Better NBA Player: Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant or San Antonio Spurs' Tim Duncan? (POLL)
Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan are without a doubt both top 10 players to play the game of basketball. NBA Championships, Most Valuable Player Awards, clutch shots, leadership and game-winning plays have given basketball fans countless memorable moments over the years.
Both have competed in the same conference, and have faced each other numerous times.
So which player has had the better career?
Why Kobe Bryant is Better
The "Black Mamba" is the best offensive player of the 21st century, hands down. Ask the Toronto Raptors, who got torched for 81 points in a single game by Bryant, the second-most points in a game in NBA history. Bryant has averaged at least 25 points per game 13 seasons in his career compared to Duncan's one.
Bryant will soon pass Michael Jordon for third-most points in NBA history.
Despite having a reputation of "not passing the ball," Bryant has more than 6,000 career assists. Bryant is the only player to have more than 30,000 career points and 6,000 assists, a truly remarkable statistic. Bryant also holds a postseason head-to-head edge against Duncan. Bryant and Duncan have faced each other six times in the playoffs, with Bryant winning four of the series.
Although Bryant had center Shaquille O'Neal early in his career, he was able to win two championships without him. Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum are good, but do they equal Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker and the talent that Duncan has had around him throughout his career?
Bryant always did things his way, whether people agreed with it or not. With Bryant in and O'Neal out, the Los Angeles Lakers still made it to three consecutive NBA Finals, winning two more on a squad that wasn't loaded with extreme talent. Bryant is the more skilled player, as he can score from anywhere on the floor.
Bryant's scoring average of 35.4 points per game in 2005 remains the highest since Jordan averaged 37.1 in 1986.
Why Tim Duncan is Better
If your prefer excitement, unbelievable highlights and top 10 plays, then Tim Duncan probably isn't the choice for you. The "Big Fundamental" is an old school basketball player who shows up night-in and night-out on a consistent basis.
Just like Bryant, Duncan has hoisted the Larry O'Brien Trophy five times.
But that's where most of similarities end.
Critics of Duncan will bring up the fact he has had such a great supporting cast around him such as David Robinson, Parker, Kawhi Leonard, Ginobili and so many others throughout his career. The reason for that is because Duncan is willing to play for significantly less money than Bryant, thus allowing more talent on the roster.
Duncan is without a doubt the best power forward in recent memory, and probably the best power forward to ever play the game. Even at the age of 38, Duncan is still averaging 9.9 rebounds per game, and he remains one of the best rim protectors in the NBA. Duncan also averages fewer turnovers per game than Bryant does.
Since being drafted No. 1 overall in 1997, the Spurs have not had a single losing season. The Spurs have successfully made postseason the last 17 seasons, the longest active streak in the NBA. It looks like Bryant and the Lakers will miss the playoffs for the second consecutive season.
As Bryant plans for an eventual retirement, Duncan is trying to win his second consecutive NBA Championship and sixth overall.
Who do you think has had the better career? Feel free to vote in our poll below.
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