McDonald: Tim Duncan Reaches Milestone

[duncan228]

Tim Duncan reaches milestone (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/Tim_Duncan_reaches_milestone.html)
Express-News

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x282/duncan228/temp%20duncan/milestone1000.jpg

Tonight, Spurs forward Tim Duncan is scheduled to play in his 1,000th NBA game, including playoffs. Express-News Spurs writer Jeff McDonald takes a look at (quite arguably) the 10 best — the top 1 percent — of Duncan’s career:

10. Playoff debut

April 23, 1998: In a harbinger of postseason heroics to come, Duncan scores 32 points and grabs 10 rebounds as the Spurs pound the Suns in his first career playoff game.

9. The perfect game

Jan. 17, 2002: If there is a hole in Duncan’s game, it is his occasional yips from the foul line. Those yips were nowhere to be found on this night against Utah: Duncan sets a team record by making all 17 of his free throws, part of a 35-point night.

8. The first triple-double

March 25, 2000: Duncan torches Cleveland for 17 points, 17 rebounds and 11 assists for his first career triple-double, but not his last.

7. The everlasting record

Dec. 26, 2001: Duncan goes off for a career-high 53 points in a win over Dallas at the Alamodome, the most points ever scored in that building. The next season, the Spurs move into the AT&T Center, ensuring Duncan’s record will never be broken.

6. Gallant in defeat

May 22, 2006: Duncan has one of his better playoff games, even by his standards, going for 41 points and 15 rebounds in Game 7 of the Western Conference finals — but Dallas wins the game in double OT.

5. The first Finals

June 16, 1999: Duncan announces his arrival on the NBA’s biggest stage, throwing up 33 point and 16 rebounds in Game 1 of the 1999 Finals against the Knicks. Duncan would go on to win the first of his three Finals MVP Awards.

4. The Sun setter

April 19, 2008: Another double-OT thriller, another Duncan masterpiece: 40 points, 15 rebounds and an improbable buzzer-beating 3-pointer to keep the Spurs alive in Game 1 of last season’s first-round playoff series.

3. Eclipse of the Suns

May 1, 2003: Duncan provides a foretaste of what would become a career mission to ruin postseasons for Phoenix, recording a triple double — 15 points, 20 rebounds, 10 assists — in Game 6 of the teams’ first-round series.

2. MV-3

June 23, 2005: In the only Finals Game 7 of Duncan’s career, he pours in 25 points to go with 11 rebounds against Detroit, as the Spurs ride him down the stretch to claim their third NBA crown. Duncan earns his third Finals MVP trophy.

1. The Magnum Opus

June 5, 2003: With a second NBA title within reach in Game 6 of the 2003 Finals, Duncan carries the Spurs past New Jersey with a game for the ages: 21 points, 20 rebounds, 10 assists and a Finals-record eight blocks.

[dbreiden83080]

10,000 Reb around the corner for TD.. :toast

[BlackSwordsMan]

2,000 more

[ILoveOranges]

a career mission to ruin postseasons for Phoenix

:toast

[Avitus1]

Awesome career so far...

[bdictjames]

I thought the Spurs lost during Timmy's 53-point game?

[Kori Ellis]

I thought the Spurs lost during Timmy's 53-point game?

They did.

[superbigtime]

Tim is a badass!

[duncan228]

Oh, just so it's clear, Duncan's 1000th is the Hawks game Wednesday, not the Mavs game tonight.

[baseline bum]

7. The everlasting record

Dec. 26, 2001: Duncan goes off for a career-high 53 points in a win over Dallas at the Alamodome, the most points ever scored in that building. The next season, the Spurs move into the AT&T Center, ensuring Duncan’s record will never be broken.

Fucking McDonald is an idiot. The Spurs lost that game when Tim Hardaway hit about a 30 footer in 2OT to take the final lead.

