Is Tim Duncan Becoming The Most Overrated Player Ever?

[aboss4real24]

I Think he is

he has been nuthn but a role player these last few years . especially in these playoffs n finals

Kobe Has had a way better career stat wise it isnt even close, people use that accomplishment n ring Crap to prop up TD Because they know talent wise n Number wise he isnt better than Kobe.. Or Lebron.

The spurs over the years have been so stacked TD Hasnt been asked to do much ,

The 1st half of his career he was Relied on to score mainly, which he still had alot of help doin that with TP And manu on his team

the 2nd half of his career he's been relied on 4 D# And rebounding

Kobe (Post shaq) And Lebron have took on all of the scoring load throughout most of dere careers and also had to be the best perimeter defender on there team and also playmake

Tim duncan had no pressure game in n game out like KB N LB Has had there whole careers ,

LB N KB>TD


Td is overrated http://i.imgur.com/Ppp5MK5.png

[mehyaM24]

tim duncan has been a role player since the 2007 finals

but he is the GOAT PF and probably a top 5-7 player

tier 1: kareem,shaq,magic,lebron
tier 2: duncan, kobe,bird,jordan

[unbreakable]

-defensive anchor allowing his team to win 50+ games for 18 seasons
-dominant in low post scoring and very clutch
-takes paycut to allow team to contend
-5 rings as alpha male leader

tim duncan is inarguably top 5.. however most ELITE BASKETBALL MINDS have tim duncan top 3 with MJ and kareem (any order)

[jstern]

Oh look. A person with a Kobe avatar calling Tim overrated.

[Akrazotile]

5, 2mvp, DPoY > 5, 1mvp

[Uncle Drew]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/1999/playoffs/news/1999/06/25/spurs_knicks_game5/lg_spurs_ap.jpg

[TheMarkMadsen]

5, 2mvp, DPoY > 5, 1MVP


You said you'd leave ISH if bran didnt score 45+ in game 5

So..

See ya phaggit

[SexSymbol]

I think he's getting overrated when people are putting him into top 5. Anywhere else, he has earned a place. Same as Kobe.

[Akrazotile]

You said you'd leave ISH if bran didnt score 45+ in game 5

So..

See ya phaggit


Link?

[imdaman99]

Give it up dude. I know you were rooting for the Heat to win the Finals so you could have made this thread the second the Spurs lost, but give it up. Duncan is an all time great, he's been a great teammate all his life. Took less money, Melo cold learn a few million things from him, and allowed other players on his team to develop.

I also don't think he's better than Kobe but look how long the Spurs have been relevant. 5 rings in 15 years.

Hell at this point in my life, I would settle for 1 as a Knick fan.

[unbreakable]

I think he's getting overrated when people are putting him into top 5. Anywhere else, he has earned a place. Same as Kobe.

how is he NOT top 5, kid?

-18 seasons of 50+ wins
-never missed the playoffs
-one of the greatest defensive players of all time (even at age 38)
-dominated the WCF in overtime game 6 to win series at age 38
-dominated paint in finals at age 38
-only has 2 MVPs, should have atleast 4
-completely unstoppable in the post
-all time terrific leader and teammate and rolemodel

shaq, kobe, bird, magic, wilt, dream and lebron have NO CASE over Duncan. NONE.

top 3: MJ, Kareem, Duncan in no order

[aboss4real24]

Give it up dude. I know you were rooting for the Heat to win the Finals so you could have made this thread the second the Spurs lost, but give it up. Duncan is an all time great, he's been a great teammate all his life. Took less money, Melo cold learn a few million things from him, and allowed other players on his team to develop.

I also don't think he's better than Kobe but look how long the Spurs have been relevant. 5 rings in 15 years.

Hell at this point in my life, I would settle for 1 as a Knick fan.


no1 sed td wasnt a all time great , i sed he's overrated

Melo is alredy a better scorer than TD Ever dreamed about being so theres nuthn to learn frum him , Maybe if melo wanted to learn how to be a gud role player in the 2nd half of ur career then yea he can learn frum TD

And btw i wasnt rooting 4 either sas or mia to win... i hate both

[aboss4real24]

how is he NOT top 5, kid?

