Garnett the best power forward of his generation?

by clandrabell on Sep 1, 2011 4:25 PM PDT

Ben has posted a good story over at CBS about KG almost becoming a laker in 2007.

http://eye-on-basketball.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/22748484/31676439?source=rss_blogs_NBA

In the article however he says this:

"Marc Gasol, like Jefferson, is no substitute or replacement for Garnett, the best power forward of his generation..."

Is Garnett really the best power forward of his generation?

Give me Tim Duncan anyday. And yes Duncan is a power forward. Charles Barkley calls Duncan the best power forward ever. Thanks Ben for provoking my mind during a tedious part of the NBA year :)

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He's a damn close 2nd

He’s the Kobe to Michael
The Wilt to Bill
The primed BRoy to Kobe

His role was different than Duncan’s…
Duncan was the glue, KG was the horse…
But Duncan was gorilla glue and KG was ridden by a 200 Lb. jockey

by johnshmidt on Sep 1, 2011 4:50 PM PDT reply actions

Duncan was a horse in his prime.

He could dominate anyone. He also was willing to be the glue when necessary, which is a rarity in an NBA superstar.

by Timmay! on Sep 1, 2011 5:59 PM PDT up reply actions

I'll still take Wilt over Bill

by vullkem116 on Sep 1, 2011 7:30 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

Bill has eleven rings for playing thirteen seasons. End of story.

by blazinagain on Sep 1, 2011 11:44 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs

In an 8 team league playing with 3-4 hall of famers at all times.

i keep dancing on my own.

by atomiccafe on Sep 2, 2011 7:05 AM PDT up reply actions 6 recs

this^

plus wilt was the penultimate ladies’ man

"Some things you just can't question. Like you can't question why two plus two is four. So don't question it, don't try to look it up. I don't know who made it, all I know is it was put in my head that two plus two is four. So certain things happen. Why does it rain? Why am I so sexy? I don't know."
Shaq

by LeGarrette Blount's Right Fist on Sep 2, 2011 3:27 PM PDT up reply actions

Right, Wilt racked up the numbers where it counts.

"I Am Mine"

by AK1984 on Sep 2, 2011 3:43 PM PDT up reply actions

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (then Lew Alcindor) was able to bed Wilt's girlfriend right under Wilt's nose

That doesn’t say much for Wilt’s prowess. Methinks Wilt was a legend in his own mind in the romantic dept.

I still believe in Greg Oden. The Blazers' medical staff? Not so much.

I'd change my handle to "bringback'09," but I'm too lazy.

by hurryup09 on Sep 13, 2011 9:06 AM PDT up reply actions

Sooo... Your opinion is better than mine I guess?

All i said Is that I would take Wilt over Bill. You can take Bill if you want.

IMHO Titles are not very telling of a players value.

by vullkem116 on Sep 5, 2011 3:57 PM PDT up reply actions

on an all-time greatest nba players list i would agree with you and rank duncan over garnett. i should have written more carefully and cleanly but i see garnett as a purer 4 than duncan even though both have played both 4 and 5.

parsing their positions really distracts from the bigger argument. the comparison and debate between the two is great. their numbers are ridiculously close: http://bkref.com/tiny/A4Bfb

give me duncan’s personality and rings 10 times out of 10.

Blazersedge.com || CBS Sports NBA || Twitter

by Ben Golliver on Sep 1, 2011 4:54 PM PDT reply actions

Let's hope LA gets himself in the conversation for the next generation

And I’m not giving up on BRoy at 2 guard.
Go Blazers.

by clandrabell on Sep 1, 2011 5:22 PM PDT up reply actions

The Next Generation of Power Forwards

Blake Griffin must have the brightest future of the new power forwards.
Kevin Love and LA are not far behind.
Who are the PF’s from the East? (25 or younger I mean)

Looks like the west has the best crop of younger power forwards at present.

by clandrabell on Sep 1, 2011 5:27 PM PDT up reply actions

I love Griffin, but I do worry about what he can do without that freaky atheleticism he has. It wont last forever.

