Ludden: Duncan not done yet

[Kori Ellis]

Duncan not done yet: Even as next generation shines, Spurs veteran shows staying power

Web Posted: 03/01/2007 10:51 PM CST

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...c.35e8a30.html

Johnny Ludden
Express-News

Three weeks later, Tim Duncan still hasn't seen a replay of the dunk. Once, apparently, was enough.

Duncan looked up that Friday night in Orlando to see 21-year-old Dwight Howard suspended 2 feet above him, his right arm ed like a revolver hammer. In a flash, Howard was punching the ball through the rim, sending the Spurs to one of their most frustrating losses of the season.

Duncan purposely avoided turning on the TV after the game and hasn't had much reason since to see the play. Taking bait from a reporter during All-Star weekend, he offered to again play the straight man for Howard if the Magic's young center wanted to re-create his stunning flush during the dunk contest. He's also sure Howard would have won the event had he done so.

"It was a ridiculous play," said Duncan, 30. "Although I could have done some things differently (defensively), it was just impressive."

Howard is in town tonight, fresh off his first All-Star appearance. He was joined in Las Vegas by Phoenix's Amare Stoudemire and Toronto's Chris Bosh, giving the NBA a trio of young big men, none of whom is older than 24, with broad enough shoulders to carry the league for years to come.

But while one recent magazine cover story rightfully crowned Howard "Next," Duncan has also proven he still has some staying power, averaging 20.3 points, 10.8 rebounds and 2.3 blocks while shooting 53.4 percent, his highest since his rookie season.

"Defensively, offensively, rebounding — it's amazing that people don't talk about him," Toronto coach Sam Mitc said. "But you know what it tells you? An under-appreciation for just how good he's been for so long. People don't appreciate that, but ask any GM what player, right now, they'd rather have."

Duncan would probably laugh at that. He is nearly 10 years Howard's senior, on the backside of his own career. Recently asked about 19-year-old Andrew Bynum, the Los Angeles Lakers' promising young center, Duncan quipped, "Everyone's young to me. I'm like 40 now."

"Those guys are going to be awesome for a lot of years," Duncan said of Howard, Stoudemire and Bosh. "I'm a little biased, but it's good to see great guys at that position.

"There's a crop of guards, the LeBrons, the Dwyane Wades, who are going to be the future of the league. But to know there are guys at your position who are going to continue to represent the big guys, that actually does mean something."

Duncan marvels at the athleticism of his younger peers. Even in his younger days he never possessed the same kiss-the-sky ability. To say Duncan has lost a step suggests he actually had one to lose.

"I'm not athletic, but I'm slow, which helps," Duncan joked. "I have to find a different way to do it."

So far, his way continues to be effective. Duncan remains one of the game's most dangerous post scorers — on Wednesday he introduced Toronto rookie Andrea Bargnani to his signature up-and-under move — and appears to have regained confidence in his bank shot. In the past 11 games, he's even made 76.9 percent of his free throws.

Most importantly, Duncan said he feels as healthy as he's been in three years, having played in every game this season. "God willing," he said, "it stays that way."

Duncan endured enough pain last season. Although he missed only one game because of injury (and that was because of the flu), he played on a sore right foot the entire season, which contributed to him averaging a career-low 18.6 points.

After a summer of rest followed by a couple months of intensive conditioning work, Duncan arrived in training camp looking strong and fit. Yet questions still arose about the state of his game in December when his rebounding and help defense was lacking. It wasn't unusual to hear coach Gregg Popovich yelling at Duncan from the sideline (or even the occasional film session) to remove his head from his rear.

"We have our tiffs a couple times a year," Duncan said. "You deal with it. Sometimes he's right, sometimes he's wrong."

Popovich wanted Duncan to worry less about the officiating and more about his game. Duncan, for the most part, has followed those orders, averaging 11.7 rebounds and 2.9 blocks since Jan. 1. Against Phoenix last month, he blocked dunk attempts by both Stoudemire and Shawn Marion.

"I think he's trying to set a tone for everybody," Popovich said. "He's not a towel waver, but he's a great leader by example.

"Hopefully we'll get guys falling in line with that and becoming more focused because they see Timmy."

The Spurs' current six-game winning streak could be evidence of just that. After the Spurs routed his Raptors on Wednesday, Bosh said Duncan, who totaled 24 points, 16 rebounds, four blocks and four assists, looked "fresh."

"He's always going to be in the conversation for best big man in the league as long as he's in the league," Bosh said. "He can come out and have big games whether he's going to score 30 or 10 or 12. He's going to force his will on the game."

