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Duncan is simply the best.
And,
That was Quinn Buckner. He called a few Spurs games during the 2003 regular season with Joel Meyers on FSN. Good unbiased announcer, IMO.
Duncan is simply the best.
And,
Tim Duncan is Still Tim Duncan
by Marcel Mutoni
SLAM
Duncan’s regular season numbers were down almost virtually across the board (minutes, points per game rebounds, assists, blocks), as he struggled with a mul ude of nagging injuries. Gregg Popovich had to sit him out during the year just to make sure he’d have enough left in the tank for the Spurs’ Playoff run.
Last night in Dallas, with his team’s back against the wall, he proved all the doubters wrong. Duncan slapped up a 25/17 game on the Mavs, evening up the series along the way. It was a loud reminder that he’s still the best power forward in the game.
NBA.com captured the reaction from both Tim and his teammates following the vintage performance:
Meet Tim Duncan. Again. Duncan won’t take credit for the 102-88 punch to the Mavericks’ gut Wednesday night just as he didn’t blame many of his teammates for the Game 1 setback. That San Antonio is in position to take control of this first-round series with two at the AT&T Center doesn’t land fully on No. 21’s wide shoulders.
Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker didn’t disappoint for the second straight game. Neither did Gregg Popovich’s dog pound, starting with Richard Jefferson. But when Dallas sliced an 18-point lead to five with nearly seven minutes left, the ball found its way into Duncan’s hands time and again. We’ve always trusted him,” Ginobili said.
Duncan’s roll call of signature moments following the Mavericks’ run justify that decade-plus of trust. Five-foot jump hook. Ten-foot jumper. Driving 9-footer. Defensive rebound. Jumper from 11 feet. Suddenly, the Spurs were back up 13 points with 3 1/2 minutes left in an enemy building drained dry. “I just got some shots to go,” Duncan said after authoring a vintage 25-point, 17-rebound outing. “I don’t know any other way to put it.”
There had been increased talk recently — in Duncan’s own town, even — that Tim’s last tour of duty in the NBA is fast approaching. That the injuries will soon just be too much for him to overcome, and that he won’t have anything left to prove.
Last night, Duncan showed that there’s plenty left in the tank, and talk of his — and by extension, the Spurs’ — upcoming demise has been somewhat exaggerated.
amazing, amazing player. I'm happy I was able to watch him play.
I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw that...I feel weird saying this, but it almost brought a tear to my eye...
Great read. I still dread the day when he retires.
Duncan shows he still has it in Spurs' Game 2 victory
Art Garcia
NBA.com
An old dog, some old tricks. When the Spurs needed it Wednesday night with perhaps their playoff stay at stake, they pumped a well that hasn't run dry for 13 years.
Meet Tim Duncan. Again.
Duncan won't take credit for the 102-88 punch to the Mavericks' gut Wednesday night just as he didn't blame many of his teammates for the Game 1 setback. That San Antonio is in position to take control of this first-round series with two at the AT&T Center doesn't land fully on No. 21's wide shoulders.
Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker didn't disappoint for the second straight game. Neither did Gregg Popovich's dog pound, starting with Richard Jefferson. But when Dallas sliced an 18-point lead to five with nearly seven minutes left, the ball found its way into Duncan's hands time and again.
"We've always trusted him," Ginobili said.
Duncan's roll call of signature moments following the Mavericks' run justify that decade-plus of trust. Five-foot jump hook. Ten-foot jumper. Driving 9-footer. Defensive rebound. Jumper from 11 feet. Suddenly, the Spurs were back up 13 points with 3 1/2 minutes left in an enemy building drained dry.
"I just got some shots to go," Duncan said after authoring a vintage 25-point, 17-rebound outing. "I don't know any other way to put it."
Duncan and all those foes he said earlier in the day that have hated San Antonio for years had seen it before. Those rumors of his demise, being a step slower and easier to contain, might not be entirely untrue. He averaged fewer points (17.9) and fewer rebounds (10.1) this past season than any other in his Hall-of-Fame career.
He also played fewer minutes (31.3) and his shooting percentage (51.8) was his third-best ever. The argument could be made, though few might buy it, that Duncan was more efficient this year than the past several.
"The numbers slipped a little bit," said Ginobili, an eight-year teammate. "Instead of 22 and 12, he went 18 and 10. I mean if you're going to slip like that, I'll take it."