\oo///

by RudiFTW on Sep 1, 2011 7:04 PM PDT up reply actions

It wont last forever.

Just long enough to become the most overrated but still very fun to watch PF of all time….

by hoodieNation on Sep 1, 2011 8:28 PM PDT up reply actions

yeah, that 'freaky' superpower

has a way of putting freaky super stress on a still mortal human body….. unfortunately stuff breaks, though there are exceptions. Shaq, for instance, has been quite durable.

Wake me when the game is on.

by Berkeley on Sep 2, 2011 10:08 AM PDT up reply actions

Uh, not really.

Shaq had a long career, but I can barely remember the last season he played significant minutes the entire season. 2006?

by superfly05 on Sep 2, 2011 9:07 PM PDT up reply actions

Kevin Love's ceiling isn't that high.

LMA and Griffin are in the running for the best PFs of the future.

I think DeMarcus Cousins could have a shot if he gets his head on straight, and I also have a lot of faith in Greg Monroe, but they need more time before they can really be in the conversation.

The smarter you are, the more likely you are to be tripping balls at any given moment.
Bring Back Dre.

by gtbassett on Sep 1, 2011 11:36 PM PDT up reply actions

This seems funny

I think DeMarcus Cousins could have a shot if he gets his head on straight

And the President could cure the national debt if he could control spending. I see the two as about as likely. Going back to KP’s culture argument Cousins is simply never going to change who he is.

by lee3022 on Sep 4, 2011 5:54 PM PDT up reply actions

Cousins is a head case.

But he also has a strong desire to win, and talent to boot. I really see a lot of Sheed in him, and regardless of what you think of Sheed was a person, he was a great player.

The smarter you are, the more likely you are to be tripping balls at any given moment.
Bring Back Dre.

by gtbassett on Sep 6, 2011 11:53 PM PDT up reply actions

Yeah, DeMarcus Cousins is more of a temperamental hothead than anything else.

If Cousins ever gets into trouble, it’ll almost surely be on the court — similar to Rasheed Wallace, yeah — rather than off of it like Zach Randolph, who still has stuff following him.

"I Am Mine"

by AK1984 on Sep 8, 2011 4:47 AM PDT up reply actions

Josh Smith is technically still 25.

He’s probably the best young PF in the East.

These are my principles. If you don't like them, I have others. -Groucho Marx

by RDreamer on Sep 2, 2011 3:48 PM PDT up reply actions

Yes

All the seasons of losing in Minnesota seemed to unhinge Garnett. He came into the league a bright, likeable kid with a great work ethic. But he morphed into a lunatic who cheap shots and trash talks opponents—to the point of getting on his knees and barking like a dog—and bullies his young teammates.

Some would defend all that by saying, “Garnett’s a winner.” But it’s Garnett’s polar opposite—the gentlemanly Tim Duncan—who has been more successful. Like Ben, I’d take Duncan over Garnett ten times out of ten.

I still believe in Greg Oden. The Blazers' medical staff? Not so much.

I'd change my handle to "bringback'09," but I'm too lazy.

by hurryup09 on Sep 13, 2011 9:15 AM PDT up reply actions

If Kevin Garnett had been dealt to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2007, then Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom ...

would’ve certainly been included in the trade.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2916217

"I Am Mine"

by AK1984 on Sep 1, 2011 6:27 PM PDT reply actions

I thought that Garnett was supposed to be traded to Portland in 2007

for the rights to Oden….

by Storyteller on Sep 2, 2011 4:05 PM PDT up reply actions

The most popular running rumors were Pierce and Duncan, I believe...

by Timmay! on Sep 2, 2011 10:48 PM PDT up reply actions

Wasn't Paul Pierce rumored to Portland in 2005 for the #3 pick and Nick Van Exel?

Also, I 99.99% doubt that San Antonio would’ve ever followed through on trading Tim Duncan.

