Comparison: Tim Duncan vs. Tyler Hansbrough

One of the features on this site is going to be player comparisons from different eras. I am not going to research the comparison going on, they will simply be similar players from different eras. I will then present the comparison, give my opinion and open it up for comments.

The first one is between two of the best big men to patrol the paint in the ACC: Tim Duncan vs. Tyler Hansbrough

Statsheet.com gives us their senior year comparison:

Senior Year

What jumps out at me from that single year comparison is that Hansbrough was a significantly better scorer that season. Despite the fact that he used fewer possessions (26.5 to Duncan's 29.7) and averaged fewer minutes per game, he scored the same amount of points per game (which obviously translates into a higher points per 40). This was a bit shocking for me at first, as I did not think Hansbrough was as big a factor in the offensive game his senior year but he still managed to be better than Duncan.

Obviously though, basketball is just not about points and this is where Duncan shines. He averaged 6 more rebounds, 2 more assists and 3 more blocks than Hansbrough did that season. Hansbrough was too busy adjusting his shorts to be an asset to the UNC team on the defensive end.

Duncan was a defensive force in the middle for the Demon Deacons as he won Defensive Player of the Year (national) 3 straight seasons! Although he was often the second offensive option on Wake behind Randolph Childress, he was invaluable on the defensive end.

We see similar trends throughout the careers of these two players. Let's compare the two careers side by side on a per game basis.

Duncan: 16.5 points, 12.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 3.8 blocks, 2.6 turnovers, 57% FG, 69% FT
Hansbrough: 20.2 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.5 blocks, (no turnover stats), 53% FG, 79% FT

As you can see, similar trends of the senior season affect the career of these players. Duncan was more of an all around force while Hansbrough made his mark 15 feet and in on the offensive end. Duncan was in double digit rebounds all but one year (freshman: 9.6) while Hansbrough reached that mark only once.

The main factor that separates these two players for me is the defense. As mentioned, Duncan was a 3 time DPOY while Hansbrough was not seen as a defensive liability but it was definitely not his strength and I think as though teams felt they could attack him with their post players.

What we have here is two of the great forwards in all-time ACC history. Team success and media hype may lead you to believe that Hansbrough was better than Duncan but this is not a team comparison here. There is no doubt (eschewing NBA comparisons) that Duncan was the better college player. He was similar on the offensive end, controlled the glass and was one of the top defensive players to play the game.

Let's go to the results:

Due to the fact that Hansbrough was a great offensive player and all he did for his team, he is no doubt going to go down as a top ACC player of all time. He can't live up to the contributions that Duncan gave to his team on both ends of the court, however, as he fell short in all other categories. This may look close in theory but the stats show that Duncan was an all around better player.

Duncan >> Hansbrough

Rating system:

= : Comparison is too close to call
> : Slight edge
>> : One player was significantly better
>>> : Call up AAA, this comparison was not even close
>>>> : Comparison was a waste of time, it's obvious who is better (hopefully it will never come to this)