duncan228
04-01-2011, 02:33 PM
Twin towers Garnett, Duncan linchpins to their teams' success (http://www.cbssports.com/nba/story/14885277/twin-towers-garnett-duncan-both-lynchpins-to-their-teams-success)
By Jan Hubbard
Special to CBSSports.com
SAN ANTONIO -- Twenty-four days and almost 1,600 miles separated the births of Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett, so the possibility that they are fraternal twins can be ruled out.
Duncan was born on April 25, 1976 in St. Croix, Virgin Islands. Garnett was born on May 19, 1976 in Mauldin, S.C.
They grew to be giants -- each is 6-feet-11. Duncan is listed at 255 pounds; Garnett at a twin-like 253.
But the two have vastly different demeanors. If they were siblings, Garnett would be the talker, Duncan the listener. Garnett would be the agitator, Duncan the peacemaker. Garnett would be the kid who serves detention all the time; Duncan would be the teacher's pet.
Garnett's approach to basketball is a combination of Mount St. Helens (seemingly always ready to blow up) and a tabloid headline (screaming wildly and beating his chest vigorously to make sure the world knows he has a big heart).
Duncan is an island breeze, approaching every game and every play with an impassive look that belies his competitiveness and dedication to his craft. He is like a heart surgeon preparing to operate -- quiet, meticulous and professional.
"Kevin wears his emotions on his sleeve," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. "He'd be great to play poker against. Tim would be difficult because you can't read him. You don't know what the hell he's thinking. One's an emotional guy and one's not."
In terms of individual production, however, they are (again) remarkably similar. Yes, Duncan has four titles and Garnett just one. But Garnett supporters will point out that until he reached Boston, Garnett played with the likes of Michael Olowokandi, Wally Szczerbiak and Stephon Marbury -- who do not rank alongside David Robinson, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker in terms of a championship supporting cast.
Perhaps the one statistic that not only says the most about two of the premier forwards in the history of the game, but also represents their essence as team players is shots attempted. Each has averaged 15.7 shots a game during his career.
"There couldn't be a bigger contrast as far as everything between those two except for one thing," Rivers said. "They both are as professional as any two players I've ever been around. They are very serious about their craft. They're both team-oriented to a fault at times. You would say at times 'Tim, shoot more. Kevin, shoot more.' Not many stars' coaches have had to do that."
As they approach their 35th birthdays, the two now have a common challenge -- providing the foundation for a championship. Neither puts up the monster stats anymore. Each is only the third leading scorer on their respective team. But if the two teams, both of which have struggled recently, are to mount long runs in the playoffs, there is little doubt that Duncan and Garnett will be the heart of the effort.
Keep reading... (http://www.cbssports.com/nba/story/14885277/twin-towers-garnett-duncan-both-lynchpins-to-their-teams-success)
http://www.cbssports.com/nba/story/14885277/twin-towers-garnett-duncan-both-lynchpins-to-their-teams-success
By Jan Hubbard
Special to CBSSports.com
SAN ANTONIO -- Twenty-four days and almost 1,600 miles separated the births of Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett, so the possibility that they are fraternal twins can be ruled out.
Duncan was born on April 25, 1976 in St. Croix, Virgin Islands. Garnett was born on May 19, 1976 in Mauldin, S.C.
They grew to be giants -- each is 6-feet-11. Duncan is listed at 255 pounds; Garnett at a twin-like 253.
But the two have vastly different demeanors. If they were siblings, Garnett would be the talker, Duncan the listener. Garnett would be the agitator, Duncan the peacemaker. Garnett would be the kid who serves detention all the time; Duncan would be the teacher's pet.
Garnett's approach to basketball is a combination of Mount St. Helens (seemingly always ready to blow up) and a tabloid headline (screaming wildly and beating his chest vigorously to make sure the world knows he has a big heart).
Duncan is an island breeze, approaching every game and every play with an impassive look that belies his competitiveness and dedication to his craft. He is like a heart surgeon preparing to operate -- quiet, meticulous and professional.
"Kevin wears his emotions on his sleeve," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. "He'd be great to play poker against. Tim would be difficult because you can't read him. You don't know what the hell he's thinking. One's an emotional guy and one's not."
In terms of individual production, however, they are (again) remarkably similar. Yes, Duncan has four titles and Garnett just one. But Garnett supporters will point out that until he reached Boston, Garnett played with the likes of Michael Olowokandi, Wally Szczerbiak and Stephon Marbury -- who do not rank alongside David Robinson, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker in terms of a championship supporting cast.
Perhaps the one statistic that not only says the most about two of the premier forwards in the history of the game, but also represents their essence as team players is shots attempted. Each has averaged 15.7 shots a game during his career.
"There couldn't be a bigger contrast as far as everything between those two except for one thing," Rivers said. "They both are as professional as any two players I've ever been around. They are very serious about their craft. They're both team-oriented to a fault at times. You would say at times 'Tim, shoot more. Kevin, shoot more.' Not many stars' coaches have had to do that."
As they approach their 35th birthdays, the two now have a common challenge -- providing the foundation for a championship. Neither puts up the monster stats anymore. Each is only the third leading scorer on their respective team. But if the two teams, both of which have struggled recently, are to mount long runs in the playoffs, there is little doubt that Duncan and Garnett will be the heart of the effort.
Keep reading... (http://www.cbssports.com/nba/story/14885277/twin-towers-garnett-duncan-both-lynchpins-to-their-teams-success)
http://www.cbssports.com/nba/story/14885277/twin-towers-garnett-duncan-both-lynchpins-to-their-teams-success