"I Am Mine"

by AK1984 on Sep 3, 2011 6:54 AM PDT up reply actions

i know im in the minority but

KG gets my vote. I know Timmy has some serious bling and its hard to argue against him but for my money Garnett is the better all around player. Both are great defenders and rebounders so it would be hard to give either the edge. With that said I’d have to look at offensive ability. No disrespect to the great Tim Duncan but offensively kg is easily superior. More range, better ball handler, better passer, waaaay more explosive. Easily the best PF of his time. Sorry bedgers.

by King Mar on Sep 1, 2011 7:25 PM PDT via mobile reply actions

I agree

I agree so much that I actually own a KG jersey (a black one from his twolves days)… if only he hadn’t become so hatable… lol

by hoodieNation on Sep 1, 2011 8:26 PM PDT up reply actions

Easily superior????

For my money, Duncan is the way more polished and accomplished power forward. But addressing your argument specifically, I can’t see KG as the ‘easily superior’ offensive forward. Duncan’s array of post moves, clutch offense, solid mid-range jumper, and his ability to pass are, in my opinion, better than KG. Give me those qualities in a power forward any day. There are few big men who pass out of double teams and make the smart pass with more consistency than Timmy.

by SabasTheHut on Sep 1, 2011 9:55 PM PDT up reply actions

I got no qualms with Timmy

As you mentioned he is fantastic in the post, makes great use of the glass which is a lost art, and overall just extremely fundamentally sound. The man flat out gets it done. However, there isn’t anything Timmy can do with the rock that KG can’t do. The same can’t be said about Duncan.

KG possesses a nice fade away jumper that’s extremely effective anywhere inside of 18-20 ft. Duncan is most effective with his feet set and using the glass. Duncan isn’t taking anybody off the dribble and to the hoop where as Garnett has nice handles for a guy his size. Garnett and Firm are really the only two guys at their who are able to really put it on the floor. Although I’m sure that will be changing with this new generation. Timmy’s freethrow percentage is suspect to say the least. And, imo, kg is a much better finisher than Duncan atleast in his prime. It’s really hard cuz Duncan is such a nice guy and easy to root for while kg, well, isn’t lol. But, personal feelings aside kg is far superior to Duncan offensively.

by King Mar on Sep 1, 2011 11:14 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions

*dirk

It’s supposed to say dirk not firm. Darn auto correct haha

by King Mar on Sep 2, 2011 12:10 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions

Duncan is a very efficient offensive player,

as most of his possessions end up being effective bank shots, fouls drawn, or wide open looks for teammates on the perimeter.

KG is a great player, but his superior athletic ability doesn’t outshine Duncan’s sound mechanics in the win/loss column.

by Hipster Olympic Team! on Sep 5, 2011 1:09 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions

I remember Trade Bob trying to trade up to get KG.

He couldn’t quite get there. So we took “Kick your pregnant girlfriend in the stomach” Gary Trent.

My favorite teams are the Blazers and any team that is playing the Lakers.

by OCBlazerFan1 on Sep 1, 2011 7:59 PM PDT reply actions

If I may, I'd like to add another wrinkle to the debate

Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, or Rasheed Wallace?

Does Dirk fit into that generation, or is he a later one?

Say it ain't Cho

by Sean in Vancouver on Sep 1, 2011 11:55 PM PDT reply actions

Wallace disappeared too often to be in that conversation

Irk is missing the D.

PTB Liberation Day - 2/10/04

by tssbro on Sep 2, 2011 6:50 AM PDT up reply actions

those were my thoughts as well

Sheed and Dirk are great but neither are in the same class as Timmy and KG. Although “Irk” (haha no D. I like that) is a lot closer than Sheed. Without question Duncan and Garnett’s defense is what sets them apart from all other PF of their generation. Two warriors that play both sides of the ball, and never took a play off. Definitely a rare breed these days

by King Mar on Sep 2, 2011 8:55 AM PDT up reply actions

"Irk" gets less credit on D than he deserves, e.g. for his defensive rebounding

For his career, he’s about to catch Larry Bird (100 off) and might still get David Robinson (300 off), and is already ahead of hailed defender Ben Wallace. Or far ahead of someone like Marcus Camby for that matter. Sure his career was long, but so was that of many other big men without reaching top 20 of all time in that regard.
And he plays pretty smart D, rarely taking bad fouls and able to give a variety of players trouble to get easy shots over him with his size and mobility. He’s missing the shot blocking and the fearsome physique and leaping ability other PFs had or have, but he’s plenty adequate on D or he would not have lasted in the NBA very long on that position.

