Buck Harvey: Spurs' edge: Duncan has been waiting

[dbreiden83080]

Tim Duncan, in 25 playoff games against Shaquille O'Neal's teams:

25.8 ppg
12.9 rpg
48% FG (227-470)
73% FT (189-260)
4.1 apg
2.4 bpg

Just sayin'.

SHHHH

Tim is Scared of Shaq.

[duncan228]

Tim Duncan, in 25 playoff games against Shaquille O'Neal's teams:

25.8 ppg
12.9 rpg
48% FG (227-470)
73% FT (189-260)
4.1 apg
2.4 bpg

Just sayin'.

Keep sayin' it FWD.

I don't remember being quite this excited about Duncan's Playoff performance before. He's always incredible to watch in the post-season, but I think he's really going to show us something this year. His chance to repeat is now, he'll bring everything he's got to make it happen.

I can't wait.

[duncan228]

SHHHH

Tim is Scared of Shaq.

Let them believe it. They won't know what hit them.

[RonMexico]

Tim Duncan, in 25 playoff games against Shaquille O'Neal's teams:

25.8 ppg
12.9 rpg
48% FG (227-470)
73% FT (189-260)
4.1 apg
2.4 bpg

Just sayin'.

Like Buck said, however, is whether the supporting cast will step up. The Sun-killers in the past have always been those weak 4th quarter defensive rotations that lead to Barry, Finley, and Bowen 3's. Naturally, however, those rotations are slow because the Suns had to double Duncan and D'Antoni played only 7 guys all year.

[FromWayDowntown]

Like Buck said, however, is whether the supporting cast will step up. The Sun-killers in the past have always been those weak 4th quarter defensive rotations that lead to Barry, Finley, and Bowen 3's. Naturally, however, those rotations are slow because the Suns had to double Duncan and D'Antoni played only 7 guys all year.

I'm not suggesting that those numbers are the difference in the series -- a lot of things are different and those numbers hardly represent Duncan dealing with Shaq in one-on-one defensive situations. I just think the "Duncan fears Shaq" rhetoric is fairly laughable and I think the numbers are a pretty strong indication that Shaq's presence has rarely made much of a difference to Duncan's production.

That could all change this year and if it does, the Spurs are sunk.

But I'm willing to believe that it's not going to actually change.

[Cry Havoc]

I'm not suggesting that those numbers are the difference in the series -- a lot of things are different and those numbers hardly represent Duncan dealing with Shaq in one-on-one defensive situations. I just think the "Duncan fears Shaq" rhetoric is fairly laughable and I think the numbers are a pretty strong indication that Shaq's presence has rarely made much of a difference to Duncan's production.

That could all change this year and if it does, the Spurs are sunk.

But I'm willing to believe that it's not going to actually change.

The difference between playoff Duncan and regular season Duncan is pretty simple.

Regular season: Tim runs down to post up. Shaq pushes him out. Duncan, not wanting to get tired or inflict unnecessary wear and tear, goes along with it and the Spurs struggle offensively. Shaq stays on the floor and tears it up against lesser, smaller opponents.

Post-season: Tim fights every inch with Shaq, catches the ball 8 feet from the rim, goes right at Shaq's slower defensive movement, gets the hoop and the foul, and within 10 minutes of the first quarter, Shaq has two fouls and the Suns are forced to sit him. No Marion and no Shaq, and the Suns are regulated to gunning 3s and hoping for Amare putbacks -- the same as last year.

[PM5K]

And that's exactly why guys like Duncan and O'Neal will never be Jordan, he didn't take games off, he wanted to beat you in practice, preseason, regular season, All-Star game, Playoffs, Finals, Monopoly, whatever.

[boutons_]

Is there any Spur that hasn't been in any NBA playoffs?
Ime, Ian

Is there any Spur that hasn't been in Spurs playoffs?
Kurt, Damon, Ime, Ian

[Cry Havoc]

And that's exactly why guys like Duncan and O'Neal will never be Jordan, he didn't take games off, he wanted to beat you in practice, preseason, regular season, All-Star game, Playoffs, Finals, Monopoly, whatever.

Unless he wanted to take 2 years off to chase around a little white ball on a grassy field.