In June 1996, quite possibly the deepest and most talented draft in NBA history took place. Future stars Marcus Camby, Stephon Marbury, Antione Walker, and Jermaine O’Neal were all selected in the top 17 picks. Superstars like Allen Iverson, Steve Nash, and Ray Allen all were taken in the top 15. And arguably the greatest player of his generation, Kobe Bryant, was taken number 13 by the Charlotte Hornets.
Tim Duncan decided to forego the ’96 draft. After a dominant junior season, he would have been the number one overall pick. Instead, the big man from the Virgin Islands decided to go back and play his senior season at Wake Forest. Although Duncan missed out on being apart of a phenomenal rookie class, it was probably the best decision he ever made.
Following his senior season, Duncan was not taken number one by the Philadelphia 76ers like he would have been in 1996—he was taken number one by the San Antonio Spurs, the team he resides with almost 18 years and five championships later.
When Kobe and Duncan entered the league in the late 90’s, they saw Michael Jordan and Karl Malone at the top of their game. The youngsters captured Jordan and Malone’s greatness and became legendary themselves.
Now in 2015, these two all-timers can see the finish line. There are rumors Duncan will retire this summer after one more title run, and while Kobe battles injuries, he also has only one year remaining on his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Both know the end is near, and that the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts awaits them.
They each have five championships; they each won MVP awards (Duncan in ’02 and ’03, Kobe in ’08); they have each been awarded All-NBA defensive team over ten times, and are two of the best defenders for their respective positions ever. They are the two most successful players of their generation. Which begs the question: Who is the best player of the previous era, Kobe or Duncan?
For two players that dominated at the same time in the league, they couldn’t have been any different in the way they handled themselves on and off the court. Kobe was branded as the next MJ. His game embodied Jordan’s—the way he attacked the basket, his pull-up jump shot, his killer defensive instincts. It all resembled the same hyper-competitive nature of Jordan’s game. And Kobe’s killer instincts in the business world also resemble Jordan’s. He signed a shoe deal with Nike, making him “The Black Mamba,” as well as the face of Nike’s basketball shoe marketing. Kobe Bryant’s shoes and clothing by Nike has become some of the most expensive and highest-selling basketball apparel ever. Along with his flashy play and off the court drama, Kobe was made one of the most popular and polarizing figures in the NBA.
In the summer of 2003 Bryant was in the headlines after being arrested for sexual assault. Throughout the 2003-2004 season, the Lakers were a drama-filled fiasco and Kobe had to miss games in order to attend court hearings in Colorado. Eventually, after the Lakers collapsed against the Detroit Pistons in the NBA Finals, the charges were dropped that September in a settlement between Kobe and the accuser. This was probably the time in Kobes’ career he was most vilified by the national and local media, not only because of the rape accusations, but because of his on-going, dysfunctional relationship with superstar teammate Shaquille O’Neal.
Kobe Bryant couldn’t get along with anybody, even after he badgered the Lakers into trading Shaq by basically stating, “it’s me or him” to the front office. He rubs teammates the wrong way; he expects greatness from everyone he plays with, no matter what their name is. He has ridiculously high standards. This is what has made him so phenomenal, as well as kind of a jerk. But couldn’t that all be said about Jordan as well? Kobe being labeled as a polarizing asshole certainly didn’t ever stop him from achieving greatness, much like Jordan.
Tim Duncan was nicknamed “The Big Fundamental.” He slid under the radar all 18 seasons despite consistently being in contention for championships. He personifies what head coach Greg Popovich and the Spurs organization stands for—being a great teammate and always doing what’s best for the team.
Duncan may have a shoe deal with Adidas, but the only reason I know that is because it’s on his Wiki page. He doesn’t appear in commercials; he doesn’t do 360 dunks; he doesn’t criticize teammates through the media; he doesn’t sell jerseys—all he does is lead San Antonio to 50 wins and a run in the postseason every year.
Duncan is beloved in San Antonio, but is rarely mentioned among the all-time greats by others outside of Texas. He’s got just as many accolades as Kobe, yet gets one-tenth the attention. He’s absolutely a better teammate than Kobe and gets half the credit for his team’s success because of the “system” he plays in. Duncan is boring—he doesn’t make headlines; his signature move is a drop step left-handed layup off glass; he takes the cue of his coach and doesn’t say much in interviews; he doesn’t get in trouble (Of course, there was his laughable ejection in 2007, when Duncan was laughing on the bench and referee Joey Crawford called the star for his second technical; what a joke.) He’s just the nicest, most team-oriented winner there is in the league.
He, along with coach Pop, is what created that “system” that makes him so special. Their help defense, make the extra pass, team first mentality is the product of the leadership Duncan brings to the organization on and off the floor. His team-first mindset is the biggest reason that team has been competing for rings every season since the day he got there, almost 18 years ago.
Kobe and Duncan each have such contrasting approaches to life and basketball, and yet they’re both the defining players of a generation. They’ve reached the pinnacle of modern NBA success. Neither has more much left to play for other than climbing the record books. But when looking back down the road, Duncan should be remembered as the player of his generation.
Not including the lockout shortened 1999 season, the Spurs have won 50 games every season of Duncan’s career. They’ve never missed the playoffs. Duncan’s longevity as a winner and as an actual force on both ends of the floor is what separates him. He seems like he could lead a team at 40 years-old. Meanwhile, Kobe is on his last leg, fighting to hold onto every last moment of greatness.
Their journeys aren’t over. Maybe Kobe will be rejuvenated in 2016 and the Lakers will put a new formidable team around him, but it sure looks like Kobe will retire on a sad Laker squad, with no chance of ever capturing a sixth title. And as for “The Big Fundamental,” he will have a roster spot in San Antonio as long as he wants to play. He’ll compete for rings until he’s tired of taking elbows to the back and ribs.
However, it sure looks like this postseason will be Duncan’s last. Another deep run into June could put his odometer too high and Duncan could decide to hang ’em up. Regardless, he’ll be remembered for standing out over the rest of his peers—as the greatest player of his generation.
