duncan228
11-13-2010, 09:12 PM
:worthy:
Tim Duncan appreciation: The value of the “Big Fundamental” (http://newsok.com/duncan-appreciation-value-of-the-big-fundamental/article/3514433?custom_click=lead_story_title)
Tim Duncan vows to play for the Spurs “until the wheels fall off.” Until then he remains the greatest power forward in NBA history. Oklahoma City fans get a chance to watch efficiency and unselfishness in the flesh Sunday when Duncan and the Spurs play the Thunder.
By John Rohde
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x282/duncan228/lead/lead637.jpg
Tim Duncan is the best power forward ever, according to NBA beat writer John Rohde.
In the year 2000, Rhodes Scholar nominee Sam Presti was fresh out of Emerson College and in his first year with the San Antonio Spurs organization. He was making $250 per month, before taxes.
Presti was working in the video room when Tim Duncan entered. Duncan had just won a $100 bet after practice and dropped by to give Presti an unexpected donation.
An appreciative and dead-broke Presti thanked Duncan, who responded, “Hey, no problem,” and left the room.
Presti gave chase down the hall and told Duncan, “No, no. Really, thank you. This will keep me going for three months.”
Presti is now in his fourth season as the Thunder's general manager and is making considerably more per month, before taxes.
Duncan is now in his 14th season with the Spurs and according to those who know him best, he remains one of the kindest, smartest, most generous persons to ever walk the planet, who also happens to be the best power forward in the history of basketball.
The Thunder will do what it can against Duncan and the Spurs tonight at 6 inside Oklahoma City Arena.
The 34-year-old Duncan hails from the Virgin Islands and is an island unto himself when it comes to playing his position.
He is remarkably efficient. He is consistently superb. He can sniff when a double-team is coming.
Duncan's game is not about highlight reels and dunks. He keeps the ball high and uses the backboard when it's appropriate, which is frequently. He is, as they claim, “The Big Fundamental.”
He is long and athletic, coordinated with great hands, and has amazing agility for a man 6-foot-11 who never wants to be listed at 7 feet. He is intelligent and unselfish. He is the player you want on your team and the type person perhaps we should all strive to be.
Duncan commits to a place, and stays there — one college; one pro franchise.
At a time when gifted teenagers bolted to the NBA straight out of high school, Duncan stayed all four years at Wake Forest when he was more than qualified to be one-and-done or none-and-done.
There are two debates while proclaiming Duncan the best to ever play the No. 4 position. Actually, they're clarifications more than debates.
1. Duncan prefers being called a power forward because the center position carries a connotation of someone constantly with his back to the basket and a limited offensive repertoire. Duncan's skill set is anything but limited. The man is disproportionately diversified.
2. With Duncan officially deemed a power forward, the only player worthy of being in the same discussion is Karl Malone, the No. 2 all-time scorer in NBA history (36,928 points) and a man who put power in power forward.
The Malone-Duncan debate ends with career championships, however.
Malone had the same pick-and-roll, point-guard partner for 18 of his 19 seasons in John Stockton — the all-time career leader in assists — yet never won a title.
Meanwhile, Duncan won four world titles in a span of nine seasons, and did so with a variety of teammates underneath the basket.
Duncan won with David Robinson playing center in 1999 and 2003; won with Rasho Nesterovic playing center in 2005; and won with Fabricio Oberto and Francisco Elson alternating at center in 2007.
Any other questions?
At this year's Media Day, Duncan told Mike Monroe of the San Antonio Express-News he will continue to play for the Spurs “until the wheels fall off.”
Previously listed at 260 pounds, Duncan is down to 245 to put less stress on his feet and knees. He is averaging the fewest minutes of his career at 31.1 per game, but is still averaging a double-double at 15.4 points and 10.0 rebounds.
“Duncan is as good as anybody ever at the 4 or 5,” Thunder coach Scott Brooks said. “The guy's a special talent, on and off the court.”
Told Duncan prefers to be called a power forward, Brooks smiled and said, “Whatever he wants to be called, we will call him that. He is one of the best ever players, and not just at his position.”
Asked the best way to describe Duncan, Presti hesitated a bit, shook his head and said, “He's just all class.”
Actually, a class by himself.
*********************
ALL-TIME BEST POWER FORWARDS
1. Tim Duncan (1997-present): Won four world titles with multiple cast members.
2. Karl Malone (1985-2004): Two MVPs, 14-time All-Star, but no championships.
3. Elvin Hayes (1968-84): One championship and an unstoppable fade-away jumper.
4. Charles Barkley (1984-2000): Hall of Famer was said to be 6-foot-4˝ barefoot.
5. Bob Pettit (1954-65): Two MVPs, 11-time All-Star, but no championships.
6. Bob McAdoo (1972-86): Journeyman eventually finds two world titles in LA.
7. Kevin McHale (1980-93): Ultimate sixth man won three titles with Celtics.
8. Kevin Garnett (1995-present): Seeks his third NBA Final in the last four seasons.
9. Connie Hawkins (1967-76): Was so talented he dominated in the ABA and NBA.
10. Spencer Haywood (1969-83): Averaged 30.0 ppg and 19.5 rpg as an ABA rookie.
Honorable mention: 11. Maurice Lucas (1974-88); 12. Billy Cunningham (1965-76); 13. George McGinnis (1971-82); 14. Tom Heinsohn (1956-65); 15. Dirk Nowitzki (1998-present); 16. Dave DeBusschere (1962-74); 17. Chris Webber (1993-2008); 18. Pau Gasol (2001-present); 19. Adrian Dantley (1976-91); 20. Terry Cummings (1982-2000).
