re: Does this settle Duncan > Kobe for the Best Player of their Generation?

I don't know. I don't like to compare such vastly different players. Kobe is likely the second greatest SG of all time and Duncan is likely the greatest PF of all time. I don't really like just comparing them using PER or other aggregation metrics because they have such vastly different responsibilities.

You could always ask the hypothetical question of who you take for their career, and I think it would be fairly close. It also depends on what type you want to have.

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Sure. I don't think it matters either way-- both have had better careers than Shaq.

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Meh, I think almost anyone would draft shaq over either player. He was unbelievably dominant and would be even better with today's centers.

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More years of playing championship basketball.

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Does this mean more years with a championship caliber team, or more years playing at an individual championship level? Outside of the injuries, Kobe has played at an elite level 14/18 years in this league (not counting a 20ppg year in 98) and probably would be 15/18 if not for the injuries this year.

Duncan has played 17 years and hasn't played elite the last few years. He's still really effective though due to the lack of quality bigs and limited minutes he's had to play.

Kobe has played in seven finals; Duncan has played in six. Kobe has had nine postseasons where his team has played a minimum of 12 games; Duncan has had 10. Not a big discrepancy in "championship basketball" from a team or individual perspective IMO.

And the argument that Kobe was only the best player for 2/5 years is ridiculous. Duncan never had to play with someone like Shaq who would have been more dominant during the 00-02 three peat than anyone in the league, including Duncan.

I think Duncan has now pulled even with Kobe. No way I can definitively pick one over the other.

They are both in my Top 5 players of all time.

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Bingo

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If you put Duncan on the Lakers for the 00-02 and 09-10 title teams, how many Finals MVPs does he win?

Kobe is the better player but Duncan has been more successful.

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but the same has been true for 90% of Kobe's career.

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and Duncan has never gone through his team rebuilding, like kobe has done twice

Since the Spurs drafted Duncan in 1997, the Spurs have never won less than 50 games (not including the 98-99 lockout shortened season). San Antonio has been consistently dominant for so long and has weathered inevitable roster turnover that comes with longevity.

The one big advantage Duncan has had is coach stability. He and Popp have been together since Day 1 & created a foundation that led to these 5 titles.

Kobe might have had more titles if Phil Jackson had coached him his entire career.

Both are Top 10 all-timers in my book. Two ferocious competitors and straight up winners.

they aren't. they are equal. but don't let that get in the way of people's love for hating on kobe or the lakers