tinysands
2007-03-02, 01:04 PM
Duncan not done yet: Even as next generation shines, Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) veteran shows staying power
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA030207.01D.BKNspurs.magic.35e8a30.html
Web Posted: 03/01/2007 10:51 PM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News
Three weeks later, Tim Duncan (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tim_duncan) still hasn't seen a replay of the dunk. Once, apparently, was enough.
Duncan looked up that Friday night in Orlando to see 21-year-old Dwight Howard suspended 2 feet above him, his right arm cocked like a revolver hammer. In a flash, Howard was punching the ball through the rim, sending the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) to one of their most frustrating losses of the season.
Duncan purposely avoided turning on the TV after the game and hasn't had much reason since to see the play. Taking bait from a reporter during All-Star weekend, he offered to again play the straight man for Howard if the Magic's young center wanted to re-create his stunning flush during the dunk contest. He's also sure Howard would have won the event had he done so.
"It was a ridiculous play," said Duncan, 30. "Although I could have done some things differently (defensively), it was just impressive."
Howard is in town tonight, fresh off his first All-Star appearance. He was joined in Las Vegas by Phoenix's Amare Stoudemire and Toronto's Chris Bosh, giving the NBA a trio of young big men, none of whom is older than 24, with broad enough shoulders to carry the league for years to come.
But while one recent magazine cover story rightfully crowned Howard "Next," Duncan has also proven he still has some staying power, averaging 20.3 points, 10.8 rebounds and 2.3 blocks while shooting 53.4 percent, his highest since his rookie season.
"Defensively, offensively, rebounding — it's amazing that people don't talk about him," Toronto coach Sam Mitchell said. "But you know what it tells you? An under-appreciation for just how good he's been for so long. People don't appreciate that, but ask any GM what player, right now, they'd rather have."
Duncan would probably laugh at that. He is nearly 10 years Howard's senior, on the backside of his own career. Recently asked about 19-year-old Andrew Bynum, the Los Angeles Lakers' promising young center, Duncan quipped, "Everyone's young to me. I'm like 40 now."
"Those guys are going to be awesome for a lot of years," Duncan said of Howard, Stoudemire and Bosh. "I'm a little biased, but it's good to see great guys at that position.
"There's a crop of guards, the LeBrons, the Dwyane Wades, who are going to be the future of the league. But to know there are guys at your position who are going to continue to represent the big guys, that actually does mean something."
Duncan marvels at the athleticism of his younger peers. Even in his younger days he never possessed the same kiss-the-sky ability. To say Duncan has lost a step suggests he actually had one to lose.
"I'm not athletic, but I'm slow, which helps," Duncan joked. "I have to find a different way to do it."
So far, his way continues to be effective. Duncan remains one of the game's most dangerous post scorers — on Wednesday he introduced Toronto rookie Andrea Bargnani to his signature up-and-under move — and appears to have regained confidence in his bank shot. In the past 11 games, he's even made 76.9 percent of his free throws.
Most importantly, Duncan said he feels as healthy as he's been in three years, having played in every game this season. "God willing," he said, "it stays that way."
Duncan endured enough pain last season. Although he missed only one game because of injury (and that was because of the flu), he played on a sore right foot the entire season, which contributed to him averaging a career-low 18.6 points.
After a summer of rest followed by a couple months of intensive conditioning work, Duncan arrived in training camp looking strong and fit. Yet questions still arose about the state of his game in December when his rebounding and help defense was lacking. It wasn't unusual to hear coach Gregg Popovich yelling at Duncan from the sideline (or even the occasional film session) to remove his head from his rear.
"We have our tiffs a couple times a year," Duncan said. "You deal with it. Sometimes he's right, sometimes he's wrong."
Popovich wanted Duncan to worry less about the officiating and more about his game. Duncan, for the most part, has followed those orders, averaging 11.7 rebounds and 2.9 blocks since Jan. 1. Against Phoenix last month, he blocked dunk attempts by both Stoudemire and Shawn Marion.
"I think he's trying to set a tone for everybody," Popovich said. "He's not a towel waver, but he's a great leader by example.
"Hopefully we'll get guys falling in line with that and becoming more focused because they see Timmy."
The Spurs' current six-game winning streak could be evidence of just that. After the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) routed his Raptors on Wednesday, Bosh said Duncan, who totaled 24 points, 16 rebounds, four blocks and four assists, looked "fresh."
"He's always going to be in the conversation for best big man in the league as long as he's in the league," Bosh said. "He can come out and have big games whether he's going to score 30 or 10 or 12. He's going to force his will on the game."
Duncan gets another tough test tonight. After facing Howard in Orlando last season, he said he hoped to be out of the league by the time the muscle-bound center started peaking.
"I don't think that's going to happen," Duncan said Thursday, "unless I leave soon."