-18 seasons of 50+ wins
-never missed the playoffs
-one of the greatest defensive players of all time (even at age 38)
-dominated the WCF in overtime game 6 to win series at age 38
-dominated paint in finals at age 38
-only has 2 MVPs, should have atleast 4
-completely unstoppable in the post
-all time terrific leader and teammate and rolemodel

shaq, kobe, bird, magic, wilt, dream and lebron have NO CASE over Duncan. NONE.

top 3: MJ, Kareem, Duncan in no order


http://www.thecoli.com/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/mjlol.png

[SexSymbol]

how is he NOT top 5, kid?

-18 seasons of 50+ wins
-never missed the playoffs
-one of the greatest defensive players of all time (even at age 38)
-dominated the WCF in overtime game 6 to win series at age 38
-dominated paint in finals at age 38
-only has 2 MVPs, should have atleast 4
-completely unstoppable in the post
-all time terrific leader and teammate and rolemodel

shaq, kobe, bird, magic, wilt, dream and lebron have NO CASE over Duncan. NONE.

top 3: MJ, Kareem, Duncan in no order

Bird faced competition Duncan has never dreamt of facing and he has overcome it.
If you put only career accolades into question then yeah, Duncan has a slim case to be top 5.
On individual domination he has no case to be in the top 5, Bird, Magic, Shaq, Jordan, Wilt, Russell, Kobe, Hakeem have him on that quite easily.
Duncan had a privilege to play less than thirty minutes and not play on back to back since forever because of Pop's system. No other all-time great has benefitted from such a great coach throughout their whole careers.

Also, Duncan's competition in the PO's and finals is very questionable, not to mention the fact that some of the worst chokes are of his team.

[DonDadda59]

You spent all post season, in every Spurs game thread from the first round to the finals trying to convince anyone that would listen to you that TD is overrated.

Clearly, no one is buying what you're selling Gump. Time to move on.

[Myth]

ISH, where no longer a superstar = role player.

He was the best player for the Spurs throughout the playoffs, and Kawhi had a better Finals (and not by a huge margin). Same thing happened in 2007 with Tony Parker.

[Rubio2Gasol]

This is how you know a dude is 14 years old. When they start calling Duncan overrated.

[aboss4real24]

This is how you know a dude is just speaking the truth When they start calling Duncan overrated.

fixed

[pastis]

how is he NOT top 5, kid?

-18 seasons of 50+ wins
-never missed the playoffs
-one of the greatest defensive players of all time (even at age 38)
-dominated the WCF in overtime game 6 to win series at age 38
-dominated paint in finals at age 38
-only has 2 MVPs, should have atleast 4
-completely unstoppable in the post
-all time terrific leader and teammate and rolemodel

shaq, kobe, bird, magic, wilt, dream and lebron have NO CASE over Duncan. NONE.

top 3: MJ, Kareem, Duncan in no order


:biggums: :biggums: :biggums: :biggums: :biggums: :biggums: :biggums: :biggums: :biggums: :biggums:

stop drinking and somking pot dude, its clearly attacking your brain

[rmt]

2014 Playoffs

Parker 17.4 pts / 4.8 asst 48.6%FG
Duncan 16.3 pts / 9.1 rebs 52.3%
Leonard 14.3 pts / 6.7 rebs 51%
Manu 14.3 pts / 4.1 asst 43.9%

1 pt less than Parker and far more important to the defense than TP. If Duncan is a role player, the whole team is a role player.

[Crown&Coke]

It's possible that TD is now being a little overrated here. But he's been severely underrated his entire career.

But overrated? Check it...

Game 5, Spurs start out slow. Miami has a double digit lead. Instead of playing faster and jacking up threes, what do they do???? Drop it down to the left block to Duncan. Who delivered. Every single possession. They went to Duncan, and he put the ball in the basket. Miami sees the trend, puts their best low post defender in the game for probably the first time all series, and Duncan still feasts.

But lets just say he's overrated and cancel out some of the underrated nonsense. Makes sense to me

[pastis]

i nver understood how you can bring rebounds or even better TS or FG % for a center.

duncan always under the rim = easy reb

duncan is waiting for the assist, then layup = eazy point.


HOW CAN YOU COMPARE THIS WITH A SHOOTER ETC? IT WOULD BE A SHAME IF DUNCAN WOULD HAVE A TS % under 60 with his easy buckets. so get over it b1atches

[Straight_Ballin]

This is how you know a dude is 14 years old. When they start calling Duncan overrated.

:lol :lol :lol :lol :lol

[rmt]

It's possible that TD is now being a little overrated here. But he's been severely underrated his entire career.

But overrated? Check it...

