Man of Steel
06-08-2007, 02:02 AM
John P. Lopez
With a possible fourth NBA championships in his grasp, it's hard to ignore Tim Duncan as one of the best of all time.
Jason Babyak: AP
June 6, 2007, 11:36PM
Psst! Duncan's one of all-time greats; pass it on
By JOHN P. LOPEZ
Complete Rockets coverage SAN ANTONIO — When a little plastic ball pinged instead of ponged in 1997, it was easy to wonder just how Tim Duncan would have fit into the Boston Celtics' storied history.
Now we know: Bill Russell. John Havlicek. Larry Bird. Tim Duncan.
Had the Celtics won the lottery they were favored to win, Duncan would be known today as every bit the legend of Larry and the consummate champion that was Russell. Because of massive media exposure and market size, he would have been put in that category five, maybe even eight, years ago.
This is not to play the what-if game for Celtics fans or to rub margarita salt into old wounds as the basketball world converges on the River Walk.
But as Duncan enters tonight's NBA Finals opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers, it's clear that an increasing number of fans tuning into the best-of-seven series will recognize they are watching something special.
It's as if casual basketball fans are just now noticing Duncan is not only good, or even great, but one of the 10 or 12 best players in NBA history.
Much like his game and the Spurs' mantra for winning — "keep beating on the rock until it cracks" — it took a while, but Duncan has broken through to another place. This may well be King James' stage for the networks — which is fine with the understated Spurs star — but it is Duncan's coronation.
Have you ever wondered just how different Michael Jordan's legend would have been had Portland drafted him No. 2 instead of Sam Bowie?
Well, now you know.
Jordan would have been his generation's Duncan, albeit a slightly — yes, only slightly — more productive one.
And had Duncan landed in Boston in that fateful '97 lottery?
In that case, all those basketball analysts who for years have scoffed at the notion of putting Duncan in such lofty company instead would be comparing the Shaquille O'Neals and Birds to Duncan, instead of vice versa.
The roundtable of reporters on cable sports channels would be trying to outdo each other in coming up with adjectives. Every game, Duncan's locker would be overrun with cameras. Statues would be erected.
After all, if Duncan carries the Spurs to a fourth NBA championship in nine years with a victory over the Cavs, he will join the most elite class in league history. The only other players of Duncan's caliber who have won at least four championships for the same team: Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Russell and Jordan.
Quiet efficiency
Duncan has something else those players had, but he does it with expressionless efficiency, rather than the style of Magic, the captivating elegance of Jordan, the majestic sky hook of Abdul-Jabbar or the dominating flair of Russell.
On the biggest stage, Duncan is at his best. But again, it's San Antonio. And it's quiet efficiency.
Everyone remembers Magic jumping center when Abdul-Jabbar couldn't go or the no-look passes and monumental battles with Bird. Everyone remembers Michael draining everything and shrugging his shoulders for the cameras, as if unable to define his own greatness. Everyone remembers Russell vexing Wilt Chamberlain and the way he put a little high-kick style on so many rebounds.
But do you remember Game 1 of the 2003 NBA Finals against New Jersey, when Dun-can scored 32 points, grabbed 20 rebounds, blocked seven shots and dished six assists?
Do you remember Duncan averaging 27.4 points, 14 rebounds, 2.2 blocks, and 2.4 assists against the New York Knicks in '99? Or the pivotal road win at Detroit in 2005? In that one, despite being slowed by foot and ankle injuries, Duncan swung the series the Spurs' way with 26 points and 19 rebounds in a 96-95 overtime victory.
Until just moments before tipoff at the Palace that year, Duncan was receiving treatment on his injuries. He hardly warmed up and could be seen flexing his foot in pain.
Had that kind of effort been given in Boston, Duncan would have been hailed and revered like Willis Reed, who limped onto the Madison Square Garden floor for the Knicks.
In Duncan's case, few even knew he was hurt. But the Spurs play in the third-smallest television market in the league, and Duncan never pursues the spotlight. An NBA executive even said Wednesday he never remembers a superstar as underappreciated, and happy to be so, as Duncan.
Won't toot his own horn
Even Wednesday, as reporters collectively came to the conclusion that they were in the presence of one of the all-time greats, they pressed Duncan for some kind of notable quote. Like they would for a Jordan or Magic, they searched for something to frame and store.
Duncan was candid, but mostly complimentary of teammates. Someone asked if Duncan considered himself one of the greatest players ever.
He stared back at the reporter, expressionless, and said something about notoriety not being something he has worried about.
He didn't say anything, really. And the rest of the basketball world is only now realizing he has never had to.
[email protected]
Listen to John P. Lopez weekdays from noon-3 p.m. on 790 AM.
