Oscar Robertson vs Tim Duncan, who is considered better?

[JordansBulls]

Oscar Robertson vs Tim Duncan, who is considered better?

[cjx]

Both Duncan and the Big O are exceptional, but the Big O mastered the 1 and 2 guard positions--which is an unparalleled feat--and once he was paired with a great center, he played with and to said center--Kareem--, winning 1 title and barely missing out on another at the end of his career. Duncan came into a better situation with a good role model in David Robinson, a good coach in Popovich, and a system that emphasized fundamentals and composure; plus, Popovich wasn't jealous of Duncan like how Cousy was jealous of the Big O. The adaptation Robinson made to help Duncan spearhead team success was comparable to what the Big O did to help Kareem spearhead the Bucks' team success. I'm interested in seeing how an older Duncan plays with and to another franchise player; Robinson has provided Timmy with a good example of what to do attitudinally and physically.

[penbeast0]

Same answer as your Frazier v. Garnett thread but much stronger. Duncan has been the main man on multiple title squads and has a much stronger defensive impact. Oscar has the numbers and was a far more unique player but I'd take Duncan.

[KNICKS1970]

I have Tim Duncan ranked #8 and Oscar ranked #10. Another title and/or Finals MVP pushes Duncan into the #7 for me (currently held by Shaq). His resume is just all around better than Oscar's, plus he's a big man and would be picked ahead in an All-Time Draft. Resume-wise, Duncan is knocking on the door of GOAT status.

[Jack wore plaid]

OMG, the youth on this site is rearing its' ugly head again.

Oscar Robertson was so much better than Tim Duncan is now it's not even funny. The man averaged a triple double for God's sake. While Duncan is a great player, he hasn't won the title by himself. Oscar Robertson didn't have the supporting cast throughout his years that Duncan has had either

[KNICKS1970]

OMG, the youth on this site is rearing its' ugly head again.

Oscar Robertson was so much better than Tim Duncan is now it's not even funny. The man averaged a triple double for God's sake. While Duncan is a great player, he hasn't won the title by himself. Oscar Robertson didn't have the supporting cast throughout his years that Duncan has had either

I think that the "he never won a title by himself" argument is the 3rd worst argument people continuously make on this board, other than "What if he played in this era or with these teammates?" and "He played in a weak era, so therefore all his accomplishments mean nothing". No one wins a title all by themselves. Duncan won four titles as the leader and best player on his team, which is why he gets ranked so high. Robertson averaged a triple double, but never won a title until he piggybacked Kareem in the early 70s. Even then, he only won one title with one of the few guys in the GOAT argument.

Duncan has the resume, he would be picked ahead of Oscar in an All-Time Draft, and he's going to go down as the most accomplished superstar of his generation. That's why he gets ranked ahead of Oscar.

[SDChargers#1]

Yea, and how many titles did he get? How many times did he fail to make the postseason?

It ain't all about numbers. Just because Duncan is from our era doesn't mean he can't be as good as those before him. The numbers in reality are the ONLY thing that keeps it close. I would still say Duncan HANDS DOWN.

[TheKingOfVa360]

OMG, the youth on this site is rearing its' ugly head again.

Oscar Robertson was so much better than Tim Duncan is now it's not even funny. The man averaged a triple double for God's sake. While Duncan is a great player, he hasn't won the title by himself. Oscar Robertson didn't have the supporting cast throughout his years that Duncan has had either

I agree

[conleyorbust]

OMG, the youth on this site is rearing its' ugly head again.

Oscar Robertson was so much better than Tim Duncan is now it's not even funny. The man averaged a triple double for God's sake. While Duncan is a great player, he hasn't won the title by himself. Oscar Robertson didn't have the supporting cast throughout his years that Duncan has had either

So Bill Russel and We Unseld weren't very good because they didn't put up obscene stats?

C'mon man.

How old are you that the only thing you look at when you evaluate player is the numbers?

[penbeast0]

I think you underestimate Oscar's supporting cast. Jerry Lucas was a terrific player, probably a step up from either Parker or Ginobili. That admitedly was about it; but it's more about the tough competition he faced and his lack of regular season success with it. Oscar was great' one of the top 3 PGs in NBA history; Duncan has just done more (and of course it is easier for a post player to have a dominant impact due to the extra defensive influence he can have on a game).

