Hoops Habit
Fansided

Ranking every first overall pick in NBA history

By Christopher Jeter

MIAMI, FL - NOVEMBER 18: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Miami Heat on November 18, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - NOVEMBER 18: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Miami Heat on November 18, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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5. 1997: Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs

Can I just take everything I said about David Robinson, fill in Tim Duncan’s name and put it here?

It’s fitting that the Spurs essentially replaced Robinson with Duncan after the Spurs drafted Duncan first overall in 1997, as the former Wake Forest Deamon Deacon was similar to Robinson in almost every way, including their anodyne playing styles. On the other hand, the Spurs lucking into Duncan — thanks to David Robinsons season-ending injury all but tanking their 1996-97 season — all but ruined Rick Pitino’s coaching/executive tenure with the Boston Celtics, as he openly tried to tank to land the virtual rights to Duncan’s services.

With Duncan as the main guy, the ruthlessly efficient Spurs became one of the most frustratingly consistent teams of the 2000s, as San Antonio won at least 50 games every season during his tenure there (aside from the lockout-shortened 1998-99 season) and won four NBA championships.

Duncan remained fairly consistent up until his retirement, and it showed in his production. As of 2018, his 206.38 win shares rank seventh all-time. Duncan was an all-time great player and he is an all-time great person by all accounts. It doesn’t make his highlight reel more enjoyable, though.