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He can get better just needs to stay healthy.
Or is he still getting better?
Statistically, Duncan's best year was 2001-02 when he averaged 25.5 points, 12.7 rebounds and shot 50% from the field and 80% from the line. However, the Spurs didn't fair too well in the playoffs that year.
In the 1999 season, I think that Duncan's post moves were the most unstoppable. He had so many moves and was just a machine on the low block. These days he doesn't use nearly as many moves ... then again, he had a superstar David Robinson watching his back those days.
His 2003 playoffs were amazing. He averaged 24.7 points, 15.4 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 3.2 blocks while shooting 52.9% from the field. His Game 6 performance versus the Nets is one of the best playoff games ever played (21 points, 20 rebounds, 10 assists and 8 blocks).
Tim Duncan isn't even 30 years old so he still has time to grow. Hakeem Olajuwon didn't peak until he was 32 years old. As a whole, big men usually peak in their early thirties.
Last playoff run Duncan played well but was obviously hampered by injury. One thing about him though is he's getting smarter each year. Early in his career he had trouble handling double teams. Nowadays, if you double him he'll find the open man 99% of the time. He's also much more of a leader now than he's ever been.
The question is has Tim Duncan already peaked or is the best still to come?
He can get better just needs to stay healthy.
Peak - NBA Finals 2006
I think the Spurs will be better as the years go by, but his stats won't rise as much ..
Duncan's never had the kind of game that relied on incredible athletic ability. Considering he's had to rely on his brains and intestines more than ever the last two seasons, if he ever gets to go through a period without the nagging stuff it's going to be scary. He took KG to school last week and still isn't 100 percent. I think the stretch he's going through has been more debilitating than people know.
Duncan peaked a couple years ago. The rest of the team has improved though.
IMO he hasnt peaked yet, with the inclusion of gino and ballhog, pop has decided to let the offense spread around instead of havin duncan to carry the load. I feel that if we do get rid of one player, duncan will post up those numbers again. This team is just to damn stacked with talent.
For Duncan to peak will be pretty hard with Manu and Tony peaking at the sametime. For all we know, Oberto could peaking too, same with Marks.
The best is yet to come.
When I first watched Duncan, he honestly reminded me of a young Olajuwon.
Only difference is, Duncan has had some decent support in Ginobili and Parker as opposed to Olajuwon's Sleepy Floyd and Vernon Maxwell combo.
I think, once he realizes he can't blast by guys like he used to, ALA Hakeem in 95, that he wil begin to develop a fadeaway, or combo of unguardable outside shots.
I still hink he defers way too much, but, what the do I know, Im just some fat slob in the stands.
IMO, Duncan peaks at 31.
After that, well, lets just say we will be in rememberance mode.
I think Duncan's motivation may go down in the next few years, dependant on championships won.
He really hasn't beaten Dirk. Dirk wasn't healthy during that western conference finals matchup. I believe that is the year Duncan peaked and Dirk has gained alot since than. I don't think Dallas fears San Antonio due to their recent success against them also.
no offense but you've got to be an absolute fool to think Duncan hasnt peaked. i honestly believe that by the time he hits 34 he'll be relegated to a D Rob type role
and by D rob role i'm talking '99 onward role
Aww. Dirk had a pussyache and couldn't play. What about the that's stuck in Dirk's throat at the end of close games? I think Dallas fears San Antonio more than anything in the world, and so do you. Of course you already know that or you wouldn't be here with your chest puffed out talking big about how you think Tim peaked before he learned how to handle a double-team.
That's pretty tough to decide right now. You might say he is in decline in his ability to jump and block shots like he used to, but he is injured and presently trying to manage the pain. It's hard to say. Is Tim taking fewer shots because he is past his prime? I don't think he is. His top season points-wise was 2001-02 (25.5 PPG) but he averaged over 18 shot attempts per game. He's averaging 15 shots per game this season. The Spurs have 3 All-Star quality threats in TP, Ginobili and Tim now. Tim's role has changed slightly, or at least the burden of scoring has been reduced slightly.
Great players adjust their game and what they do on the court can change based on what the team needs most. Tim's stats in the Playoffs versus regular season career numbers tell a story that increased minutes (almost 3 mpg more in the playoffs) doesn't diminish his play, when he needs to step up.
Career 22.2 ppg, 12.1 rpg, 2.50 bpg, 3.1 apg
Playoffs 23.8 ppg, 13.0 rpg, 2.79 bpg, 3.6 apg
Eventually, a player's career starts showing diminishing returns the more the body breaks down and the more time they are on the floor each game. Right now, Timmy still has the ability to play big minutes and play his most inspiring and effective minutes late in the game, in crunch time. To me, that says he hasn't peaked, yet.
I could almost say Duncan peaked in 99. He was a monster on defense that year. He had the speed of a guard. I believe he has lost some of that speed and now is more fundamentally sound with his skills. Still able to take advantage of smaller and weaker players that guard him but not at the level he once was. I think you need to replay the first meeting the mavs had with the spurs this year and how Harris and Howard was going right through the defense.
If he can average 19 and 11 when he's in excruciating pain and can barely jump, he should be able to do that for another 12 years or so. I'll take that.
I think you need to stop whacking off to replays of that game. It's making your brain mushy.
I think a tell-tale sign that Tim is in decline is when teams no longer double, triple and quadruple team him in the post.
R O F L
1999!!!!!! kghlgjktjgh LMAOOOOO
Duncan is still in his peak years. Or, prime years. Period.
his savin it for the finals, this team is built for regular season n playoffs is when duncan shows his game.
I don't know, watching games from 99/03 Duncan could go out and get a 20pt/20reb game, I don't think he could do that now but maybe once a season.
exactly. the dude is slowly breaking down. wether its b/c of injuries or not his best years are def. behind him
thank god for Manu!
How in the do you peak in your 3rd year in the NBA???
Ask Steve Francis.How in the do you peak in your 3rd year in the NBA???
He didn't peak his 99 year because he put up better numbers as he went along. He put up nice numbers in 03.
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