Re: 1997 NBA Draft Tim Duncan Video, No.1 pick by the San Antonio Spurs
DUNCAN DURING HIS ROOKIE YEAR
Only MJ could have been better
Duncan was drafted by the Spurs as the top overall pick in 1997 (could have been No. 1 in any of his last 3 years in college) and signed to a rookie maximum salary of $10.23 million over 3 years. In 1997–98 season, SA won 56 games, a huge 36-game improvement which was the greatest single-season turnaround in NBA annals. In his pro debut on Oct. 31, Duncan registered 15 points, 10 rebounds and 2 blocks on a road win vs. the Denver Nuggets. His combination with Robinson to form a dreaded Twin Tower was one of the greatest dynamic duos7 of all time. The pair averaged an incredible 42.7 points, 22.5 rebounds and 5.14 blocks. Duncan became the 19th rookie8 in NBA history to average 20/10+ in points/rebounds. He led the league in double-doubles, a feat he would accomplish 5 more times.
He became the 9th rookie9 ever to be named to All-NBA 1st Team since Bird in 1980, and at 22 years and 3 weeks old, was the 2nd youngest ever since Max Zaslofsky in 1947. He was just the 5th rookie10 also to be named to All-Defensive 2nd Team. He was the Rookie of the Month in all 6 months joining Robinson and Ralph Sampson as only players to sweep the honor. Thus, he was the hands-down choice as Rookie of the Year and in the All-Rookie 1st Team, becoming the 15th rookie11 to win the awards after being selected as top draft pick. He even placed 5th in the MVP voting won by Jordan.
In the All-Star game in New York, the Twin Towers played as reserves for the West squad. Amidst galaxy of stars, Duncan was the only rookie on the floor and scored a measly 2 points but had 11 rebounds in a 114-135 loss to the East led by MVP Jordan.
With the last piece of the puzzle in place, the Spurs have become a serious title contender from a recurring post-season bust. Since 1976, SA earned a playoff berth 17 of 21 times translated to 145 games without reaching the NBA finale. The Spurs just couldn’t shake playoff blues and the First Round was particularly been cruel to them. In Round 1, SA overcame the fast-charging duo of Jason Kidd and Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns, 3-1. The Suns feared Duncan more than they feared the veteran Robinson, and the rookie showed why. In Game 1, he chalked up 32 points including 18 in the 4th quarter as the Spurs beat the Suns, 102-96. Duncan, who also grabbed 10 rebounds, had the 7th highest playoff point total by a rookie ever.
“We talked about doubling down on him in the 4th quarter,” Suns coach and former Celt Danny Ainge said. “We flew at him a couple of times. By the time the double team got there, he had already put the shot up.”
In the West semis, the pick-&-roll combo of Malone and John Stockton of the defending West champs Utah Jazz barely escaped the Spurs in Game 1, 83-82. Duncan, in his 1st marquee matchup with Malone, scored 19 of his 33 points in the 4th quarter but missed a 15-foot turnaround jumper with 2 seconds left that would have given them the win. Who was this rookie who would’ve taken the last shot over the “Mailman”? It could only be Duncan – as those kinds of shots would take the Spurs to the next level. However, the Jazz again escaped in Game 2, a 109-106 hairline victory before SA’s title hopes took a big snag when Duncan sprained his ankle at 4:36 mark in OT. The Spurs lost the series in 5 games.[/quote]
Re: 1997 NBA Draft Tim Duncan Video, No.1 pick by the San Antonio Spurs
Quote:
Originally Posted by Baller1986
DUNCAN DURING HIS ROOKIE YEAR
Only MJ could have been better
Duncan was drafted by the Spurs as the top overall pick in 1997 (could have been No. 1 in any of his last 3 years in college) and signed to a rookie maximum salary of $10.23 million over 3 years. In 1997–98 season, SA won 56 games, a huge 36-game improvement which was the greatest single-season turnaround in NBA annals. In his pro debut on Oct. 31, Duncan registered 15 points, 10 rebounds and 2 blocks on a road win vs. the Denver Nuggets. His combination with Robinson to form a dreaded Twin Tower was one of the greatest dynamic duos7 of all time. The pair averaged an incredible 42.7 points, 22.5 rebounds and 5.14 blocks. Duncan became the 19th rookie8 in NBA history to average 20/10+ in points/rebounds. He led the league in double-doubles, a feat he would accomplish 5 more times.
He became the 9th rookie9 ever to be named to All-NBA 1st Team since Bird in 1980, and at 22 years and 3 weeks old, was the 2nd youngest ever since Max Zaslofsky in 1947. He was just the 5th rookie10 also to be named to All-Defensive 2nd Team. He was the Rookie of the Month in all 6 months joining Robinson and Ralph Sampson as only players to sweep the honor. Thus, he was the hands-down choice as Rookie of the Year and in the All-Rookie 1st Team, becoming the 15th rookie11 to win the awards after being selected as top draft pick. He even placed 5th in the MVP voting won by Jordan.
In the All-Star game in New York, the Twin Towers played as reserves for the West squad. Amidst galaxy of stars, Duncan was the only rookie on the floor and scored a measly 2 points but had 11 rebounds in a 114-135 loss to the East led by MVP Jordan.
With the last piece of the puzzle in place, the Spurs have become a serious title contender from a recurring post-season bust. Since 1976, SA earned a playoff berth 17 of 21 times translated to 145 games without reaching the NBA finale. The Spurs just couldn’t shake playoff blues and the First Round was particularly been cruel to them. In Round 1, SA overcame the fast-charging duo of Jason Kidd and Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns, 3-1. The Suns feared Duncan more than they feared the veteran Robinson, and the rookie showed why. In Game 1, he chalked up 32 points including 18 in the 4th quarter as the Spurs beat the Suns, 102-96. Duncan, who also grabbed 10 rebounds, had the 7th highest playoff point total by a rookie ever.
“We talked about doubling down on him in the 4th quarter,” Suns coach and former Celt Danny Ainge said. “We flew at him a couple of times. By the time the double team got there, he had already put the shot up.”
In the West semis, the pick-&-roll combo of Malone and John Stockton of the defending West champs Utah Jazz barely escaped the Spurs in Game 1, 83-82. Duncan, in his 1st marquee matchup with Malone, scored 19 of his 33 points in the 4th quarter but missed a 15-foot turnaround jumper with 2 seconds left that would have given them the win. Who was this rookie who would’ve taken the last shot over the “Mailman”? It could only be Duncan – as those kinds of shots would take the Spurs to the next level. However, the Jazz again escaped in Game 2, a 109-106 hairline victory before SA’s title hopes took a big snag when Duncan sprained his ankle at 4:36 mark in OT. The Spurs lost the series in 5 games.
1997 NBA Draft Tim Duncan Video, No.1 pick by the San Antonio Spurs
nice dude
