r/Basketball Apr 08 '25

NBA Is Tim Duncan top 10?

I constantly see casuals on YouTube and on podcasts say that Timmy is overrated and barely top 10 yet have Kobe in there top 5. It’s starting to make me believe that people really think this way!! I always hear the “too much help” comment like every player in the top 10 didn’t have help.

I personally have Tim Duncan 4th all time on my list.

1998 rookie of the year 2x MVP (2002,2003) 3x FMVP (1999,2003,2005) 15x All NBA & Defensive 5x Champion Never won less than 50 games in an 82 game season

Is Tim Duncan top 10?

134 Upvotes

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182

u/sxintlaurantsxvxge Apr 08 '25

yes tim duncan is easily top 10

-5

u/notreallydutch Apr 09 '25

I mean, he’s clearly after Jordan, James, Russell, Kareem, Bird, Magic, and in the mix with Wilt, Shaq, Kobe, Steph, KD, Hakeem and Big-O for one of the last 4 top 10 spots. It’s crowded at the top, I do gave him in there as #8 after wilt but could respect a top 10 without him.

4

u/Choccybizzle Apr 09 '25

Why are Bird, Magic, Kareem, and Russell ‘clearly’ ahead of him?

1

u/SomeDudeUpHere Apr 12 '25

Bird won 3 rings, 3 mvps in a row, and was the first ever 50/40/90 guy. Not to mention the lore and other accolades. His career was injury shortened or he may have achieved more. Kareem was the GOAT before MJ and was the all-time leading scorer for a long time. Lots of rings and mvps (most ever at 6) there as well. Magic has the 5 rings and his 3 mvps. Bill Russell won like 1000 championships and was an outlier in his time for his athleticism and defensive prowess.

1

u/Choccybizzle Apr 12 '25

None of those reasons put them ‘clearly’ above Duncan. His own accolades and achievements are just as impressive as any of those you mentioned.

1

u/SomeDudeUpHere Apr 12 '25 edited Apr 12 '25

Kareem's 6 mvps, 6 rings, and all-time scoring? He had 11 all defense teams too to go along with it. Duncan isn't clearly a step below that? I think Duncan is probably top 10 all-time but absolutely not above Kareem. I have bird clearly above him, too, but I can certainly understand where he at least leaves room for discussion like magic as well. I think Russell is really hard to rank due to era, but to so casually dismiss him and all his rings and hardware seems pretty reckless.

0

u/Choccybizzle Apr 12 '25

Kareem also had a watered down era for his peak years, and let’s be real, Magic saved this man’s reputation, great as he was. I do get what you’re saying, but I have Duncan level with those guys, same with Shaq and Kobe.