Tim Duncan News: Pro Sports Daily

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November 20

San Antonio Express-News

"Over much of the past week, Richard Jefferson has heard enough about how hard the Spurs have been playing. He's heard enough about how well they have been competing, and how much progress they are making. After yet another narrow defeat - this one a 90-83 loss Thursday to a Utah team that hadn't won in San Antonio since "Friends" was the hottest show on TV - Jefferson was in no mood to talk about another close-but-no-cigar. "It's not about competing," Jefferson said. "It's about winning." The loss was the Spurs' third in a row, and the third in a row to come down to the wire. A night earlier, they lost in overtime in Dallas. Before that, it was a three-point loss at home to Oklahoma City. ..."

Mavs outplay Spurs in OT

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November 19

San Antonio Express-News

"An hour before his team was set to tip off a key Southwest Division game at American Airlines Center on Wednesday night, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich was talking about the giant chemistry project he'd undertaken. Long story short, there is no pushing fast-forward when it comes to the integration of seven new players. "Over 50 percent of the team is new," Popovich said. "That's a lot of new bodies. Just people-wise, relationship-wise, people understanding the system - it's a real work in progress." What the Spurs have learned over the past week, leading up to Wednesday's 99-94 overtime loss to Dallas, which sunk them below .500: Chemistry projects are even more difficult when some of the most ..."

Mavericks race by Spurs 99-94 in overtime win

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November 19

Dallas Morning News

"Dirk Nowitzki made play after play, frustrating the San Antonio Spurs and Tim Duncan as he did. And then he went to the offensive end. Nowitzki had 41 points, including 11 of the Mavericks' 15 points in overtime as he led them to a hard-earned 99-94 victory over the Spurs on Wednesday night at American Airlines Center. But what people wanted to talk about most was his defense on Duncan. Nowitzki was asked to guard the Spurs' low-post master during the final minutes of overtime, and he forced Duncan to miss close-range shots on three consecutive possessions, which allowed the Mavericks to pull away to a 97-91 lead and hang on for their fourth consecutive victory since losing to the Spurs ..."

Duncan, Parker doubtful vs. Mavs

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November 11

San Antonio Express-News

"It appears likely the Spurs will face the Dallas Mavericks at the AT&T Center tonight without All-Stars Tim Duncan and Tony Parker. Neither player participated in the Spurs' light Tuesday afternoon practice session and were officially listed as doubtful for tonight's game. Both are nursing left ankle injuries suffered in last Thursday's game against the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City. Parker sprained his left ankle during the second quarter and left the court immediately. X-rays showed no structural damage and the Spurs officially termed the injury a mild sprain, but he has not played since. Duncan jammed his left ankle at some point in the same game but played 35 minutes and 27 seconds the ..."

Swollen left ankle sidelines Spurs' Duncan

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November 10

San Antonio Express-News

"Spurs captain Tim Duncan sat out Monday's 131-124 victory over the Raptors with swelling in his left ankle, the result of an injury suffered in a loss at Utah on Thursday. Duncan played 35 minutes and 27 seconds on Friday in Portland. It wasn't until early in the Sunday afternoon practice session that he began to experience discomfort in the ankle, affecting his play. He was sent for X-rays, which showed no damage, but he was a pregame scratch Monday. "It's sore, and he can't play," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said before the game. Duncan joined Tony Parker, also suffering with a sore left ankle, on the inactive list. Parker's injury is not serious, and he may suit up for Wednesday's home ..."

Blowouts allowing Duncan more rest

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November 4

San Antonio Express-News

"The Spurs' two victories this season, both blowouts, ended with a scene sure to warm Gregg Popovich's heart: Tim Duncan, already sweat-free and already decked in his warm-ups, leaning back in his chair long since done for the night. In the Spurs' 113-96 win over New Orleans and their 113-94 trouncing of Sacramento, Duncan's third-quarter retreat to the bench has been the equivalent of a silver-and-black victory cigar. "Whenever there's a game when you're getting your fanny kicked, or you're kicking someone else's fanny, you can rest some players in the fourth quarter," Popovich said. "That's usually a good thing." When it comes to the 33-year-old Duncan, whose knees betrayed him down the ..."

