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Most valuable playoff performer.
Yes. Yes, indeed.
Buck Harvey: Star of late night, Duncan as MVPP
Web Posted: 05/05/2006 12:00 AM CDT
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...s.cdf51bb.html
San Antonio Express-News
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — He's hidden away as he was a year ago. Out on the West Coast for another late-night Game6, Tim Duncan is again out of view from most of the country.
This fits with Duncan's regular season, too. As he limped with a sore foot, others took the place that was once his. LeBron, Kobe, Nash, Nowitzki.
Forget about MVP. Duncan likely will not earn All-NBA first-team honors for the first time.
But as he did a year ago in Seattle, when he finished off the Sonics with a quick flip with half a second left, he's in Sacramento with the same pattern intact. Given this — given how he keeps finding ways to win — isn't he still the MVPP?
Most valuable playoff performer.
No one will notice that until Duncan goes deeper in the playoffs. Until then, he and the Spurs are slotted for late night, far from the prime time of others.
There's enough going on elsewhere to steal attention anyway. LeBron James and Gilbert Arenas had a shootout worth a dozen highlights, along with some news. Maybe LeBron isn't Mic e Wie in sneakers after all.
Kobe Bryant continues to be himself, even with a Phoenix Sun hanging on his neck. Steve Nash plays as the probable two-time MVP, albeit with a sore back. And Dirk Nowitzki, in this same division, will get more MVP points than Duncan.
But similar action was happening a year ago, which is the last time the Spurs went on the road for a Game6. Then, a tag team of Sonics pinballed Duncan, including the newly notorious Reggie Evans.
If the NBA wouldn't suspend Evans last week for his procedure on the Clippers' Chris Kaman, shouldn't Evans still have to register as a sex offender?
Nothing as severe happened to Duncan against Evans and the Sonics. But he was 2 of 16 from the field in the sixth game in Seattle when, with about eight minutes left, the Sonics fouled him. Duncan came down on Seattle's Nick Collison, rolling his good ankle, and he stayed on the floor for a few minutes grimacing in pain.
Sonics fans cheered.
He had to shoot the free throws if he wanted to stay in the game. So Duncan limped to the line, made both, sat out 11 seconds, then returned. "I can't believe he kept playing on it," coach Gregg Popovich said that night. "He probably would have had me assassinated if I'd kept him out of the game any longer than I did."
Upon returning, Duncan threw in a 20-footer on the next possession. He followed by hitting three of his final four shots, culminating with the game-winner. Then Manu Ginobili drove, slipping the ball to Duncan just in time.
It was enough to win the series, as well as showcase the savvy grinding of a championship team. les don't come to San Antonio because of some dominating strike of talent. They come because Duncan and the Spurs work until the cracks reveal themselves.
Game5 against the Kings suggested as much. Tied late, the Spurs came up with what they needed. Duncan posted inside. And a minute later, the Spurs repeated their Seattle moment, with Ginobili driving and finding Duncan for a point-blank score.
Expect the same tonight. Since Game3, Duncan has looked quicker and more alive. The soreness in his foot has lessened, and he doesn't have the sprained ankles of a year ago. His body language has changed, too, as if this is 2003 again.
He should be confident. The Sonics of a year ago had more big bodies to bang him than Sacramento does. If the Kings continue to come late with double teams — if they come at all — Duncan should score.
But this goes beyond numbers, or what he does on offense. This goes back to last year, as well as to the championships of the past when Duncan continued to find ways. When he's moving and seeing the floor, playing on both ends with a sense of what everyone around him is doing, is there anyone better?
The Kings will throw more at him now. Expect a Seattle-like blow, because the Kings see that Duncan is himself again. This Game6 likely will be as close as the one last year, too.
Then, on Seattle's last chance, Ray Allen took a 3-pointer. And who jumped out to contest and force the miss?
The MVPP, naturally.
Most valuable playoff performer.
Yes. Yes, indeed.
Fans in Sacramento were telling me last Friday that Duncan used to be a star.
Mavericks fans told me earlier this season that there was only one superstar on the floor when the Spurs and Mavs play, and that he didn't wear a Spurs uniform.
they been seein alot of stars, when the spurs ran through them
Lebron, Vince Carter > Duncan
3 > 0
Duncan is the real-deal
Big SuperStar playing for the team without vanity and without selfishness.
Dirk, Vince and Lebron must win something to be compared with Tim
Superstars right now:
Kobe, ONeal, Duncan
but if you think than a superstar is only someone who make highlights and score 30 pts per game there is Allen Iverson... or Stephon Marbury... and even Lebron...
Remeber the big superstars...
Bird
Magic
Jordan
They all have something in common. They Won the NBA le!!!
nah...dont slight Lebron. dude is a superstar. just because he has highlights, doesn't make him vince. he has great basketball IQ, and isnt selfish like other *cough*kobe*cough* stars. he can make any team better.
That's going to suck if Timmah doesn't make the all NBA 1st team this year.
I am really glad that Kobe didn't rape that girl
because it would be a sad day if you watched and admireed kobs skills and he was capable of doign such evil
but now that he wasn;t guility you don't have to worry about chering on a rapists and that is just good for america and the NBA
most valuable pipi???
Most Valuable Player! +
Just saw a glaring stat on ESPN. In 3 losses Manu is averaging 23 PPG, in two losses he's averaging 5.5 ppg.
Fantastic article!
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