Still think that the PFs Duncan went up, over the course of his career, were better but I’ll admit that it’s closer than I originally thought. Still – early to mid 2000s Western Conference power forwards might of been one of the best runs of single position talent in NBA history.

Oh that position ran deep for certain, and I know I’m about to set myself up with this, but:………….Its one of the main reasons Melo couldn’t make the All Star game his first few years

True, but Shaq came into the League in 92, in the midst of the primes of Ewing, Dream and Robinson. The year Robinson won MVP, Shaq could have easily won it. When I mention Dikembe, I have All Defensive Team recognition in mind.

Fair point. I guess too that if you think about Shaq in 1999-2004, no other contemporary ’90s center (likely) would have touched him in his prime. Maybe Dream in 94-96. So he missed hitting their most dominant years with his most dominant years, which hurt him as well.

Muotombo makes sense in that regard as I wasn’t thinking about defense, just all-NBA. Still think that the PFs Duncan went up, over the course of his career, were better but I’ll admit that it’s closer than I originally thought. Still – early to mid 2000s Western Conference power forwards might of been one of the best runs of single position talent in NBA history.

Aside from Mourning, most of those guys were shells of themselves post-1998 (except for maybe Muotombo, who I don’t know if he should be on the list). I think it’s pretty fair to say that the relative talent at PF was higher during the duration of Duncan’s career than the center position during O’Neal’s.

True, but Shaq came into the League in 92, in the midst of the primes of Ewing, Dream and Robinson. The year Robinson won MVP, Shaq could have easily won it. When I mention Dikembe, I have All Defensive Team recognition in mind.

Shaq and Kobe probably cost each other a few MVP’s throughout their careers.

Bored NBA voters are more the culprit because Nash (at least once) and Kidd stole a deserved MVP from Kobe and Shaq, respectively.

Though many have made the argument that the year Kobe won MVP (2008?) he was not the most deserving candidate.

Shaq was competing against Dream, Ewing, Robinson, Muotombo, and Mourning for those awards at the Center position.

Aside from Mourning, most of those guys were shells of themselves post-1998 (except for maybe Muotombo, who I don’t know if he should be on the list). I think it’s pretty fair to say that the relative talent at PF was higher during the duration of Duncan’s career than the center position during O’Neal’s.

Another point to note is that Duncan was making all those NBA first teams at probably the most loaded position in the NBA at the time. Went up against KG, Dirk, C-Webb, Amare, Rasheed, Pau, tail-end of Malone. Some impressive company there.

Shaq was competing against Dream, Ewing, Robinson, Muotombo, and Mourning for those awards at the Center position.

Please don’t twist this into me saying Kobe and Shaq were not great, because obviously they were. But Duncan is easy to underrate due to his lack of exposure compared to the other 2, whether its his personality or playing in SA. His team has always made the playoffs. He has the highest winning percentage of any players in his era.

Duncan can absolutely be considered ahead of them on his merits. I don’t get the him being underrated vibe about him on here though. Just from the list of recognitions you’ve listed it would be hard to argue that he’s underrated. I consistently hear him being referred to as one of the greats ever. Barkley calls him the greatest PF ever, which means he’s saying Duncan is better than him. Maybe he’s underexposed, which just may be a good thing and the way he wants it.

Please don’t twist this into me saying Kobe and Shaq were not great, because obviously they were. But Duncan is easy to underrate due to his lack of exposure compared to the other 2, whether its his personality or playing in SA. His team has always made the playoffs. He has the highest winning percentage of any players in his era.

Another point to note is that Duncan was making all those NBA first teams at probably the most loaded position in the NBA at the time. Went up against KG, Dirk, C-Webb, Amare, Rasheed, Pau, tail-end of Malone. Some impressive company there.

What did he accomplish that they didn’t?

VS Shaq: 13 all defensive teams to Shaq’s 3; 9 All NBA 1st-Team vs 8; 2 MVPs vs 1

Vs Kobe: 3 Finals MVPs to 2; Won Rookie of the Year; 2 MVPs vs 1

Please don’t twist this into me saying Kobe and Shaq were not great, because obviously they were. But Duncan is easy to underrate due to his lack of exposure compared to the other 2, whether its his personality or playing in SA. His team has always made the playoffs. He has the highest winning percentage of any players in his era.

People need to hop off the Eric Gordon bandwagon. Stats have declined every year since his rookie season and his injuries have gone up.

Not really true re: stats – http://espn.go.com/nba/player/stats/_/id/3431/eric-gordon

Injuries are definitely a concern, but there aren’t a lot of high quality 2s in the NBA. Kobe, Wade, Manu, Joe Johnson, Harden…it’s not a deep pool. Then you’ve got Eric Gordon, Afflalo, Monta Ellis, etc. Think Gordon’s the best of that bunch.

Duncan is ahead of both because of what he accomplished. Just look at his resume and don’t even bother factoring in the fact that he got this recognition despite playing in SA and avoiding the limelight.

What did he accomplish that they didn’t?

i assumed they were discussing that limey ben

/glares at darrell