Who's Legacy Will Be More Hurt By A Loss In The Finals: Tim Duncan Or Lebron James?

**Gonz312** · 06-01-14, 12:25 AM

Bron easy...he would be 2-2 in the finals in his prime..but even then he has plenty of time to add to his legacy even if he loses. Duncan was 4-0 in his prime and would be 4-2 overall with the 2 losses coming as a 37-38 yr old. Not many players play until they are 38, let alone being big pieces to contending teams, most are end of the bench vets.

**Seaweed** · 06-01-14, 12:26 AM

Originally posted by Gonz312

Bron easy...he would be 2-2 in the finals in his prime. Duncan was 4-0 in his prime and would be 4-2 overall with the 2 losses coming as a 37-38 yr old. Not many players play until they are 38, let alone being big pieces to contending teams, most are end of the bench vets.

Good point, but isn't San Antonio the better team?

**akphidelt** · 06-01-14, 12:27 AM

Bron for sure, just the fact old man river made it to another championship boosts his legacy.

**Gonz312** · 06-01-14, 12:29 AM

Originally posted by Seaweed

Good point, but isn't San Antonio the better team?

Maybe so but isn't Bron the best player on the planet? His legacy goes as he goes since he is in his prime. Duncan's legacy can only improve the farther he gets in the playoffs win or lose because he is 38...still being fed in the post in crunch time in the WCF's when the best player on that team is hurt (TP). I really don't see how his legacy can be affected negatively by 2 straight losses in the finals at his age. TP's legacy will suffer though because he is essentially still in his prime and the head of the snake for these spurs teams.

**Roadtrip635** · 06-01-14, 12:43 AM

Gonz is right about part of it. Timmy is already considered one of the GOATs and already has 4 rings, to get back to the Finals after last year's loss just adds another page to his legacy. If he loses, he would have lost to one of the greats in his prime. LeBron will take criticism just because it's LeBron, but don't see it tarnishing his legacy. If Lebron loses, he would have lost to one of the great teams in NBA history and 5 time champ Tim Duncan and Coach Pop. The only way losing this Finals might somehow tarnish either one of theirs legacy, might be to get swept.

**gregm** · 06-01-14, 12:58 AM

Win or lose Tim Duncans legacy will never be tarnished by this series. Lebron will never match what Duncan did with the Spurs because he wont play on one team like Tim Duncan did with the Spurs. The Spurs are one of the great dynasties of all time. Duncan has 4 rings,a 14 time all star, 2 time nba mvp , three time mvp in the finals. Every year the same thing, they wont be that good this year, are too old,blah blah blah

The Spurs hold the longest active consecutive playoffs appearance with 17 appearances since Popovich took over in 1996.

17 seasons	San Antonio Spurs^	1998–2014	4 (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007)	^[2]
7 seasons	Atlanta Hawks	2008–2014	—	^[3]
6 seasons	Miami Heat~	2009–2014	2 (2012-2013)	^[4]
6 seasons	Chicago Bulls	2009–2014	—	^[5]
5 seasons	Oklahoma City Thunder	2010–2014	—	^[6]
4 seasons	Indiana Pacers	2011–2014	—	^[7]
4 seasons	Memphis Grizzlies^	2011–2014	—	^[8]
3 seasons	Los Angeles Clippers~	2012–2014	—	^[9]
2 seasons	Brooklyn Nets	2013–2014	—	^[10]
2 season	Houston Rockets	2013–2014	—	^[11]
2 season	Golden State Warriors	2013–2014	—	^[12]
1 season	Toronto Raptors

**homie1975** · 06-01-14, 01:00 AM

Lebrons no doubt about it. Not even close. Duncan and co were not expected to get here again ladt yr and this yr when u cobsider the age of him and ginobili and the last title run was 2007

**brainfreeze** · 06-01-14, 01:00 AM

Originally posted by Roadtrip635

Gonz is right about part of it. Timmy is already considered one of the GOATs and already has 4 rings, to get back to the Finals after last year's loss just adds another page to his legacy. If he loses, he would have lost to one of the greats in his prime. LeBron will take criticism just because it's LeBron, but don't see it tarnishing his legacy. If Lebron loses, he would have lost to one of the great teams in NBA history and 5 time champ Tim Duncan and Coach Pop. The only way losing this Finals might somehow tarnish either one of theirs legacy, might be to get swept.