With upgraded cast, Duncan poised for final act

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October 26

San Antonio Express-News

"The second-longest offseason of Tim Duncan's career began with basketball out of sight, if not out of mind. For three months after the Spurs' first-round playoff ouster against Dallas, he stayed away from the court. In an attempt to save some wear on his knees, Duncan returned to his first sporting love, the swimming pool. He worked out on the Spurs' new space-age anti-gravity treadmill. He even took up boxing, sparring regularly with former prizefighting champion "Jesse" James Leija. Instead of readying himself for his 13th NBA season, Duncan appeared to be training for some sort of bizarre triathlon. "He wanted to do some cage fighting," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said jokingly, "but we ..."

With upgraded cast, Duncan poised for final act

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October 25

San Antonio Express-News

"The second-longest offseason of Tim Duncan's career began with basketball out of sight, if not out of mind. For three months after the Spurs' first-round playoff ouster against Dallas, he stayed away from the court. In an attempt to save some wear on his knees, Duncan returned to his first sporting love, the swimming pool. He worked out on the Spurs' new space-age anti-gravity treadmill. He even took up boxing, sparring regularly with former prizefighting champion "Jesse" James Leija. Instead of readying himself for his 13th NBA season, Duncan appeared to be training for some sort of bizarre triathlon. "He wanted to do some cage fighting," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said jokingly, "but we ..."

Beasley makes his power play in Heat loss

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October 12

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"The experiment was put on hold Sunday. Michael Beasley was back at power forward for the Miami Heat, back at the spot where he built his lottery reputation at Kansas State, back where he earned first-team All-Rookie last season. The move certainly wasn't a definitive switch. Nothing can be definitive when Dwyane Wade, Jermaine O'Neal, Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili all are held out of the same game, which was the case with the 95-93 exhibition loss to the San Antonio Spurs at AmericanAirlines Arena. But by playing Udonis Haslem off the bench, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra gave himself the chance to look at Plan B, which many considered Plan A when Beasley was taken with the No. 2 pick in the 2008 ..."

Duncan's defense honored again

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May 7

San Antonio Express-News

"For the 12th time in his 12 seasons, Spurs forward Tim Duncan found his name listed on one of the NBA's All-Defensive teams Wednesday. In doing so, he etched his name deeper into the league record books. Duncan, an eight-time member of the All-Defensive first team, earned a spot on this year's second team. He is the only player in NBA history to claim a dozen All-Defensive nominations. Duncan had shared the previous mark of 11 with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. "He's been our foundation for quite a while now," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "He does whatever he can to make things good for everybody else." While Duncan's All-Defensive streak remained intact, Bruce Bowen's did not. Limited mostly ..."

Once again, this will be about Duncan

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April 18

San Antonio Express-News

columnist Buck Harvey

"If Mark Cuban had taken a running start, and if he had summoned all of his Dancing-With-the-Stars zeal, he couldn't have hurt Tim Duncan's left knee. That's how massive Duncan's knee brace looked on Friday. Cuban couldn't have dented it, nor could an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash test. Custom built, these braces cost about $1,800. When straps and hinges are aligned properly, the brace unloads pressure. For Duncan's left knee, it's the outer area that gets unloaded. But Duncan wears this only in practice. He will take off the brace tonight, maybe opting for a sleeve, and then this first-round series will be decided. If his knees aren't ready - if he can't move and take ..."