[baseline bum]

Seriously, is McDonald on crack? Game 6 of the 2003 Lakers series when he dropped 37 and 15 on Shaq and scored from basically every spot on the floor was way more impressive than any other game on this list except the game 6 2003 Finals performance. What about game 1 of the 2003 Finals when Tim had like 30 and 25? No mention of his 35 and 25 game in a losing effort in game 5 of the 02 series with LA? And seriously, his first playoff game when he absolutely killed McDyess and Hot Rod in their own building was way better than #10.

[duncan228]

I think trying to pick 10 best from Duncan is hard, he's given us so many to choose from. I know my list is different than McDonald's, and it seems others are too.

[T Park]

And seriously, his first playoff game when he absolutely killed McDyess and Hot Rod in their own building was way better than #10

Oh man I remember that. The Suns were just carved the F up during that game.

Vintage Duncan.

[milkyway21]

:toast:
http://images.sportsline.com/u/photos/basketball/nba/img11162210.jpg


I thought the Spurs lost during Timmy's 53-point game?


if I remember it correctly we won in that game. D



1. The Magnum Opus

June 5, 2003: With a second NBA title within reach in Game 6 of the 2003 Finals, Duncan carries the Spurs past New Jersey with a game for the ages: 21 points, 20 rebounds, 10 assists and a Finals-record eight blocks.


and made a playoff record of most block shots in a series..has anybody broken that record since?

[baseline bum]

if I remember it correctly we won in that game. D


Nope

http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/200112260SAS.html

Dallas 126, Spurs 123 (OT)

[dbreiden83080]

I think trying to pick 10 best from Duncan is hard, he's given us so many to choose from. I know my list is different than McDonald's, and it seems others are too.

For me Game 1 of the 2003 finals was pretty special

Everyone remembers game 6 but in game 1 he had 32 and 20 with 7 BLKS on 11-17 FG. Dominated the 2nd half like nobody i have seen in the finals since MJ..

[lefty]

Dec. 26, 2001: Duncan goes off for a career-high 53 points in a win over Dallas at the Alamodome, the most points ever scored in that building. The next season, the Spurs move into the AT&T Center, ensuring Duncan’s record will never be broken.

Spurs lost.

Nash or Hardaway hit a dagger.

McDonald, you fucking retard

[MrChug]

and made a playoff record of most block shots in a series..has anybody broken that record since?

No Mutombo owns that record by a mile, but a FINALS record? I don't know.

[lefty]

No Mutombo owns that record by a mile, but a FINALS record? I don't know.

Yep, Finals record

31 blocks

He beat Pat Ewing, but Ewing had 30 blocks in 7 games.

Duncan blocked 31 in 6 games

[duncan228]

Yep, Finals record

31 blocks

He beat Pat Ewing, but Ewing had 30 blocks in 7 games.

Duncan blocked 31 in 6 games

32. :) And yes, he still holds the record for most in a Finals series.

[lefty]

32. :) And yes, he still holds the record for most in a Finals series.

32?

I stand corrected

[Fernando TD21]

Seriously, is McDonald on crack? Game 6 of the 2003 Lakers series when he dropped 37 and 15 on Shaq and scored from basically every spot on the floor was way more impressive than any other game on this list except the game 6 2003 Finals performance. What about game 1 of the 2003 Finals when Tim had like 30 and 25? No mention of his 35 and 25 game in a losing effort in game 5 of the 02 series with LA? And seriously, his first playoff game when he absolutely killed McDyess and Hot Rod in their own building was way better than #10.


For me Game 1 of the 2003 finals was pretty special

Everyone remembers game 6 but in game 1 he had 32 and 20 with 7 BLKS on 11-17 FG. Dominated the 2nd half like nobody i have seen in the finals since MJ..


I think trying to pick 10 best from Duncan is hard, he's given us so many to choose from. I know my list is different than McDonald's, and it seems others are too.

I agree, there were better games than those listed. His career has been very impressive. I hope he adds some more games to that list before he retires.:toast

[baseline bum]

The real list

1. Game 6, 2003 Finals vs NJ
21 points
20 rebounds
10 assists
8 blocks
Won NBA title
Won Finals MVP

Held Kenyon Martin to 3/23 shooting and forced the Nets to collapse into him freeing Stephen Jackson to hit three threes in a row.