by Norsktroll on Sep 3, 2011 1:50 AM PDT up reply actions

P.S.: Even when looking at his DR% where he’s not stellar (22 for his career), he’s still ahead of Bosh, Gasol, Amare, or LeBron.

by Norsktroll on Sep 3, 2011 1:53 AM PDT up reply actions

I only meant it would keep him from being considered the greatest of his generation of PFs

Adequate D wouldn’t cut it for me when you have options who make a big impact on both ends like Garnett and Duncan. (The no D was meant for humor not to be taken too literally.) He certainly belongs in the conversation over Wallace.

PTB Liberation Day - 2/10/04

by tssbro on Sep 4, 2011 9:05 AM PDT up reply actions

In my opinion....

…Garnett is an All-Star, a starting forward for an N.B.A. Champion. You do have to consider him one of the top PF’s of his generation.

But THE best? No, not in my opinion. Earlier in his career I watched Garnett in what was his youthful prime, get outplayed by Scottie Pippen in what was clearly Pippens twilight. Over the years, I’ve seen great moments and plays by Garnett, but also cheap shots and cowardly moves.

Garnett deserves everything he has earned, he is “among” the best of his generation. BUT…if you offered me Duncan or Garnett both heading into their respective primes? I’d easily, easily choose Duncan.

"Mother Nature started this fight, I think it's about time we ended it!"

by Krang on Sep 2, 2011 9:47 AM PDT reply actions

I will take Garnett circa 2003-2004 over any Duncan season.

32 points, 21 rebounds and five blocks in game 7 of the 2004 Western Conference semifinals

by Oden Mad, Oden Smash! on Sep 2, 2011 2:09 PM PDT reply actions

I am a spurs fan so I'm probably biased but

21 points, 20 rebounds, 10 assists and 8 blocks in game 6 (title clincher) of the 2003 Finals is not too shabby, either. And I will take Duncan’s post defense over Garnett’s. However, I agree it is a shame that Garnett’s was stuck on a so crappy team because of an inept FO…

by CafeCalva on Sep 6, 2011 6:09 AM PDT up reply actions

wow, that is a hard line to argue with.

by hoodieNation on Sep 6, 2011 5:26 PM PDT up reply actions

boom.

\oo///

by RudiFTW on Sep 12, 2011 11:40 AM PDT up reply actions

Since Duncan and Garnett are born just a month apart, there is no generation between them. Too bad...

In terms of revolutionizing how the position is played, I’d still take 1) Bird 2) Dirk 3) Garnett, but Duncan is probably the 2) on that list in terms of success plus his obvious ability to play 2 positions. And for building a team around he and Dirk would also be ahead of KG.

by Norsktroll on Sep 3, 2011 1:42 AM PDT reply actions

Bird was not a PF

He played with Parish and McHale on their best teams.

PTB Liberation Day - 2/10/04

by tssbro on Sep 4, 2011 9:13 AM PDT up reply actions

It seems like Duncan is getting the edge from some people due to his personality and hardware

Put Garnett on the Spurs, with the same personnel Timmy had, and I doubt the resulting number of rings would be any lower. As far as personality goes, I believe that Garnett’s unlikeable homicidal streak is even more conducive to winning than Duncan’s demeanor. Moreover, when all is said and done, when both are retired, KG will be remembered as a much greater on-court asset in his twilight than Duncan. Longevity is a factor, and I would rather build around Kevin Garnett for the duration of his career than Tim Duncan, simply because KG gives you a longer window of opportunity to win it all.

Phase 1: Collect underpants
Phase 2: ???
Phase 3: Profit!

by HailOden! on Sep 4, 2011 9:58 AM PDT reply actions