tekdragon
06-21-2005, 02:20 PM
Duncan needs to be Spur of moment (http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/2005-06-20-duncan_x.htm)
By David DuPree, USA TODAY
SAN ANTONIO — Historically speaking, the NBA Finals have been Tim Duncan's personal showcase — two appearances, two championships and two Finals MVP awards.
Duncan has said that San Antonio's success against the Detroit Pistons starts with him. If the Spurs, who lead the best-of-seven series 3-2, capture their third title with a victory in Game 6 on Tuesday night, he will most likely be the Finals MVP once again.
But life hasn't been so easy the third time around. Duncan has struggled more against Detroit than he did against the New York Knicks in 1999 or the New Jersey Nets in 2003.
Playing alongside 7-1 David Robinson, Duncan dominated both those series, averaging 27.4 points and 14 rebounds against New York and 24.2 points, 17 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 5.3 blocks against New Jersey.
The Pistons have alternated three physical defenders, Ben Wallace, Rasheed Wallace and Antonio McDyess, who have harassed Duncan into only 40.9% shooting. In his first Finals without Robinson, Duncan is averaging 19.6 points and 14.6 rebounds but still has been the most dominant player.
"He knows that it is going to be a battle and there are going to be guys going after him all night long," coach Gregg Popovich says. "I think that the poise that he shows, and the way that he takes it night after night is really a tribute to his character. He knows that is the responsibility that he has."
Duncan rebounded from back-to-back poor games Sunday with 26 points and 19 rebounds. But he missed six of seven fourth-quarter free throws and what appeared to be an easy tip-in at the end of regulation that would have won the game, and he was scoreless in the overtime.
Robert Horry's heroics saved the Spurs, and Duncan was grateful. "He pulled me out of an incredible hole I put myself in," Duncan said. "It (the fourth quarter) was an absolute nightmare."
He is awake now.
Duncan's highs, lows
A comparison of Tim Duncan's numbers in the Spurs' wins in Games 1, 2 and 5 to his numbers in the losses in Games 3 and 4:
Games won Games lost
Minutes 42.0 38.5
FG pct. 46.4% 31.3%
Rebounds 15.7 13.0
Points 22.7 15.0
By David DuPree, USA TODAY
SAN ANTONIO — Historically speaking, the NBA Finals have been Tim Duncan's personal showcase — two appearances, two championships and two Finals MVP awards.
Duncan has said that San Antonio's success against the Detroit Pistons starts with him. If the Spurs, who lead the best-of-seven series 3-2, capture their third title with a victory in Game 6 on Tuesday night, he will most likely be the Finals MVP once again.
But life hasn't been so easy the third time around. Duncan has struggled more against Detroit than he did against the New York Knicks in 1999 or the New Jersey Nets in 2003.
Playing alongside 7-1 David Robinson, Duncan dominated both those series, averaging 27.4 points and 14 rebounds against New York and 24.2 points, 17 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 5.3 blocks against New Jersey.
The Pistons have alternated three physical defenders, Ben Wallace, Rasheed Wallace and Antonio McDyess, who have harassed Duncan into only 40.9% shooting. In his first Finals without Robinson, Duncan is averaging 19.6 points and 14.6 rebounds but still has been the most dominant player.
"He knows that it is going to be a battle and there are going to be guys going after him all night long," coach Gregg Popovich says. "I think that the poise that he shows, and the way that he takes it night after night is really a tribute to his character. He knows that is the responsibility that he has."
Duncan rebounded from back-to-back poor games Sunday with 26 points and 19 rebounds. But he missed six of seven fourth-quarter free throws and what appeared to be an easy tip-in at the end of regulation that would have won the game, and he was scoreless in the overtime.
Robert Horry's heroics saved the Spurs, and Duncan was grateful. "He pulled me out of an incredible hole I put myself in," Duncan said. "It (the fourth quarter) was an absolute nightmare."
He is awake now.
Duncan's highs, lows
A comparison of Tim Duncan's numbers in the Spurs' wins in Games 1, 2 and 5 to his numbers in the losses in Games 3 and 4:
Games won Games lost
Minutes 42.0 38.5
FG pct. 46.4% 31.3%
Rebounds 15.7 13.0
Points 22.7 15.0