Top 50: Tim Duncan, no. 6
The definitive ranking of the NBA’s best players.
The best book ever written on the nuts and bolts of writing was originally published in 1919. Called “The Elements of Style,” it focused primarily on usage and composition. It was 43 pages long. Later revised by New Yorker writer E.B. White, who added an introduction and final chapter, 
it expanded to 71 pages. But the key piece of advice—one that appeared in the original version and remained unchanged through all the revisions and editions—was a single, short sentence: “Omit needless words.” That’s all. Follow no other directive but that one, and you will become a better writer.
At this point you’re probably asking what a slim, 90-year-old book on writing has to do with Tim Duncan. The answer is everything. Basketball, much like writing, is only as complicated as you make it. The basic rules of both are simple. In writing, it’s ‘tell the story.’ In basketball, it’s ’score more points than the other team.’ Duncan has understood this since he entered the League, if not since he entered the world.
As a rookie, Duncan averaged 21.1 points and 11.9 rebounds on 55 percent shooting. Last season, he averaged 19.3 points and 10.7 rebounds on 50.4 percent shooting. His career averages are 21.4, 11.7, 50.7 percent. If he’s on any sort of decline, it’s the most gradual of slopes. At 33 years old, Duncan is pretty much the player he’s always been. And if he’s relatively unaffected by age, it’s only because he was similarly unaffected by youth. It’s not like he’s had to figure out how to play when his athleticism started to decline. He never used it even when he had it. Assuming Timmy ever had it in the first place.
In both writing and basketball, it’s easy to get carried away. To mistake complexity and creativity for real accomplishment. All the adjectives and adverbs and flourishes in the world don’t mean a thing if you fail to tell the story. And a killer crossover or an otherworldly vertical doesn’t matter much if you can’t shoot or play defense. Tim Duncan has made it abundantly clear that he wants to tell the story. With four championships and counting, he’s told it very well indeed.
Notes
• Rankings are based solely on projected ‘09-10 performance.
• Contributors to this list include: Jake Appleman, Brett Ballantini, Russ Bengtson, Toney Blare, Shannon Booher, Myles Brown, Franklyn Calle, Gregory Dole, Emry DowningHall, Jonathan Evans, Adam Fleischer, Jeff Fox, Sherman Johnson, Aaron Kaplowitz, John Krolik, Holly MacKenzie, Ryne Nelson, Chris O’Leary, Ben Osborne, Alan Paul, Susan Price, Sam Rubenstein, Khalid Salaam, Kye Stephenson, Adam Sweeney, Vincent Thomas, Tzvi Twersky, Justin Walsh, Joey Whelan, Eric Woodyard, and Nima Zarrabi.
• Want more of the SLAMonline Top 50? Check out the archive.
This story is filed under: 3 For All, SLAMonline Top 50
and so is mr no post moves howard. ouch
And i agree with this he has been consistent and dominent in the NBA for a number of years now
Alas, Tim Duncan is only gradually losing his offense, since his fundamental footwork and post moves allow him to score with limited movement.
It’s Duncan’s defense that’s fading… man to man, Duncan is getting worse noticeably, but his help defense is really sort of shot: you could always write Duncan down for at least two blocks a game, but alas, that’s no longer true!
His health is also an issue.
All in all, Duncan is still top ten, so six isn’t a bad spot for him… but there are better.
4) Dwight
3) LeBron/Kobe
2) Kobe/LeBron 1) DWade
4) Flash
3) D-12
2) Kobe
1) Bron Bron Rex Prevision (How should be) : 5) CP3
4) D-12
3) Bron Bron
2) James
1) Kobe
I used to be ambivalent about Tim Duncan, now I have a basketball man crush on him.
That dude is awesome in the post. Anytime other players study video of your post moves to better their own games, you know you’re doing something right.
And Tim used to have a little bit more athleticism, but not much. I remember him getting teased about having no hops in an All-Star game one year.
