[Ruff Draft]

Duncan!

[magohaydz]

Originally Posted by Deke

No single player has been the best the entire span since jordan retired. id say

98-04 Shaq
05-present Kobe

Completely agree with this 100%

EDIT: FYI I voted for Kobe because I think the level he was at 10 years ago and grew from is better than Shaq's current level - their peaks are comparable.

[KDOS]

Shaq took over after Jordan retired but my only gripe with him is he lost an aweful amount of games and has questionable work ethic to be considered as the best. Duncan had his championship reign, but I never saw him as dominating in "Jordan-like fashion" meaning offensively besides 01-02. Defensively though Duncan is the best of all three bar none. Kobe was the most constant IMO, though his defense is nowhere near Duncan nor Jordan in some years, he has the most balanced resume to fill Jordan's shoes and carry his torch. With his unlimited scoring arsenal and a defensive repertoire, he easily fits the bill to continue Jordan's legacy. Kobe already had several "best player of the game" type of seasons in different phases of his career. There's the attack mode like 02-03 and 05-06 seasons and now his well balanced 07-08 year. 06-07 could be up there, but too bad that run ended pretty shortly.



Shaq and/or Kobe are the safest pick, but Kobe has the best chance to make this unanimous in a few years. He has a great situation and he's still young. Evidently he also has no signs of slowing down because of his prep and conditioning in the offseason, and with two talented big man roaming the paint of Los Angeles, I can only imagine that it will get better.

[SlamJam]

1. duncan
2. shaq
3. kobe

[BadBaronRudigor]

Jordan retired, Shaq took over. Shaq slowed down Duncan took over. Duncan may (or may not) be slowing up and now it is still open for question as to whether LeBron, Kobe (or Howard or Paul) will step up and take the mantle.

This playoffs and the next couple of years will tell the story. For Kobe voters, he has never been the best player in the league, always in the mix but never number one until (maybe) this year. If he wins the chip this year I can agree he has moved to number one. If not, then it's still an open question and Duncan probably still holds on to the title until someone else can do it for more than one year.

[Dornado]

I absolutely can't believe that Kobe Bryant has the most votes in the poll right now... has to be homerism.

It is Tim Duncan and Shaquille O'Neal... with Duncan getting the slight edge only because the time frame negates some of Shaq's most productive seasons.

Tim Duncan does things that can't be measured statistically... and it isn't like his numbers were bad.

Put it this way... if you're time machined back to 1998 and you have to start a franchise, you take Tim Duncan 10 times out of 10 over Kobe Bryant.

[KennethTo]

Duncan is better than Shaq, that shouldn't be debate at all. Other than running his mouth and starring in ****ty movies, there isn't anything Shaq does that is is better.

[Plastic Man]

Originally Posted by BadBaronRudigor

JFor Kobe voters, he has never been the best player in the league, always in the mix but never number one until (maybe) this year.

Bryant has been the best player in the league pretty much unanimously since 2005/06. Of course if you add in team success, he comes short and Duncan is still "it", but otherwise it's hard to argue that. This year James is the only one that can be in the discussion for the best player in the league next to Bryant, imo, but he's been on the scene far too little to be a legit poll choice.

I'd say the same thing the majority has said, though; Duncan and Shaq being interchangeable with Kobe 3rd during the span of this decade and having the best chance to be the next since this Laker team is build for a strong Championship run over the next 5-7 years.

(I have no idea why I clicked on Bryant to be frank; probably a biased homer instinct that tells me to click on his name no matter what the poll, so mea culpa. I'd give my vote to Duncan, mostly because Shaq's slowed down quite a bit since the Heat championship and Duncan is still here strong as ever on top of being right there at the top even when Shaq was winning every title available)

peace

[Blue Magic]

Kobe has came a long way as a player and as a person. I used to be against him and didn't like him or people comparing him to Jordan, but as time went on I have grown to appreciate his game alot more and I think he is getting up to that Jordan plateau, particularly with-in the last 2-3 years......I am a big Kobe supporter now......I dont know which retirement you guys are looking at tho.......I'd say after retirement #3 in 2003......Kobe has been the best player in this league. JMO.

[CaliCool]

Originally Posted by KDOS

Shaq took over after Jordan retired but my only gripe with him is he lost an aweful amount of games and has questionable work ethic to be considered as the best. Duncan had his championship reign, but I never saw him as dominating in "Jordan-like fashion" meaning offensively besides 01-02. Defensively though Duncan is the best of all three bar none. Kobe was the most constant IMO, though his defense is nowhere near Duncan nor Jordan in some years, he has the most balanced resume to fill Jordan's shoes and carry his torch. With his unlimited scoring arsenal and a defensive repertoire, he easily fits the bill to continue Jordan's legacy. Kobe already had several "best player of the game" type of seasons in different phases of his career. There's the attack mode like 02-03 and 05-06 seasons and now his well balanced 07-08 year. 06-07 could be up there, but too bad that run ended pretty shortly.



Shaq and/or Kobe are the safest pick, but Kobe has the best chance to make this unanimous in a few years. He has a great situation and he's still young. Evidently he also has no signs of slowing down because of his prep and conditioning in the offseason, and with two talented big man roaming the paint of Los Angeles, I can only imagine that it will get better.

The question is not about who is continuing Jordan's legacy. (Of being a superior scorer and a great defender at the guard spot) The question is being the best in the past decade. Jordan has won a lot of championships so we will go with someone who has won a lot of championships too. I think Duncan has the edge because over the past decade O'Neal has had questionable years. Duncan has been consistent al throughout the decade.