Your expectations about Timmy, and how his role will change this season...

[ElNono]

I think this is the season where Timmy will finally take more of a back seat, and a lesser role, tbh...

It doesn't mean he will be any less of a leader out there, and he's obviously still a key part of this team.

The double-doubles will probably be farther apart, but I think the team has potential to be really great regardless. I think Tim will gracefully start passing the torch, much like the Admiral did.

What are you expecting from him this season, considering the arrival of LMA and his comments of wanting his touches, etc?

[Robz4000]

He'll still be a monster defensively and the anchor, but I expect him to average south of 12 PPG if that. As long as his body holds up I expect him to be a Top 15 big in the league.

[TheGreatYacht]

Solid 20/10 guy imo tbqh, I think he'll be pretty good that Tim Duncan

[GSH]

Defensively, Tim is still the anchor. And considering what a beast he was in the playoffs last year, there's no reason to think otherwise. If the chemistry is there - if LMA buys into the help defense, the combo could be pretty intimidating. It's still tough going straight at Timmy, and the young athletic guys trying to go around him could be seeing a lot of balls swatted back at them by LMA - sort of like what Andrei Kirilenko used to do.

On the offensive end, it's Tim's mid-range game that has suffered the most in the last few seasons. He's just not shooting the 12-15 footers off the glass very much, and the 18-20 foot straight-away shot hasn't been dropping as much. As a result, they've been able to space him a little more, and focus more on him nearer the rim. Aldridge has a good in-between game, which (I hope) will force defenses to pick their poison. If they have to respect LMA out at 15 feet, Tim is going to go ape-shit crazy on the inside. I don't think Tim is going to defer to LMA so much as they are just going to take what the defense is giving them on any given night.

Numbers? I think Tim averages around 15.5 and 10, if he's still playing in the neighborhood of 30 minutes. His per-36 somewhere around 19 and 12. Robinson passed the torch gracefully, but his back was in such bad shape the last couple of years (especially the last year), he didn't have much choice. I really think Tim's per-36 numbers will be as good or better than last season, and his minutes will determine his per-game stats.

[spurraider21]

MVP, DPOY, FMVP tbqh

[apalisoc_9]

11 and 8 27 minutes Regular season
14 and 10 34 minutes in playoffs

[TheDoctor]

At 39 y/o Father TIMe is the best 11th player of the league per SI.com

I expect a similar production per minutes played as last season. If his numbers 'per game' take a dive it will be for all 4th quarter seating he'll be enjoying all season long.

[T_L_P]

Regular Season: who cares.

Playoffs: our best player.

[Uriel]

His numbers won't show it, but he'll still be the best big man in the team--which is saying a lot, given how loaded our frontcourt is.

[TheGreatYacht]

His numbers won't show it, but he'll still be the best player in the team--which is saying a lot, given how loaded our frontcourt is.
Fixed :tu

[Kawhitstorm]

I think Tim will gracefully start passing the torch, much like the Admiral did.



Admiral didn't gracefully pass the torch, he simply didn't want any part of being "the man" come playoff time thus was more than happy for Tim to snatch it out of his hand. After so many postseason failures his struggles in the 98 WCSF was the last straw as Tim was on the floor witnessing it.

[Old School 44]

I don't expect any per drop off at all. Should be the same old TD, maybe even better numbers with LA on board and new contracts for Kawhi and Danny.

[Gladney to see you]

I'm really not sure what the expectation is for him this year. Does he play more early then rest to get the team ready to play together OR is he just so good it doesn't matter? Should be interesting.

[Canyonero]

He'll do his GOAT things per usual.

[LittleCriminal]

Duncan is an upgrade over Splitter at the C spot imo..
So its possible he will be able to pull some double doubles.

[T_L_P]

Duncan is an upgrade over Splitter at the C spot imo..

That's a bold statement.

[Brian Windhorst]

Around 28mpg in close games

Around 20mpg in blowouts

No B2B's

Fewer points on better shooting

More rebounds and assists per 36

Lots of high-low post pindowns between he and LMA

Lots of head rubbing

[Russo21]

10pts 10reb 2blocks and better his career high in assists (3.9 in 2003)

[hater]

Good thread elnono

I agree. Duncan will take on a reduced role. He even said it. Lets just hope he keeps himself in shape and his wheels hold out until the playoffs. His role will be greatly increased there and lets hope he produces a Horryesque type of playoff role. We will need him to have.a chance in hell.