2. Game 6, 2003 WCSF @ LA
37 points
16 rebounds
4 assists

On the broadcast Tolbert said Duncan was playing 'around the world' because every shot was different. Unseated the 3x defending champions in what was the biggest game in franchise history before game 7 vs Detroit 2 years later. There is no doubt this was the championship game of the 2003 season, and Tim Duncan completely owned it.

3. Game 1, 2003 Finals vs NJ
32 points
20 rebounds
6 assists
7 blocks
3 steals

Statistically, the greatest game Tim ever played. NJ came to town riding something like a 10-game playoff winning streak, but they got absolutely destroyed by one of the greatest performances in NBA history.

4. Game 1, 2008 WCQF vs Phoenix
40 points
15 rebounds
5 assists
3 blocks

dNCjH7tAAOo

Not much else to say, as this one is pretty fresh in everyone's minds anyways.

5. Game 5, 1999 Finals @ NY
31 points
9 rebounds
Won NBA Championship
Finals MVP

Got into a memorable duel with Sprewell where the two of them were both on fire for most of the fourth quarter, and traded baskets with each other. He and David then held the Knicks scoreless the final 3:30 or so of the game.

6. Game 7, 2006 WCSF vs Dallas
41 points
15 rebounds
6 assists

Single-handedly dragged the team from 20 down at the half in what would have been an extremely embarrassing loss. Even without the win, he and the team did the fans proud in fighting back late before getting beaten in OT.

7. Game 1, 1998 WCQF @ Phoenix
32 points
10 rebounds
First NBA Playoff game

SN5LdZEzWKo

Who has a playoff debut like this as a rookie, on the road? Perhaps the most dominant 10 minutes of any Spurs' career.

8. Game 3, 1999 WCQF @ LA
37 points
14 rebounds
4 assists

Before this game Shaq talked a lot of shit about how he would personally guard Tim and shut him down. As he said, Shaq started the game guarding Tim. Duncan proceeded to drop about 15 points in the first 6 minutes of the game, which prompted Shaq to puss out and hand him back off to JR Reid and Rick Fox.

9. Game 5, 2002 WCQF @ LA
34 points
25 rebounds
4 assists

Singlehandedly carried his team with a memorable effort, but it wasn't enough to beat a team of Shaq, Kobe, and Horry at the top of their games.

10. Game 1, 1999 Finals vs NY
33 points
16 rebounds

Completely dominated Larry Johnson, Kurt Thomas, Marcus Camby, and Chris Dudley and put each of them in pretty serious foul trouble.

[lefty]

The real list

1. Game 6, 2003 Finals vs NJ
21 points
20 rebounds
10 assists
8 blocks
Won NBA title
Won Finals MVP

Held Kenyon Martin to 3/23 shooting and forced the Nets to collapse into him freeing Stephen Jackson to hit three threes in a row.

2. Game 6, 2003 WCSF @ LA
37 points
16 rebounds
4 assists

On the broadcast Tolbert said Duncan was playing 'around the world' because every shot was different. Unseated the 3x defending champions in what was the biggest game in franchise history before game 7 vs Detroit 2 years later. There is no doubt this was the championship game of the 2003 season, and Tim Duncan completely owned it.

3. Game 1, 2003 Finals vs NJ
32 points
20 rebounds
6 assists
7 blocks
3 steals

Statistically, the greatest game Tim ever played. NJ came to town riding something like a 10-game playoff winning streak, but they got absolutely destroyed by one of the greatest performances in NBA history.

4. Game 1, 2008 WCQF vs Phoenix
40 points
15 rebounds
5 assists
3 blocks

dNCjH7tAAOo

Not much else to say, as this one is pretty fresh in everyone's minds anyways.

5. Game 5, 1999 Finals @ NY
31 points
9 rebounds
Won NBA Championship
Finals MVP

Got into a memorable duel with Sprewell where the two of them were both on fire for most of the fourth quarter, and traded baskets with each other. He and David then held the Knicks scoreless the final 3:30 or so of the game.

