Kerr on Duncan

[MajorMike]

San Antonio's slam Dunc
By Steve Kerr

Sunday, May 13, 2007 2:42 am EDT
I have to come clean: Not once this season did I make mention of Tim Duncan for MVP.

I realize I'm not alone -- there weren't many people on the Duncan bandwagon when it came to discussion of the award -- but as the playoffs continue and basketball fans focus on the San Antonio Spurs star on a nightly basis, it seems absurd that he wasn't at least in the MVP picture all season.

After all, Duncan enjoyed one of his best seasons in years, averaging 20 points, 10.6 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game and shooting 54.6 percent from the field. Following a season in which he struggled with plantar fasciitis in his foot, Duncan regained the bounce in his step and once again has dominated on the block.

I think the main reason Duncan was so under the radar on the MVP screen is that his game just isn't that entertaining. He's not Steve Nash, weaving his way around defenders and finding open teammates with passes that come from impossible angles. He's no Dirk Nowitzki, a 7-footer with hair flopping and three-pointers dropping in transition. And he's not Kobe Bryant, wowing fans with his incredible combination of athleticism, scoring skills and footwork.

Duncan is just Duncan -- fundamentally sound, strong, resilient and dominating in a very efficient way. He posts up on the block and either scores with one-on-one coverage or draws a double team and passes to an open teammate. Defensively, he anchors the best defense in the NBA by positioning himself in the right spot over and over again, thwarting guards with his long arms and fending off big men with his strength. He doesn't block shots like Marcus Camby, but his presence makes more of an impact. Ask Nash if he knew Duncan was around when he missed several driving scoop shots in San Antonio's 108-101 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Saturday night.

Think about what else Duncan did in Game 3. He scored 33 points, grabbed 19 boards, got both Amare Stoudemire and Kurt Thomas in foul trouble and blocked three shots. When the Spurs had to have a hoop, they went to Duncan. When they needed a stop, they relied on him to guard the paint and cover the rim. He didn't have any Baron Davis highlight reel plays that will be replayed on "SportsCenter" but he wore down the Suns the same way he has worn down opponents for 10 years in the NBA.

Now San Antonio has a leg up on Phoenix going into Game 4 on Monday. The Suns were able to stay close despite a poor shooting night from Nash (6 for 17) and foul trouble that limited Stoudemire to 20 minutes. But unlike Game 2, they weren't able to contain Duncan's teammates.

Manu Ginobili busted out for 24 points, Bruce Bowen hit two threes and Michael Finley, Brent Barry and Robert Horry all hit timely shots. As Mike D'Antoni said before Game 2, Phoenix can afford to have Duncan score 30 points -- he's probably going to do that regardless of what the Suns do defensively -- but they can't afford to have everyone else rolling.

The dilemma D'Antoni faces is that his squad didn't double-team Duncan all night, yet the Spurs' role players still got off. Phoenix may have to show Duncan some double-team looks to throw him out of his rhythm, but it doesn't want to commit all out to him and let everyone else get going.

If the Suns are going to win Game 4, they have to do a better job on Bowen and others defensively. But more importantly, they'll have to get better games out of Nash, Stoudemire and Leandro Barbosa, who never got anything going in Game 3. But even with a great offensive game from its usual suspects, Phoenix still will have to deal with Duncan, who probably is the best player in the league. Even if morons like me forgot to mention that during all the MVP talk.

[smeagol]

TD is fucking awesome.

The city of San Antonio is blessed to have him as a Spur.

[GrandeDavid]

Tim is clearly the best in the league when it matters most, the playoffs. At least right now he is. That's another reason I don't care about regular season accolades. Tim is putting himself in position to capture is 4th playoffs MVP award, which carries much more weight than the is other 2 regular season ones.

[sa_butta]

The man just understands the game, and how it is suppose to be played. He really turns it up for the playoffs. He just gets it done on both sides of the floor.

[1Parker1]

He was playing with a confidence I haven't seen in a while. He never got frustrated, he didn't bitch to refs as much as he usually does, and more importantly, he was the leader by example last night. I can't think of a single other player in the NBA who affects the court on both ends the way he does...

