Kareem: Duncan had a better career than Kobe

So much for sticking by a fellow Laker.

The NBA's all-time leading scorer, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, told Tyler Cowen at George Mason University last week that San Antonio Spurs legend Tim Duncan had a better career than Los Angeles Lakers fixture Kobe Bryant.

"I would say that Tim Duncan has had a better career just because they've been able to win more consistently, and they didn't have to rely on Tim all the time," Abdul-Jabbar said, according to ESPN.

The tale of the tape is incredibly close between Duncan and Bryant, who both ultimately have five rings (although Duncan might grab a sixth before he calls it quits). Bryant has more points, while Duncan holds the edge in rebounds and MVP awards (two to Bryant's one).

There's really no wrong answer, but Abdul-Jabbar prefers Duncan.

"Kobe has worn his body out. He's only like 36 years old and he's worn his body out," Abdul-Jabbar said. "It's falling apart because of the stress that he had to do just taking on the load that he did, but he wanted to do it that way. That was that."