Game 5, Spurs start out slow. Miami has a double digit lead. Instead of playing faster and jacking up threes, what do they do???? Drop it down to the left block to Duncan. Who delivered. Every single possession. They went to Duncan, and he put the ball in the basket. Miami sees the trend, puts their best low post defender in the game for probably the first time all series, and Duncan still feasts.

But lets just say he's overrated and cancel out some of the underrated nonsense. Makes sense to me

Most of the time when they were in disarray, they'd come out of time-outs and give in to Duncan. Best way to calm everybody, settle down and safest 2 pts. He still has the skills - just can't do it consistently anymore. That's age - just like Federer - still has the jaw-dropping shots - just can't do it year round anymore.

[NumberSix]

Bill Russell is.

[poeticism707]

how is he NOT top 5, kid?

-18 seasons of 50+ wins
-never missed the playoffs
-one of the greatest defensive players of all time (even at age 38)
-dominated the WCF in overtime game 6 to win series at age 38
-dominated paint in finals at age 38
-only has 2 MVPs, should have atleast 4
-completely unstoppable in the post
-all time terrific leader and teammate and rolemodel

shaq, kobe, bird, magic, wilt, dream and lebron have NO CASE over Duncan. NONE.

top 3: MJ, Kareem, Duncan in no order

Agreed.

But the stupid trolls still can't add 2+2.

[Crown&Coke]

Most of the time when they were in disarray, they'd come out of time-outs and give in to Duncan. Best way to calm everybody, settle down and safest 2 pts. He still has the skills - just can't do it consistently anymore. That's age - just like Federer - still has the jaw-dropping shots - just can't do it year round anymore.

And I can't blame them, it's not like he ever jumped over everyone to get his shot, he used footwork, body position, leverage and smarts.

I must admit, I thought after that 2nd half of game 7 last year, I thought he was done being a top shelf player. He was straight up gassed, and there is no amount of rest in the regular season that will aid the fact he went all out the first half, and had no reserve tank to fall back on.

And guess what, Duncan still feasts :roll: **** him for making me look stupid that overrated dick

[T_L_P]

Bird faced competition Duncan has never dreamt of facing and he has overcome it.
If you put only career accolades into question then yeah, Duncan has a slim case to be top 5.
On individual domination he has no case to be in the top 5, Bird, Magic, Shaq, Jordan, Wilt, Russell, Kobe, Hakeem have him on that quite easily.
Duncan had a privilege to play less than thirty minutes and not play on back to back since forever because of Pop's system. No other all-time great has benefitted from such a great coach throughout their whole careers.

Also, Duncan's competition in the PO's and finals is very questionable, not to mention the fact that some of the worst chokes are of his team.

Duncan's peak is easily ahead of Kobe's. When did Kobe ever consistently dominate the Playoffs like Duncan did in the early 2000s? Just look at his production in the 06 Playoffs; far worse than what he did in the regular season.

Also, OP: shut up. You think Blake Griffin, who has never gotten out of the first round with another top 5 player in the league, will be ahead of Duncan when it's all said and done (which is to say you think he'll be top 10).

Duncan in the past four years: 17/10/2/2. Name me some other role players who put up those numbers.

[Dbrog]

http://www.thecoli.com/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/mjlol.png

So you don't think he's one of the GOAT defenders? I just don't even know what to say to this. Literally no words.

[mehyaM24]

peak: barkley,garnett >>
prime: barkley,garnet >>
longevity and accoldes: duncan > garnett > barkley

he is the GOAT PF by default, but overrated when people say he was actually better than either barkley or garnett AT THEIR BEST

[T_L_P]

peak: barkley,garnett >>
prime: barkley,garnet >>
longevity and accoldes: duncan > garnett > barkley

he is the GOAT PF by default, but overrated when people say he was actually better than either barkley or garnett AT THEIR BEST

Garnett/Barkley never matched 03 Duncan. Never got close.

[Cone]

nope. cant get more overrated than kobe

[NumberSix]

Garnett/Barkley never matched 03 Duncan. Never got close.
:wtf:

Man, people here really never watched Barkley play. All they see is that he has no rings.

You really should look at some of Barkley's numbers in Philly.

3rd year: 23/15/6 on 59.4%
4th year: 28.3/12/3.2 on 58.7%
5th year: 25.8/12.5/4.1 on 57.9%
6th year: 25.2/11.5/3.9 on 60%


Don't be fooled by the lack of rings. Barkley was without question better than Duncan ever was.

