5 reasons Tim Duncan was better than Kevin Garnett

Feb 16, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Western Conference forward Tim Duncan (21) of the San Antonio Spurs and Eastern Conference center/forward Kevin Garnett (5) of the Boston Celtics talk during practice for the 2013 NBA All-Star game at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

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Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Longevity

Garnett played in the NBA longer than Duncan, which certainly counts for something. However, it isn’t as important as the longevity of their respective dominance. Garnett was a killer player from 1996 to 2008. But age hit him quite hard after 2013. Meanwhile, Duncan was a dominant player from 1997 to 2013.

Both were dominant players and defined an era of power forwards. But Duncan was better for longer than Garnett. Garnett probably had the best three-year period of the two from 2003-06. However, Duncan was very close to Garnett, even during KG’s best years.

It’s worth noting that Duncan sustained his dominance despite constantly playing into May and June. The Spurs never missed the postseason with Duncan and only had four first round exits in 19 seasons. Duncan never got the benefit of a long offseason, something that Garnett tragically experienced towards the end of his tenure with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Garnett’s dominance should be applauded. It’s rare to see a player almost single-handedly carry his team to the playoffs like he did. But Duncan was greater for longer than Garnett, and he did it despite never having the benefit for a long offseason. Give me Duncan’s career over Garnett’s, as great as Garnett’s was.

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