[penbeast0]

thank you for the "youth on this site" comment though . . . as my hair thins and my middle thickens, those comments get fewer and farther between

[TrueLAfan]

Nice that I

[sp6r=underrated]

I'm interested in seeing how an older Duncan plays with and to another franchise player; Robinson has provided Timmy with a good example of what to do attitudinally and physically.

Right now TD I think is doing great at this. He's had no problem with Popovich giving greater and greater amounts of responsibility to TP/Manu, and hasn't had a problem at all stepping back.

[shawngoat23]

I voted for Oscar, but only hesitatingly.

It's no secret that I don't hold the post-2002 championships in as much regard as some of the other ones, and Duncan never posted huge numbers. Therefore, the "resume" gap is not as much in Duncan's favor as it would be to most people, whereas the "talent" gap is in Oscar's favor to me.

Although now that I'm thinking some more, I'm not sure I shouldn't have chose Duncan instead.

[sp6r=underrated]

-= original quote snipped =-



I think that the "he never won a title by himself" argument is the 3rd worst argument people continuously make on this board, other than "What if he played in this era or with these teammates?" and "He played in a weak era, so therefore all his accomplishments mean nothing".

[ronnymac2]

duncan very easily...his resume is better, his clutch play is better, and his impact is better. They are 2 of the most fundamentally sound players ever, but duncan affects the game so much more. I'd take west over big o, easily. I would also take walt frazier as my pg over big o.

[ThaRegul8r]

It's no secret that I don't hold the post-2002 championships in as much regard as some of the other ones, and Duncan never posted huge numbers.

Why do many people make their evaluations based solely on numbers without putting things in context? It's like numbers > major contribution to a team's success and championships. So being the leader of multiple championship teams means nothing if you don't put up gaudy numbers. Thus players who aren't concerned about individual accolades but doing what it takes to ensure the success of the team automatically get the shaft.

[HarlemHeat37]

Timmy's huge numbers are actually very underrated..he's put up huge numbers in many series and some entire playoffs..even in a few regular seasons(in comparison to others in that specific season)..

[shawngoat23]

-= original quote snipped =-



Why do many people make their evaluations based solely on numbers without putting things in context? It's like numbers > major contribution to a team's success and championships. So being the leader of multiple championship teams means nothing if you don't put up gaudy numbers. Thus players who aren't concerned about individual accolades but doing what it takes to ensure the success of the team automatically get the shaft.

I did put things into context. Which is why Tim Duncan is top 15 in my book and not outside the top 50. I do adjust for era, for pace, for minutes played, and so on.

I'm not comparing Tim Duncan to Zach Randolph, who has numbers that seem somewhat impressive superficially. I'm comparing him to Oscar freaking Robertson, one of the greatest players of all time. You treat it as though it were some kind of insult.

[Warspite]

Actualy Oscar has been drafted higher in alltime drafts than Duncan. Being the 2nd best PG of alltime is more valuable than being the 5-10th best bigman.

Im no fan of TD and believe hes maybe the most overrated player of this decade. His stats are unimpressive (due to mins played, pace and games missed) but still pretty good. Hes a top 50 scorer and top 30 reb of alltime. TD I guess is a poor mans Hakeem or rich mans Terry Cummings. Its all in how you look at it. I would take prime Mosses over TD along with Shaq, Wilt, Russell, Kareem, Hakeem, DRob, McAdoo. When you look at Thurmond, Reed, Lanier, Hayes, K Malone, McHale and Ewing it becomes pretty cloudy. However Oscar is right behind Magic and West who is his closest comparison is right there. In a 16 team alltime draft Oscar is more important. In a 30 team Duncan has more value.

If you ask me who has had the better carreer Im inclined to say TD but who is the better player I believe Oscar was much better.

Maybe True LA Fan fan (since hes teh MVP expert) can talk about how impressive Oscars MVP was during the Celtic reign and Wilts prime. Call me biased but Im so sure TD has 2 MVPs if playing against Wilt and Russell. I will freely admit TD is the nicer person and better interview but I dont know why thats so important.

Comparing teammates talent level is worthless since todays Spurs dont play teams with HoFers coming off the bench or teams that are considered GOAT material. Of course I would like to think the 04 Pistons are on the same level as the 67 Sixers or 64 Celtics or 72 Lakers but its just not true.