Duncan gets another tough test tonight. After facing Howard in Orlando last season, he said he hoped to be out of the league by the time the muscle-bound center started peaking.

"I don't think that's going to happen," Duncan said Thursday, "unless I leave soon."

But looking healthy and strong himself? Duncan could have reason to stick around a while.

[timvp]

It wasn't unusual to hear coach Gregg Popovich yelling at Duncan from the sideline (or even the occasional film session) to remove his head from his rear.

"We have our tiffs a couple times a year," Duncan said. "You deal with it. Sometimes he's right, sometimes he's wrong."

Awesome.

This is why no one could coach the Spurs quite like Pop. He can call out Duncan and Duncan responds. After all these years, the fact that Duncan hasn't tuned out Pop is a main reason why the Spurs remain contenders. Since Pop called out Duncan earlier in the year, he's played much better.

Phil Jackson and Avery Johnson are probably better coaches, but as long as Pop can still motivate Tim and the rest of the big three, he's the guy I want on the sidelines.

[whottt]

Um...I don't see how you can conclude straight up that AJ is a better coach than Pop.

Phil Jackson - 9 Rings
AJ - A huge choke

Quite a bit of difference there...and AJ has a got a buttload of $$$$ behind him as well as a completely smooth transition to coach.


We'll see. I have the feeling that AJ is going to be the type that wears on his players.

[SilverPlayer]

I still think Duncan has some of his best post season performances ahead of him. He's still at a point where his body is able to do what he wants it to, and that's the most important factor for a big man. I think he will find the game comes easier at some point as he ages, and he will put up a few amazing post seasons that will blow what came before out of the water.

He's no longer young, but he still knows the game better than any of 'em just coming into their own. I am looking forward to what is sure to be another great 3-4 year ride of Duncan's dominance.

He doesn't have to give up his mantle just yet. He can always make them take it from him.

[whottt]

Duncan has an opt out clause right?

Good, that means he still has some leverage with the Spurs Brass....

[timvp]

Um...I don't see how you can conclude straight up that AJ is a better coach than Pop.

Phil Jackson - 9 Rings
AJ - A huge choke

Quite a bit of difference there...and AJ has a got a buttload of $$$$ behind him as well as a completely smooth transition to coach.


We'll see. I have the feeling that AJ is going to be the type that wears on his players.

Did you not watch AJ run circles around Pop in last year's playoffs?

As of this second, I'd say that AJ is a better coach than Pop. Dallas has pretty good talent but 70 wins? That's just sick with that team.

Oh and AJ got his coaching ring in '99.

[timvp]

But again, like I said, Pop >>>>> AJ in terms of who would be better coaching this team. Phil Jackson vs. Pop would be closer, but I'd still go with Pop.

[THE SIXTH MAN]

I still think Duncan has some of his best post season performances ahead of him. He's still at a point where his body is able to do what he wants it to, and that's the most important factor for a big man. I think he will find the game comes easier at some point as he ages, and he will put up a few amazing post seasons that will blow what came before out of the water.

He's no longer young, but he still knows the game better than any of 'em just coming into their own. I am looking forward to what is sure to be another great 3-4 year ride of Duncan's dominance.

He doesn't have to give up his mantle just yet. He can always make them take it from him.

The thing that TD has going for him, is the fact that he was never really athletic to begin with like he states in the article. Tim has always had one of the best low post games in the league. God Bless the Big Fundamental.

[whottt]

Did you not watch AJ run circles around Pop in last year's playoffs?

As of this second, I'd say that AJ is a better coach than Pop. Dallas has pretty good talent but 70 wins? That's just sick with that team.

Oh and AJ got his coaching ring in '99.

AJ did a good job, but Pop was exceptionally ty in that series. He was stubborn about the lineups he used and he flatly refused any lineup that might have forced the Mavs to adjust.

Pop is too much of a counterpuncher sometimes.


In any case, Elson allows Pop to use his traditional 2 bigmen lineup without going small...let's see what changes now.

It won't be 48 mins of Finley at C again...that's for sure.

Honestly, it wasn't that hard for AJ to outcoach Pop when Pop was the one outcoaching himself.

[timvp]

Pop is too much of a counterpuncher sometimes.

Pop has always been a counter puncher. That's part of his coaching philosophy. He let's teams dictate the style of play and then he puts the personnel on the court he thinks best matches up.

It's worked rather well over the years. But when it doesn't work (vs. the Lakers in '01 and last year vs. the Mavs), it can get ugly.

[whottt]

I want to add something to that...

If we play the Mavs in the POs again this year, and if at the end of the series Elson has logged about 5 total minutes of PT? I want Pop fired.

