SI Ranks TD #5 player in NBA

[Obstructed_View]

I'm not sure of that. There are very few players who affect the game in as many ways as Duncan, who help the team in as many ways, who can lead with no ego, and who can adapt to whatever pieces you put around him as well as Duncan. Those are factors you have to consider. No one is saying Duncan is a top 5 talent right now, but he's still arguably a top 5 player who you want on your team to help you win.

I agree. If you started a team tomorrow, Timmy would likely be nowhere on the list, but if you had to win a game tomorrow, Duncan's a guy you'd definitely pick for your team.

[hitmantb]

You can't just look at what Duncan brings to the table as a player, he is the Captain America of NBA players.

In his current state, he is not as strong as LeBron/Durant/Griffin's of the world, but the way he leads this team and teaches/supports the younger players is ahead of everyone else. Chemistry is huge huge huge and the way he allows himself to be coached by Pop sets example for everyone else. Everyone on this team love Timmy like a big brother and really wanted to win a ring for him, that is why they bonded and put together something way bigger than the sum of their individual talents. Watching him work out as hard as he does even when he has nothing left to prove, trying his hardest to cover for others, it really brings the best out of everyone else.

You can replace him with a player of greater individual ability and the team still would not be as strong. Also let's not forget in the toughest game of the playoffs, Duncan willed the team to a victory in OT against OKC. He was the best player on the court for a few minutes and made all the differences in the world.