I like option 2, let Duncan go out with a bang. Im not saying he's going anywhere but how old is he now?

**homie1975** · 06-01-14, 01:04 AM

Duncan is 38

**Plaza23** · 06-01-14, 01:08 AM

Probably Lebron.
2 Finals wins
3 Finals losses

Thats the anti-Michael Jordan.

**brainfreeze** · 06-01-14, 01:09 AM

Originally posted by homie1975

Duncan is 38

How many is that in NBA years?

**homie1975** · 06-01-14, 01:21 AM

Originally posted by brainfreeze

How many is that in NBA years?

18 completed i think. At least 17

**homie1975** · 06-01-14, 01:24 AM

Originally posted by Plaza23

Probably Lebron.
2 Finals wins
3 Finals losses

Thats the anti-Michael Jordan.

everyone except bill russell is anti jordan then. Barkley 0-1. How many did oscar robertson have? Wilt only won 2. Ewing 0-1. Domonique wilkins no appearances. Kobe has lost twice in the finals.

lebron may lose this year but he's far from done. Check back in 8 years and we can tally it then

SMH

**STAX** · 06-01-14, 04:16 AM

I dont think it hurts either guys legacy. Both LeBron and Duncan have alot to gain. Duncan, probably, is the best PF to play the game, but he cements his status on the all time starting 5 with a win in this series. Homie is right, LeBron still has 8 to 10 yrs left, but how many shots do you get at a 3-peat? Jordan did it twice... Im sorry if you want to be compared to Jordan, you have to do what Jordan did. Jordan 3-peated twice... so LeBron, I think youve proven it goes 1. Jordan 2. LeBron 3. Everyone else, but you gotta do what Jordan did and even more if you want to be considered the best ever. I think if LeBron 3 peats once in his career, and wins 7 titles... you get my vote as the best ever. If you win 7 titles and never 3peat? Thats a tough question? 3 peating is part of the conversation when we are talking about the greatest to ever lace up a pair of sneakers

**bigtymer56** · 06-01-14, 04:33 AM

Originally posted by STAX

I dont think it hurts either guys legacy. Both LeBron and Duncan have alot to gain. Duncan, probably, is the best PF to play the game, but he cements his status on the all time starting 5 with a win in this series. Homie is right, LeBron still has 8 to 10 yrs left, but how many shots do you get at a 3-peat? Jordan did it twice... Im sorry if you want to be compared to Jordan, you have to do what Jordan did. Jordan 3-peated twice... so LeBron, I think youve proven it goes 1. Jordan 2. LeBron 3. Everyone else, but you gotta do what Jordan did and even more if you want to be considered the best ever. I think if LeBron 3 peats once in his career, and wins 7 titles... you get my vote as the best ever. If you win 7 titles and never 3peat? Thats a tough question? 3 peating is part of the conversation when we are talking about the greatest to ever lace up a pair of sneakers

Agree with this.

**STAX** · 06-01-14, 04:37 AM

also why I think the NBA has no need to fix this series, and we should see clean officiating throughout

**SharkAA** · 06-01-14, 09:47 AM

Talking about a legacy? Really? I hate to piss on your bonfire, but a team is a key to win a ring, not an individual player. Barkley, Malone, Stockton haven't won a championship and yet, they went down in history as the NBA's greatest players. So will LeBron and Duncan.

**KiDBaZkiT** · 06-01-14, 11:13 AM

Your nba threads are worthless.

**Cuse0323** · 06-01-14, 11:15 AM

Duncan will be the greatest PF of all-time for a long time, if not forever.

**seaborneq** · 06-01-14, 02:45 PM

Duncan is cement, lebron is molding clay. Duncan passes shaq as the eras' premier big man if he wins this one, passes Kobe too if he is finals MVP. Lebron gets closer to Mount Rushmore and leaves out any debating who the all time best small forward in nba history. Knocks bird off the list. Which is a good thing.

