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The 10 Best Debuts Of The NBA Playoffs

By Josh Eberley

Apr 12, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) is defended by Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) during the first quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 12, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) is defended by Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) during the first quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 12, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade (3) drives against San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan (21) during the first quarter of game four of the 2014 NBA Finals at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs, 1998

Age 21
Points 32
Rebounds 10
Assists 1

The Big Fundamental was great from the hop. We all know the story, Robinson goes down in 1996-97 and the Spurs find themselves some great–not good, great–fortune in the draft, landing Tim Duncan.

The Jason Kidd/Antonio McDyess Phoenix Suns were not equipped to handle the combo of Duncan and David Robinson. In Game 1, the duo combined for 58 points, shooting a combined 21-for-36. Kidd couldn’t dish out enough assists; the twin towers of San Antonio were not to be messed with.

The Spurs won 102-96 in Game 1, finishing the series in four games. The Suns won Game 2 at home, but overall it was a quick first round for the Spurs. The Spurs wound up losing in the second round to the Utah Jazz, though they did come back the following year to win the whole thing.

A fun note, this was the first of four occasions in which a Duncan-led team sent a Kidd-ed team packing. The 2003 NBA finals, when Kidd was a New Jersey Net, and then twice more when Kidd was a Dallas Maverick in 2009 and 2010.

Next: Chris Paul 2008