Are Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan Still Elite Players?

There was a time when power forwards Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett were considered not only the best players at their position, but among the very best in the NBA?

Has that time passed?

In recent years both Duncan and Garnett have battled wear, age, and multiple injuries, while at the same time other forwards such as Pau Gasol, Amare Stoudemire, and Chris Bosh have posted better numbers.

Garnett is still considered as the emotional leader of the Boston Celtics, but most observers feel point guard Rajon Rondo has surpassed Garnett as the team's top player.

Any championship hopes the San Antonio Spurs harbor still hinges on the health and play of Duncan, but other players such as Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker figure just as much into the equation as Duncan does.

Duncan and Garnett's numbers from last season appear to bolster the perception that neither player resides among the ranks of elite NBA players.

Garnett's averages of 14.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game were the worst since his rookie season, while Duncan's 17.1 points and 10.1 rebounds per game were the worst of his career.

Garnett rivaled Duncan as the game's top power forward when he made his way from Minnesota to Boston prior to the 2007-08 season, and promptly captured his first and only NBA championship the following year.

The strain of so many professional seasons had already began to take it's toll on Garnett before he injured a knee during the 2008-09 season, but the knee seemed to enhance the diminishing effects of his game.

Garnett was able to play the majority of last season but it was clearly visible the explosiveness in his game was missing, and he no longer seemed to have much lift in his legs.

Lack of explosiveness, lack of lift, and the inability to make quick, lateral movements are all classic after-effects of knee injuries, and once those gifts depart, they hardly ever return.

That's why it's doubtful Garnett can ever return to the player he was in 2008, even though a full offseason free of injury or rehabilitation should help him play with a different level of comfort next season.

But it's still sad to imagine a proud player like Garnett who still plays with the same type of energy, aggressiveness, and intensity, but no longer has the physical skills to match his emotional ones.

Duncan is quieter than Garnett, more accomplished, and more consistent, but despite his ability to fly under the radar, age and injuries have also made imprints on Duncan's game.

Duncan's sound fundamentals will probably keep him relevant for a few more years, but his chronic foot problems are just as troubling as Garnett's knee injuries.

Duncan's game has always been more mental than physical, with emphasis placed on fundamentals and execution rather than athleticism.

Still, Duncan in his best days was an above-average athlete, and his quickness and footwork in the post placed him a level above other power forwards in the league.

But it's hard to remember the last season Duncan played injury-free, and the cruel pattern he has suffered in recent years has become the rule rather than an exception.

The long and glorious careers of Duncan and Garnett appear to be coming to an end, but does either player have one final chase for glory left in their weary bodies?

Garnett's Celtics nearly captured their second championship in three years last season, and will be among the teams favored to win the Eastern conference crown next season.

Garnett will play a pivotal roll for sure, but does the importance of his performance weigh as heavily on the Celtics' chances as the play of Rondo, or the health of injured center Kendrick Perkins?

There are a shortage of premier power forwards in the East, as Josh Smith, Chris Bosh, Stoudemire, and Carlos Boozers are the only other players who could be considered elite at their positions.

Garnett definitely deserves to be mentioned among those names, but there are some who whisper that he no longer deserves to reside at the top of that list.

Duncan's Spurs once again look like a solid playoff contender, but few people are expecting them to do much in the postseason, and just like each of the past several seasons, it's still dangerous to count them out.

Gasol may have passed Duncan as the West's top power forward in the eyes of some, but he still remains among the best in the NBA, and will be a force as long as he is healthy.

Opinions may vary on whether Duncan and Garnett are still elite NBA power forwards, but they remain very important pieces to their team's success, and they still deserve to be mentioned among the best at their position.