With a possible fourth NBA championships in his grasp, it's hard to ignore Tim Duncan as one of the best of all time.
Jason Babyak: AP
June 6, 2007, 11:36PM
Psst! Duncan's one of all-time greats; pass it on
By JOHN P. LOPEZ
Complete Rockets coverage SAN ANTONIO — When a little plastic ball pinged instead of ponged in 1997, it was easy to wonder just how Tim Duncan would have fit into the Boston Celtics' storied history.
Now we know: Bill Russell. John Havlicek. Larry Bird. Tim Duncan.
Had the Celtics won the lottery they were favored to win, Duncan would be known today as every bit the legend of Larry and the consummate champion that was Russell. Because of massive media exposure and market size, he would have been put in that category five, maybe even eight, years ago.
This is not to play the what-if game for Celtics fans or to rub margarita salt into old wounds as the basketball world converges on the River Walk.
But as Duncan enters tonight's NBA Finals opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers, it's clear that an increasing number of fans tuning into the best-of-seven series will recognize they are watching something special.
It's as if casual basketball fans are just now noticing Duncan is not only good, or even great, but one of the 10 or 12 best players in NBA history.
Much like his game and the Spurs' mantra for winning — "keep beating on the rock until it cracks" — it took a while, but Duncan has broken through to another place. This may well be King James' stage for the networks — which is fine with the understated Spurs star — but it is Duncan's coronation.
Have you ever wondered just how different Michael Jordan's legend would have been had Portland drafted him No. 2 instead of Sam Bowie?
Well, now you know.
Jordan would have been his generation's Duncan, albeit a slightly — yes, only slightly — more productive one.
And had Duncan landed in Boston in that fateful '97 lottery?
In that case, all those basketball analysts who for years have scoffed at the notion of putting Duncan in such lofty company instead would be comparing the Shaquille O'Neals and Birds to Duncan, instead of vice versa.
The roundtable of reporters on cable sports channels would be trying to outdo each other in coming up with adjectives. Every game, Duncan's locker would be overrun with cameras. Statues would be erected.
After all, if Duncan carries the Spurs to a fourth NBA championship in nine years with a victory over the Cavs, he will join the most elite class in league history. The only other players of Duncan's caliber who have won at least four championships for the same team: Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Russell and Jordan.
Quiet efficiency
Duncan has something else those players had, but he does it with expressionless efficiency, rather than the style of Magic, the captivating elegance of Jordan, the majestic sky hook of Abdul-Jabbar or the dominating flair of Russell.
On the biggest stage, Duncan is at his best. But again, it's San Antonio. And it's quiet efficiency.
Everyone remembers Magic jumping center when Abdul-Jabbar couldn't go or the no-look passes and monumental battles with Bird. Everyone remembers Michael draining everything and shrugging his shoulders for the cameras, as if unable to define his own greatness. Everyone remembers Russell vexing Wilt Chamberlain and the way he put a little high-kick style on so many rebounds.
But do you remember Game 1 of the 2003 NBA Finals against New Jersey, when Dun-can scored 32 points, grabbed 20 rebounds, blocked seven shots and dished six assists?
Do you remember Duncan averaging 27.4 points, 14 rebounds, 2.2 blocks, and 2.4 assists against the New York Knicks in '99? Or the pivotal road win at Detroit in 2005? In that one, despite being slowed by foot and ankle injuries, Duncan swung the series the Spurs' way with 26 points and 19 rebounds in a 96-95 overtime victory.
Until just moments before tipoff at the Palace that year, Duncan was receiving treatment on his injuries. He hardly warmed up and could be seen flexing his foot in pain.
Had that kind of effort been given in Boston, Duncan would have been hailed and revered like Willis Reed, who limped onto the Madison Square Garden floor for the Knicks.
In Duncan's case, few even knew he was hurt. But the Spurs play in the third-smallest television market in the league, and Duncan never pursues the spotlight. An NBA executive even said Wednesday he never remembers a superstar as underappreciated, and happy to be so, as Duncan.
Won't toot his own horn
Even Wednesday, as reporters collectively came to the conclusion that they were in the presence of one of the all-time greats, they pressed Duncan for some kind of notable quote. Like they would for a Jordan or Magic, they searched for something to frame and store.
Duncan was candid, but mostly complimentary of teammates. Someone asked if Duncan considered himself one of the greatest players ever.
He stared back at the reporter, expressionless, and said something about notoriety not being something he has worried about.
He didn't say anything, really. And the rest of the basketball world is only now realizing he has never had to.
[email protected]
Listen to John P. Lopez weekdays from noon-3 p.m. on 790 AM.