point Guard of all-time, and that's saying a lot because Point Guard is an extremely deep position.
Whereas Duncan is not the clear-cut greatest anything of all-time, PF or C, he's not the clear-cut GOAT of either.

This is news to me. I have yet to hear one ex-athlete or NBA historian or media person not say Duncan is the greatest PF of all time. And as much as people believe the greatest pgs of all time is a deep position it's nowhere near close to PF and C. You have Magic, Oscar, Stockton, Isaiah, Steph, Cousy but it kind of drops off imo compared to Petit, Schayes, Malone, Barkley, KG, Hayes, Giannis and that's not even mentioning guys like Mchale or Dirk. And I won't even mention Centers because that position to me is the deepest when it comes to all-time greats.

Giannis is more dominant than Duncan, in scoring and playmaking, and they are about the same defensively at their peak.

And I have no doubt the Spurs would have won just as many rings if we replace Giannis with Duncan, maybe even more with Giannis.
Whereas I'm not sure Duncan would have won a ring with Milwaukee... in fact I doubt it.

Giannis just needs spot-up shooters, whereas Duncan actually needed a Point Guard.
Giannis for the last SEVEN years has averaged 29.6 points, 12.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists, .575 field.
And now it appears his best scoring years are still to come...

[Raps in 4]

Duncan. He won the same amount of titles with less help.