Why Tim Duncan is still as asset for the San Antonio Spurs? – NBA Feature (Part 2)
2. Duncan is still in good shape
Besides Tim Duncan’s ability to bounce back as a player from poor form, the best advantage of having him in the side is his excellent fitness. Duncan’s fitness can be judged from the number of game he had played in each season
so far in his career.
Duncan had never played less than 50 games during a single season in his career and that too just happened once back in 98-99 season, second year of his professional career. Afterwards Duncan holds an average of playing more than
65 games a season.
Because of his high level of fitness, Duncan is considered as one of the best competitors in the entire league, if one puts his stats aside. With the kind of height (6 ft. 11) and weight (225 pounds) he maintains, it’s almost impossible
for a basketball player to play more like a point guard and not like a true centre.
This quality makes Duncan one of the unique players in the National Basketball Association. It was because of his commendable athleticism the Spurs were able to bring the NBA title four times to San Antonio.
Those, who think that aging factor has reduced his speed, should look at him when he keeps up with some of the younger centres in the NBA. San Antonio’s early ejection from the contention in the previous season had definitely upset
the big man.
However, people, who know Duncan, must be familiar that he’ll really work hard during this off season in order to attain even better shape for the 2011-12 season to win the championship ring once again with the Spurs.
3. Duncan’s leadership quality makes him a unique commodity
From rookie of the year to Most Valuable Player honour to NBA Championship, Duncan has won several awards in his long career. His career is full of setting records and achieving incredible stats, but there is something else which
makes Duncan different from the rest of the players in NBA.
Leadership quality, yes! Duncan is a great leader on the hardwood and this puts him amongst the greatest basketball players in the league. Duncan’s high-quality performance can be judged from the fact when David Robinson announced
his retirement; it was really tough for the San Antonio Spurs to find his replacement.
However, the man with the big heart decided to step up to the occasion and fill in the big shoes of skilful Robinson. Duncan was able to deliver the goods after the departure of the star player. This had eased a lot of burden from
the shoulders of the Spurs management, who were worriedly looking for Robinson’s replacement.
Duncan successfully led the Spurs to the championship along with the bunch of young players. The best quality that made Duncan a successful leader on the floor is that he barely fades away.
Although his performance seems to be declining, but you can never underestimate this guy, who is still a reliable player for the Spurs. Even if his scoring averages went below 10 points and 10 rebounds per game, he’ll still remain
a champion player, because his leadership quality will work as a light in the dark for the rest of the Spurs’ roster.
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