Let him go have a pissing contest with AJ on his own dime, without ting on Duncan's greatness in the process.

[BIG IRISH]

...

Oh and AJ got his coaching ring in '99.

He should have given it to Doc Rivers.

[TDMVPDPOY]

a rookie or young tim duncan > all those n clowns mentioned, the day he arrived in the nba he was top5 player in the league and top3 ever in his 2nd yr giving malone a run for his money on the mvp.

i still take duncans tip in dunk against the bucks over d12s tip-in, or that n dunk against the blazers in the playoffs in 99 over 3 clowns. the only person in the league right now that looks like a young tim duncan is bosh, if he bulks up and improves his defense and low post scoring = TD.

TD can play till his 40 if he wanted to, all he relys on is better positioning and motion of the game, if you move i move . if he concentrated only on defense like drob, would his defensive stats be superior what camby is posting up as a defensive stopper only....

TD is n god of bball

[Capt Bringdown]

Still great, but undeniably needing more help these days. Gone forever is the sense that he can dominate night in and night out. Pickin' his spots is what it's about now.

[Shaolin-Style]

He'll go for it harder in the playoffs I believe and prove to the world he really is the best.

Last year look at his numbers in them...that man will be a freaking beast assuming he stays in good condition.

[SenorSpur]

It will be a very sad day when finally does decide to "hang 'em up".

[picnroll]

Did you not watch AJ run circles around Pop in last year's playoffs?

As of this second, I'd say that AJ is a better coach than Pop. Dallas has pretty good talent but 70 wins? That's just sick with that team.

Oh and AJ got his coaching ring in '99.

I f Pop had gotten his way over Buford and drafted Josh Howard who'd be the genius coach? Fact is the Spurs had less overall talent than the Mavs and matched up poorly but Pop came within a bonehead Manu move of pulling off a great series victory.

[Supergirl]

I'd say Pop and Jackson are both pretty equally talented coaches in their own ways. AJ has yet to prove himself. As someone said, so far, all he's done is prove himself to be a big choke, esp since he's got so much money behind him trying to buy a championship. But you have to win it.

Pop is exceptional at working with raw talent that is motivated to work hard and learn. Players like Duncan and Manu, who are determined, excel here. Players like Stephen Jackson who have talent but need/want discipline, excel here. But players who are battling their own egos (Dennis Rodman, for eg) are not a good fit for Pop's style, because he has no patience for them. Those are the players (Kobe, MJ) who tend to excel under Jackson, who coaches with philosophy more than x's and o's.

[ambchang]

i still take duncans tip in dunk against the bucks over d12s tip-in, or that n dunk against the blazers in the playoffs in 99 over 3 clowns. the only person in the league right now that looks like a young tim duncan is bosh, if he bulks up and improves his defense and low post scoring = TD.

No ways is Bosh remotely close to TD in ANY aspect of the game. He is primarily a face-up SF type player on offense, he comes over for help defense at the wrong times, he doesn’t even box out or play fundamental defense on man (OK, I know you mentioned improve his D part, but Bosh has to turn into another person on D to be even remotely close to Duncan).
Bosh is closer to a no-defense KG, which is kind of hard to visualize because KG is no slouch on D himself.

[Texas_Ranger]

Nice article.

[boutons_]

"I'm not athletic, but I'm slow, which helps,"

iow, "I'm a manufactured player (like Tony), not a natural athlete"

[bdictjames]

Man, this stuff just pumps me up for tonight's game!!!

[ShoogarBear]

Um...I don't see how you can conclude straight up that AJ is a better coach than Pop.

Phil Jackson - 9 Rings
AJ - A huge choke

Quite a bit of difference there...and AJ has a got a buttload of $$$$ behind him as well as a completely smooth transition to coach.


We'll see. I have the feeling that AJ is going to be the type that wears on his players.

What a shock. whottt doesn't think AJ is any good.

[ShoogarBear]

Pop has always been a counter puncher. That's part of his coaching philosophy. He let's teams dictate the style of play and then he puts the personnel on the court he thinks best matches up.

It's worked rather well over the years. But when it doesn't work (vs. the Lakers in '01 and last year vs. the Mavs), it can get ugly.

He wasn't a counterpuncher in 99.

Oh, yeah, that's right, he wasn't the coach then.

[whottt]

What a shock. whottt doesn't think AJ is any good.

Link?


Phil = 9 Rings
Pop = 3 Rings
AJ = A huge choke


And before you talk about him being a new coach...go look at what Phil and Pop did as new coaches.

Amazingly, neither choked to a team they should have destroyed.