Read Bill Simmons book on basketball before that one. I think Bird was one of the greatest players of all-time, but he played in an era without a tough salary cap and played 3 HOFs during his prime playing days Dennis Johnson, Kevin McHale, Robert Parish. Throw in Danny Ainge, Bill Walton, Gerald Henderson, M.L. Carr, Rick Carlysle, Quinn Buckner the teams in the 1980's were stacked before the NBA over-expanded and the salary cap with max contracts happened. Bird was in the East which was more difficult than Magic's Western conference, but Duncan has been the best player 4 championship teams, and never drafted a player in the lottery. If Duncan wins championship five he would supplant Bird because Duncan has 10 first team All-NBA selections and has been playing 16 years of high quality basketball. Bird's career was from 1980 to 1990 before injuries destroyed him his last two years. Bird only has 3 championships and lost in the finals two times. I would say the top 3 untouchable for anybody, but Lebron 1. Jordan 2. Russell 3. Kareem. Magic vs. Kobe is atleast debatable, but I would take Magic. Duncan can end his career at 5 until Lebron will eventually knock him down a slot.