Ranking The NBA’s Top Glue Guys
By Jon Shames
4.) Tim Duncan
In last week’s contest against the Sacramento Kings, Tim Duncan went scoreless for the second time this season.
But his team still won by 16 points. And he was still as effective as ever.
Traditionally, a lack of scoring from Duncan spells bad news for the San Antonio Spurs. In 2016, though, such is no longer the case.
Duncan’s Spurs squad is having one of the best seasons of all time, sitting at 50-9 at the end of February. This year, though, it hasn’t been the traditional faces — Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker, and Duncan — that have been San Antonio’s heroes this year. Instead, Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge headline this championship-caliber group.
Still, behind the scenes, Duncan is still the Spurs’ catalyst for success.
Though he only averages a meager 8.5 points per game, Duncan sports an offensive rating of 108.7 and a defensive rating of 93.0. His average plus-minus is a plus-8.1, a very impressive number. His usage rate of 17.1 percent is quite low, but the value he brings is off-the-charts.
Even at 39 years old, Timmy D is in contention — and quite possibly the frontrunner — for Defensive Player of the Year, and rightfully so. San Antonio’s defense allows just 92.5 points per game, a league-best mark. On average, it holds opponents to just 43.3 percent shooting, a number that trails only the Chicago Bulls (43.2 percent).
He has always been a fantastic help-side defender and discipline has been a staple throughout the years, so it’s no surprise that his value as a stopper continues to translate, even as he ages.
Duncan is the face of professionalism, and has always been one of the Association’s best leaders. As an 18-year veteran, former MVP, and five-time champion, Duncan has seen it all. His athleticism diminishes, but the Big Fundamental remains ultra-effective. If the Spurs have a shot to make it out of the West, it depends on Duncan more than anyone else.
Luckily, he’s been known to deliver.
Next: No. 3: Jae Crowder