Tim Duncan appreciation: The value of the “Big Fundamental” (http://newsok.com/duncan-appreciation-value-of-the-big-fundamental/article/3514433?custom_click=lead_story_title)
Tim Duncan vows to play for the Spurs “until the wheels fall off.” Until then he remains the greatest power forward in NBA history. Oklahoma City fans get a chance to watch efficiency and unselfishness in the flesh Sunday when Duncan and the Spurs play the Thunder.
By John Rohde
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x282/duncan228/lead/lead637.jpg
Tim Duncan is the best power forward ever, according to NBA beat writer John Rohde.
In the year 2000, Rhodes Scholar nominee Sam Presti was fresh out of Emerson College and in his first year with the San Antonio Spurs organization. He was making $250 per month, before taxes.
Presti was working in the video room when Tim Duncan entered. Duncan had just won a $100 bet after practice and dropped by to give Presti an unexpected donation.
An appreciative and dead-broke Presti thanked Duncan, who responded, “Hey, no problem,” and left the room.
Presti gave chase down the hall and told Duncan, “No, no. Really, thank you. This will keep me going for three months.”
Presti is now in his fourth season as the Thunder's general manager and is making considerably more per month, before taxes.
Duncan is now in his 14th season with the Spurs and according to those who know him best, he remains one of the kindest, smartest, most generous persons to ever walk the planet, who also happens to be the best power forward in the history of basketball.
The Thunder will do what it can against Duncan and the Spurs tonight at 6 inside Oklahoma City Arena.
The 34-year-old Duncan hails from the Virgin Islands and is an island unto himself when it comes to playing his position.
He is remarkably efficient. He is consistently superb. He can sniff when a double-team is coming.
Duncan's game is not about highlight reels and dunks. He keeps the ball high and uses the backboard when it's appropriate, which is frequently. He is, as they claim, “The Big Fundamental.”
He is long and athletic, coordinated with great hands, and has amazing agility for a man 6-foot-11 who never wants to be listed at 7 feet. He is intelligent and unselfish. He is the player you want on your team and the type person perhaps we should all strive to be.
Duncan commits to a place, and stays there — one college; one pro franchise.
At a time when gifted teenagers bolted to the NBA straight out of high school, Duncan stayed all four years at Wake Forest when he was more than qualified to be one-and-done or none-and-done.
There are two debates while proclaiming Duncan the best to ever play the No. 4 position. Actually, they're clarifications more than debates.
1. Duncan prefers being called a power forward because the center position carries a connotation of someone constantly with his back to the basket and a limited offensive repertoire. Duncan's skill set is anything but limited. The man is disproportionately diversified.
2. With Duncan officially deemed a power forward, the only player worthy of being in the same discussion is Karl Malone, the No. 2 all-time scorer in NBA history (36,928 points) and a man who put power in power forward.
The Malone-Duncan debate ends with career championships, however.
Malone had the same pick-and-roll, point-guard partner for 18 of his 19 seasons in John Stockton — the all-time career leader in assists — yet never won a title.
Meanwhile, Duncan won four world titles in a span of nine seasons, and did so with a variety of teammates underneath the basket.
Duncan won with David Robinson playing center in 1999 and 2003; won with Rasho Nesterovic playing center in 2005; and won with Fabricio Oberto and Francisco Elson alternating at center in 2007.
Any other questions?
At this year's Media Day, Duncan told Mike Monroe of the San Antonio Express-News he will continue to play for the Spurs “until the wheels fall off.”
Previously listed at 260 pounds, Duncan is down to 245 to put less stress on his feet and knees. He is averaging the fewest minutes of his career at 31.1 per game, but is still averaging a double-double at 15.4 points and 10.0 rebounds.
“Duncan is as good as anybody ever at the 4 or 5,” Thunder coach Scott Brooks said. “The guy's a special talent, on and off the court.”
Told Duncan prefers to be called a power forward, Brooks smiled and said, “Whatever he wants to be called, we will call him that. He is one of the best ever players, and not just at his position.”
Asked the best way to describe Duncan, Presti hesitated a bit, shook his head and said, “He's just all class.”
Actually, a class by himself.
*********************
ALL-TIME BEST POWER FORWARDS
1. Tim Duncan (1997-present): Won four world titles with multiple cast members.
2. Karl Malone (1985-2004): Two MVPs, 14-time All-Star, but no championships.
3. Elvin Hayes (1968-84): One championship and an unstoppable fade-away jumper.
4. Charles Barkley (1984-2000): Hall of Famer was said to be 6-foot-4˝ barefoot.
5. Bob Pettit (1954-65): Two MVPs, 11-time All-Star, but no championships.
6. Bob McAdoo (1972-86): Journeyman eventually finds two world titles in LA.
7. Kevin McHale (1980-93): Ultimate sixth man won three titles with Celtics.
8. Kevin Garnett (1995-present): Seeks his third NBA Final in the last four seasons.
9. Connie Hawkins (1967-76): Was so talented he dominated in the ABA and NBA.
10. Spencer Haywood (1969-83): Averaged 30.0 ppg and 19.5 rpg as an ABA rookie.
Honorable mention: 11. Maurice Lucas (1974-88); 12. Billy Cunningham (1965-76); 13. George McGinnis (1971-82); 14. Tom Heinsohn (1956-65); 15. Dirk Nowitzki (1998-present); 16. Dave DeBusschere (1962-74); 17. Chris Webber (1993-2008); 18. Pau Gasol (2001-present); 19. Adrian Dantley (1976-91); 20. Terry Cummings (1982-2000).