Greatest Peaks: Why Tim Duncan was one of the best ever

[Dex]

Great little video about Duncan in his prime.



I miss Timmy

[Dejounte]

Amazing video. Thanks. 20 ing years ago. Damn.

Also really entertaining to watch the breakdown of old Spurs defenses... So many intricacies. Will never understand the discredit to Pop given by some people here. He was an X's and O's mastermind.

[Arcadian]

I instantly shared this video across social media when it was posted, because more people should know that Peak Duncan stands with ANY player in the history of the game.

This whole Greatest Peaks series on the Thinking Basketball channel is full of excellent analysis.

[stephen jackson]

timmy never failed us, when we needed a bucket he got it

[barakz21]

timmy never failed us, when we needed a bucket he got it

Except for that missed putback in game 5 of the finals against Detroit lol. Though, tbh I don’t really think much of that miss, considering how that series was going at that point. TD is, was and will always be among the game’s best.

[stephen jackson]

Except for that missed putback in game 5 of the finals against Detroit lol. Though, tbh I don’t really think much of that miss, considering how that series was going at that point. TD is, was and will always be among the game’s best.

Well the 13 finals missed bunny too. Very rare tho

[barakz21]

Well the 13 finals missed bunny too. Very rare tho

Huh. I.. missed that one.. lol I guess I remember the Detroit one more simply because of TD’s reaction of having missed that one.

[TimD]

I generally enjoyed it. Having watched the Garnett one that came out before it, however, it seemed as though the takeaway was that Garnett was *slightly* better than TD at his peak, with a much worse supporting cast.

[lefty20]

It is known!

[J_Paco]

I generally enjoyed it. Having watched the Garnett one that came out before it, however, it seemed as though the takeaway was that Garnett was *slightly* better than TD at his peak, with a much worse supporting cast.

Yes, that seems to be his opinion if you listen to his Thinking Basketball podcast.

I do agree that Garnett's malleability, versatility & perimeter defensive skills are superior. Yet, Duncan's game was easier to construct championship teams around. And he was the more dominant interior scorer - apparently, Garnett was more efficient in the post - and his interior defense was superior.

I love both, but I'd take Timmy first every time in an all-time greats draft.

[KobesAchilles]

2003 pretty much ended any debate between Garnet and Tim. Tim had arguably the weakest supporting cast of the era and is one of 4 players (I think it’s only 4) to win a championship without another all star on the team. People always say well Garnett would have the same amount of rings but that is a stupid argument seeing as Tim smacked Garnett out of the playoffs in 99. 2003, Garnett couldn’t get out of the first round with Tim’s team. And by 2005 the culture of the T-wolves was shot. Also he would’ve gotten punked by the Wallace brothers. The only ring I think Garnett could lead us to was in 2006 and 7. That’s it.

[spurraider21]

Well the 13 finals missed bunny too. Very rare tho

2006 game 7 against Dallas. after manu fouled drik, duncan got ing stonewalled by DeSagana Diop in OT

1-7 shooting + a turnover in OT

[stephen jackson]

2006 game 7 against Dallas. after manu fouled drik, duncan got ing stonewalled by DeSagana Diop in OT

1-7 shooting + a turnover in OT

that is true but diop coulda stopped wilt that day.

[benefactor]

I'd say Dream had the greatest peak in NBA history, but Duncan was close tbh

[J_Paco]

2003 pretty much ended any debate between Garnet and Tim. Tim had arguably the weakest supporting cast of the era and is one of 4 players (I think it’s only 4) to win a championship without another all star on the team. People always say well Garnett would have the same amount of rings but that is a stupid argument seeing as Tim smacked Garnett out of the playoffs in 99. 2003, Garnett couldn’t get out of the first round with Tim’s team. And by 2005 the culture of the T-wolves was shot. Also he would’ve gotten punked by the Wallace brothers. The only ring I think Garnett could lead us to was in 2006 and 7. That’s it.

Well, tell that to Ben Taylor cause it's 2021 and he's of the (informed & well thought out) opinion that they are close. And from watching the two videos (Garnett's & Duncan's) & listening to his podcast it seems he would take Garnett over TD.

I think it's closer in a lot of analysts and pundits minds whether Spur fans like it or not. And it'll likely only shrink as time goes by and Pop, Tony, Manu & Nephew end up in the hall of fame.

Mind you, I completely disagree and think Duncan is clearly the better player by a good margin.

[J_Paco]

2006 game 7 against Dallas. after manu fouled drik, duncan got ing stonewalled by DeSagana Diop in OT

1-7 shooting + a turnover in OT

that is true but diop coulda stopped wilt that day.

Timmy clearly ran out of gas after carrying the team to an epic comeback. Can't blame him for eventually wearing out especially with how physical people were allowed to play him.

[Hedgie]

Timmy clearly ran out of gas after carrying the team to an epic comeback. Can't blame him for eventually wearing out especially with how physical people were allowed to play him.

He had to be taken to hospital and put on a drip after the game to re-hydrate. He gave it everything.

[TimD]

Another point: although this was unrelated to the question of Duncan’s peak, was it really fair for TB to downplay Tim’s offensive role in the 2005-2010ish Spurs offense? I recall Tim’s versatility being incredibly important in the 05 and 07 series against the Sun’s for instance.

[TimD]

Also, I would like to see the context for TB’s statement about Tim’s midrange game. Even if Tim was a below league average Midrange shooter, is that adjusted for position? I feel like Tim was at the very least an above average midrange shooter for a power forward — adjusted for shot contests and the like.

[i'm_still_beta]

I'd say Dream had the greatest peak in NBA history, but Duncan was close tbh

Just like I think

[RC_Drunkford]

I generally enjoyed it. Having watched the Garnett one that came out before it, however, it seemed as though the takeaway was that Garnett was *slightly* better than TD at his peak, with a much worse supporting cast.

Garnett was never better than Tim. Simply for the fact that he's not a first option like Tim. It was close back in the day, but Tim's rings speak for itself. KG had to ride Paul Pierce coat tails to get a chip

[KobesAchilles]

Well, tell that to Ben Taylor cause it's 2021 and he's of the (informed & well thought out) opinion that they are close. And from watching the two videos (Garnett's & Duncan's) & listening to his podcast it seems he would take Garnett over TD.

I think it's closer in a lot of analysts and pundits minds whether Spur fans like it or not. And it'll likely only shrink as time goes by and Pop, Tony, Manu & Nephew end up in the hall of fame.

Mind you, I completely disagree and think Duncan is clearly the better player by a good margin.

It’s mainly bc it’s easy to say a blanket statement like KG would have the same amount of rings as TD if he had been drafted by the Spurs. But when you go year by year it’s almost impossible to back that up.
98-03? No
04 his mvp year? Nope Pop got out coached and nobody could hit an outside shot. KG wouldn’t have changed that. He also never would’ve hit that shot over Shaq
05? Nope.
06? pretty good chance for a ring
same For 07.
08 Manu was hurt and Lakers had Gasol so probably not
09 he was hurt and by 10 he was done

[TimD]

I do believe that TD was better during their respective primes overall, but I don't think the 08 season qualifies here.

[pad300]

He had to be taken to hospital and put on a drip after the game to re-hydrate. He gave it everything.

That's one I've never heard before. Do you have a link?

[Proxy]

damn, yeah I just found this channel today and was going to post it if no where already. Really great listen, good