Todays NBA: Tim Duncan vs Kobe Bryant

[Matt15]

Which player would you rather build a team around in todays NBA?

[tsherkin]

Hmmm.

Era translation becomes a HUGE question. Duncan dropped off in relative scoring efficiency after about 2003, though with some sporadic bursts as his role altered. He certainly wouldn't be a hot anchor in today's game. The question then becomes about the value of his defense versus Kobe's offense (also with translation issues, which I'm sure One_and_Done will be here to espouse soon).

Duncan's defensive value would be lower in today's game because he didn't have the lateral mobility to keep up on the perimeter and his rim protection went only so far... but he'd still be very, very good. He had a little range, but nothing like 3pt range, nor the makings thereof. Most seasons, he also left a bunch of points on the table at the line.

I think I'd be inclined to take my chances with Kobe, much as I'd prefer to have selected Duncan. I'm just not confident in his offensive utility, nor in his ability to exert comparable defensive value enough to overshadow the versatile scoring guard archetype.

[70sFan]

If you take into account that:

- Duncan was a better player during their primes,
- Duncan was easier to build a team around,
- Duncan was much more fun to watch,
- Duncan would be a more unique player in today's game.

then how could you not take Timmy?

[tsherkin]

- Duncan was much more fun to watch,

I don't know about that. I think they both had their value. Kobe was certainly more fun to watch as a scorer. Naturally, if you liked screens and fundamentals and defense, Duncan was a clinic every night.

- Duncan would be a more unique player in today's game.

How so?

[70sFan]

- Duncan was much more fun to watch,

I don't know about that. I think they both had their value. Kobe was certainly more fun to watch as a scorer. Naturally, if you liked screens and fundamentals and defense, Duncan was a clinic every night.

- Duncan would be a more unique player in today's game.

How so?

My last two points were only half-serious, you know - I am a massive Duncan fan after all

About the uniqueness - we have may high volume hybrid wing scorers in the league right now, while I don't think you can find a single player with a similar style to Duncan.

[tsherkin]

My last two points were only half-serious, you know - I am a massive Duncan fan after all

Lots of good reasons to be a Duncan fan.

About the uniqueness - we have may high volume hybrid wing scorers in the league right now, while I don't think you can find a single player with a similar style to Duncan.

No, I don't think there's anyone quite like him per se, I suppose. Non-hyper-athletic big with an emphasis more on D than O, limited range, limited face-up game but pretty high-end short game from the post. Big guy, more power than most remember, very chill, low-drama. Fluid, not unathletic, just not a fast-twitch guy.

Like anyone, I imagine he'd see some kind of absolute boost. Finishing at the rim, most likely. And he'd see more PnR stuff. There was a stretch in the latter section of his career where he was slinging 17-footers pretty reliably, so that would open some doors if he was able to do that earlier. Be interesting to see how much of his defensive impact translated into this era. You can always use rim protectors and stuff, but it's a different environment now compared to his hey day, for sure.

[One_and_Done]

Duncan by a landslide.