Comments about Duncan's Leadership

[Sildegil]

I dont post much here even if i m comming on this forum frequently several times a day.

I thought this comment about Duncan, from ESPN boards, was very accurate. So i felt i had to share it.

Here it is :

http://forums.espn.go.com/espn/message?byThread=false&messageID=16565988

Lakers fan here<br><br>Ducan's willingess to step back and let the offense center around Parker (and last year Ginobli) is what makes him so good and so unique. In my opinion, he's the best baller on the planet when you factor in both O AND D. I'm positive if they had a league wide draft, Duncan would be the first pick. Yet he's willing to sacrific his stats and control for the team. How many stars would do that. My guy in LA wouldn't. AI, TMac, Lebron, Wade, Shaq wouldn't either. People talk about how great a coach Pop is and yeah he knows his sh1t, but most coaches in the league know their x's and o's. The problem isthe players don't listen to them. When a guy like Duncan is reserved and does what his coaches tell him to do everyone else has to fall in line. People say Ducan's not a leader 'cause he doesn't play w/"emotion" (i.e. act like a jackass after he makes a routine play), but it's what Duncan DOESN'T do and DOESN'T say that makes him a great leader. Anyways, take it from a Lakers fan, be greatful your superstar leaves the coaching to the coach and doesn't demand 30 shots a night.

[td4mvp21]

I think the laker fan hit it right on the dot.

[FromWayDowntown]

I think the Laker fan post is exactly right. And it's not just what Timmy does and doesn't do on the court. Somebody -- I think Tony Massenburg -- said that the Spurs' greatest strength last season was that everyone in the group is treated equally; that Pop will praise everyone the way he praises Timmy and that Pop is as critical of Timmy as he is of the last guy on the squad.

Much of the Tim questioning going on around here is oblivious to Timmy's lack of ego, his selflessness. Tim could demand that he get enough touches and shots to roll up 30 points every night, but he doesn't because he knows that there are nights that he can go for 16 and have a huge impact on the team getting a victory because of the other things he does. Some may not recall, but early in Tim's career (and its still true to this day), the Spurs struggled mightily when he went for big scoring numbers. Tim's career best is 53 against Dallas in December of 2001; the Spurs lost that game.

It's not about any number for Tim other than W's -- and, ultimately, it's only about 16 of those.

[exstatic]

Funny that Laker fan can recognize what Spur fan cannot...:rolleyes

[FromWayDowntown]

Funny that Laker fan can recognize what Spur fan cannot...:rolleyes

. . . what some Spurs fans cannot.

[exstatic]

Well, it's SOME Laker fans as well. Both are kind of assumed.

[yeahone]

great comment from a laker fan

[boutons]

it's really a Spur troll

[redskinfan]

Duncan is LAZY!!!!

[spurs=bling]

he/she is a closet Spurs fan

[dbreiden83080]

Timmy can never win with the media. He is laidback and never complians about anything and they say that is what makes him boring. However if he bitched and moaned like crazy about his role he would be a selfish player. Shaq is as selfish as it gets but they view him as charasmatic so he can say whatever he wants and not take crap for it.

[Supergirl]

The other players know this about Duncan. They all respect him, and that's why they want to play with him.

And yeah, he is the best active player around today, in defense, in offense, and in basketball smarts. No question.

[TwoHandJam]

With the talent Tim now has around him and the length of the punishing NBA season, the discerning fan can see that Tim uses some of the regular season games to hone his teammates. What can appear like "dogging it" to some is just efficient basketball with the added benefit of sharpening the skills of the players around you. Tim rarely needs to dominate the ball these days except in tough spots when it's absolutely neccessary.

I often feel more comfortable when Tim is just having a "mediocre" 20/10 night and the rest of the team is hitting their shots than when Tim is dominating and everyone else is flat.

[Chef]

Timmy Duncra couldn't lead a team out of a wet paper bag.
Now Kobe Bryant? That's a Leader. Don't forget KG as well.

[Obstructed_View]

Timmy Duncra couldn't lead a team out of a wet paper bag.
Now Kobe Bryant? That's a Leader. Don't forget KG as well.
And KG must be clutcher because he beat Kobe.

[TDMVPDPOY]

Seriously duncan has started very slow this season, but his showin glimpses of the 98/99 season duncan with those low post spin moves mad!!!!

[pache100]

Pop will praise everyone the way he praises Timmy and that Pop is as critical of Timmy as he is of the last guy on the squad.

I particularly wouldn't have wanted to be Timmy going into the locker room at halftime last night. But, then, I couldn't figure out if Pop went Serbian on Tim, or if he had Tim stand up in front of the team and said, "Gentlemen, meet Tim Duncan. Remember what he looks like." Because he started running the offense after halftime like nobody's business. EVERYBODY was looking to Timmy. And, that's the way it ought to be in a close game until they get a little breathing room.

[z0sa]

I don't think Timmy is dogging it.

Pop seems to be running the offense through Parker this year. That may not be a bad thing since Tony seems to be coming into his own. Finding and fine tuning the leadership in a young point is gonna pay off and really already has.

Pop is focused on Tony maybe because he didn't do all that well in the summer and he doesn't want to lose Tony's focus and mind.

I do however think Tim has lacked some post assertiveness. His skills haven't declined he isn't tired or lazy he might be a bit aprehensive with all the new additions trying to make it all work and give his new team a since of unity.

The more I watch this team I feel Tim as instructed by Pop has stepped back to allow the new additions to feel welcome. This will allow the team to come together and gel then after the A.S break look for Timmy to be more aggressive as far as getting more shots goes.

I agree with this. Tim is just getting the new players in sync with the offense and whatnot. Then, come later in the season and in the playoffs, they will be used to the offensive and defensive schemes etc, and so they will hit their shots better. Tim will look to score more then - but for now, hes just helping everyone out.