A way-too-early comparison to the 2010 squad...

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

amare got micro surgery in 2005

I moved the goalposts from 2010 team to apex amare vs apex Ayton.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

True. But again, that’s why I said apex Ayton. I believe Ayton will grow into an even more substantial defender. He’s more athletic than Duncan with similar size. If his peak exceeds Duncan’s (as a defender only - I doubt we’ll ever see the full game Duncan had from Ayton) it would be a true clash of Titans

Still kind of crazy to think that Ayton is probably a good 4-6 years from his peak right now. Even Booker is just starting to enter his prime at this point.

Hopefully we can keep these guys together for a long time.

 

[itlnsunsfan]

True. But again, that’s why I said apex Ayton. I believe Ayton will grow into an even more substantial defender. He’s more athletic than Duncan with similar size. If his peak exceeds Duncan’s (as a defender only - I doubt we’ll ever see the full game Duncan had from Ayton) it would be a true clash of Titans

Duncan is one of the greatest defensive players of all time. For Ayton to exceed him, he'd be approaching THE greatest defensive player of all time. You think apex Ayton could be that good?

 

[AzStevenCal]

Duncan is one of the greatest defensive players of all time. For Ayton to exceed him, he'd be approaching THE greatest defensive player of all time. You think apex Ayton could be that good?

Duncan was a great low post defender and much better than most bigs defending the pick and roll but I wonder if he'd be as effective in today's game having to guard in space so much more often? Regardless, if Ayton, defensively, can become similarly effective in today's game as Duncan was in his prime, I think we'd all be pretty thrilled.

 

[GatorAZ]

I think pre-micro fracture Amare would eat Ayton's lunch. Even Duncan couldn't stop him.

And vice versa.

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[itlnsunsfan]

Duncan was a great low post defender and much better than most bigs defending the pick and roll but I wonder if he'd be as effective in today's game having to guard in space so much more often? Regardless, if Ayton, defensively, can become similarly effective in today's game as Duncan was in his prime, I think we'd all be pretty thrilled.

That's a worthy question, but my guess is he'd do just fine. I think we tend to forget how great a defensive player Duncan was. Just want to leave this here.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/syndic...e-greatest-nba-defenders-of-all-time.amp.html

 

[AzStevenCal]

That's a worthy question, but my guess is he'd do just fine. I think we tend to forget how great a defensive player Duncan was. Just want to leave this here.

Oh, I'm sure he would. I'm just not sure he'd be "as effective" as he had been. I could be wrong but I raise that question because I remember some of the issues he had playing international ball (FIBA and Olympics).

 

[itlnsunsfan]

Oh, I'm sure he would. I'm just not sure he'd be "as effective" as he had been. I could be wrong but I raise that question because I remember some of the issues he had playing international ball (FIBA and Olympics).

I wasn't aware of those struggles. Good point.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Duncan is one of the greatest defensive players of all time. For Ayton to exceed him, he'd be approaching THE greatest defensive player of all time. You think apex Ayton could be that good?

I got carried away

 

[itlnsunsfan]

I got carried away

Lol I wish man. I wish.