**jjgold** · 06-01-14, 03:08 PM

It doesn't hurt LeBron because they're not favored to win this series

I think it doesn't hurt either one

If Duncan when he's moving up the ladder as the greatest of all times

**homie1975** · 06-01-14, 04:21 PM

Originally posted by jjgold

It doesn't hurt LeBron because they're not favored to win this series

I think it doesn't hurt either one

If Duncan when he's moving up the ladder as the greatest of all times

hurts lebron more for sure. Timmy is 4-1 in finals. LeBron is 2-2. LeBron needs it more for legacy purposes

**The Giant** · 06-01-14, 04:36 PM

Duncan's legacy is already set.

Whether San Antonio wins or not, he's already the greatest power forward ever.

**jjgold** · 06-01-14, 04:38 PM

Duncan seems to be playing like he did when he was 25

Not a real drop off in stats

consistent as ever

**cane** · 06-01-14, 04:46 PM

Originally posted by jjgold

It doesn't hurt LeBron because they're not favored to win this series

I think it doesn't hurt either one

If Duncan when he's moving up the ladder as the greatest of all times

Holy shit, JJ you actually posted something that makes sense, i'm not used to that. Anyway, you are absolutely correct, it won't hurt the legacy of either one. Duncan is already regarded as an all time great, and coming up short back to back years against what would be considered one of the all time teams (should Miami win), will in no way tarnish his legacy. As for Lebron, if he loses, he still has four consecutive finals appearances, winning twice, and he's only 29. He's still in the prime of his career, so there isn't any need to start talking about legacy with him, let's wait four or five years down the road, then we can talk about his legacy, until then it's to soon.

**STAX** · 06-01-14, 04:48 PM

I agree Duncan is already an all time great but this title cements him as the greatest PF off all time, bar none, no arguement end of story. Right now its debateable even though I still say hes the best PF ever

**44 Mag** · 06-01-14, 04:48 PM

Originally posted by Seaweed

This is a tough one

Hey man, do you have a job or work for a living??? Or do you just come up with these ridiculous threads because you have nothing else to do?? And the same kiss ass friends answer all the time like anybody listens to them. I mean really WTF, why don't you select a winner once in a while?????

**cane** · 06-01-14, 04:49 PM

Originally posted by jjgold

Duncan seems to be playing like he did when he was 25

Not a real drop off in stats

consistent as ever

There is one stat where there is a drop-off, minutes played. The reason he's been able to be so productive late in his career is he has a great coach who knows how to manage the playing time of his veteran players.

**Doc JS** · 06-01-14, 04:51 PM

Neither...both will go down as two of the best (if not THE best, in LBJs case) to ever play the game.

**seaborneq** · 06-01-14, 08:10 PM

If Duncan wins he has 5 rings, lebron will eventually get 5 rings someway somehow. Lebron will play in the next 4-5 finals.

**d2bets** · 06-01-14, 08:14 PM

Def Lebron. Everyone knows what Duncan is and he's not vying to be the best all time.

**homie1975** · 06-01-14, 08:19 PM

Originally posted by seaborneq

If Duncan wins he has 5 rings, lebron will eventually get 5 rings someway somehow. Lebron will play in the next 4-5 finals.

doubtful. it will take so much good fortune around him with guys not getting hurt, not leaving the team etc etc.

this is the first time a team has made 4 straight finals since the celtics 84-87, and you're ready to give him at least 4 more in a row to make it 8 in a row total?

that's insane

**seaborneq** · 06-01-14, 08:22 PM

Originally posted by homie1975

doubtful. it will take so much good fortune around him with guys not getting hurt, not leaving the team etc etc.

this is the first time a team has made 4 straight finals since the celtics 84-87, and you're ready to give him at least 4 more in a row to make it 8 in a row total?

that's insane

Name the superstar(s) in the east who will keep lebron from making the finals the next 4-5 years. The list won't be very long.

**jaykarrels** · 06-01-14, 08:43 PM

LeBron's legacy for sure. Not only because it's the truth, but there are a lot more LeBron haters than Duncan haters.