Pop saves Duncan for Warriors

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April 13

San Antonio Express-News

"When Tim Duncan put together a suitcase for the Spurs' two-game road trip to northern California, he knew to pack a sport coat. He was sure he'd sit out one of the two games on the itinerary. He just didn't know which one. Turns out, Duncan's day off came Sunday against the Kings. Playing the matchup odds, coach Gregg Popovich opted to sit Duncan on the front end of a back-to-back, saving his All-Star forward for today's trip to Golden State. "In the past, he's been a difference-maker against Golden State, so we're going to opt to use him in that game," Popovich said. "We're not going to play him in both. It's just not good for him." The small-ball happy Warriors don't have a player big ..."

Improving Duncan ditches knee braces

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April 12

San Antonio Express-News

"Tim Duncan has eschewed the twin knee braces he had been wearing since early February, which could mean only one of two things. Either Duncan is tired of looking like a 1980s throwback, or his sore knees are finally beginning to feel better. Good news for the Spurs: Duncan says it is the latter. In the aftermath of the Spurs' victory over Utah on Friday night, an upbeat Duncan said the tendonosis that has plagued his right knee since the All-Star break is showing signs of dissipating. "I'm getting my right leg back," said Duncan, who will still wear a sleeve on his left knee, which underwent surgery following the 1999-2000 season. "(The pain) is basically gone, so it was good to be out ..."

Duncan says Parker an MVP candidate

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March 27

San Antonio Express-News

"Being a two-time winner of the NBA's most coveted individual award gives Spurs captain Tim Duncan a certain gravitas when it comes to evaluating the closest Most Valuable Player race in recent memory. Who does Duncan like in this season's race to the finish for MVP? "I'm staying as far away from that question as I possibly can," Duncan said as he walked toward the bus that would take the Spurs to their charter flight out of Atlanta after one of their best road victories since the All-Star break. Choosing among the Lakers' Kobe Bryant, Cleveland's LeBron James and Miami's Dwyane Wade is fraught with peril for any expert, even one with Duncan's credentials. There is one bit of advice for NBA ..."

Ginobili will play, Duncan will sit for Spurs

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March 25

San Antonio Express-News

"For the first time since Feb. 11, Manu Ginobili was in uniform for the Spurs on Wednesday night. For the second time in eight days, Tim Duncan was not, sitting out the second game of the Spurs' back-to-back games against the Golden State Warriors and Atlanta Hawks. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich made the pronouncement on Ginobili in his pre-game meeting with reporters before the Spurs-Hawks game at Philips Arena here Wednesday. Ginobili has been out with a stress reaction in his right distal fibula. Cleared by the team's medical staff, Ginobili will be on a regimen of limited minutes until his conditioning returns to NBA game level. Popovich, seeking to keep Duncan fresh and healthy for the ..."

Popovich opts to sit, rest Duncan

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March 18

San Antonio Express-News

"Acknowledging some concern about Tim Duncan's play since the Spurs All-Star missed three games with a sore right knee, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich forced his two-time Most Valuable Player to skip Tuesday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at AT&T Center. “He doesn't love it,” Popovich said about an hour before tipoff of the Spurs' 93-86 victory, “but I just think it's important for him to be fresh and healthy for the end of the season. I think one way to do it is to limit the number of back-to-backs you play in down the stretch. That's what I'm doing.” Kurt Thomas started in Duncan's power forward slot and turned in a solid game, getting 10 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. The ..."

Duncan starts against Trail Blazers

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March 2

San Antonio Express-News

"Spurs forward Tim Duncan was back in uniform for Sunday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers, but he didn't feel much like the real Tim Duncan, not after missing nine of his 15 shots and grabbing only four rebounds in 25 minutes and 36 seconds. "Obviously, I believe I was a little bit rusty," Duncan said. "I liked the shots I got. I've got to believe that on a regular basis I can knock them down. Call it rust, or whatever you want, but it was just a bad night." Duncan said he felt fine physically after sitting out three games last week with tendonosis in his right quadriceps tendon. "I felt a lot better than I did when I went out (of the lineup)," he said. "I had a good rehab week. I ..."

