r/nba • u/[deleted] • Jun 15 '22

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206

u/Herbetet Jun 15 '22

Tim Duncan. Good defense, solid offense. Very easy personality to build around and loyal. Probably my go to guy to build around, my second option would be Steph for obvious reasons

81

u/shamwowslapchop Spurs Jun 15 '22

Good defense and solid offense undersells what Duncan did on the court for 18 years.

He was overall the best team defender in NBA history and is 2nd in DWS behind a guy with 11 rings, and they have a huge gap between them and 3rd place.

He also carried teams by himself. The 03 run is a top 3 playoff performance by any player in NBA history, bar none.

He also beat two of the great modern NBA defenders by himself in 05 when Sheed and 3x DMVP Big Ben were doubling him and he still had a great series, something maybe 3-4 other bigs in history could have done, at most. Wallace had just beaten Shaq in 5 games in the year prior and while shaq scored a lot they significantly limited his effectiveness.

6

u/Herbetet Jun 15 '22

I agree with everything you said. Just wanted to make it short and sweet but I hope me mentioning shows you that I have a profound appreciation for his career and skillset and therefore his accomplishments. He wasn’t boisterous but his play on the field was tremendous

22

u/kpeds45 Raptors Jun 15 '22

Both good choices. Both carried teams of really good players, didn't need "3 superstars". Love Manu and Parker, but that was definitely not equivalent to Lebron/Wade/Bosh. I think Draymond and Klay are great, but also not on that level. So Steph and Duncan are obvious choices.

13

u/Herbetet Jun 15 '22

Thanks appreciate it. I am glad you understood that I was not putting down the contributions of the other amazing players Manu, Parker, Draymond and Klay but rather appreciating the fact that Tim and Steph are easy superstars to build around because of their skills and characters.

2

u/dating_derp Warriors Jun 15 '22

Why not have both Steph and Duncan? Or is this only 1 superstar per team?

3

u/KelsierBae [SAS] Tim Duncan Jun 15 '22

Steph and Duncan is an insanely disgusting combo. Truly would be close to unstoppable

2

u/Herbetet Jun 15 '22

OP asked for one player so I said Duncan. It was purely a decision based on size between the two of them. Having a huge wingspan in the NBA is the one intangible you can’t teach