Hoops Habit
Fansided

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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 6
Next
Apr 5, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Tim Duncan (21) warms up prior to the game against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Tim Duncan (21) warms up prior to the game against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /

The Legacy

Tim Duncan is the greatest power forward in NBA history and one of the Top 10 players of all-time. One can debate that if they so please, but the legacy Duncan has built is based on a resume to which few can compare.

That all starts with Duncan earning five NBA championships and three Finals MVP awards—a feat only matched or exceeded by Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson.

Furthermore, Duncan is one of four players with two MVP awards and three Finals MVP awards. The others—Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Magic Johnson, and Shaquille O’Neal—all join Duncan in the Top 10 all-time.

With an all-time record 15 All-NBA selections, including 10 All-NBA First Team nods—second to just Karl Malone and Kobe Bryant—Duncan is safe in legendary territory—and he probably doesn’t care.

Per head coach Gregg Popovich himself:

"“As far as personal accolades or legacy, it doesn’t even [Tim Duncan]’s mind. Very honestly. That’s not disrespectful to basketball, that’s just who he is. He plays the game, enjoys the game, respects it. But anything that’s put towards him in an accolades sort of way is not something he spends any time thinking about.”"

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is Duncan’s legacy.

Duncan helped build the culture of the most consistent organization in American sports. San Antonio has made 19 consecutive postseason appearances, with 18 seasons of 50-plus wins.

He did so by sacrificing his personal accolades and gain for one thing and one thing only: his team—and he still managed to win two regular season and three Finals MVP awards.

[Duncan proved] that, in an era of crazy contracts and money-motivated players, you don’t need to leave your original team to win a title—or five.

The only time San Antonio didn’t win 50 games: the lockout-shortened 1998-99 season, when the Spurs still won the title.

The most important aspect of Duncan’s legacy is the proof—proof that you don’t need to be flashy to be great. Proof that you don’t need to join a traditional powerhouse to become a champion.

Proof that, in an era of crazy contracts and money-motivated players, you don’t need to leave your original team to win a title—or five.

must read: Dwyane Wade: 10 defining moments with the Miami Heat

Thank you for 19 years of basketball beauty, Tim Duncan. One can only hope that the NBA and its fans come to appreciate you for the stoic titan that you were.

Home/San Antonio Spurs