Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Download
Lakers Nation
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • 2024-2025 regular season
    • 2024 preseason
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App

Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Download
Lakers Nation
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • 2024-2025 regular season
    • 2024 preseason
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App
Search
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • 2024 preseason
    • 2024-2025 regular season
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Lakers Nation > Blog > Lakers News > NBA Generational Greats‏: Kobe Bryant vs. Tim Duncan
Lakers News

NBA Generational Greats‏: Kobe Bryant vs. Tim Duncan

Gabriel Lee
Published: 06/04/2013
9 Min Read
SHARE

tim-duncan-kobe-bryant
We’ve been spoiled by the staying power of Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan. What they have both just accomplished this season, in their 17th and 16th season respectively is unimaginable. Both players were rightfully named to the All-NBA First Team last week alongside Chris Paul, Kevin Durant and LeBron James.

There are no words in the English language that can properly express my admiration for Bryant and Duncan to be voted as two of the top five best players in the league at this stage of their careers.

Let’s contextualize.

The first time Duncan made the All-NBA First Team was in 1997-98. His teammates on that team were Karl Malone, Shaquille O’Neal, Gary Payton and a guy named Michael Jordan.

‘The Big Fundamental’ was drafted first overall by the San Antonio Spurs in the 1997 Draft. The only players who are still playing in the NBA from that draft class are Chauncey Billups, Tracy McGrady and Duncan.

The first time Bryant made the All-NBA First Team was in 2001-02. His teammates on that team were Shaq, T-Mac, Jason Kidd and Duncan.

The Black Mamba was drafted 13th overall by the Charlotte Hornets in the 1996 Draft. The only players who are still playing in the NBA from that draft class are Marcus Camby, Ray Allen, Steve Nash and Derek Fisher.

—- Test your black mamba knowledge by taking this Kobe Bryant quiz! —-

Read those last four paragraphs again to let it sink in.

Bryant and Duncan are anomalies, outliers, not normal, etc.

When their peers they were drafted with are all either a shell of their former athletic selves or have transitioned into coaching basketball, these two have remained at the top of their profession as excellent basketball players.

One last tidbit that amazes me before I move into the premise of this column: Bryant and Duncan shared the cover of Sports Illustrated on May 31, 1999. Fourteen years later, the two of them were named to the All-NBA first team in May of 2013.

That type of sustained excellence is unheard of in North American professional sports. We see veterans stick around to provide a locker room presence, but to be the one of the best players on a championship contending team like Duncan or to be the reason your team makes the playoffs like Bryant? Once in a blue moon.

Only Kevin Garnett and the New York Yankees’ Derek Jeter can even be mentioned in that conversation for this generation.

Duncan and his San Antonio Spurs are set to face the Miami Heat in the NBA finals starting Thursday, June 6th.

If the Spurs end up being crowned champions, it will be Duncan’s fifth title in his career, equaling Bryant’s output. So naturally, the pundits and fans want to know which one of these wily veterans are the best of their generation.

Let’s use this as a starting point.

Next Page: Breaking Down the Greatness of Tim Duncan and Kobe Bryant

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
12Next Page
ByGabriel Lee
Follow:
Lee joined Lakers Nation in 2011 as a staff writer and attended Ryerson University in Toronto for journalism. To read more of Gabe's work for Lakers Nation click here. Follow Gabe on Twitter @therealgaber.
eric-lakers@gmail.com _

Los Angeles Lakers

27.8K Subscribers
Add to Calendar
POWERED BY
calendar_view_day
No Upcoming Events
Add to Calendar and you'll be the first to know when new events are announced.
Past Events
THU

1

may
Timberwolves (W) at Lakers (L)
Thu, May 1 | 2:00 AM · Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA
Timberwolves (W) at Lakers (L)
✔ Los Angeles Lakers(96) - Minnesota Timberwolves(103)
SUN

27

apr
Lakers (L) at Timberwolves (W)
Sun, Apr 27 | 7:30 PM · Target Center, 600 First Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN
Lakers (L) at Timberwolves (W)
✔ Minnesota Timberwolves(116) - Los Angeles Lakers(113)
SAT

26

apr
Lakers (L) at Timberwolves (W)
Sat, Apr 26 | 1:30 AM · Target Center, 600 First Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN
Lakers (L) at Timberwolves (W)
✔ Minnesota Timberwolves(116) - Los Angeles Lakers(104)
WED

23

apr
Timberwolves (L) at Lakers (W)
Wed, Apr 23 | 2:00 AM · Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA
Timberwolves (L) at Lakers (W)
✔ Los Angeles Lakers(94) - Minnesota Timberwolves(85)
SUN

20

apr
Timberwolves (W) at Lakers (L)
Sun, Apr 20 | 12:30 AM · Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA
Timberwolves (W) at Lakers (L)
✔ Los Angeles Lakers(95) - Minnesota Timberwolves(117)
SUN

13

apr
Lakers (L) at Trail Blazers (W)
Sun, Apr 13 | 7:30 PM · Moda Center, 1 Center Court, Portland, OR
Lakers (L) at Trail Blazers (W)
✔ Portland Trail Blazers(109) - Los Angeles Lakers(81)
SAT

12

apr
Rockets (L) at Lakers (W)
Sat, Apr 12 | 2:30 AM · Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA
Rockets (L) at Lakers (W)
✔ Los Angeles Lakers(140) - Houston Rockets(109)
WED

9

apr
Lakers (W) at Mavericks (L)
Wed, Apr 9 | 11:30 PM · American Airlines Center, 2500 Victory Avenue, Dallas, TX
Lakers (W) at Mavericks (L)
✔ Dallas Mavericks(97) - Los Angeles Lakers(112)
WED

9

apr
Lakers (L) at Thunder (W)
Wed, Apr 9 | 12:00 AM · Paycom Center, 100 W. Reno Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK
Lakers (L) at Thunder (W)
✔ Oklahoma City Thunder(136) - Los Angeles Lakers(120)
SUN

6

apr
Lakers (W) at Thunder (L)
Sun, Apr 6 | 7:30 PM · Paycom Center, 100 W. Reno Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK
Lakers (W) at Thunder (L)
✔ Oklahoma City Thunder(99) - Los Angeles Lakers(126)
SAT

5

apr
Pelicans (L) at Lakers (W)
Sat, Apr 5 | 2:30 AM · Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA
Pelicans (L) at Lakers (W)
✔ Los Angeles Lakers(124) - New Orleans Pelicans(108)
FRI

4

apr
Warriors (W) at Lakers (L)
Fri, Apr 4 | 2:00 AM · Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA
Warriors (W) at Lakers (L)
✔ Los Angeles Lakers(116) - Golden State Warriors(123)
TUE

1

apr
Rockets (L) at Lakers (W)
Tue, Apr 1 | 2:00 AM · Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA
Rockets (L) at Lakers (W)
✔ Los Angeles Lakers(104) - Houston Rockets(98)
SUN

30

mar
Lakers (W) at Grizzlies (L)
Sun, Mar 30 | 12:00 AM · FedExForum, 191 Beale Street, Memphis, TN
Lakers (W) at Grizzlies (L)
✔ Memphis Grizzlies(127) - Los Angeles Lakers(134)
FRI

28

mar
Lakers (L) at Bulls (W)
Fri, Mar 28 | 12:00 AM · United Center, 1901 W Madison Street, Chicago, IL
Lakers (L) at Bulls (W)
✔ Chicago Bulls(119) - Los Angeles Lakers(117)
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get breaking Lakers News direct to your inbox.

Categories

  • News
  • Rumors
  • Games
  • History

Information

  • Advertise
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking Lakers News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?