[SCdac]

Easily a top-5 to top-10 player. GOAT PF. Not overrated at all. :cheers:

[tontoz]

:wtf:

Man, people here really never watched Barkley play. All they see is that he has no rings.

You really should look at some of Barkley's numbers in Philly.

3rd year: 23/15/6 on 59.4%
4th year: 28.3/12/3.2 on 58.7%
5th year: 25.8/12.5/4.1 on 57.9%
6th year: 25.2/11.5/3.9 on 60%


Don't be fooled by the lack of rings. Barkley was without question better than Duncan ever was.

No chance. There are two ends of the court and Duncan was a light year better on D than Barkley. Barkley was better on offense but the gap wasn't nearly as big as the gap on D.

[mehyaM24]

Garnett/Barkley never matched 03 Duncan. Never got close.

you mean the finals he played against new jersey? the WOAT finalists of the 2000s? LMAO

barkley in 93 was better than duncan ever was

garnett in 04 was better than duncan ever was

[Inactive]

Duncan is way too good to ever be the most overrated player.

[Replay32]

There's nothing overrated about Tim Duncan. Respect that man.

[T_L_P]

you mean the finals he played against new jersey? the WOAT finalists of the 2000s? LMAO

barkley in 93 was better than duncan ever was

garnett in 04 was better than duncan ever was

No, I mean the entire Playoff run, where he dethroned a dynasty. :facepalm

Also, they were better than the 02 Nets.

[T_L_P]

:wtf:

Man, people here really never watched Barkley play. All they see is that he has no rings.

You really should look at some of Barkley's numbers in Philly.

3rd year: 23/15/6 on 59.4%
4th year: 28.3/12/3.2 on 58.7%
5th year: 25.8/12.5/4.1 on 57.9%
6th year: 25.2/11.5/3.9 on 60%


Don't be fooled by the lack of rings. Barkley was without question better than Duncan ever was.

Come Playoff time, Duncan was the better performer. The defensive difference alone.

[NumberSix]

Come Playoff time, Duncan was the better performer. The defensive difference alone.
Proof?

[T_L_P]

Proof?

2003...where he ended a dynasty and played some of the best two-way basketball ever.

[Bae]

I think he's fortunate that his career is ending on a high-note, that matters a lot when people compare him in the future, plus he's just fresh off a championship where they dominated the Heat, the hype over the Spurs is fresh

[bukowski81]

Proof?

Duncan put 24.7/15.4/5.3/3.3 in the 03 playoffs plus elite defense.

Thats better than anything Barkley did, and if you consider the defense, the performance of both is not that close.

[Marlo_Stanfield]

yes, but rating him over Kobe is still right:applause:

[tontoz]

Marlo is alive!

[aboss4real24]

Lmao at barkley having way better numbers than TD And ppl bringn up D#

Game is about puttn the ball n dam hoop

[T_L_P]

Lmao at barkley having way better numbers than TD And ppl bringn up D#

Game is about puttn the ball n dam hoop

Go look at Duncan's and Barkley Playoff numbers...Duncan still wins.

Basketball is also about stopping the other team scoring.

[bukowski81]

Lmao at barkley having way better numbers than TD And ppl bringn up D#

Game is about puttn the ball n dam hoop

LOL at this guy thinking D doesnt count.

Any scrub can put the ball in the hoop with no defense

[smoovegittar]

Melo is ashamed of you. :facepalm

[T_L_P]

Also, lol at Kobe having to be the best perimeter defender. Do MWP and Ariza not exist?

[TheBigVeto]

No. That title is still Kobe's to lose.

[RedBlackAttack]

This is what you come to when you're a player fan. I genuinely feel sorry for anyone not capable of recognizing how amazing Tim Duncan has been. He didn't do it with flash, but the results speak for themselves.

Ignorance is bliss, I suppose.

[aboss4real24]

Also, lol at Kobe having to be the best perimeter defender. Do MWP and Ariza not exist?

they werent there frum 99-07

[T_L_P]

they werent there frum 99-07
'Kobe (Post shaq) And Lebron have took on all of the scoring load throughout most of dere careers and also had to be the best perimeter defender on there team and also playmake '

Reread your post4

[La Frescobaldi]

Lmao at barkley having way better numbers than TD And ppl bringn up D#

Game is about puttn the ball n dam hoop

Go on home. Take your color pink ball with you too. It looks real bad on this playground.

[La Frescobaldi]

i nver understood how you can bring rebounds or even better TS or FG % for a center.

duncan always under the rim = easy reb

duncan is waiting for the assist, then layup = eazy point.