6. Game 7, 2006 WCSF vs Dallas
41 points
15 rebounds
6 assists

Single-handedly dragged the team from 20 down at the half in what would have been an extremely embarrassing loss. Even without the win, he and the team did the fans proud in fighting back late before getting beaten in OT.

7. Game 1, 1998 WCQF @ Phoenix
32 points
10 rebounds
First NBA Playoff game

SN5LdZEzWKo

Who has a playoff debut like this as a rookie, on the road? Perhaps the most dominant 10 minutes of any Spurs' career.

8. Game 3, 1999 WCQF @ LA
37 points
14 rebounds
4 assists

Before this game Shaq talked a lot of shit about how he would personally guard Tim and shut him down. As he said, Shaq started the game guarding Tim. Duncan proceeded to drop about 15 points in the first 6 minutes of the game, which prompted Shaq to puss out and hand him back off to JR Reid and Rick Fox.

9. Game 5, 2002 WCQF @ LA
34 points
25 rebounds
4 assists

Singlehandedly carried his team with a memorable effort, but it wasn't enough to beat a team of Shaq, Kobe, and Horry at the top of their games.

10. Game 1, 1999 Finals vs NY
33 points
16 rebounds

Completely dominated Larry Johnson, Kurt Thomas, Marcus Camby, and Chris Dudley and put each of them in pretty serious foul trouble.

Bbbbbbbbbravo :tu

BB > McDonald

[Sean Cagney]

LOL DUDE needs to check his facts before he posts columns it seems!!!!!! He is off on one there, we did not win and yes he is right on most but some should be added there.

BTW does this idot realize we went to OT against the MAVS in 06 and not double OT, two mistakes there, how does he still write and get paid????

[baseline bum]

LOL DUDE needs to check his facts before he posts columns it seems!!!!!! He is off on one there, we did not win and yes he is right on most but some should be added there.

He's also wrong in saying game 7 of the Dallas series in 06 went to 2OT.

LOL... you beat me to it. :lol

[TDfan2007]

The real list

1. Game 6, 2003 Finals vs NJ
21 points
20 rebounds
10 assists
8 blocks
Won NBA title
Won Finals MVP

Held Kenyon Martin to 3/23 shooting and forced the Nets to collapse into him freeing Stephen Jackson to hit three threes in a row.

2. Game 6, 2003 WCSF @ LA
37 points
16 rebounds
4 assists

On the broadcast Tolbert said Duncan was playing 'around the world' because every shot was different. Unseated the 3x defending champions in what was the biggest game in franchise history before game 7 vs Detroit 2 years later. There is no doubt this was the championship game of the 2003 season, and Tim Duncan completely owned it.

3. Game 1, 2003 Finals vs NJ
32 points
20 rebounds
6 assists
7 blocks
3 steals

Statistically, the greatest game Tim ever played. NJ came to town riding something like a 10-game playoff winning streak, but they got absolutely destroyed by one of the greatest performances in NBA history.

4. Game 1, 2008 WCQF vs Phoenix
40 points
15 rebounds
5 assists
3 blocks

dNCjH7tAAOo

Not much else to say, as this one is pretty fresh in everyone's minds anyways.

5. Game 5, 1999 Finals @ NY
31 points
9 rebounds
Won NBA Championship
Finals MVP

Got into a memorable duel with Sprewell where the two of them were both on fire for most of the fourth quarter, and traded baskets with each other. He and David then held the Knicks scoreless the final 3:30 or so of the game.

6. Game 7, 2006 WCSF vs Dallas
41 points
15 rebounds
6 assists

Single-handedly dragged the team from 20 down at the half in what would have been an extremely embarrassing loss. Even without the win, he and the team did the fans proud in fighting back late before getting beaten in OT.

7. Game 1, 1998 WCQF @ Phoenix
32 points
10 rebounds
First NBA Playoff game

SN5LdZEzWKo

Who has a playoff debut like this as a rookie, on the road? Perhaps the most dominant 10 minutes of any Spurs' career.