Duncan was happy to take Popovich's forced one-game respite to finish out the regular season and the other breaks over the course of the 82-game grind. He said any day off helps his soon-to-be 34-year-old body, noting that the playoffs don't include back-to-backs.
"I'm feeling pretty energized," said Duncan, whose birthday coincides with Sunday's Game 4.
Still, he's piled up more than 42,000 regular-season and playoff minutes. His left knee often aches and it'll be burdened with a brace as long as he plays. Any slip in athleticism for someone who's never played above the rim, is countered by some physical attributes that haven't been touched by time.
"He's long, he's skilled. He'll never lose his skill set," Dirk Nowitzki said. "You've got to honor his bank shot there. If you push up on him, he can still drive and finish with both hands around the rim. He's still tough on the glass because he's so bottom heavy you can't push out , he gets [missed shots] and puts them right back in.
"We knew he's a handful and he really made some great plays down the stretch."
The Mavericks refused to double Duncan much Sunday, electing to guard him straight up with Erick Dampier for most of the night. Duncan would score 27 in the opener, a total he matched or exceeded only twice since Jan. 10. Dallas lived with it, along with Ginobili's 26 and Tony Parker's 18, because the rest of the Spurs, well, dogged it.
Duncan's 25 points carried more weight in Game 2, considering what was on the line and the frantic final push by Dallas. Brendan Haywood, not Dampier, was given the near-impossible job of containing the only Spur who's been part of all four championships. Duncan scored 10 in the fourth quarter, eight in that near three-minute span that turned near disaster into a road spit and homecourt advantage.
"We went to Tim just about every other time down the stretch, and he came through by scoring and rebounding at the other end," Popovich said. "And he's always that guy that gets taken for granted because he's been doing that for so many years just being an anchor for us."
Some might forget. The Spurs can't.
thank God the Spurs finally got rid of that hideous fiesta logo we had to suffer through for over a decade.
I know I'll catch flak for this, but I actually liked the fiesta logo (don't get me wrong, I like the current logo better and I'm glad the fiesta colors never infiltrated the uniform proper).
And that phoenix game is just so beautiful to watch. Man, it just doesn't get any better than that!
Man, I feel fortunate to have watched Tim play. What a class act!
Hes gone mad!!!!!!!!
After all these years and all those miles, it's still a joy to watch TD operate in the low post. The way he surgically carves up the opposition. It's good to see him in playoff form.
At his age, I only wish he had didn't have to carry so much of the frontline responsibility. I trust that will not be the case next season.
Great read. It saddens me to think of the day that he retires. How much I'm going to miss watching him play. We have been blessed to have him on our side. He's meant so much to this city and it's residents these past 13 years. Just like David before him it will be very bitter sweet to see him retire. Until then though Go out there Timmay and kick some ass.
Couldn't agree more!
I don't even want to think of him retire. What an amazing player, my favorite of all time.
The guy should've been dubbed "The Mechanic" after that game.
You'd have to be one to dissemble a Hot Rod so thoroughly.
guys, can i get the link of the video please? i cant see it here, thanks.
Anyone who’d watched Duncan labor through March had reason to wonder whether he still had games like this ahead of him. His left knee ached on some nights more than others, and he’d lost what little lift he once owned. (Johnny Ludden)
Described as an unathletic type player TD has owned the opposition way more than not. The Big Fundamental is an appropriate nickname given by Shaq. Being the psychology major TD plays within himself and doesn't get intimidated or ruffled by others. Expect more of these types of games going forward.
If the Mavs can't figure out something to either stop, which is most unlikely, or slow down, also very debatable, then they are in trouble. But game 3 will be telling. I expect more double teams forcing the ball out of his hands and making other players beat them. If so then the Spurs may be getting more layups in game 3 since TD has become an excellant passer out of that situation. Just MHO. If they lose then they may go into panic mode or at least start trying anything thinkable to stop TD and thereby abandoned their original game plan, which lead them to getting the #2 spot and a better record than the Spurs. If they win then the ball is back in their court and now the Spurs need to come up with approriate adjustments.
These series between the two teams are always hard fought and exciting. One of the best rivalries in the NBA today. Both teams and towns don't like one another and it shows regardless of the sometime PC behavior exhibited towards each other.
I do miss Ludden writing on a regular basis about the Spurs.
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