[ducks]

The man just understands the game, and how it is suppose to be played. He really turns it up for the playoffs. He just gets it done on both sides of the floor.
he gets bored during the regular season
he likes to be like horry to a certain extent during the regular season

[dimsah]

Anyone notice that TD has made exactly 12 field goals in each game against the Suns so far? He's averaging over 31 pts, 15 rbs and shooting over 57% for the series.

[Lebowski Brickowski]

San Antonio's slam Dunc
By Steve Kerr

Sunday, May 13, 2007 2:42 am EDT
I have to come clean: Not once this season did I make mention of Tim Duncan for MVP.

I realize I'm not alone -- there weren't many people on the Duncan bandwagon when it came to discussion of the award -- but as the playoffs continue and basketball fans focus on the San Antonio Spurs star on a nightly basis, it seems absurd that he wasn't at least in the MVP picture all season.

After all, Duncan enjoyed one of his best seasons in years, averaging 20 points, 10.6 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game and shooting 54.6 percent from the field. Following a season in which he struggled with plantar fasciitis in his foot, Duncan regained the bounce in his step and once again has dominated on the block.

I think the main reason Duncan was so under the radar on the MVP screen is that his game just isn't that entertaining. He's not Steve Nash, weaving his way around defenders and finding open teammates with passes that come from impossible angles. He's no Dirk Nowitzki, a 7-footer with hair flopping and three-pointers dropping in transition. And he's not Kobe Bryant, wowing fans with his incredible combination of athleticism, scoring skills and footwork.

Duncan is just Duncan -- fundamentally sound, strong, resilient and dominating in a very efficient way. He posts up on the block and either scores with one-on-one coverage or draws a double team and passes to an open teammate. Defensively, he anchors the best defense in the NBA by positioning himself in the right spot over and over again, thwarting guards with his long arms and fending off big men with his strength. He doesn't block shots like Marcus Camby, but his presence makes more of an impact. Ask Nash if he knew Duncan was around when he missed several driving scoop shots in San Antonio's 108-101 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Saturday night.

Think about what else Duncan did in Game 3. He scored 33 points, grabbed 19 boards, got both Amare Stoudemire and Kurt Thomas in foul trouble and blocked three shots. When the Spurs had to have a hoop, they went to Duncan. When they needed a stop, they relied on him to guard the paint and cover the rim. He didn't have any Baron Davis highlight reel plays that will be replayed on "SportsCenter" but he wore down the Suns the same way he has worn down opponents for 10 years in the NBA.

Now San Antonio has a leg up on Phoenix going into Game 4 on Monday. The Suns were able to stay close despite a poor shooting night from Nash (6 for 17) and foul trouble that limited Stoudemire to 20 minutes. But unlike Game 2, they weren't able to contain Duncan's teammates.

Manu Ginobili busted out for 24 points, Bruce Bowen hit two threes and Michael Finley, Brent Barry and Robert Horry all hit timely shots. As Mike D'Antoni said before Game 2, Phoenix can afford to have Duncan score 30 points -- he's probably going to do that regardless of what the Suns do defensively -- but they can't afford to have everyone else rolling.

The dilemma D'Antoni faces is that his squad didn't double-team Duncan all night, yet the Spurs' role players still got off. Phoenix may have to show Duncan some double-team looks to throw him out of his rhythm, but it doesn't want to commit all out to him and let everyone else get going.

If the Suns are going to win Game 4, they have to do a better job on Bowen and others defensively. But more importantly, they'll have to get better games out of Nash, Stoudemire and Leandro Barbosa, who never got anything going in Game 3. But even with a great offensive game from its usual suspects, Phoenix still will have to deal with Duncan, who probably is the best player in the league. Even if morons like me forgot to mention that during all the MVP talk.

TDs turn-around, fall-away, bank shot from the baseline should be on every highlight reel on espn.

[TampaDude]

TD = teh MVP

[Borosai]

Glass!

[exstatic]

Too late, Stevie. You see your Suns going down, and want to jump on the Spur wagon? Kick to the face. Go back and lick D'Antoni's butt crack some more.

[SpursFanFirst]

San Antonio's slam Dunc
By Steve Kerr

Sunday, May 13, 2007 2:42 am EDT
I have to come clean: Not once this season did I make mention of Tim Duncan for MVP.