Spurs pushing for Duncan

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March 1

San Antonio Express-News

"Tim Duncan won't have to face his head coach on his own if Gregg Popovich even hints that his All-Star forward needs to sit out one more game. Some of his prominent teammates are willing to press Popovich for the return of their teammate tonight at the Rose Garden against the Portland Trail Blazers. After playing three straight games without him, while Duncan rested a right knee aching because of quadriceps tendonosis, they are ready to beg, if necessary. Duncan was cleared to play Friday against Cleveland by the Spurs' medical staff, and he told Popovich he wanted to play. Popovich scratched him from the active list, a unilateral decision he said was "erring on the side of caution." ..."

Duncan again a no-go as Pop plays it safe

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February 28

San Antonio Express-News

"Spurs All-Star forward Tim Duncan wanted to suit up for Friday's game against the Eastern Conference's top team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, at the AT&T Center on Friday night. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich didn't think it was a good idea, and while he often jokes that his two-time MVP is the de facto president of Spurs basketball operations, when it comes to playing with injuries, Popovich rules. Duncan told Popovich on Tuesday that soreness in his right knee would not allow him to play against the Dallas Mavericks. He was diagnosed Wednesday with tendonosis of the right quadriceps tendon, sitting out that night's game against Portland. Cleared to play Friday by team doctors, Duncan lobbied to ..."

Duncan requires rest, not surgery

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February 26

San Antonio Express-News

"The good news from the doctors who examined Spurs All-Star Tim Duncan's sore right knee Wednesday morning: no initials. No ACL, MCL, PTL, or any other combination of letters typically used to describe a torn ligament or damaged cartilage. Rather, Duncan has tendonosis in his right quadriceps tendon, a degenerative condition. Technically, the injury could be described as a minor problem with Duncan's RQT, but the diagnosis requires rest, not surgery. For that, the Spurs are grateful. "It's none of those letter things," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "He's got (tendonosis), so we'll see how he feels on Friday." Asked if Duncan would have been able to suit up had Tuesday's and Wednesday's ..."

Tim Duncan Out Wednesday Vs. Portland

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February 25

NBA.com

"Spurs forward Tim Duncan was examined by team medical personnel today where it was determined he has right quad tendonosis. Duncan will not play in tonight’s Spurs-Trail Blazers in San Antonio. He is considered day-to-day. Spurs center/forward Fabricio Oberto suffered a non-displaced fracture in his left thumb during last night’s Spurs-Mavericks game. He will be fitted with a splint and is expected to play in tonight’s game"

Duncan sits with stiff knee

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February 25

San Antonio Express-News

"Tipoff time for Tuesday's Spurs-Mavericks game at the AT&T Center was approaching, and as veteran power forward Kurt Thomas pulled on his game jersey, he looked across the Spurs' locker room and realized something was amiss. Missing, in fact, was Tim Duncan, bothered by stiffness in his right knee to the point the team's medical staff decided he should sit out the game. “He wasn't in his locker,” Thomas said, “so I figured something was going on.” The Spurs won't know what is really going on inside Duncan's right knee until he visits team doctors today. The two-time MVP and perennial All-Star power forward has been held out of two of the Spurs' last eight games. He also missed the team's ..."

Spurs' recess - life and times of Tim

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February 11

San Antonio Express-News

"They say he likes to join his oldest child on the playground of her pre-school, then he acts like he does on the road in fourth quarters. Tim Duncan acts like a kid. He says this is what happens when you get old in this league. You become young. And the Spurs saw all of it Tuesday night. On a road trip that is supposed to be dreary, in front of a small crowd without much emotion, Duncan fully enjoyed himself. It didn't hurt he came close to a triple-double. There have been times in his career when he's dragged, especially at this time of the season. Before the All-Star break, with the playoffs far away, it's not hard to grow weary of hotel rooms and refs. Duncan has legitimate reasons to ..."

