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Duncan has lost a step, but the supporting cast is better overall than in the last three years. Other guys have to pick up some of that slack.
Playing less than 30 minutes a game now will hurt your stats too.
FoxSports had a piece today about the Spurs hot start. And while it was mostly complimentary, Mike Piellucci, like so many other sports writers this year, takes Tim's modest numbers as an indication that he's on his last leg. Specifically, he remarks that Duncan is "running out of gas".
Duncan's low scoring and modest minutes must be because that's all he's capable of anymore, right? It couldn't simply be that Popovich is pulling him back early in a marathon-like, 82-game season and saving Duncan for the second season? Couldn't simply be that San Antonio doesn't NEED Duncan to score very much right now?
Pat Riley commented a few years ago that Tim Duncan is the kind of big man who can play at a high level throughout his 30's. Riley compared Duncan's style to that of Kareem Abdul Jabar and described Tim's game as "finesse".
Duncan isn't a big, lumbering big man, like Shaq, with simply too much weight for aged player to efficiently truck up and down the court. He's never been the kind of big man who relies on fleeting athleticism, like a Kevin Garnett.
Number 21 isn't quite what he was during his MVP campaigns. There's not doubt about that. But he's still one of the better big men in the NBA. And, barring chronic injury trouble, Duncan isn't all that close to the end. He will likely follow in the footsteps of HOF big men like Abdul Jabar and Karl Malone, who averaged 20 points and close to 10 boards per game throughout their 30's.
If Tim's not a 20/10 guy, or something close to it, for another 4 or 5 years, it will likely be due to conservative playing time and a diminished NEED for his scoring, just as it is this season.
He may have lost a step, but five years from now, suggesting that a 34 year-old Tim Duncan is "running out of gas" will look a little silly in retrospect.
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Last edited by Kent_in_Atlanta; 11-23-2010 at 03:36 PM.
Duncan has lost a step, but the supporting cast is better overall than in the last three years. Other guys have to pick up some of that slack.
Playing less than 30 minutes a game now will hurt your stats too.
To be fair, it's been a very long time since Jordan won the MVP. Number 21 isn't quite what he was during his MVP campaigns either.
TD is at the point where he will be looking to take a different Roll like Drob did. After doing that I think he has a good 2 maybe 3 more productive seasons after this one left in him.
If we didnt have Manu and Tony, Timmy would be the MVP of our team and still averaging 20 something points a game and double digit rebounds. Is he the exact same as many years ago, no, but he's still great. We just have a very deep team that is being smart in letting him take a load off because the playoffs are the most important thing.
They are keeping their eye on the prize. How the do these people become basketball analysts if they don't even watch the damn games!?
If you take out the 2-3 games around when Duncan had a virus and the 2-3 games when he was hardly on the floor he would be right where we expect him around 15-18 and 8-12 boards.
No worries mates! The scary thing for the league will be if Duncan comes alive and Splitter gets over the Pop treatment how good the Spurs can really be!
Well of course Duncan's stats are going down. Pop's been resting him a lot, and playing him under 30 minutes a game. He only played 18 against Cavs. I'd say Duncan
s got a good 3-4 years left in him.
The question is, how many of those will he actually play? I was browsing through the Piston forum the other day, and it hit me: this is what Spurstalk will sound like when TD retires. Enjoy it while it lasts, folks.
Tim still has more of an offensive game than D-Rob did in his last few seasons. I'm convinced that, if health, Duncan could give 'em close to 20/10 for another 4-5 years, if they needed him to. But I don't think they will ask that of him in the regular season, in terms of scoring... and perhaps not even in the postseason, with all the scoring threats they have.
NBPA's Hunter '99 percent sure' lockout looms.
I read this article today, and was thinking this could be the last season we see TD.
Manu's contract ends in 2012-2013. Tony's ends in 2013-2014 (team option, I think). If Duncan resigns for one more year for vets' minimum after the 2011-2012 season, maybe they can get a superstar to play along for one year before Timmy hangs the jersey away. Pipe dream, I know
Still, Duncan is a threat to every team considering the high-offensive variety this team has. , players like Hill, Anderson[injured], Splitter, and Dejuan are still trying to find their way back into this team offensively and especially defensively. Timmy has plenty of help and possibly more help in upcoming seasons but Duncan doesn't need to put up 21/12/3/3 to prove that he's more valuable or productive to the team. When given the chance, Duncan will be a scoring machine but at this stage of the team and his career, I don't think that's necessary. But don't forget...Till' the wheels fall off. What a guy!
Duncan has actually looked more mobile this year than he has in years past. He's moving around and using a lot of very quick spin moves. To be honest, I'm more worried about RJ maintaining his production than getting consistent numbers out of Duncan.
The question is, how many of those will he actually play? I was browsing through the Piston forum the other day, and it hit me: this is what Spurstalk will sound like when TD retires. Enjoy it while it lasts, folks.
although i can tell duncan holds back ALOT because when he wants to play boy he can still get his old stats, but i think it kills him for the rest of the week so he really does pace himslelf.
i still think he can dominate as long as his role players are making at least role player shots (unlike last year). i mean duncan has def. lost a step but i see him turn it on and off during certain games . if hes got his legs under him come playoff time watchout. we can really extend timmys career w/tiago and our big three healthy
Duncan said he feels the best he's felt in a couple of years. We're simply seeing Pop managing minutes and work load. Duncan still has 'it', and will rise to any occasion a game needs him for. There's no reason for him to carry any more than needed, it helps keep the wear and tear of the season down.
We won't be like the Pistons. The Spurs have a good reputation on selecting talent through the draft. Ever wonder why bad teams are obsessed on getting the #1 pick?
Did ya'll forget what he said??
Last edited by rayray2k8; 11-23-2010 at 05:09 PM.
Bill Simmons said in chat today that Manu's ankles and Knees are in bad shape.
That + Timmy getting out of gas = DOOMZ
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