I realize I'm not alone -- there weren't many people on the Duncan bandwagon when it came to discussion of the award -- but as the playoffs continue and basketball fans focus on the San Antonio Spurs star on a nightly basis, it seems absurd that he wasn't at least in the MVP picture all season.

After all, Duncan enjoyed one of his best seasons in years, averaging 20 points, 10.6 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game and shooting 54.6 percent from the field. Following a season in which he struggled with plantar fasciitis in his foot, Duncan regained the bounce in his step and once again has dominated on the block.

I think the main reason Duncan was so under the radar on the MVP screen is that his game just isn't that entertaining. He's not Steve Nash, weaving his way around defenders and finding open teammates with passes that come from impossible angles. He's no Dirk Nowitzki, a 7-footer with hair flopping and three-pointers dropping in transition. And he's not Kobe Bryant, wowing fans with his incredible combination of athleticism, scoring skills and footwork.

Duncan is just Duncan -- fundamentally sound, strong, resilient and dominating in a very efficient way. He posts up on the block and either scores with one-on-one coverage or draws a double team and passes to an open teammate. Defensively, he anchors the best defense in the NBA by positioning himself in the right spot over and over again, thwarting guards with his long arms and fending off big men with his strength. He doesn't block shots like Marcus Camby, but his presence makes more of an impact. Ask Nash if he knew Duncan was around when he missed several driving scoop shots in San Antonio's 108-101 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Saturday night.

Think about what else Duncan did in Game 3. He scored 33 points, grabbed 19 boards, got both Amare Stoudemire and Kurt Thomas in foul trouble and blocked three shots. When the Spurs had to have a hoop, they went to Duncan. When they needed a stop, they relied on him to guard the paint and cover the rim. He didn't have any Baron Davis highlight reel plays that will be replayed on "SportsCenter" but he wore down the Suns the same way he has worn down opponents for 10 years in the NBA.

Now San Antonio has a leg up on Phoenix going into Game 4 on Monday. The Suns were able to stay close despite a poor shooting night from Nash (6 for 17) and foul trouble that limited Stoudemire to 20 minutes. But unlike Game 2, they weren't able to contain Duncan's teammates.

Manu Ginobili busted out for 24 points, Bruce Bowen hit two threes and Michael Finley, Brent Barry and Robert Horry all hit timely shots. As Mike D'Antoni said before Game 2, Phoenix can afford to have Duncan score 30 points -- he's probably going to do that regardless of what the Suns do defensively -- but they can't afford to have everyone else rolling.

The dilemma D'Antoni faces is that his squad didn't double-team Duncan all night, yet the Spurs' role players still got off. Phoenix may have to show Duncan some double-team looks to throw him out of his rhythm, but it doesn't want to commit all out to him and let everyone else get going.

If the Suns are going to win Game 4, they have to do a better job on Bowen and others defensively. But more importantly, they'll have to get better games out of Nash, Stoudemire and Leandro Barbosa, who never got anything going in Game 3. But even with a great offensive game from its usual suspects, Phoenix still will have to deal with Duncan, who probably is the best player in the league. Even if morons like me forgot to mention that during all the MVP talk.

So, Duncan needs to have flopping hair and make 3-point shots on a regular basis to be put in the MVP talk? :rolleyes
I'm so sick of Kerr jumping on and off bandwagons.

[ShoogarBear]

Hey, this is like the 20th-greatest Spur of all time you guys are ragging on.

[timvp]

Hey, this is like the 20th-greatest Spur of all time you guys are ragging on.

:lmao

[SpursWoman]

Hey, this is like the 20th-greatest Spur of all time you guys are ragging on.

:lol :lol

[Obstructed_View]

Steve said that Jason Terry was the most clutch shooter he's ever seen. I take much of what Stevie says with a grain of salt.

[Fabbs]

Too late, Stevie. You see your Suns going down, and want to jump on the Spur wagon? Kick to the face. Go back and lick D'Antoni's butt crack some more.
Motion 2nded.

[dbreiden83080]

Tim is clearly the best in the league when it matters most, the playoffs. At least right now he is. That's another reason I don't care about regular season accolades. Tim is putting himself in position to capture is 4th playoffs MVP award, which carries much more weight than the is other 2 regular season ones.