8. Game 3, 1999 WCQF @ LA
37 points
14 rebounds
4 assists

Before this game Shaq talked a lot of shit about how he would personally guard Tim and shut him down. As he said, Shaq started the game guarding Tim. Duncan proceeded to drop about 15 points in the first 6 minutes of the game, which prompted Shaq to puss out and hand him back off to JR Reid and Rick Fox.

9. Game 5, 2002 WCQF @ LA
34 points
25 rebounds
4 assists

Singlehandedly carried his team with a memorable effort, but it wasn't enough to beat a team of Shaq, Kobe, and Horry at the top of their games.

10. Game 1, 1999 Finals vs NY
33 points
16 rebounds

Completely dominated Larry Johnson, Kurt Thomas, Marcus Camby, and Chris Dudley and put each of them in pretty serious foul trouble.

:tu

Great list. The dude is a beast. Tim's play in the 2003 playoffs was just...something else. I mean words seriously can't even describe how good he was then.

[T Park]

3 things i remember from that video

1 Kevin Harlan going apeshit and me laughing at it so hard my sides hurt

2 How stupid the Suns were to not double team him during that stretch

3 how much of a douchenozzle Scott Hastings was.

[Borosai]

6. Gallant in defeat

May 22, 2006: Duncan has one of his better playoff games, even by his standards, going for 41 points and 15 rebounds in Game 7 of the Western Conference finals — but Dallas wins the game in double OT.

semi-finals?

[lurker23]

If it wasn't for 0.4, game 5 of the 2004 series against the Lakers would have to be up there. Granted he had 7 turnovers in that game, but he still had 21 points, 21 rebounds, and 4 blocks. The shot he hit from the top of the key to give the Spurs the lead was ridiculously clutch, and should have been the game winner.

[Ryvin1]

The real list

1. Game 6, 2003 Finals vs NJ
21 points
20 rebounds
10 assists
8 blocks
Won NBA title
Won Finals MVP

Held Kenyon Martin to 3/23 shooting and forced the Nets to collapse into him freeing Stephen Jackson to hit three threes in a row.

2. Game 6, 2003 WCSF @ LA
37 points
16 rebounds
4 assists

On the broadcast Tolbert said Duncan was playing 'around the world' because every shot was different. Unseated the 3x defending champions in what was the biggest game in franchise history before game 7 vs Detroit 2 years later. There is no doubt this was the championship game of the 2003 season, and Tim Duncan completely owned it.

3. Game 1, 2003 Finals vs NJ
32 points
20 rebounds
6 assists
7 blocks
3 steals

Statistically, the greatest game Tim ever played. NJ came to town riding something like a 10-game playoff winning streak, but they got absolutely destroyed by one of the greatest performances in NBA history.

4. Game 1, 2008 WCQF vs Phoenix
40 points
15 rebounds
5 assists
3 blocks

dNCjH7tAAOo

Not much else to say, as this one is pretty fresh in everyone's minds anyways.

5. Game 5, 1999 Finals @ NY
31 points
9 rebounds
Won NBA Championship
Finals MVP

Got into a memorable duel with Sprewell where the two of them were both on fire for most of the fourth quarter, and traded baskets with each other. He and David then held the Knicks scoreless the final 3:30 or so of the game.

6. Game 7, 2006 WCSF vs Dallas
41 points
15 rebounds
6 assists

Single-handedly dragged the team from 20 down at the half in what would have been an extremely embarrassing loss. Even without the win, he and the team did the fans proud in fighting back late before getting beaten in OT.

7. Game 1, 1998 WCQF @ Phoenix
32 points
10 rebounds
First NBA Playoff game

SN5LdZEzWKo

Who has a playoff debut like this as a rookie, on the road? Perhaps the most dominant 10 minutes of any Spurs' career.