HOW CAN YOU COMPARE THIS WITH A SHOOTER ETC? IT WOULD BE A SHAME IF DUNCAN WOULD HAVE A TS % under 60 with his easy buckets. so get over it b1atches
You ever been to an actual live NBA game and watched them fight in the paint? It ain't all peaches down in there

[Smook A.]

In 16 Years...

Regular Season Averages: 19.9 PPG (50.6 FG%), 11.1 RPG, 3.1 APG, 2.2 BPG

Postseason Averages: 21.3 PPG (50 FG%), 11.7 RPG, 3.1 APG, 2.3 BPG

20/10 + 2 BPG average for 16 years in the Regular Season and Postseason... Thats crazy, dude.

Accomplishments
No playoff misses
50+ wins every season
5 Championships
2 MVP's
3 FMVP's
14x All-Star
1 All-Star Game MVP
10 All-NBA 1st Teams
3 All-NBA 2nd Teams
8 All-Defensive 1st Teams
6 All-Defensive 2nd Teams
Rookie of the Year

[Smoke117]

Tim Duncan is hardly the most overrated player ever...but he is overrated. All this bullshit championship talk and this and that...that doesn't make you better than someone you just plain aren't better than on an individual level. A championship is a team award not an individual award. Tim Duncan is clearly not a better offensive or defensive player than Olajuwon and frankly I've never felt he was better than David Robinson at his best. He's better/greater all time because of his staying power, but he was never as dominant as Robinson on either end or carried such shit teams like Dave did.

[La Frescobaldi]

In 16 Years...

Regular Season Averages: 19.9 PPG (50.6 FG%), 11.1 RPG, 3.1 APG, 2.2 BPG

Postseason Averages: 21.3 PPG (50 FG%), 11.7 RPG, 3.1 APG, 2.3 BPG

20/10 + 2 BPG average for 16 years in the Regular Season and Postseason... Thats crazy, dude.

Accomplishments
No playoff misses
50+ wins every season
5 Championships
2 MVP's
3 FMVP's
14x All-Star
1 All-Star Game MVP
10 All-NBA 1st Teams
3 All-NBA 2nd Teams
8 All-Defensive 1st Teams
6 All-Defensive 2nd Teams
Rookie of the Year
That list sure does glitter when you hold it up to the light, don't it?!!

[RedBlackAttack]

Tim Duncan is hardly the most overrated player ever...but he is overrated. All this bullshit championship talk and this and that...that doesn't make you better than someone you just plain aren't better then on an individual level. A championship is a team award not an individual award. Tim Duncan is clearly not a better offensive or defensive player than Olajuwon and frankly I've never felt he was better than David Robinson at his best. He's better/greater all time because of his staying power, but he was never as dominant as Robinson on either end or carried such shit teams like Dave did.
Here's the problem, though... Some guys' skillsets fit much better in a team concept than that of others. Duncan has always centered his game around, not trying to just be a dominant individual player, but embracing his role within that team concept.

That's why looking at what you may call "better individual players" gets tricky. The goal of the game is to win. Duncan fits seamlessly in a system where he's able to dominate the aspects of the game his team needs him to be dominant in, but also leaves room for his teammates to flourish in their respective roles.

There is an art to that which is not something casual fans will immediately pick up on. Duncan is the perfect example of what happens when a great player embraces the team concept.

[aboss4real24]

d12 is just as gud as TD

Only difference is TD Is a lil more polished on o#

[Dbrog]

Tim Duncan is hardly the most overrated player ever...but he is overrated. All this bullshit championship talk and this and that...that doesn't make you better than someone you just plain aren't better than on an individual level. A championship is a team award not an individual award. Tim Duncan is clearly not a better offensive or defensive player than Olajuwon and frankly I've never felt he was better than David Robinson at his best. He's better/greater all time because of his staying power, but he was never as dominant as Robinson on either end or carried such shit teams like Dave did.

This is not true unless you are only looking at the regular season. David got worse or stayed the same in the playoffs while Duncan consistently raised his game to elite levels. As for Hakeem, his peak MAY have been better but that's the only thing he wins in as far as accolades go. He literally can't be mentioned in the same sentence with Timmy IMO. It's like saying Dr. J was just as good or better than Bird. It's not that the Doctor wasn't great, it's just he never achieved the greatness that Larry did.

