Photo. Courtesy adidasEvery day we’re taking one active NBA star with at least arguable Hall of Fame credentials and breaking down his chances of getting into the Springfield, Mass., hoops mecca. We’re looking at not just past accomplishments, but also how a player’s career realistically projects for the future. For a full explanation of the process, click here. Today’s candidate: Tim Duncan.
TIM DUNCAN (11th year, Spurs)
21.8 pts, 11.9 rebs, 2.5 blks per game
Why: Even the legions of Duncan-haters have to admit TD might be the best power forward of all-time. Four NBA championships, three Finals MVPs, two regular season MVPs, Rookie of the Year in ‘98, All-Star MVP in 2000, plus handfuls of All-Star, All-NBA first team and All-Defensive first team selections and a consensus NCAA Player of the Year in ‘97 … is that enough? There’s a reason Tim is called “The Big Fundamental”; his game is a moving textbook on how to play the post.
Why not: Outside of a sudden swell of positive coverage during last year’s playoffs, Duncan has been largely under-appreciated by the media his entire career due to his “boring” demeanor. Still, the only anti-Duncan argument isn’t even for whether or not he’s one of the greatest of all-time, but whether or not he’s the best PF in the game today.
Our call: IN
The H.O.F. Watch archive
11/8 - Steve Nash
11/7 - Yao Ming
11/6 - Gilbert Arenas
11/5 - Robert Horry
11/2 - Kobe Bryant
11/1 - Grant Hill
10/31 - Dirk Nowitzki
10/30 - Tony Parker
10/29 - Elton Brand
10/26 - Carmelo Anthony
10/25 - Vince Carter
10/24 - Penny Hardaway
10/23 - Alonzo Mourning
10/22 - Allen Iverson
10/19 - Dwyane Wade
10/18 - Chauncey Billups
10/17 - Stephon Marbury
10/16 - Jason Kidd
10/15 - Shawn Marion
10/12 - Ray Allen
10/11 - Chris Bosh
10/10 - Chris Webber
10/9 - Paul Pierce
10/5 - Jermaine O’Neal
10/4 - Gary Payton
10/3 - Tracy McGrady
November 9th, 2007 at 12:08 pm
Bron42 says:
hmmmm…i dunnoo….lol nah this ones easy. Great player, Great supporting cast. 3 rings. nough said. guy is IN
November 9th, 2007 at 12:10 pm
Myrie in NY says:
Boys at Dime are taking another Fridday off. You slackers!!
November 9th, 2007 at 12:14 pm
Gee says:
What do you all call it. LOL Easy Friday. Hahaha. In and he deserves it and he is really a different player than most and I love what he brings to the L. I still DETEST the Spurs.
For real DIME I have to ask though. Was it hard coming up for a why not on him…cause it looked like you guys were reaching lol lol?
I mean I would have a hard time too.
In.
November 9th, 2007 at 12:23 pm
Daniel says:
Are you serious??? Let me tell you a brief story. Mrs. Duncan and Mr. Duncan went out for a night on the town, some 20 something years ago. Love was in the air, wine was flowing, and the possibility of romance was so thick it could be cut with a knife. The Duncan’s called a cab to bring them to their house. Things got busy and long story short we find our selves in a hospital in the Virgin Islands 9 months later. Now a Mr. David J. Stern heard about this impending birth and made his way to the very hospital that Mrs. Duncan was labouring in. He snuck into the delivery room. Now, it is not certain if Mr. Stern had a crystal ball, or if he somehow made a time machine, it’s quite uncertain, but he most definately knew that he was witnessing something monumental. The baby’s head entered the world, then the shoulders, torso… the whole dang thing was introduced to the world. What happened next was something that has forever been a mystery…UNTIL NOW! When nobody was looking, Mr. Stern branded the letters HOF on the little baby’s chin and ran off. Everyone thought it was a birthmark. This baby was Tim Duncan. And this ladies and gentlemen of DIME soceity, is why Tim Duncan always has a chin beard.
November 9th, 2007 at 12:23 pm
Tom Toronto says:
LOCK. I love the Friday HOF discussion, no intense debating allowed right before the weekend! We can all relax and have a nice afternoon.