8. Game 3, 1999 WCQF @ LA
37 points
14 rebounds
4 assists

Before this game Shaq talked a lot of shit about how he would personally guard Tim and shut him down. As he said, Shaq started the game guarding Tim. Duncan proceeded to drop about 15 points in the first 6 minutes of the game, which prompted Shaq to puss out and hand him back off to JR Reid and Rick Fox.

9. Game 5, 2002 WCQF @ LA
34 points
25 rebounds
4 assists

Singlehandedly carried his team with a memorable effort, but it wasn't enough to beat a team of Shaq, Kobe, and Horry at the top of their games.

10. Game 1, 1999 Finals vs NY
33 points
16 rebounds

Completely dominated Larry Johnson, Kurt Thomas, Marcus Camby, and Chris Dudley and put each of them in pretty serious foul trouble.

I agree with this list more .. I love the #1 entry.

[Das Texan]

man mcdonald may be the most retarded sportswriter in the history of sportswriting.

[timvp]

The real list

1. Game 6, 2003 Finals vs NJ
21 points
20 rebounds
10 assists
8 blocks
Won NBA title
Won Finals MVP

Held Kenyon Martin to 3/23 shooting and forced the Nets to collapse into him freeing Stephen Jackson to hit three threes in a row.

2. Game 6, 2003 WCSF @ LA
37 points
16 rebounds
4 assists

On the broadcast Tolbert said Duncan was playing 'around the world' because every shot was different. Unseated the 3x defending champions in what was the biggest game in franchise history before game 7 vs Detroit 2 years later. There is no doubt this was the championship game of the 2003 season, and Tim Duncan completely owned it.

3. Game 1, 2003 Finals vs NJ
32 points
20 rebounds
6 assists
7 blocks
3 steals

Statistically, the greatest game Tim ever played. NJ came to town riding something like a 10-game playoff winning streak, but they got absolutely destroyed by one of the greatest performances in NBA history.

4. Game 1, 2008 WCQF vs Phoenix
40 points
15 rebounds
5 assists
3 blocks

dNCjH7tAAOo

Not much else to say, as this one is pretty fresh in everyone's minds anyways.

5. Game 5, 1999 Finals @ NY
31 points
9 rebounds
Won NBA Championship
Finals MVP

Got into a memorable duel with Sprewell where the two of them were both on fire for most of the fourth quarter, and traded baskets with each other. He and David then held the Knicks scoreless the final 3:30 or so of the game.

6. Game 7, 2006 WCSF vs Dallas
41 points
15 rebounds
6 assists

Single-handedly dragged the team from 20 down at the half in what would have been an extremely embarrassing loss. Even without the win, he and the team did the fans proud in fighting back late before getting beaten in OT.

7. Game 1, 1998 WCQF @ Phoenix
32 points
10 rebounds
First NBA Playoff game

SN5LdZEzWKo

Who has a playoff debut like this as a rookie, on the road? Perhaps the most dominant 10 minutes of any Spurs' career.

8. Game 3, 1999 WCQF @ LA
37 points
14 rebounds
4 assists

Before this game Shaq talked a lot of shit about how he would personally guard Tim and shut him down. As he said, Shaq started the game guarding Tim. Duncan proceeded to drop about 15 points in the first 6 minutes of the game, which prompted Shaq to puss out and hand him back off to JR Reid and Rick Fox.

9. Game 5, 2002 WCQF @ LA
34 points
25 rebounds
4 assists

Singlehandedly carried his team with a memorable effort, but it wasn't enough to beat a team of Shaq, Kobe, and Horry at the top of their games.

10. Game 1, 1999 Finals vs NY
33 points
16 rebounds

Completely dominated Larry Johnson, Kurt Thomas, Marcus Camby, and Chris Dudley and put each of them in pretty serious foul trouble.

Great job. The only thing I slightly disagree on is I'd find room for his 2005 Game 7 performance against the Pistons. Not aesthetically or statistically pleasing but that might have been the guttiest game of his career to date. Two sprained ankles, one of the best defensive frontlines of all-time, the media calling him a choker and he overcame it all on the biggest possible stage.

