The Misunderstood Greatness Of Tim Duncan

The System

Tim Duncan is as responsible for the success of Gregg Popovich’s system as anyone. While Popovich’s strategic brilliance is a credit to his mastery of basketball, the old saying is true: if a star and coach aren’t on the same page, then the system won’t work.

Therein lies the influence of Tim Duncan; when the face of the franchise is willing to sacrifice his numbers for the benefit of the team, how can his teammates not do the same?

Duncan could dominate any game he played, but he never seemed to change his team-first approach. Whether the Spurs had multiple stars or none at all, he played the same game—and he did so because he knew how important continuity would be in the long-term.

The end result: star-caliber players such as Manu Ginobili, Kawhi Leonard, and Tony Parker following Duncan’s lead by valuing victory over production.

One generation removed from David Robinson dominating the box score, Duncan took a different approach. His set of values—victory over individual gain—is the same set of values that is now known as, “The Spurs’ Way.”

The Spurs’ Way, of course, has resulted in San Antonio making the playoffs in all 19 of Duncan’s seasons with the team—and none of that would’ve been possible without his influence.

Next: The Legacy