Undeniable Truths About Tim Duncan

[Nowitness]

Don’t get much content on the greatest PF to ever play the game, but this was released recently on SA Spurs official YT channel. Hopefully it will preserve the fact that;

He’s the best at his position by a wider margin than any other player is at theirs
Was the best player of his generation (ahead of Shaq and Kobe)
Was the best leader, teammate and winner since Bill Russell
Was the most coachable superstar ever who willingly sacrificed his own game for others
Played for a team and coach who have won exactly nothing without him, and that this myth of ‘best organisation in basketball’ was 100% because he played for them. That title lasted from 1997-2016. Before him they had 5 coaches in 8 seasons, couldn’t handle superstar egos and sought permission to leave Texas. During his reign the only issue that comes out of SA is Parker shagging Brent Barry’s wife. After him we have the Kawhi disaster, LMA threaten to retire, Parker walk in FA, DeRozan/Murray become All-NBA type players after leaving and another round of tanking for a generational talent.
Top 3 longevity
Top 7 peak
Greatest title run ever (2003)
Least amount of help of any top 15 player (only player in modern history to win more than 1 title without a CURRENT All-NBA teammate, and he did it 4 times)
Top 3 defensive player ever
Best offensive player (and player period) on 4 title teams, bested only by MJ and Russell
Last rookie to make an All-NBA team (and he was 1st team and 1st defence)
Most combined All-NBA/All-Defensive team selections

Cemented as the 4th greatest player of all time.

[Axe]

Inb4 an ImKobe meltdown

[SouBeachTalents]

He’s the best at his position by a wider margin than any other player is at theirs

He spent more time playing center, I always found this to be a weasely way to ensure he's in every all-time starting lineup. If he was correctly listed as a center, this statement would be unequivocally incorrect

Top 7 peak

Jordan
LeBron
Shaq
Hakeem
Kareem
Wilt
Bird

Greatest title run ever (2003)

It was an all-time run, but I'm taking both of Hakeem's over it

Least amount of help of any top 15 player (only player in modern history to win more than 1 title without a CURRENT All-NBA teammate, and he did it 4 times)

Hakeem inarguably had worse help. Duncan played with 2 HOF's for like 15 years, he also had an additional HOF at the beginning of his career and another one at the end of it.

Best offensive player (and player period) on 4 title teams, bested only by MJ and Russell

Manu was better than him offensively in the '05 title run.

Cemented as the 4th greatest player of all time

I'd wager the majority of ranking don't have him top 4, he's more like 6th or 7th.

[Big164]

Hes not even top 10. The only reason we even talk about him is because he is “listed” as PF instead of a C.

Shaq, Kareem, Russell, Chamberlain & Olajuwon are all Superior.

[1987_Lakers]

Hes not even top 10. The only reason we even talk about him is because he is “listed” as PF instead of a C.

Shaq, Kareem, Russell, Chamberlain & Olajuwon are all Superior.

lol, that is false.

[Im Still Ballin]

*HOT TAKE ALERT*

Kevin McHale was a better offensive player. Softer touch, superior post-up game, more range, and a stronger free-throw shooter. The passing is negligible.

[Real Men Wear Green]

Being the greatest pf ever is definitely a technicality but as great as he was it's not that important that its a technicality. Still top 10 all time.

[RRR3]

*HOT TAKE ALERT*

Kevin McHale was a better offensive player. Softer touch, superior post-up game, more range, and a stronger free-throw shooter. The passing is negligible.

Jesus you’re madly in love with McHale.

[SouBeachTalents]

*HOT TAKE ALERT*

Kevin McHale was a better offensive player. Softer touch, superior post-up game, more range, and a stronger free-throw shooter. The passing is negligible.

Nah, Duncan was definitely a better passer.

[Nowitness]

To those stating Duncan was a C, from what timeframe do you generally regard this?

In truth, he wasn’t playing it until 09. Measurables dictate position more than style, and he was routinely playing with dudes just as tall, but far slower and heavier than him.

Second question; assuming you think Duncan was a PF up to at least 2005, had he retired in 05 would you still have him as the best PF ever? Because I would.

[tpols]

Duncan was great but they were contenders and champions even when he got old. It doesn't have to be all black and white. The spurs were clearly one of the best coached and greatest passing and shooting teams of all time.

[Im Still Ballin]

Nah, Duncan was definitely a better passer.

Got to watch the footage - assist totals don't tell the whole story. Duncan's usage rate and time of possession were much higher than McHale's. There's not much difference in passing ability per the footage.

Always have to consider the personnel, role, and system a player is in. Kevin developed into more of a creator when he was promoted from a sixth-man to a starter. He became quite adept at throwing high-low passes toward the end of his career as his range expanded.

[Full Court]

4th all time is a little high, but he's definitely top 8. And ahead of Lebron.

[Jasper]

To those stating Duncan was a C, from what timeframe do you generally regard this?

In truth, he wasn’t playing it until 09. Measurables dictate position more than style, and he was routinely playing with dudes just as tall, but far slower and heavier than him. If style dictates it,

Second question; assuming you think Duncan was a PF up to at least 2005, had he retired in 05 would you still have him as the. Eat PF ever? Because I would.

correct.
He is the best PF that ever played.
But if Giannis gets 3 rings or more... we would have an argument who is the best.

One thing looking back at Pop's coaching career ... besides Robinson , Tim Duncan made POP.
Think of that ... and many consider Pop the coach of all time.

puts things into perspective.

[Kblaze8855]

Duncan was great but they were contenders and champions even when he got old. It doesn't have to be all black and white. The spurs were clearly one of the best coached and greatest passing and shooting teams of all time.

And if Duncan had a Shaq like personality demanding to be fed instead of happily allowing the team to transition to an everybody eats motion offense in his late 20s when he was still this guy at 38:







any chance that great passing team of unselfish team first confident role players and young stars doesn’t develop that way?