I will never understand people who say Duncan's game is not fun to watch, to me his game is beautiful. He does everything well on that court on both ends. To me it is a blight on the fanbase around the NBA today. They are engineered to like players that make the ESPN highlight reel, guys who dunk the ball, yell and pose while their man is running down the floor and getting an easy layup. Tim is the best player in the NBA period and should get far more credit for it.

[word]

Whenever people say/write that Tim Duncan isn't exciting to watch I can only think, 'Was Kareem exciting to watch ?'

And what is so exciting about Shaq, when it gets right down to it. Is Dampier exciting to watch ? Diop ? How about Yao, is he exciting to watch ? I could go on....

For a big man, TD is one of the MOST exciting to watch. The 'boring' label is a bad rapp for both TD and the Spurs in general.

[peskypesky]

Too late, Stevie. You see your Suns going down, and want to jump on the Spur wagon? Kick to the face. Go back and lick D'Antoni's butt crack some more.

Word.

[Obstructed_View]

It's probably important to remember that we are a society that watches the race for the crashes. The average NBA viewer doesn't tune in to watch Ron Artest's game, which is actually kind of a shame, because he's very good when he actually plays. The boring label is lame, but it's hardly unexpected. Nobody wants to see nice guys win, especially from a small city in Texas. It's fun to discuss, but I sometimes wonder if some of us should just accept it and move on.

[dbreiden83080]

Whenever people say/write that Tim Duncan isn't exciting to watch I can only think, 'Was Kareem exciting to watch ?'

And what is so exciting about Shaq, when it gets right down to it. Is Dampier exciting to watch ? Diop ? How about Yao, is he exciting to watch ? I could go on....

For a big man, TD is one of the MOST exciting to watch. The 'boring' label is a bad rapp for both TD and the Spurs in general.

The problem is what the league deems as exciting to watch and the fans deem as exciting to watch is not the type of play that wins titles. Guys like Vince Carter who are flashy and fun to watch but have serious deficiencies in their games are not leading anyone to a title.

[judaspriestess]

thanks steve for calling yourself a MORON, ain't that the truth.

[gtownspur]

Lay off of kerr.

Kerr's floaters are still all entrenched in the mavs banners after the 03 butt raping.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Lay off of kerr.

Kerr's floaters are still all entrenched in the mavs banners after the 03 butt raping.

Yeah, and according to that logic Avery's just a nice 'aw shucks' guy, a 'Spur at heart because he hit a few jumpers in 1999', not a coach who lives every breathing moment for beating the Spurs in the playoffs and would (and has) stab every single Spur on the court in the back given the chance. :rolleyes

[dallaskd]

hes no doubt one of the top 10 players in the nba, but hes SO boring to watch

[ChumpDumper]

Yeah, 20-foot fadeaways are much more exciting.

Actually, good basketball is always exciting to watch. But folks always need something to whine about.

[Obstructed_View]

Compared to the way he's played this post season, Duncan's play during the regular season WAS boring.

[dbreiden83080]

hes no doubt one of the top 10 players in the nba, but hes SO boring to watch

He is the best player in the NBA and what is boring about his game? HE can score on anyone in the low block at will. The only big man that i ever saw that i could say was flashy was Hakeem. With the exception of his bank shot, Duncan pretty much plays a game similiar to all the other great bigs that have come before him.

[duncanchick21]

Tim Duncan is the best fucking player ever!!! :clap :flag: :worthy:

[Obstructed_View]

He is the best player in the NBA and what is boring about his game? HE can score on anyone in the low block at will. The only big man that i ever saw that i could say was flashy was Hakeem. With the exception of his bank shot, Duncan pretty much plays a game similiar to all the other great bigs that have come before him.
There was a big that played in San Antonio for a while that was kind of exciting from time to time.

[dallaskd]

I dont care what you guys say...TD is boring to watch. but hes good im giving you that. but he is NOT the best in the NBA.

[dbreiden83080]

There was a big that played in San Antonio for a while that was kind of exciting from time to time.

Sure but i would not call him flashy, he was athletic as all hell but Hakeem had a lot of flair to his low post moves. Plus Robinson was not the all around player that Duncan is, so to me it is even more unfair to call Timmy boring.

[Samr]

Duncan has been the MVP five times. Two of those awards, of course, mean much less than the other three. But really who's counting?

I'm fine with Kerr being wrong on this one. I'll take a rain check instead.

