#TBT- Tim Duncan, PF, San Antonio Spurs
@Hoover__26 January 14
While there are many players in today’s NBA that hang on to the old ways, perhaps no one personifies the word “throwback” like Tim Duncan. While many of the players that played well into the double digit years were drafted out of high school, which immediately gives them an advantage, Duncan was a throwback from the start. When you come into the NBA at 18 or 19 like Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett or Jermaine O’Neal (who once held the record for youngest player to play an NBA game), you can have longer careers while not feeling the effects of aging as strongly. However, Tim Duncan refused to leave college early. Despite the prospect of being a lottery pick, Duncan stayed true to a promise he made to his mother, and graduated college before going pro.
Once he got to the NBA, it was clear that “The Big Fundamental” would make a splash. In the realm of fantasy sports, Duncan was the ultimate prize. He has eclipsed the 20 PPG mark in nine seasons, and averaged a double-double in thirteen consecutive seasons. Now in his 19th season, Duncan’s numbers are down from where they have been in years past, but still more than relevant in all fantasy formats. He is currently averaging 9.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.3 blocks per game this season. Despite the occasional day of rest, Duncan still can be seen as a very strong start on any day that he is in the lineup. On those days that LaMarcus Aldridge is out of the lineup, Duncan has an average Plus/Minus of +17.6 (which would be good enough for #1 in the league according to sportingcharts.com), so Duncan can certainly take advantage of the open minutes.
There are a few intangible things that make Tim Duncan really valuable to a team, more so than his scoring, or his rebounding, or his blocks. First thing is his consistency. Because he uses the basic skills to a mastery, he seems to be able to do so night in and night out. When fancy moves are a staple in your nightly stat line, they might not always work. However, Duncan has mastered certain moves that will work on a daily basis. The other thing is his leadership. He is the ultimate floor general, and he makes his teammates better just by playing.
Tim Duncan may not have even been a basketball player, if a massive hurricane hadn’t destroyed the swimming pool on Duncan’s home island of St. Croix. However, he has certainly shined on the basketball court. Who knows how long this week’s #TBT could play. However, as a five time NBA champion, Duncan could walk away now and have accomplished pretty much everything there is to accomplish in the NBA.
Once he got to the NBA, it was clear that “The Big Fundamental” would make a splash. In the realm of fantasy sports, Duncan was the ultimate prize. He has eclipsed the 20 PPG mark in nine seasons, and averaged a double-double in thirteen consecutive seasons. Now in his 19th season, Duncan’s numbers are down from where they have been in years past, but still more than relevant in all fantasy formats. He is currently averaging 9.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.3 blocks per game this season. Despite the occasional day of rest, Duncan still can be seen as a very strong start on any day that he is in the lineup. On those days that LaMarcus Aldridge is out of the lineup, Duncan has an average Plus/Minus of +17.6 (which would be good enough for #1 in the league according to sportingcharts.com), so Duncan can certainly take advantage of the open minutes.
There are a few intangible things that make Tim Duncan really valuable to a team, more so than his scoring, or his rebounding, or his blocks. First thing is his consistency. Because he uses the basic skills to a mastery, he seems to be able to do so night in and night out. When fancy moves are a staple in your nightly stat line, they might not always work. However, Duncan has mastered certain moves that will work on a daily basis. The other thing is his leadership. He is the ultimate floor general, and he makes his teammates better just by playing.
Tim Duncan may not have even been a basketball player, if a massive hurricane hadn’t destroyed the swimming pool on Duncan’s home island of St. Croix. However, he has certainly shined on the basketball court. Who knows how long this week’s #TBT could play. However, as a five time NBA champion, Duncan could walk away now and have accomplished pretty much everything there is to accomplish in the NBA.