Different mindset = better Duncan?

[Obstructed_View]

I sometimes wonder if this is the right approach. If you're not playing 30-35 minutes in the regular season are you going to have the conditioning to play 30-35 minutes or closer to 40 minutes in the playoffs?

It's more a matter of saving his body. I think he's got the wind to play 40. If you play him that many minutes the team is probably going to play a lot of games. Plenty of time to get into shape.

[ElNono]

why are you such a huge pessimist?

I call it being a "realist".

I love Tim Duncan. I just spent a lot of money to go see him (and hopefully Manu), because I don't know if I'm going to see Tim donning a Spurs shirt ever again.

That doesn't prevent me from giving my honest assessment about him. When I said Manu is on the decline too, nobody seemingly blinked an eye.

[therealtruth]

I sometimes wonder if this is the right approach. If you're not playing 30-35 minutes in the regular season are you going to have the conditioning to play 30-35 minutes or closer to 40 minutes in the playoffs?

Everyone's got to get minutes at some point in the regular season to be adjusted for the playoffs. Remember against the Grizzlies Duncan did pretty well in the first half but faded in the second half.

Another factor is that playoff minutes are more intense. If Pop takes it too easy during the regular season guys won't be able to adjust to the increased intensity in the playoffs. The Spurs got punched in the mouth by the Grizzlies and couldn't adjust to the intensity. The fact that they are fighting for wins more is definitely going to help them in the playoffs.

[cantthinkofanything]

Everyone's got to get minutes at some point in the regular season to be adjusted for the playoffs. Remember against the Grizzlies Duncan did pretty well in the first half but faded in the second half.

Another factor is that playoff minutes are more intense. If Pop takes it too easy during the regular season guys won't be able to adjust to the increased intensity in the playoffs. The Spurs got punched in the mouth by the Grizzlies and couldn't adjust to the intensity. The fact that they are fighting for wins more is definitely going to help them in the playoffs.

They got punched in the mouth because someone forgot they had an athletic 7 footer on the bench.

[WeNeedLength]

They got punched in the mouth because someone forgot they had an athletic 7 footer on the bench.

And Manu broke his arm...

[Dex]

Another thing to consider is that in the more recent years, Tim has usually taken a little while to find his rhythm and get into shape. It seems like the past two or three seasons, Duncan didn't REALLY start turning it on until a month or two INTO the season, and that was after a full, month long training camp and being able to condition with the team in the summer.

This year they only got two weeks of a quasi-training camp AND preseason, and it's hard to say exactly how well he stayed conditioned over the summer (though he appeared to be in pretty good shape coming in). So the team is just now hitting around the 2 month mark of training and playing and, sure enough, Timmy is starting to look a lot more like the Timmy we all know and love. For that reason, I am confident that this is the type of play we will be able to expect out of him more consistently going forward. Maybe not every night....but most of the time.

The only question now is (as it is every season) will his legs hold up through the season, and will he be able to avoid a late injury that will affect him in the playoffs?

[wildbill2u]

There may be something to the mindset and his personal analysis of how he should play the game at this stage of his career. Note that he has slimmed down for quickness and has moved to the outside more than in recent years. He may have determined that he can't bang down low any more and has decided that his jumper is still a great weapon.

It's been obvious in his responses after games to reporters questions about his level of playing, minutes, retirement, etc. that he doesn't like those questions and has his own opinion.

Never underestimate Tim Duncan's basketball IQ. Nor his pride. When he says he'll play 'til he's done, he probably means until he can no longer play at a level that is acceptable to his own determination of what it means to be Tim Duncan.

I've pointed out his decline in the past. I'm hoping that this seeming revival of old skills is permanent, but if not, let's just enjoy the ride for a while.

[FailureNotAnOption]

I call it being a "realist".

Most pessimists do.

[ElNono]

what's so pessimist about my post?

[FailureNotAnOption]

what's so pessimist about my post?

I can't speak for zoso but I do find the mood and character of your post unfitting for this thread. I ask: He is "old and has declined" has what to do with his mindset?

[ElNono]

I can't speak for zoso but I do find the mood and character of your post unfitting for this thread. I ask: He is "old and has declined" has what to do with his mindset?

The OP:

Is this just a surge or is it possible that he's going to stay at least close to his current level? It doesn't seem possible at his age, but he said something after the Rockets game that got me thinking. Something to the effect of (paraphrasing): I'm not worried about the next game or pacing myself, I'm just going to play as hard as I can.

I think he's sick of hearing about how old he is, not so much from outsiders, but from Pop. Pop doesn't say it, so much as he does perpetuate it, with the way he manages his minutes and constantly talks about the need to get him games off. That performance against the Hornets, at the end of 4-in-5, was a statement game to Pop. I think he'd also like to show a lot of the younger guys on the team that he's not just a high end role player and that he is still at least a star caliber player.

Just responding to that, tbh

[Giuseppe]

Once Pop benched Duncan a few games ago it obviously got Tim's attention and he's reformed.

Just a damn shame it had to come to that.

[Leetonidas]

As opposed to not accepting you're becoming a tosb and regularly shooting 9-30, playing 44 minutes in blowouts, and losing

[Giuseppe]

^Got ya!!!

muhahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Leetonidas]

tee hee?

[Giuseppe]

Yep.

[ElNono]

sup 'seppe... how's Lake Erie holding up?

[Giuseppe]

^I ain't been back since '97.

We'll go back one last time, me & my little Katie-girl.