Malone had 1107 more steals, not 2000? Not to mention Duncan is still playing. That is just grasping at straws.

BTW the head to head stats aren't MY stats, that is what actually happened. Of course they weren't playing one-on-one, but when comparing great players of the same position head to head matters. It's amazing that Duncan outscored Malone h2h even while competing with Robinson for points. There are always two sides to every story.

When comparing greats, winning matters and championships matter. One has 5 world championships the other 0. Even if Malone didn't have to play Jordan's Bulls, he could've only won two titles since he only made the finals twice. Accruing stats is something great players inherently do, winning championships requires beating teams when they are at their best and trying their hardest. Duncan showed he could, Malone couldn't. Playoffs are where legends are made.

Malone was a great defender, I never suggested otherwise. I think he was the second greatest PF of all time. That in its own right is very amazing. Duncan is an elite defender. On defense, Malone committed 1,400 more fouls! That is a high price to pay for those extra steals. Imagine how many points that cost his team. Duncan had almost 2,000 more blocks despite not fouling nearly as often as the mailman.


How about these stats to further the argument. Malone had 1,233 more turnovers than Duncan and Duncan out-rebounds Malone on the offensive boards by 1 rebound (4.3 to 3.3) per 100 possessions. Should I say their offensive skills are a wash? Probably.