During the post-Jordan era who has carried the torch?

[Saskibaloia]

At the end of the 1998 season I bought a magazine and it had an article titled: "The Breakdown" as it analysed and evaluated who will be able to carry the torch of Jordan and be able to dominate the league. The different areas of Jordan that were analysed and evaluated were both on and off the court.
The criteria were:

On the court:

Athleticism
Defense
Scoring
Mental toughness
Competitiveness
Leadership
Gracefulness
Championships


Off the court:

Public Relations
Role Model
Community Service
Endorsements
Global appeal

At the end of the article it evaluated that Tim Duncan would carry the torch followed by The Diesel and Kobe was ranked 6th. However, this was back in 1999 and now it is exactly 10 seasons since his "Airness" left the League, so after 10 seasons who has carried the torch. The popular bet among your average NBA fan is that it's Kobe however, if we look objectively speaking on all aspects then it would definitely come down to either Tim Duncan or The Big Diesel.

[donmar]

I would say Shaquille O'Neal at the beginning and then Tim Duncan... but at the moment I think there's a lot of them... it seems that team basketball is becoming more and more important... the Big three thing in San Antonio and Boston produces championship titles.. other superstars sacrificed their salaries and status in exchange to win championships...

[damelo]

I would say Tim Duncan, as he is definitely, the best example as a besketball player you can have, on the court, and off the court. This second point is the one who determines my choice.
Duncan chose to go to the end of his graduation, remember He Got Game and its perfect prospect: education is more important than basketball, Duncan is graduated in psychology. Kobe used to have very difficult relationship with his teammates, he used to be like a young Jordan. Shaq, well, has something too much blingbling for me.

Donmar is right on the fact a group of guys took the place, and this is why they can't shine as much as Mike. They may be better individually, but no one had the momentum thing like it happened for Jordan. No one in a winning team had no contestation, or seemed to be the only one to carry the team. Although Jordan was far from being alone.

[mvblair]

I would say Tim Duncan

Me too. Duncan is an incredible player who has been helped greatly by his teammates (Parker & Ginobili), much like Michael Jordan.

If public relations, role modeling, and community services are factored, I think Shaq and Kobe are pretty much disqualified. Kobe has done a lot to rebuild his reputation since being charged with rape (remember the ring he bought his wife and the tattoo for her the week he was charged?), so that counts against him. Shaq has been too grumpy and forceful off the court. Yes, he jokes a lot with reporters, but he's also been in several public spats with his current and former teammates.

Of course, Michael Jordan had his public problems too. I've criticized him a lot in the past (I need to dig up my old anti-Jordan article) for the same things I just criticized Kobe and Shaq.

But, like Don Omar and Damelo said, recent NBA champions have been defined by great team play: Detroit, San Antonio, and Boston are all perfect examples of excellent teams.

[Khalid80]

I don't think that there is one player who can be considered as carrying the torch in the post MJ era simple because there hasn't been a single player who has been as dominant as him (Unless Kobe and Lebron can win many rings in the upcoming years).
I agree with u guys that the closest candidates to be considered are Tim and Shaq. Since 1998, 8 Championships were won between the 2 players (4 for Duncan: 1999, 2003, 2005, and 2007 and 4 for Shaq: 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2006).
Tim though has the advantage due to his classy off-court behavior (As compared to Shaq's flamboyant character off-court).

[rikhardur]

I don't think that there is one player who can be considered as carrying the torch in the post MJ era simple because there hasn't been a single player who has been as dominant as him

Ditto.

[Lewis]

Kevin Martin. Period!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[donmar]

Kevin Martin. Period!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Suck! ... period!!!!

[pepman]

Tim Duncan at his best!
1999
2003
2005
2007

[Saskibaloia]

Kevin Martin...

= very unusual jumpshot ... but he does get them in so u can't complain

Tim Duncan at his best!
1999
2003
2005
2007

Just demonstrates that he is the closest thing .. well along with Shaq Daddy in carrying the torch ... BUT ... Duncan is also able to carry it off the court!

[Lewis]

Suck! ... period!!!!

ROFLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLZ
he what???? I'm sorry if I laugh too loud DOOD but it seems that u don' even know 'im

Now can u explain me HOW COM' !!!!!!!! an over 20 PPG, 5 RPG, 2 APG and among the leaders in stealing inthe league can suck??????

I REALLY DON' GET IT THOU
U getter cath some Kings games after saying something like that, just so u could speak more eloquently (PERIOD!!!!!!!!!!!)

[donmar]

ROFLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLZ
he what???? I'm sorry if I laugh too loud DOOD but it seems that u don' even know 'im

Now can u explain me HOW COM' !!!!!!!! an over 20 PPG, 5 RPG, 2 APG and among the leaders in stealing inthe league can suck??????

I REALLY DON' GET IT THOU
U getter cath some Kings games after saying something like that, just so u could speak more eloquently (PERIOD!!!!!!!!!!!)

how could a guy who is 26th pick overall... with no individual awards... NO CHAMPIONSHIPS... could be qualified for carrying the torch in the post-Jordan era?