I was just having this conversation and felt like I'd come over to the computer to pose the question to s2. With Tim Duncan performing on the level that he's been performing this season, including the playoffs, is he a near unanimous choice for the greatest PF of all-time? My only problem with that designation is that he's actually played center for a lot of his career, especially these past few seasons. Otherwise, who challenges him... Malone? Garnett? Barkley? McHale? Pettit?
Just saw that this thread was done before... four years ago... and Duncan got over 56% of the vote for the greatest PF of all-time. I'm interested to see where he stands now, four years later. I'd assume he'd be more in that 75%+ with his play of the last few years, but hell, that's why I posted the poll... curious to see what ya'll think about his reign.
Duncan and Garnett are the only ones I've actually seen play. Obviously it's Duncan over Garnett 100% every time.
yeah, I have to go with Timmy. If I had to be contrarian I'd go Malone over KG, but that's partially because I don't like KG.
Barkley gets short shrift in this discussion every time. http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/pcm_finder.cgi?request=1&sum=1&p1=barklch01&y1=2000&p2=malonka01&y2=2004&p3=duncati01&y3=2013 Barkley's shooting percentages were better across the board, and was right with them in rebounds. Barkley was slightly ahead of Duncan/Malone in terms of WS/48 while playing on worse teams. His PER was basically equal to Duncan's with a lower USG%. Basically, they were all three statistically equal, except for Malone simply taking more shots, and Duncan winning titles. In the best PF discussion, I slightly discount Duncan because he's really a center, and I elevate Barkley because he's sub-6'5". I'm OK with being alone in that opinion.
I don't know man. Kg, even though he's a cock sucker, was such a good defender to go along with his offense. Tim Duncan should be the hands down choice though.
I'd agree with you but Barkley did not play defense.... which is why I find it so funny that he complains about defense all the time.
Nate Thurmond? Elvin Hayes? Dolph Schayes? The poll is all modern era, with one token old timer in the mix. I think questions like this should be looked at by era. How many here actually saw the old greats play?
I think the players that have done the MOST with LEAST are Iverson and Barkley! Chuck was like 6'4"! Sent from HCPs Baller-Ass iPhone 5...FAMS!
I voted Duncan with no hesitation, but then I remembered Elvin Hayes. Duncan still wins, but the margin of victory isn't very big...
Easy answer in duncan. Duncan is arguably the most skilled big of all time. I cant even count on one hand bigs that i would take over him and any that i might take over him are not pf's.
fans split hairs in their own subjective way as to what differentiates the PF & Center positions. Some will claim it's who plays on the low block, others will say it's who primarily guards the other team's biggest player. Duncan is dominant on both the high and low block and guards the other team's best Big in crunch time regardless of their size, so he really blurs the distinctions between the spots that fans try to draw. Since I view the two Big spots as more or less interchangeable in their responsibilities, I just think of TD as one of the best Bigs ever certainly ranking above anyone thats been mentioned in this thread STOMP
Barkely is doomed in these discussions because he generally got owned by Malone head to head. And I don't think many would argue against Duncan having clearly surpassed Malone at this point, so Barkley slides further down the list.
Defense. Duncan was a game changer on defense. Barkely never was. In fact, he often sucked at it. Ask him. He says that is his biggest regret in not paying more attention to being a better defender.
Kareem? Fine. Wilt? OK. But several others? I dont think so. In fact,, im unsure id be ok with anyone else being mentioned.russell maybe?
