Duncan is definitely fading. His knee issues and age are slowly catching up with him.

I know Duncan has time left on his contract, however I wouldn't be surprised if this season or next season is his last.

You can see it now with the coach running plays with other players and lessening the load on Duncan. Robinson received it and now it's Duncan's turn.

Where is Kobe ranked in points per 48 minutes right now? I'm on my phone now so can't check but I would guess he's very high up there. He can't over-do it in the regular season any more. We need him 100% when it matters.

Definitely relying more on smarts and jumpshooting than his athleticism, but that has been the trend for a few years now. Luckily he's no slouch in either of those areas.

Duncan is playing much less minutes and has sat entire 4th quarters (and some 2nd halves) in some wins.

He definitely doesn't have the quickness he used to, but his per/48 production is still very good.

Still top 10 in rebounds, blocks and double/doubles.

It's the first season he has been healthy in a while, and as a Spurs fan I'm happy for his minutes to drop if it means he entersbthe post season fresh.

No doubt he isn't the same player as 2003 - 2005

In regards to Duncan, they have been a few articles about how the are now running the offence through Parker and Manu. The stories have stated that in the off season the Pop and the coaching staff get together for few days and decided what the plans are for the new season and that was one thing that came from the meetings.

Kobe is leading the league in point per 48 minutes with 36.6

Kobe is leading the league in point per 48 minutes with 36.6

There ya go^^^

He's just chillin, you know how it is.

Quagmire you said the same thing about Kobe 2 years ago when he was averaging 38ppg against Denver in the playoffs. He then went on to win the title and funny enough went on to win the title last season as well. The guy is obviously struggling :P

This season Kobe is getting 25ppg, 5rpg, 5apg whilst shooting at his normal healthy rate. He is only getting 33 minutes per game which is down 5 minutes on his career average (if you take out the first two seasons). The reason is in blow outs there is no reason for him to be on the court. The Lakers have the 3rd best record in the NBA. Even in todays game he drove the lane for a two hand dunk that could be considered explosive. Or in two games prior he did a move that the commentators commented was Jordan like.

Kobe still has it, sorry Quagmire :P

Two things to add -

Kobe's 33 Minutes Per Game are by far the lowest of his career since the 1997-98 season when was he a very green 19 year old kid playing off the bench and trying to prove himself. Phil Jackson has wanted to limit Kobe's minutes and he's done it.

Not only is Kobe leading the league in scoring per 48 minutes (as stated by other posters) but his per 48 minutes scoring is the best its been since what it was on 2006-07. And that was in the pre-Gasol days when Kobe needed to gun for 40-50 points for the Lakers to stand a chance.

He's aged but his game and mindset have adapted. And his production level is still very, very high.

And anyway, besides all this per 48 minute stuff...look at the guy’s numbers and the Lakers record. At any age, it implies neither slipping nor sleeping.

Wouldn't "sleeping" imply that Kobe is just coasting and waiting for the finals? With Duncan, it could be a mixture of both.

Duncan had 21 / 16 / 8 /5 against Amare and the Knicks whilst holding Amare to 18 poins on 8/25 shooting.

He can still step up when he has to

Quagmire- you are my favourite poster on hoops. you always make me laugh. Id love to have a beer with you I reckon we would disagree on everything