[Anaximandro1]

Tim Duncan is criminally underrated

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q-vuOD7QMyc/U6DwA-q3n3I/AAAAAAAADAU/iTg3yzMJDWA/s1600/4.jpg

[ILLsmak]

Here's the problem, though... Some guys' skillsets fit much better in a team concept than that of others. Duncan has always centered his game around, not trying to just be a dominant individual player, but embracing his role within that team concept.

That's why looking at what you may call "better individual players" gets tricky. The goal of the game is to win. Duncan fits seamlessly in a system where he's able to dominate the aspects of the game his team needs him to be dominant in, but also leaves room for his teammates to flourish in their respective roles.

There is an art to that which is not something casual fans will immediately pick up on. Duncan is the perfect example of what happens when a great player embraces the team concept.

Yea but with most GOAT level players, we got to see them on bad teams. Why is this important? We get to see how they react to different situations.

Duncan is proof that circumstance is very important.

I can't give him top 5 just like I can't give Pop GOAT coach. The difference is that Pop can continue to coach after everyone leaves. He will have to rebuild if he stays with SA, so we will see what happens in his 'second run.' However, Duncan is sealed.

I wanna see how players respond to adversity before I label them top 5.

-Smak

[deja vu]

People are still hyped and pumped after that amazing Spurs win. Overreaction is very typical in these boards so you just take other people's opinions with a grain of salt.

Anyway I got Duncan as arguably 5th all time.

[Smoke117]

This is not true unless you are only looking at the regular season. David got worse or stayed the same in the playoffs while Duncan consistently raised his game to elite levels. As for Hakeem, his peak MAY have been better but that's the only thing he wins in as far as accolades go. He literally can't be mentioned in the same sentence with Timmy IMO. It's like saying Dr. J was just as good or better than Bird. It's not that the Doctor wasn't great, it's just he never achieved the greatness that Larry did.

:facepalm Hakeem Olajuwon cannot be mention in the same sentence of Tim Duncan and i'm absurd? Son you have lost you ****ing mind.

[mehyaM24]

Tim Duncan is criminally underrated

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q-vuOD7QMyc/U6DwA-q3n3I/AAAAAAAADAU/iTg3yzMJDWA/s1600/4.jpg

so shaq is better than duncan?

i didnt need stats to tell me that :lol

[GoSpursGo1984]

I Think he is

he has been nuthn but a role player these last few years . especially in these playoffs n finals

Kobe Has had a way better career stat wise it isnt even close, people use that accomplishment n ring Crap to prop up TD Because they know talent wise n Number wise he isnt better than Kobe.. Or Lebron.

The spurs over the years have been so stacked TD Hasnt been asked to do much ,

The 1st half of his career he was Relied on to score mainly, which he still had alot of help doin that with TP And manu on his team

the 2nd half of his career he's been relied on 4 D# And rebounding

Kobe (Post shaq) And Lebron have took on all of the scoring load throughout most of dere careers and also had to be the best perimeter defender on there team and also playmake

Tim duncan had no pressure game in n game out like KB N LB Has had there whole careers ,

LB N KB>TD


Td is overrated http://i.imgur.com/Ppp5MK5.png

http://31.media.tumblr.com/769f21261c060842a2e39a6dabb3fe1b/tumblr_mmtmhvMdcJ1r14o02o1_250.gif

[LeBird]

Here's the problem, though... Some guys' skillsets fit much better in a team concept than that of others. Duncan has always centered his game around, not trying to just be a dominant individual player, but embracing his role within that team concept.

That's why looking at what you may call "better individual players" gets tricky. The goal of the game is to win. Duncan fits seamlessly in a system where he's able to dominate the aspects of the game his team needs him to be dominant in, but also leaves room for his teammates to flourish in their respective roles.

There is an art to that which is not something casual fans will immediately pick up on. Duncan is the perfect example of what happens when a great player embraces the team concept.

Duncan gets far too much credit for this. It is Pop that facilitates all this and enables players to play at such a high standard. Parker, Manu, Mills, Diaw, Kawhi...this is Pop's doing. Hell, against OKC in their last win when all the Spurs bench players were on they were playing much better than the starters. :lol

The reason the Spurs were blowing out teams was their GOAT level offence and they don't even have 1 player averaging 20 points per game. And the main reason they scored so much was the passing system. Duncan isn't that critical to it, although it helps to have a big with good passing skills.

In reality, you take apart this team and put any one player on any other team that isn't already challenging and they make up a negligible difference.