[dbreiden83080]

I dont care what you guys say...TD is boring to watch. but hes good im giving you that. but he is NOT the best in the NBA.

Name me one better and if you say Lebron excuse me while i laugh because his defense is mediocre at best.

[dallaskd]

Name me one better and if you say Lebron excuse me while i laugh because his defense is mediocre at best.

Kobe
Amare
Nash
T-Mac
even Dirk until playoff time.

[SpursFanFirst]

Name me one better and if you say Lebron excuse me while i laugh because his defense is mediocre at best.

I was going to ask the same thing. I can't wait to see his answer.

[dallaskd]

I was going to ask the same thing. I can't wait to see his answer.

one post up buddy

[AOMrep]

TD is fucking awesome.

The city of San Antonio is blessed to have him as a Spur.


True That!

[dbreiden83080]

Kobe
Amare
Nash
T-Mac
even Dirk until playoff time.

LOL the only guy on that list you can make a case for is Kobe because he has three rings like Tim. Nash, great PG and leader but plays Zero defense and has ZERO rings. T-Mac he is not worth discussing until his ass gets out of round one in the playoffs. Amare, if you think he is the all around player that Duncan is you do not know much about basketball. Dirk, can't stop laughing at the choke artist you attempted to bring into the conversation.

[LilMissSPURfect]

just for the sake of argument i would have to say

shaq
chauncey
kobe
parker

that other list if pathetic

[ShoogarBear]

Dirk :lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao

[Obstructed_View]

Sure but i would not call him flashy, he was athletic as all hell but Hakeem had a lot of flair to his low post moves. Plus Robinson was not the all around player that Duncan is, so to me it is even more unfair to call Timmy boring.
:lol Somehow I don't think you were watching back then.

[dbreiden83080]

:lol Somehow I don't think you were watching back then.

LOL are you kidding or have you forgotten Hakeem dream shaking Robinson out of his damn shoes in the West finals in 1995. I think you are a little too much of a HOMER on this one.

[Obstructed_View]

LOL are you kidding or have you forgotten Hakeem dream shaking Robinson out of his damn shoes in the West finals in 1995. I think you are a little too much of a HOMER on this one.
Oh, so Hakeem played 1400 or so games in his career, yet you are basing it all on six games in 1995? In that case, David Robinson's the worst defender in NBA history, right?

[dbreiden83080]

Oh, so Hakeem played 1400 or so games in his career, yet you are basing it all on six games in 1995? In that case, David Robinson's the worst defender in NBA history, right?

You are getting into quality of play which there is no comparison BTW Hakeem was better than Robinson by quite a bit. I was talking about who was more flashy or fun to watch. IMO that was Hakeem you disagree that is fine no big deal.

[Strike]

Kobe Doesn't make the players around him better.

AmareGive me a fucking break! Good player but overrated.

NashCan't carry his team to a ring.

T-MacCan't even get his lazy eyed ass out of the first fucking round!!!

even Dirk until playoff time.Are you fucking kidding me? What has this dickhead accomplished?

[dbreiden83080]

Are you fucking kidding me? What has this dickhead accomplished?

He has probably made Cuban reconsider building around him, other than that not too much.

[Strike]

He has probably made Cuban reconsider building around him, other than that not too much.


Thank you.

[Obstructed_View]

You are getting into quality of play which there is no comparison BTW Hakeem was better than Robinson by quite a bit. I was talking about who was more flashy or fun to watch. IMO that was Hakeem you disagree that is fine no big deal.

Something else you base only on the one playoff series, right? Robinson holds a 32-16 edge in head to head competitions with Hakeem with nearly identical numbers. Again, if you weren't a fan back then, it's fine. I'll just politely state my opinion that Robinson was more fun to watch.

[dbreiden83080]

Something else you base only on the one playoff series, right? Robinson holds a 32-16 edge in head to head competitions with Hakeem with nearly identical numbers. Again, if you weren't a fan back then, it's fine. I'll just politely state my opinion that Robinson was more fun to watch.

Hakeem LED his team to 2 titles and beat Robinson's 1 seeded Spurs team in 1995 to get one of them. I hate to break it to you it is pretty much accepted that Hakeem was better than Robinson. Had D-Rob not needed Duncan to get his rings that would not be the case but he did so you can't put him up there with Hakeem.