[duncan228]

Great job. The only thing I slightly disagree on is I'd find room for his 2005 Game 7 performance against the Pistons. Not aesthetically or statistically pleasing but that might have been the guttiest game of his career to date. Two sprained ankles, one of the best defensive frontlines of all-time, the media calling him a choker and he overcame it all on the biggest possible stage.

Game 7 '05 ranks top 5 for me, for all the reasons you listed. It was one of the most incredible performances I've ever seen, and it had nothing to do with stats. Some of Duncan's great performances seem almost easy next to that one. He put the team on his back with 6 minutes to go in the 3rd (with an offensive rebound, the put back, and the foul), and he never looked back. Pop said after, "Timmy wasn't going to let us lose." It remains some of my favorite minutes of all-time.

[Spurs Brazil]

Huge props to TD.
For me see him play since 98 is the best thing I could ask

BB>>>>>>>>>>McDonald

[Sean Cagney]

Damn I remembered the game 5 against LA in 02 but forgot he got QUITE THAT MUCH as far as boards go, he got 34 and 25, HOLY....... That is a game, what more could he do?

[duncan228]

There's a slideshow with the article, apologies for not including it earlier.

Like the list, I'd pick different pics, but it's 22 pics of #21, so I'm not going to complain. :)

A few to represent.

http://www.mysanantonio.com/slideshows/Tim_Duncan_Milestones_in_Pictures.html?c=y&page=1

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x282/duncan228/temp%20duncan/1000milestone.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x282/duncan228/temp%20duncan/1000milestone10.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x282/duncan228/temp%20duncan/1000milestone12.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x282/duncan228/temp%20duncan/1000milestone18.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x282/duncan228/temp%20duncan/1000milestone21.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x282/duncan228/temp%20duncan/1000milestone20.jpg

[FromWayDowntown]

I think it would be advisable for the E-N to turn to someone other than Jeff McDonald -- preferrably someone who's actually been here and seen this thing unfold -- for historical contexts on Duncan's career. How compiling that list didn't include Buck Harvey or at least Mike Monroe -- or even a call to Johnny Ludden -- is beyond me.

With that said, I think one of the markers of Duncan's magnificence is the fact that identifying his 10 best games is such a difficult task; it might actually be easier to come up with a list of his 20 best playoff games than to limit it to 10.

Isolating games within a career is interesting to point to highs, but what's telling about Duncan's highs is that there aren't many lows to counterbalance those highs; even when his teams lose, Duncan tends to remain exceptional. He's 24th in Playoff Games, but he's 13th All-Time in playoff Points (he'll be in the Top 10 by the end of the 2009 Playoffs, if healthy), 6th in playoff Rebounds (he'll be in the Top 5 by the end of the 2009 Playoffs, if healthy), 4th in playoff Blocks, and even 36th in playoff assists. He's 24th all-time in playoff PPG (Bird is 23rd and Barkley is 25th); 14th in playoff RPG; and 3rd in playoff BPG. And if you buy into new-age metrics, Duncan is 4th all-time in playoff PER (only Jordan, Mikan, and Shaq ahead) and 5th in playoff Win Shares (only Jordan, Magic, Shaq, and Jabbar ahead).

Tim Duncan has truly made a career out of making the exceptional seem routine.

And for all of the understandable focus on his playoff exploits, I think you could pretty easily come up with a list devoted just to great regular season games, too.

[ClingingMars]

man mcdonald may be the most retarded sportswriter in the history of sportswriting.

sure seems like it

-Mars

[duncan228]

I think it would be advisable for the E-N to turn to someone other than Jeff McDonald -- preferrably someone who's actually been here and seen this thing unfold -- for historical contexts on Duncan's career. How compiling that list didn't include Buck Harvey or at least Mike Monroe -- or even a call to Johnny Ludden -- is beyond me.

With that said, I think one of the markers of Duncan's magnificence is the fact that identifying his 10 best games is such a difficult task; it might actually be easier to come up with a list of his 20 best playoff games than to limit it to 10.

