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The Misunderstood Greatness Of Tim Duncan

By Maxwell Ogden

Feb 27, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Tim Duncan (21) is introduced before a game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Tim Duncan (21) is introduced before a game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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SAN ANTONIO, TX – JUNE 15: Tim Duncan #21 of the San Antonio Spurs celebrates defeating the New Jersey Nets in game six of the 2003 NBA Finals on June 15, 2003 at the SBC Center in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs won 88-77 and defeated the Nets to win the NBA Championship. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX – JUNE 15: Tim Duncan #21 of the San Antonio Spurs celebrates defeating the New Jersey Nets in game six of the 2003 NBA Finals on June 15, 2003 at the SBC Center in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs won 88-77 and defeated the Nets to win the NBA Championship. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

The Numbers: Postseason Edition

The regular season may be where a player accumulates a vast majority of their accolades, but the playoffs are where the games truly matter. The goal of a sport is to win, and any other motive is detrimental to the team.

Duncan is the consummate professional and winner, but he’s also one of the greatest postseason players of all-time.

Duncan finishes his career at No. 6 all-time with 5,172 points scored during the NBA Playoffs. Duncan also checks in at No. 3 all-time with 2,859 rebounds during the playoffs, thus establishing the baseline for statistical success in the postseason.

Perhaps most significantly, Duncan is a distant No. 1 all-time in postseason blocks with 568—92 more than Kareem Abdul-Jabbar at No. 2 with 476.

Duncan finishes his career with postseason averages of 20.6 points, 11.4 rebounds, 3.1 offensive boards, 3.0 assists, and 2.3 blocks per game. That comes over a span of 251 games played in the playoffs.

Over the first 10 years of his career, when Duncan won four titles and three Finals MVP awards, he averaged 23.4 points, 12.7 rebounds, 3.5 offensive boards, 3.5 assists, and 2.7 blocks in the playoffs.

Next: The Numbers: NBA Finals Edition

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