Can Bowen be an all-star? Yes, he can

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January 24

San Antonio Express-News

columnist Mike Monroe

"His teammates were astonished Friday when they learned that Spurs forward Bruce Bowen finished third, a scant 68,031 votes behind second-place Amare Stoudemire in fan balloting for starting forwards for the Western Conference All-Star team. Bowen, who spoke at a campaign rally last fall with then-Presidential candidate Barack Obama, had a perfectly logical explanation. "Surprised?" the team's defensive stopper said. "Not at all. People can relate to me. Maybe it's because I've had the opportunity to take some pictures with President Obama, and sit down and talk to him. And through his campaign, we know that 'Yes, we can.'" Bowen may not have been surprised he finished ahead of such Western ..."

Duncan's family, fellow Demon Deacons on hand

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January 20

San Antonio Express-News

"Tim Duncan's pregame routine got interrupted with a smile Monday. As he walked out to the court at Time Warner Cable Arena an hour and a half before the Spurs' game against Charlotte, Duncan was greeted by an ovation from two dozen or so fans sporting the black-and-gold of Wake Forest, his alma mater. The normally stoic Duncan beamed and waved back, then went on with warm-ups, Sphinx-like. A trip to Charlotte, 90 miles from Winston-Salem, is the closest Duncan gets to a homecoming game. "A lot of my family is here, there are some friends here," said Duncan, who was also thrilled to learn that his Demon Deacons had just moved up to No. 1 in both men's basketball polls. "It's great to see ..."

Duncan on pace for All-Star start

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December 12

San Antonio Express-News

"No controversy this year. Tim Duncan is on a healthy pace to make his 10th consecutive All-Star start. Duncan leads all Western Conference forwards in the early balloting, results of which were released Thursday. So far, the Spurs' captain has garnered 442,203 votes, nearly 72,000 more than the second-leading vote recipient at the position, Phoenix's Amare Stoudemire. There was a mini brouhaha last season, when Duncan originally appeared as a center on the ballot for the first time, pitting him against Yao Ming and his sizeable Chinese voting bloc. Eventually, the league moved Duncan to his more familiar power-forward slot. There should be no such hullabaloo this year. Among guards, the ..."

Duncan's 1,000th a long night he can relish

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December 11

San Antonio Express-News

"By the time Tim Duncan finished his Wednesday night's work at AT"

Spurs: Five Burning Questions

June 1

San Antonio Express-News

"Who is most likely to return? The Spurs, who have five players set to become free agents, have definite interest in re-signing Kurt Thomas, and that interest has only risen since Tiago Splitter's apparent decision to spend the next two seasons in Spain. They will also discuss re-upping with Michael Finley, though this runs counter to their need to get younger on the wing. Robert Horry, despite his protestations to the contrary, will probably wind up retired. Damon Stoudamire isn't expected back. The Spurs probably won't re-sign DerMarr Johnson, either, but it wouldn't be surprising to see them give him a shot in training camp."

Spurs' Tim Duncan says ball movement was key to beating Lakers

May 27

Los Angeles Times

"Spurs held a practice here today. That, in itself, is noteworthy because the Spurs, the league's eldest team, had not practiced in eight days with the rapid fire schedule of the Western Conference finals wearing on them. But they were able to finally tweak some things in anticipation of Game 4 after demonstratively besting the Lakers in Game 3 Sunday night. Ball movement was the key to Game 3's 103-84 win and getting back into the series, according to Spurs forward Tim Duncan. The Spurs had 22 assists and the Lakers finished with 13 assists. Duncan compared the Spurs' mobility Sunday to the Lakers' triangle offense."

Gasol to guard Duncan

May 21

L.A. Daily News

"Who will defend Tim Duncan? How will they stop Tony Parker's dribble penetration? Can Vladimir Radmanovic guard Manu Ginobili, or will Trevor Ariza be pressed into duty right away? By the end of practice, most of those issues had been addressed, though the answers were short and kept close to the vest. Pau Gasol will defend Duncan for as long as he can without getting into foul trouble, Derek Fisher will have the responsibility of shadowing Parker and Ariza will likely play in the series, though Lakers coach Phil Jackson wouldn't say when."

