Whether this the End or not, Tim Duncan should be Considered the Greatest Power Forward of all Time

Mathew Huff

6/13/16

The second round of the NBA playoffs saw what may have been the bittersweet end of an era. Much was made of the Spurs big three of Parker, Ginobli, and Duncan nearing the end of the tunnel when it came to their time together in San Antonio. The other question that was looming over everyone’s head was whether the great Tim Duncan had played his last game. Whether we saw the end of an era or not, it is time Tim Duncan goes down as the greatest power forward of all time. Every avid NBA fan knows of the five championship rings, but what stands out is the consistency, statistics, and some impressive records. Duncan may not be second on the all-time scoring list like Karl Malone, another power forward one could make a case for being the greatest power forward, but what stands out for Duncan however is his defensive prowess. Duncan currently has 3,020 career blocks, is a two time MVP, three time Finals MVP, former Rookie of the Year, and the only player in NBA history to be selected to the All NBA and All NBA Defensive Team in his first thirteen seasons. Let us not forget that he did not earn the nickname The Big Fundamental for no reason as well. In a league that is starting to gravitate more towards flash and finesse, the NBA is seeing the last of dying breeds perish with the likes of Kobe Bryant, Manu Ginobli, Dirk Nowitzki, and Dwayne Wade all retiring or at least nearing the end. These are some of the most talented, yet most fundamental players out there, but when it comes to fundamentals, no one comes close to Tim Duncan. If you don’t want to believe me just watch highlights of him knocking down his signature mid rage jump shot off the glass from the angle, or watch how many times Duncan altered a shot or blocked it by staying straight up and not coming down, or how he and fellow teammate Tony Parker had the pick and roll or pick and pop almost down to perfection. I don’t care what anyone says, when it comes to determining greatness, fundamentals should always be accounted for just like everything else. Still not impressed or convinced? How about the fact that Tim Duncan has over five hundred career blocks in the postseason, or that he is the leader in playoff double doubles. And let’s not forget the consistency and the fact that the man has now played to the age of forty and has played for nineteen seasons now. Duncan also holds a record that many teams would love to have, and that is most wins in a career with a trio of players that include him, Ginobli, and Parker. This past year the original mark was held by the Celtics who boasted a not too shabby big three of their own back in the day that consisted of Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parrish. To top it off, many fans and analysts would put Duncan in the same rarified air of greats like Bill Russell, Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Kobe Bryant (who just recently played his final game). If none of this convinces you that Tim Duncan is the greatest power forward of all time, then it should at least make you think and consider him at least in the top five power forwards of all time.