Or he could shock all of us once again and steamroll through the season and make the LMAlpha Duncan pair the best big man lineup in the league.

That shit wouldn't surprise me either :lol

[spursistan]

He looked like he is good for another 3 or 4 years of elite BB in that Clippers series,tbh.. but ofc it would be foolish to saddle him with such heavy load again..A combination of healthy Kawhi taking another step and LMA/West will allow for more DNPs and 2 quarters-and-done-for-the-night games..So the raw stats may plummet a bit, something like 12/8 in reg season with a role primarily centered around D anchoring ..However, I'm still expecting a playoff moment or two where it will be up to Timmy to takes us home (similar to Game 6 Ot vs the Thunder )..Even soon to be 40, TD is the player I'm most confident in this team to show up when it matters deep in the playoff when we are staring down elimination or closing out series..That's how special he is, so hopefully a couple or 3 more guys come to help...

[Agloco]

That's a bold statement.

But it's true tbh

[monkeypunk]

Good thread elnono

I agree. Duncan will take on a reduced role. He even said it. Lets just hope he keeps himself in shape and his wheels hold out until the playoffs. His role will be greatly increased there and lets hope he produces a Horryesque type of playoff role. We will need him to have.a chance in hell.

Or he could shock all of us once again and steamroll through the season and make the LMAlpha Duncan pair the best big man lineup in the league.

That shit wouldn't surprise me either :lol

One thing I never worry about with Timmy is staying in shape. Dude is driven.

If LMA can adapt (and Timmy stays relatively injury free) then it is entirely possible that they actually will be (not just perceived as) the best front court in the league.

[monkeypunk]

And great topic, ELNono

[BillMc]

He looked like he is good for another 3 or 4 years of elite BB in that Clippers series,tbh.. but ofc it would be foolish to saddle him with such heavy load again..A combination of healthy Kawhi taking another step and LMA/West will allow for more DNPs and 2 quarters-and-done-for-the-night games..So the raw stats may plummet a bit, something like 12/8 in reg season with a role primarily centered around D anchoring ..However, I'm still expecting a playoff moment or two where it will be up to Timmy to takes us home (similar to Game 6 Ot vs the Thunder )..Even soon to be 40, TD is the player I'm most confident in this team to show up when it matters deep in the playoff when we are staring down elimination or closing out series..That's how special he is, so hopefully a couple or 3 more guys come to help...

Well said. :bobo

[ElNono]

Whatever happens, make sure to take your time and enjoy it. :toast

[spurs10]

Well said. :bobo Love the pic of Rory Gallagher's guitar, like the Spurs he's the real deal!

[spurs10]

I reckon Pop will be really managing Tim's minutes, but I expect him once again to be in excellent condition. Can't wait to see him and LMA together!

[elbamba]

If I had to take a guess, I would estimate 11 and 8 a game with 2 assists and 1 block. I would also expect his shots to be quality shots so I would put him over 50% from fg.

[BillMc]

Love the pic of Rory Gallagher's guitar, like the Spurs he's the real deal!
:bobo Cheers bro! Yeah Rory's the Man. He's the great semi-undiscovered classic rock guitarist. His live tracks are legendary.

[Brazil]

If I had to take a guess, I would estimate 11 and 8 a game with 2 assists and 1 block. I would also expect his shots to be quality shots so I would put him over 50% from fg.

Duncan last three seasons had 2,7 1,9 and 2 blks per game... he won't go down to one even with less minutes... plus he will play even more center

At 27 mn per game, a bit less than last year I'd say 10 with amount of touches LMA will need, I don't see such a drop of rebound so 9

11 9 south 2 blks 3,5 assists

[007nites]

12.4ppg, 8.9rpg, 2.7apg, and 1.5bpg

[SuperCam]

If Tim isn't the Spurs 2nd best player at worst then there will be no title contention, tbh