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70sFan wrote:I think probably 1974 and 1977, but 2002 Duncan is up there with anyone.

Cavsfansince84 wrote:

70sFan wrote:I think probably 1974 and 1977, but 2002 Duncan is up there with anyone.

Above or below 09 LeBron in your mind?

70sFan wrote:Alright, let's do this:

1. 2003 Tim Duncan - as you all know, I'm a two-way bigman believer. I could be 100% wrong on this choice, but I don't think it's unreasonable. Duncan was an absolute monster at his peak.
2. 2012 LeBron James - it's really, really close between 2002 Duncan and 2012 James. The tie breaker is that Duncan missed one game in playoffs. I know, it's stupid to have this against him but the race is so tight that everything counts.
3. 2009 LeBron James - can't separate these two seasons.
4. 2002 Tim Duncan - I have this season ahead of 2013 James. LeBron had slightly better RS, but I think that Duncan showed more in postseason.
5. 2013 LeBron James - right under the top 4, probably the best RS in this comparison.
6. 2016 LeBron James - reasonably close with 2007 Duncan, but Timmy never reached the GOAT level in 2007 while James did against the best team in the league in the deciding 3 games. It has to be considered here, so he's my choice.
7. 2014 LeBron James - I think that James reached such a high level offensively in that season that I have to take that over 2007 Duncan two-way brilliance. Maybe it's because I undervalue players with lesser roles, because Duncan had easier time in 2007 than James in 2014 (at least offensively).
8. 2007 Tim Duncan - don't see 2017 on that level, his RS wasn't really better than Duncan's and I don't think James defensive effort was there in the playoffs. I know that some people are really high on that version of James, but I wonder how much it has to do with Cavs offense in playoffs - this explosion has a lot to do with hot shooting streak. I'm open to discussion about this season though.
9. 2001 Tim Duncan - again, it's the reverse situation of previous two spots - Duncan had to carry higher load, played in better conference and faced better teams in playoffs. It was clearly a carryjob and the only reason why I don't have it higher is because I have concerns about 2001 Duncan's passing ability and defensive impact. It was already high, but not on peak level (unlike 2007).
10. 2017 LeBron James - can't have it any lower, it's amazing season after all.
11. 2010 LeBron James - I have problems with the off-court stuff here and his injury didn't help. I may underrate that version of James though, he was very close in terms of abilities to 2009 - just not in terms of focus.
12. 2005 Tim Duncan - I feel bad for excluding one of the greatest offensive carryjobs in NBA history, but 2018 is a weak RS for James and I am worried about the stats Odinn provided. James looks by these metrics like a complete liability on defense. I remember him being quite bad, but not to this degree. Duncan struggled with injuries, but he was extremely impactful throughout the whole season. Even though he struggled to score in 2005 finals, I've never felt like he ever hurt his team in that series. Pistons treated him like peak Shaq on defense and he did fairly well considering what he had to deal with. His defensive impact is also undeniable, it's one of the greatest defensive season in the last 25 years.

HM: 2018 LeBron James, really wish he made the list.