Top big forward showdown! Duncan and Malone played 36 times, but he was blown up
The NBA is now more recognized as the first big forward in history is definitely Tim Duncan, but now some Karl Malone fans seem to be not very convinced, as the famous "uncrowned king" in NBA history, if there is no Jordan, Malone must be the first person in the NBA active duty that year, then who is strong and who is weak, look at their 36 encounters to understand.
When Duncan entered the league, Malone reached the end of his career, but Malone's stats did not decline very much. Duncan averaged 39.6 minutes per game in 36 meetings, had 23.8 points, 11 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.4 blocks, shooting 51.6% from the field and a record of 20-16. Malone had 38.4 minutes and had 19.4 points, 9.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 0.8 blocks, shooting 42.9 percent from the field.
The first time the two met, Duncan was 21 years old, Malone was 34 years old, considering that Malone's competitive state was not bad at that time, the two were basically equal, but Duncan's data was an upward data, and Malone was gradually declining, it is worth mentioning that Duncan is a typical college star player, the game experience is still OK, but there is no Malone in the league for so many years.
Throughout the 19 years of their careers, Duncan averaged 34 minutes per game, was able to get 19 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3 assists, 2.17 blocks, shot 50.6% from the field, and had a total of 26,496 points, 15,091 rebounds, 4,225 assists, and 3,020 blocks in his career, while Malone averaged 37.2 minutes per game, 25 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.41 steals and 0.78 blocks, shooting 51.6%, shooting 51.6%. He had 36,928 points, 14,968 rebounds, 5,248 assists and 1,145 blocks in his career.
In fact, the gap between the two can be seen here, Malone's offensive efficiency is more outstanding, and Duncan's defense is better, and Duncan is more versatile than Malone. After all, Duncan has experienced 3 eras in the NBA, and he can even win the NBA championship when the small ball is about to rise, and you must know that the Heat's interior line at that time was not so strong, they mainly relied on the Big Three to play small ball, but there were not as many three-pointers as now.
The two men's playoff stats are more reflective of this, Duncan played 251 playoff games, averaging 20.6 points, 11.4 rebounds, 3 assists and 2.26 blocks per game, Malone was 24.7 points, 10.7 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.34 steals, Duncan shot 50.1%, and Malone was only 46.3%.
This can also be seen that Duncan is more efficient in the playoffs, and Malone's hard injury is not a very good honor, although Malone once took the regular season MVP from Duncan's hand, but the MVP of that session, in fact, sent to Duncan and Malone can be anyone, the NBA is somewhat biased towards Malone. So Duncan is the number one big striker in NBA history, which should be a no-doubt.