5.D Wade
4.D12
3.CP3
2.KB8errr24
1.LeBron “SLAM has stock in the cavs” James
4) Kobe Bryant
3) Dwayne Wade
2) Chris Paul
1) Lebron James
1. Kobe
2. LeBron
3. Wade
4. Paul
5. Howard.
SLAM’s actual list:
1. LeBron
2. Kobe
3. Wade
4. Paul
5. Howard
When Dirk plays both sides of the ball he can pass Tim Duncan. And learns how to be a better passer.
So who’s second? Karl Malone or Barkley?
2) KB
3) Wade
4) Howard
5) CP3
4. Paul
3. Lebron
2. Wadde
1. Kobe. Basketball is not always about puting upp numbers. It about the litle think that dose not show in stats. Kobe is MVP. Lebron will be the king but not right know.
4. The guy who stopped prep TMac
3. White girl
2. Kobe
1. LeBron
The fact that Dirk and the Mavs actually beat Duncan to get to the Finals that one year is impressive. Granted, it was a horrible play by Manu that was the difference, but Dirk did lead his team over one of the greatest players of all-time.
Although, Devin Harris was the real difference in that series.
And we’re not talking about minor problems, we’re talking about massive gaping holes.
Dwight can’t make post moves, can’t shoot free throws, and can’t pass. He got abused by Pau Gasol in the post.
Dwight is nice against inferior teams but the simple truth is that against top flight, skilled big men, he’s lacking.
Which is why I would prefer to have Duncan (if healthy) next year.
Good point. Duncan is like Steve Nash when it comes to athleticism.
I like that line, “Duncan is like Steve Nash when it comes to athleticism.”
PG CP3
SG Kobe/Wade
SF LeBron
PF Tim Duncan
C Dwight
???
2 MVP’s Back to Back
3 Finals MVP’S
4 NBA Championships
Made superstars out of Tony Parker, & Manu Ginolbili. Dwight Howard will never win MVP or a NBA Championship in his lifetime. Sorry, But truth speaks for it self.
–
on the TD-Howard debate, gotta be dwight for me. Many will disagree, and even age aside, i feel Dwight can make a much deeper impact on a game than TD. TD you’re pretty much guaranteedand 20/10 which beautiful, but Dwight has a ceiling way beyond that despite the fact many facets of his game need dramatic improvement. He could realistically manage 25/14/3 blocks next season. Meanwhile, no.1 belongs kobe, which pains me to say considering for years i liked to think/pretend my sixers iverson was ahead of kobe… Lebron james can destroy teams on his own, but he can’t do it every game, Kobe can not only destroy teams on his own when he needs to, but more often than not, he makes everyone around him infinitely better when he needs to
howard ahead of duncan? i know they play different positions, so it’s tough to make comparisons, but…whaaaaaaaaat?
Cordeazy Posted: Oct.19 at 3:38 pm
howard ahead of duncan? i know they play different positions, so it’s tough to make comparisons, but…whaaaaaaaaat?
miguel10 Posted: Oct.19 at 4:35 pm
howard ahead of duncan? i know they play different positions, so it’s tough to make comparisons, but…whaaaaaaaaat? whaaaaat?
1)Dwyane Wade
2)LeBron James
3)Kobe Bryant
4)Dwight Howard
5)Chris Paul
Now thats not a fan list, thats my prediction of the top 5.Personally, Kobe is my favorite player, but he doesnt have to do as much for his team as the others.
duncan, kobe and shaq are the only guys playing now that are proven winners.
With that being said: I’m a bit surprised by this ranking. Since the rankings are based on the impact a player will have on the upcoming season, of course Duncan deserves to be in the top 10. no doubt. But 6? Not too sure about that.
4 dwight howard
3 dwayne wade
2 lebron james
1 kobe bryant let’s wrap this up guys
Also, you’re discrediting the fact that he literally dragged the Cleveland Cavaliers to the NBA Finals by himself, a feat barely any other player has done (outside of Allen Iverson). He also singlehandedly disposed of the Washington Wizards for consecutive years in the playoffs, with plenty of clutch, last-second points put on the board. So don’t tell me LeBron James is not clutch.
)10 Amare
)9 Mayo
)8 B roy
)7 D Will
)6 Clipper #32
)5 CP3
)4 D Rose
)3 D 12
)2 Durant
)1 LeBron
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