Replace Duncan with Kareem on Spots for whole career 98-18

[migya]

If Kareem replaced Duncan fur career, 98-18, would the Spurs have been better? What are the results? How good does Kareem do?

Interesting if he is seen as much better than Duncan as Duncan isn't rated much less by most.

[Blame Rasho]

Kareem is just a better player and would have more success in my opinion. I think people underrate how big of an impact player he was. Duncan was the better defender(most all defense teams) but Kareem was a mofo on offense in my estimation. I would have liked seeing a prime Kareem vs Shaq in playoff series. It would be interesting seeing Kareem guard players like Dirk out in the perimeter at times and see his lateral mobility.

[Dutchball97]

Bold is a ring, italics isn't, both is a maybe.

1998: I don't see a lot between their rookie seasons although Kareem was more impressive in the play-offs. Don't see them beating the Jazz though.
1999: 71 Kareem on a team that already won a title? Yeah that's a good bet for a championship right there.
2000: Might've just won MVP over Shaq but didn't have his strongest post-season so I don't see them beating the Lakers here when they didn't even get out of the first round with Duncan.
2001: Same as the year before but Kareem had a weaker post-season and the Lakers were at their strongest.
2002: 74 Kareem makes this a tough choice but Duncan had arguably his strongest season here, was by far the best player against the Lakers and they still lost in 5. I think this one is arguable but I'm leaning no tbh.
2003: Kareem missed time, didn't have the best season by his standards and we can't really assume he'd put on a 1974-like performance if he had made the post-season. Duncan meanwhile performed one of the biggest carryjobs on the road to a title, not seeing 75 Kareem replicate that within this approach of looking at the impact they had in their respective seasons instead of trying to figure out how they'd fit in the roster and if they'd still be injured etc.
2004: This one was the hardest one so far to me. In terms of the regular season I once again don't think there is a lot between them here although Kareem has the distinct advantage of not missing time. Duncan also didn't have his best post-season here but is it fair to assume Kareem would do incredibly well when he didn't get to play in the post-season in 76? Since his closest play-off showings were 74 and 77 it can be assumed he'd be great in 76 too but I can't reward nor punish someone for something they didn't even get to show. I had this as a no, then a yes and then changed it to a no again and I'm still not sure. It's too close to call for me.
2005: Duncan missed time, not the strongest post-season and they still got the ring. 77 Kareem would make this one hell of an easy campaign.
2006: Nope, here Kareem misses time and has a disappointing post-season.
2007: Spurs cruised through the play-offs and I have 79 Kareem and 07 Duncan as pretty comparable so I'll give this one to Kareem too.
2008: There's some strong competition here with the Lakers and Celtics but 80 Kareem over 08 Duncan is a pretty big upgrade. To be hoenst I put this as a maybe because while I doubt they'd win, I'm convinced they'd at least do significantly better.
2009: I don't think 81 Kareem is big enough of an upgrade here, if at all, to make a difference.
2010: I'd rather have Duncan in the regular season but Kareem was noticeably better in the play-offs. Not enough to make a difference though.
2011: Another year where a title isn't all that likely but I do think the Spurs would get 1-2 rounds further with 83 Kareem.
2012: I think they'd do about as well here, maybe a bit better.
2013: Comparable regular seasons but Kareem has the advantage of not missing games. 85 Kareem was better than 2013 Duncan in the play-offs though imo and they got one game away so I'm leaning yes but not entirely sure.
2014: Some little doubts but honestly I do think 86 Kareem is still good enough and arguably better than 2014 Duncan that the Spurs would be able to come out on top but probably with a closer margin.
2015: Clear decline for Kareem, while Duncan had a bit of a resurgence.
2016: I think 2016 Duncan is very clearly better than 88 Kareem.

So that'd be 4 rings I'd be pretty sure about in 1999, 2005, 2007 and 2014 and another 4 years where there is a non-zero chance Kareem would put them over the top or at least make them significantly better in 2004, 2008, 2011 and 2013. They're not winning in 2003 though. Realistically I think we're looking at 5-6 titles and overall a pretty similar outcome, kind of depending on which years we're talking about. Early seasons line up pretty well, Duncan drops off quicker but remains at a relatively steady level with Kareem holding out pretty long in his prime but nosediving after that for the last few years.

[henshao]

is that an autocorrect typo in the title? maybe the mods can help

[AEnigma]

The fit with Robinson seems like it would be an issue…

Interesting how often we talk about “portability” without giving bonuses to players who can capably play multiple positions depending on team needs.

[Dutchball97]

The fit with Robinson seems like it would be an issue…

Interesting how often we talk about “portability” without giving bonuses to players who can capably play multiple positions depending on team needs.

Could be interesting to take a look at which positions these guys can effectively play. LeBron and Magic would probably get the biggest advantage here as they could feasibly play 1-5. Giannis is another guy who you could argue as a possible 1-5. KD also looks strong here with 2-5. Big guards like MJ, Kobe and Oscar are probably middle of the pack with 3 positions 1-3. Bird and KG could be 3-5, other big forwards like Dr J and Kawhi probably 2-4. Small guards and bigs are probably hurt the most here as they can play 1-2 positions at most.