November 9th, 2007 at 12:28 pm
Lou Spliff says:
This is a no brainer. Not even worth mentioning.
November 9th, 2007 at 12:29 pm
João says:
Lock. No way he is out.
November 9th, 2007 at 12:40 pm
Myrie in NY says:
Bron42–
Duncan actually has 4 rings. ‘99, 2003, 2005, 2007.
In ‘99 he defeated my beloved NYK. Even if P-Ew(ing) was healthy, maybe its a 6/7 game series, but Timmy D was unstoppable. Spurs still would have won it.
Sprewell did his damn thing in game 5 though…ill nasty slam on Jaren Jackson on the break!
November 9th, 2007 at 12:41 pm
Prof. TX says:
He’s certainly IN
I just wish that people would decide what position he plays. The NBA’s survey of general managers named him the best PF and the best C, which doesn’t seem right for all the centers out there that deserve credit. I think he might have a good shot at being the best PF ever, but naming him a C makes it a very different competition.
November 9th, 2007 at 12:55 pm
Celts Fan says:
In - he’s the best player in the NBA right now (and best 4 ever)
November 9th, 2007 at 1:07 pm
dagwaller says:
I guess after seeing us staying up late to argue with each other on Steve Nash Dime decided to give us a break. Appreciated
November 9th, 2007 at 1:33 pm
Bron42 says:
ya myrie i kno, but i reread it after i posted and theres no edit button.
November 9th, 2007 at 1:37 pm
djKianoosh says:
gotta love fridays. enjoy the weekend. this one’s a wrap.
and btw, whether he’s a PF or not, give me Bill Russell and Tim Duncan and I’ll give you Kareem and Wilt. oh damn. that might be a toss up. another nasty pair would be Shaq and Olajuwon. lost my point in there, but whatever, TD is already in legendary status.
November 9th, 2007 at 1:51 pm
Myrie in NY says:
ATTN ALL–
WHAT CITY ARE YOU IN?!!?
November 9th, 2007 at 1:57 pm
Kobeef says:
The only thing against Duncan is he is such a good team player that he doesn’t usualy put up big numbers. There are certainly other power forwards who are better fantasy players.
Which begs the question…was he just lucky to be constantly surrounded by good teams?
November 9th, 2007 at 1:58 pm
naphi says:
Duncan is a LOCK of HOF but i’ll argue that garnett is the better 4. he doesnt have the hardware like duncan but come on the guy never had a supporting cast with two allstars/possible hofer’s ginobli and parker, plus a GREAT lockdown defender bowen. duncan got it made for him. Garnett should be next on this list but he’s a sure in as well.
November 9th, 2007 at 2:06 pm
Reed Ewing Frazier says:
Hands down HOF!! if some idiot debates this you should run for president. I love his game only casual/ESPN highlight junkies can consider him boring I’m a Knick Fan I hate the Spurs but I have to give props where props are due TIM is MAN
Bron42- I disagree a healthy Pat would have made a difference but the Spurs won so I won’t cry about.
Myrie in NY- Yo I miss Spree he is one of my alltime favorite Knick (another reason to hate Scott Layden)
November 9th, 2007 at 2:16 pm
smity says:
when i’m named commissioner of the league i’m going to mandate that every player 7ft and over plays the center position. 6′10 to 6′11= power forward. 6′7 to 6′9= small forward. 6′ 4 to 6′6= shooting guard. 5′9 to 6′3= point gaurd. 5′8 and under= Earl Boykins. When i’m then forced to resign…i’ll sit at my computer and finish typing these very words.
November 9th, 2007 at 2:38 pm
dragonyeuw says:
Why even waste the bandwidth on this?Obvious first ballot HOFamer the first day he’s eligible.
November 9th, 2007 at 2:59 pm
Myrie in NY says:
Reed Ewing Frazier–
I HATE Scott Layden!! Loser. And you all should too. Better hope he doesn’t get a front office job for your favorite team….
November 9th, 2007 at 3:02 pm
Myrie in NY says:
Smity–
#18…when your commish, can you also mandate the Knicks City Dancers perform in lap on 20 sec timeouts?
