The Big Fundamental > The Big Cactus

Although you could certainly argue that Shaq has been the more dominant, imposing player in comparison to Duncan, Shaq has two big negatives going against him.

1. His free throw shooting is dismal. Shows the doesn't really care to be a complete player.

2. Duncan and Shaq each have four NBA titles. I would argue Shaq has had the benefit of an additional transcendent player on those Championship teams; Kobe and Wade. Duncan has not had that benefit.

I don't think you could make a strong arguement that Parker or Robinson (in that point of his career) were transcendent players on those teams. Integral to the success of those teams for sure though.
 
Where do you put Wilt on the all-time list due to his bad free-throw percentage? He connected on only .511 percent, including a career low of .380 during the 1967-68 season.
 
Shaq has marketed himself well. Duncan is all about results. I'd take Duncan everyday.
 
Duncan gets plenty of recognition. I don't know where you're getting this from. And he'll get way more once his career is over.
 
I appreciate Tim Duncan. I really fear the Spurs will go into a 10 year drought when he retires. They'll still have Parker and Manu, but I doubt they can carry a team to a Title.
 
Duncan is a quiet, unassuming player who doesn't engage in any kind of self-promotion. Heck, his nickname of "The Big Fundamental" is in keeping with his focus on the basics. He also plays for the small-market Spurs, which is poetically just given his personality.

For his numerous NCAA (player of the year) and NBA awards (two MVPs, four titles, three championship MVPs, etc) , I feel he just doesn't get the recognition he really deserves if he were playing for, say, the Lakers or Bulls. Just my two cents.
 
Duncan gets recognition. He doesn't get hype. He's not a brute, like Shaq, or electrifying like James. And he doesn't crave the spotlight like them either. He just does the job and does it well. He never says much, and never sticks his foot in his mouth. Maybe if he came out with a rap album, it would even things up. I think he could tear up a remake of "Must Be the Money."
 
I think his name should be changed from The Big Fundamental to The Big F'ing Cry Baby. The guy thinks he's fouled every time he touches the ball. Then he'll ride the ref about it for 2 trips down the court. He's a good player, I just wish he wasn't such a *****.
 
When I see Shaq, I see unfulfilled potential -- a guy who constantly came into camp out of shape. A guy who never expanded his game beyond 5 feet. A guy who was lazy on defense and refused to show on pick and rolls. And that's not even mentioning his free throw shooting. Shaq should have been the greatest basketball player of all time with his physical gifts. He never had the drive or discipline that Duncan has.
 
Those two have had wars in the playoffs in the last decade.

Head-to-head playoff series record between the 2: 3-3 (Duncan won in 99, 03 and 08, Shaq won in 01, 02, and 04)
Head-to-head playoff games record between the 2: 15-15

In addition:

Championship count between the 2: 4-4
Finals MVP count between the 2: 3-3
In reply to:
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Duncan almost never used to complain about the refs when he first came into the league - which is in keeping with the rest of his personality. Eventually he figured out that to get calls like a star, you have to complain like one.
 
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