But looking healthy and strong himself? Duncan could have reason to stick around a while.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA030207.01D.BKNspurs.magic.35e8a30.html
Web Posted: 03/01/2007 10:51 PM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News
Three weeks later, Tim Duncan (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tim_duncan) still hasn't seen a replay of the dunk. Once, apparently, was enough.
Duncan looked up that Friday night in Orlando to see 21-year-old Dwight Howard suspended 2 feet above him, his right arm cocked like a revolver hammer. In a flash, Howard was punching the ball through the rim, sending the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) to one of their most frustrating losses of the season.
Duncan purposely avoided turning on the TV after the game and hasn't had much reason since to see the play. Taking bait from a reporter during All-Star weekend, he offered to again play the straight man for Howard if the Magic's young center wanted to re-create his stunning flush during the dunk contest. He's also sure Howard would have won the event had he done so.
"It was a ridiculous play," said Duncan, 30. "Although I could have done some things differently (defensively), it was just impressive."
Howard is in town tonight, fresh off his first All-Star appearance. He was joined in Las Vegas by Phoenix's Amare Stoudemire and Toronto's Chris Bosh, giving the NBA a trio of young big men, none of whom is older than 24, with broad enough shoulders to carry the league for years to come.
But while one recent magazine cover story rightfully crowned Howard "Next," Duncan has also proven he still has some staying power, averaging 20.3 points, 10.8 rebounds and 2.3 blocks while shooting 53.4 percent, his highest since his rookie season.
"Defensively, offensively, rebounding — it's amazing that people don't talk about him," Toronto coach Sam Mitchell said. "But you know what it tells you? An under-appreciation for just how good he's been for so long. People don't appreciate that, but ask any GM what player, right now, they'd rather have."
Duncan would probably laugh at that. He is nearly 10 years Howard's senior, on the backside of his own career. Recently asked about 19-year-old Andrew Bynum, the Los Angeles Lakers' promising young center, Duncan quipped, "Everyone's young to me. I'm like 40 now."
"Those guys are going to be awesome for a lot of years," Duncan said of Howard, Stoudemire and Bosh. "I'm a little biased, but it's good to see great guys at that position.
"There's a crop of guards, the LeBrons, the Dwyane Wades, who are going to be the future of the league. But to know there are guys at your position who are going to continue to represent the big guys, that actually does mean something."
Duncan marvels at the athleticism of his younger peers. Even in his younger days he never possessed the same kiss-the-sky ability. To say Duncan has lost a step suggests he actually had one to lose.
"I'm not athletic, but I'm slow, which helps," Duncan joked. "I have to find a different way to do it."
So far, his way continues to be effective. Duncan remains one of the game's most dangerous post scorers — on Wednesday he introduced Toronto rookie Andrea Bargnani to his signature up-and-under move — and appears to have regained confidence in his bank shot. In the past 11 games, he's even made 76.9 percent of his free throws.
Most importantly, Duncan said he feels as healthy as he's been in three years, having played in every game this season. "God willing," he said, "it stays that way."
Duncan endured enough pain last season. Although he missed only one game because of injury (and that was because of the flu), he played on a sore right foot the entire season, which contributed to him averaging a career-low 18.6 points.
After a summer of rest followed by a couple months of intensive conditioning work, Duncan arrived in training camp looking strong and fit. Yet questions still arose about the state of his game in December when his rebounding and help defense was lacking. It wasn't unusual to hear coach Gregg Popovich yelling at Duncan from the sideline (or even the occasional film session) to remove his head from his rear.
"We have our tiffs a couple times a year," Duncan said. "You deal with it. Sometimes he's right, sometimes he's wrong."
Popovich wanted Duncan to worry less about the officiating and more about his game. Duncan, for the most part, has followed those orders, averaging 11.7 rebounds and 2.9 blocks since Jan. 1. Against Phoenix last month, he blocked dunk attempts by both Stoudemire and Shawn Marion.
"I think he's trying to set a tone for everybody," Popovich said. "He's not a towel waver, but he's a great leader by example.
"Hopefully we'll get guys falling in line with that and becoming more focused because they see Timmy."
The Spurs' current six-game winning streak could be evidence of just that. After the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) routed his Raptors on Wednesday, Bosh said Duncan, who totaled 24 points, 16 rebounds, four blocks and four assists, looked "fresh."
"He's always going to be in the conversation for best big man in the league as long as he's in the league," Bosh said. "He can come out and have big games whether he's going to score 30 or 10 or 12. He's going to force his will on the game."
Duncan gets another tough test tonight. After facing Howard in Orlando last season, he said he hoped to be out of the league by the time the muscle-bound center started peaking.
"I don't think that's going to happen," Duncan said Thursday, "unless I leave soon."
But looking healthy and strong himself? Duncan could have reason to stick around a while.