On schedule, Duncan gets another redo

May 19

San Antonio Express-News

columnist Buck Harvey

"If they ever build a statue of Tim Duncan outside of the AT&T Center, they should take their time. They should draw up some concepts, sculpt a few ideas and then step back to look for cracks. There should be a few. Then they should build more statues, turning the worst into rubble as they go along, until they get it right. Duncan should be honored the way he played. The best player of the best franchise of this era has required some trial and error to become who he is, and sometimes the error part has been startling for such a Hall of Fame player. He hasn't always figured out everything the first time, and that's where tonight comes in. After playing three games in New Orleans ..."

Duncan helps halt West

May 16

New Orleans Times-Picayune

"After watching New Orleans forward David West savage the Spurs for 38 points in Game 5, San Antonio Coach Gregg Popovich apparently decided enough was enough. Popovich eschewed the overmatched tag team of Fabricio Oberto and Kurt Thomas and saddled All-NBA defender Tim Duncan with the responsibility of slowing West down. West had little trouble locating open shots during Game 5. But West was never able to establish any rhythm against the 7-foot Duncan, scoring just 10 points on 4-of-14 shooting before leaving with a back injury."

Duncan, Bowen on All-Defensive team

May 13

San Antonio Express-News

"Spurs coach Gregg Popovich credited his team's defensive performance for its ability to even the Western Conference semifinal series against the New Orleans Hornets at two games apiece, so he was gratified Monday when both Tim Duncan and Bruce Bowen were named to the league's All-Defensive first team."

Spurs' Duncan finds his comfort zone at home

May 12

New Orleans Times-Picayune

"What a difference a change of scenery can make. Defense, rebounds, scoring -- Spurs forward Tim Duncan was back to his typical All-Star self after a nightmarish two-game slump in New Orleans. With 20 points and 15 rebounds through three quarters, he essentially matched in 34 minutes his total output (23 points, 11 boards) in Games 1 and 2."

Days off could be good for Duncan's recovery

May 10

San Antonio Express-News

"The Spurs hope another two days off between Games 3 and 4 of their Western Conference semifinals series against the New Orleans Hornets will help All-Star power forward Tim Duncan reach full strength for Sunday's game. He's spent most of the past week battling high fever and flu-like symptoms. Duncan was examined by team doctors before tipoff for Thursday's game at AT&T Center. While his fever then was back to normal, several days spent battling the affliction appeared to have affected his play in the first two games, especially in Game 1."

Duncan, Ginobili make All-NBA squad

May 9

San Antonio Express-News

"The NBA announced its all-NBA team Thursday, and the Spurs’ results were mixed. Tim Duncan, a first-team selection in nine of his first 10 seasons, slipped from first team to second team forward for just the second time in his 11-year career. Boston’s Kevin Garnett and Cleveland’s LeBron James finished ahead of Duncan in voting for first-team forwards. Manu Ginobili, the Spurs guard who won the Sixth Man Award and finished 10th in voting for Most Valuable Player, made one of the three All-NBA teams for the first time in his career. He was voted to the third team."

Duncan defined by basics

May 3

San Antonio Express-News

columnist David Flores

"There’s a reason Shaquille O’Neal dubbed Spurs forward Tim Duncan the “Big Fundamental.” From his footwork to his trademark bank shot to his jump hook — with either hand — to his defense and rebounding, Duncan embodies a commitment to the basics of basketball that so many players of his generation lack. Maybe Duncan’s career would have turned out differently if he had grown up in urban America, instead of St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands."

Duncan quietly joins list of NBA legends

April 24

East Valley Tribune

columnist Craig Morgan

"Full names are not required in the NBA's pantheon of legends. To paraphrase singer Paul Simon: I could say Wilt, Russell, Big O, Dr. J, Bird, Magic, Jordan, Shaq and Kobe. And everybody here would know who I was talking about. I mean everybody here would know exactly who I was talking about. Diamonds on the soles of basketball shoes. But there is one whose name is rarely sung in this hallowed company. Tim Duncan. And that's a shame."

