Regarding Shaq vs Duncan, I can't really recall Duncan ever getting the better of Shaq when they played head to head. They did sweep the Lakers during the 1999 playoffs but the Lakers didn't know how to win then in the playoffs. Shaq was dealing with Duncan and Robinson, Robinson was still in his prime. To me Shaq was the more dominating player, in my lifetime I have never seen a more dominant center than Shaq was from 2000-2002. He is only 1 of 2 players to win 3 straight Finals MVP's, Jordan being the other one. I know Wilt did have a few of the most dominating seasons - see 1962. Duncan won 1 more Championship 5-4 but never even won a back to back, Shaq 3Peated and it was really only he and Kobe that carried most of that load. The last Championship Duncan won, Leonard was their best player, and in 2007 when the Spurs won Tony Parker won Finals MVP. Duncan also had Manu for most of his career and had Robinson to learn from at the beginning.
Now don't get me wrong,
Duncan was a magnificent player and having him rated at 11th I am sure Spurs fans would be cussing me out but every player I have rated in front of him were all great as well. I would've had Bill Russell rated higher but his offensive liabilities is why he isn't in that top 5 range. Bill Simmons has him rated 2nd but he loves the Celtics. He wasn't near the offensive player Kareem or Wilt was. He could still give you 20 a game which is good but his strengths were rebounding and defense. Russ has to be top 10 though because he won 11 Championships, 8 of those Championships were won only having to win 2 series but still 11!
When I look at Magic vs LeBron, what stands out to me is this:
-Magic was simply more efficient and more clutch- see 1987 vs the Celtics. Magic shot 52% from the field and 84.8% from the line in his career. LeBron is at 50.4% from the field and only 73.3% from the line. Those 2 players have relied on efficiency a lot. If Magic got fouled late in games, he was money from the line, LeBron isn't and both love to drive to the basket. That is critical late in games. Magic also is the all-time leader in NBA history in Assist per season average at 11.2 over 12 full seasons. His final record is 5-4, LeBron's is 4-6. It is fun to debate this stuff though
.
When it comes to Larry Bird, he could do it all. Score, pass, rebound, and play defense. He played decent D and he was slow lol. In today's league he would dominate because he would be a stretch 4, he wouldn't play the SF spot IMO. He would tear it up from 3. In the modern era, he is still the only player to win 3 straight league MVP's (1984-1986), he also won 3 Championships. Had it not been for the Lakers, the Celtics would have 4 in a row from 1984-1987. Lakers were the only team that beat them in the playoffs(Finals) during that time. He deserves top 10 easily, I have him at 7th.
1 last thing Durant is top 15 IMO, I have never seen a more dangerous offensive player than him other than maybe Jordan and Kobe. Durant even shoots the 3 with high efficiency.