[kidcolin]

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Big guys > Wing players

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debatable

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Not really. Scarcity makes them more valuable even if you think that they have equal impact on the court (which they don't). Kobe is a better basketball player than Duncan. Better skills in almost every measurable area. But he's not nearly as valuable. San Antonio wouldn't trade Duncan for LeBron, for Kobe, for Wade. No chance. Championships are more significant than jersey sales.

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Kobe might be more talented but he isn't a better basketball player than Duncan. Guarding the paint is huge in the NBA. Most teams don't have it and truly need it. Kobe is a great force, great wing defender but if you can't guard the paint you can't win in the NBA.

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Glad someone pointed this out. People screw up the scarcity/value/"talent"/better thing too much. The problem with a statement like "better skills in almost every measurable area" is that "skills" almost always means athletic ability and shooting (jump shot, ft's, etc). Is Kobe a better rebounder? No. Does he defend his position better than Duncan defends his? No. Is he a better help defender? No. Does he pass out of double teams as effectively? No.

It's got nothing to do with scarcity. It has everything to do with the definition of "skill". I mean, there were plenty of great 2s in the league in MJ's time, and you couldn't make the same argument. David Robinson/Olajuwon would be swapped for MJ straight up in a heartbeat.