Suns confident O'Neal can contain Duncan

April 22

San Antonio Express-News

"Back when the Phoenix Suns abandoned their wide-open, defense-be-danged philosophy and dug in their heels around the Big Cactus, one motive for their makeover stood above all others. By adding Shaquille O'Neal, they presumably had a defender who had proven himself capable of slowing Tim Duncan."

Duncan has not made history, yet

April 21

San Antonio Express-News

columnist Buck Harvey

"Tim Duncan's 3-pointer ranks among the best ever. In this series. It doesn't compare to Sean Elliott's tiptoeing 3-pointer against Portland on Memorial Day in 1999, or to the cluster of threes that Steve Kerr used to eliminate Dallas in 2003."

Duncan's 3-pointer saves Spurs

April 20

Arizona Republic

"He wasn't supposed to be involved. Not on that fateful play. Not at the end of Saturday's first overtime at the AT&T Center. But at the last second, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich switched assignments, and Tim Duncan, the play's third option, buried one of the bigger shots of his career."

Duncan dominant with O’Neal out

April 20

East Valley Tribune

"Shaquille O’Neal was 2-0 against the San Antonio Spurs in the regular season. But Round 1 of the postseason went to the Spurs and their Hall of Fame big man, Tim Duncan."

Shaq vs. Duncan: A clash of champions

April 19

Arizona Republic

"Shaquille O'Neal and Tim Duncan each has four championship rings. Even more impressive, one of the two has played in the past nine NBA Finals. Combined, they have won six Finals MVPs."

Spurs' edge: Duncan has been waiting

April 17

San Antonio Express-News

columnist Buck Harvey

"Tim Duncan sat at his locker Wednesday evening, watching a replay of an earlier game against the Jazz, when he saw himself slip on a clumsy pivot move. Still sitting, he rolled his chair, kicking his feet against the floor like a little kid, until he was close enough to grab the remote. Then he replayed the moment, over and over again, until he had seen it 10 times. What followed made it official. Duncan is paying attention now, isn't he?"

Duncan encourages Spurs by finding shooting touch

April 16

San Antonio Express-News

"About an hour before tipoff Monday night in Sacramento, Tim Duncan was on the floor at Arco Arena, engaged in a pregame warm-up exercise that demonstrated just how concerned he was about his recent shooting slump."

Gasol gets credit for Duncan's long day

April 14

San Antonio Express-News

"Tim Duncan didn't even bother to look at the stat sheet waiting for him at his locker after Sunday's 106-85 loss to the Lakers. He didn't need to see it. He knew it was bad."

Duncan should be well rested

April 13

San Antonio Express-News

"By the end of Friday night's 95-74 victory over Seattle, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich had Tim Duncan right where he wanted him. On the bench."

Limiting Duncan's workload a priority

April 8

San Antonio Express-News

"Lightening Duncan's off-day workload has been beneficial this season. Quietly, he is having his best season since he was voted Most Valuable Player in 2003."

Duncan, Spurs do enough to sink Blazers

April 7

San Antonio Express-News

"But when Joel Przybilla, the Blazers' 7-foot-1 center, left the Spurs' 72-65 victory after fracturing his right hand with 4:43 left in the second quarter, McMillan had little choice. He called on LaFrentz and told him to guard Tim Duncan. The result was a season-high 21 minutes, 34 seconds for LaFrentz, most of it spent in futile attempt to limit the Spurs' two-time MVP power forward."

Duncan should be considered for Most Improved Player Award

March 30

San Antonio Express-News

columnist Mike Monroe

"I'm not sure what has changed for Duncan at the foul line, but I do know how serious he has been about correcting the only serious flaw in a Hall of Fame skill set. In fact, I believe Duncan merits consideration for this season's Most Improved Player Award, for that very reason."