Isolating games within a career is interesting to point to highs, but what's telling about Duncan's highs is that there aren't many lows to counterbalance those highs; even when his teams lose, Duncan tends to remain exceptional. He's 24th in Playoff Games, but he's 13th All-Time in playoff Points (he'll be in the Top 10 by the end of the 2009 Playoffs, if healthy), 6th in playoff Rebounds (he'll be in the Top 5 by the end of the 2009 Playoffs, if healthy), 4th in playoff Blocks, and even 36th in playoff assists. He's 24th all-time in playoff PPG (Bird is 23rd and Barkley is 25th); 14th in playoff RPG; and 3rd in playoff BPG. And if you buy into new-age metrics, Duncan is 4th all-time in playoff PER (only Jordan, Mikan, and Shaq ahead) and 5th in playoff Win Shares (only Jordan, Magic, Shaq, and Jabbar ahead).

Tim Duncan has truly made a career out of making the exceptional seem routine.

And for all of the understandable focus on his playoff exploits, I think you could pretty easily come up with a list devoted just to great regular season games, too.

Magnificent. Like Duncan. Thank you. :toast

[Galileo]

How aboput this game?

http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/200505280SAS.html

15-15 on free throws, 15 rebounds, 32.0 game score (his best game of the season) to basically win the series, putting the Spurs up 3-0 on the Suns, buying rest for the finals.

[TampaDude]

Game 7 '05 ranks top 5 for me, for all the reasons you listed. It was one of the most incredible performances I've ever seen, and it had nothing to do with stats. Some of Duncan's great performances seem almost easy next to that one. He put the team on his back with 6 minutes to go in the 3rd (with an offensive rebound, the put back, and the foul), and he never looked back. Pop said after, "Timmy wasn't going to let us lose." It remains some of my favorite minutes of all-time.

+1

The whole 2005 Finals against Detroit was freakin' EPIC...best Finals ever... :hat

[MrChug]

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x282/duncan228/temp%20duncan/1000milestone21.jpg

Anyone else think their arms are going to/or do/or did look like D-Rob's at 36 or whatever? Or not???????

[Fermixalot]

Its been a joy to have been around to see Tim's career. I can't wait to get older and tell some young whippersnappers about Tim getting a near quadruple double to win the title or him hitting that 3 to send it into overtime vs the Suns.

Tim has quite an argument for GOAT, and why all may not agree with that, we can all agree that there have been those moments where you are just watching him put the team on his back where you just sit back and say, "Wow..."

[Sean Cagney]

+1

The whole 2005 Finals against Detroit was freakin' EPIC...best Finals ever... :hat

That finals was a damn classic man!!!!!!!!!!! I will always remember it to this day, especially games 5 and 7! WOW the excitement!


Game 7 '05 ranks top 5 for me, for all the reasons you listed. It was one of the most incredible performances I've ever seen, and it had nothing to do with stats. Some of Duncan's great performances seem almost easy next to that one. He put the team on his back with 6 minutes to go in the 3rd (with an offensive rebound, the put back, and the foul), and he never looked back. Pop said after, "Timmy wasn't going to let us lose." It remains some of my favorite minutes of all-time.

I think of that putback all the time in my mind from the 3rd! That got it close again or came near a tie right? They went up 9 and I said UH OHHHHHH! I was scared to death :wow. Tim got that putback and threw his fist like he does when he is pumped up and I knew he was going to lead them after that, they were not going to lose! Great players do that in HUGE games, he has that ability and will and few others have it, I can name only a FEW who have that fire in the big games to carry their team no matter what. That game is epic!

[Yorae]

I think 2005 finals for timmy is really special, coz Pistons are no pushovers and he playing hurt and media bitching him. Like timvp said, it maybe not the best statistical game for him but what he did in the final minutes of game 7 was just awesome...

[spurspf]

I think 2005 finals for timmy is really special, coz Pistons are no pushovers and he playing hurt and media bitching him. Like timvp said, it maybe not the best statistical game for him but what he did in the final minutes of game 7 was just awesome...

So how do you think Brandon Sanderson will do with, A Memory of Light?