November 9th, 2007 at 3:09 pm
Juanito says:
Yeah, duh…I thought this discussion was on players that may be borderline HOF? Is there any bigger lock in the NBA than Duncan? Who are you profiling next? Shaq?
November 9th, 2007 at 3:11 pm
K-Dizzle says:
Lol Daniel’s a good story teller and this needs to be the baseline test for basic basketball knowledge.
This’ll be unanimous…matter fact, I was in Springfield yesterday and I think TD’s already in there.
I just wanna be the guy that says “One more chip’ll solidify his case” and TD owes Kidd that MVP from Kidd’s first year in Jersey, although it’s tough cuz some guys are MVPs EVERY YEAR. see Kobe, Lebron, KG, Wade, AI b4 Denver
I’m done ramblin. IN before he retires
November 9th, 2007 at 4:08 pm
Eric says:
H.O.F Watch - LATRELL SPREWELL!!
Let’s see that
November 9th, 2007 at 4:19 pm
Bron42 says:
Reed Ewing Frazier, um i didn’t say anything about the knicks lol. That was myrie
November 9th, 2007 at 4:31 pm
Chris says:
This is about as sure a thing as the Dodgers improving with Joe Torre at the helm.
As a NY fan, had it not been for him, the Knicks may well have won in ‘99.
Big fundamental = HoF Lock.
November 9th, 2007 at 5:48 pm
Reed Ewing Frazier says:
My fault Bron42 I’m at work sorry I’ll just give you a pass next time you say something I don’t agree with which will probaly be sooner than later(lol)
Chris- Say it again my brother say it again
To Eric- Spree would make a good H.O.F. watch
Note to Dime Mag- Put Spree on H.O.F watch and even though I love him I would say no. But he would be in the H.O.G top 10
Advance Congrats to Tim Duncan on the H.O.F. induction year 201?
November 9th, 2007 at 7:46 pm
MP says:
Next Friday on HOF watch… Shaq!
November 9th, 2007 at 8:03 pm
Chris says:
wow.. did i call this or what, i don’t even know where to begin with this.. hey dime, crack kills
November 9th, 2007 at 11:33 pm
E-ROC says:
I’d still take Duncan over Garnett.
November 10th, 2007 at 8:23 am
bigdre says:
td’s the greatest 4 of all time. defenitely in. everyone’s saying he has a better team around him as compared to KG, dirk or even the mailman, but i’d like to argue he’s the one making them look better than they are. he facilitates the entire O and anchors the D. no 4 in history has done it the way td’s doing it right now
November 10th, 2007 at 10:40 am
DOC says:
Best PF ever. In
November 10th, 2007 at 7:05 pm
2 Easy says:
LOL man these fridays HOF watches have turned into us takin a break and preparin to fight tooth and nail for a week. Duncan is obviously the biggest no brainer thus far so i think next friday will be Shaq and the week after Karl Malone then KG lol. O lordy I’ll see u all on Monday lol. O and before I leave I kno Duncan has had the benefit of good teamates but that shouldnt be held against him. Every team in the league coulda had Ginobli or Parker and they passed one em, and as a result of havin Timmy in the middle they’ve been elevated to possible HOF’s. Not sayin they’d be scrubs without him Im just sayin when his birthday comes around they better get him some nice ass gifts lmao
November 10th, 2007 at 7:08 pm
2 Easy says:
OO and i forgot to say, Daniel, impeccable story although I was expectin Stern to do somethin more sinister. And ive never seen Timmy look so gansta, thats a gansta pic styll,NOW im done
November 10th, 2007 at 10:52 pm
sirak says:
hmmm, what list of player do people think Dime will have for the coming “Easy Fridays”?
November 11th, 2007 at 6:02 am
Jay says:
“Being boring” is the strongest argument you guys could think of huh? lol
November 11th, 2007 at 1:30 pm
Charles-K says:
yawwwwn. Duncan is so in, that he could kill his wife, smoke a tub of weed, and do ’sheed-like technicals every game and he would still get to the hall of fame. NEXT
They should do mutumbo. I would like to hear that argument.
November 14th, 2007 at 2:19 am
Moebius says:
You know a player is great when the worst you can say about him is that he has a “boring” game. Well for the record, I thoroughly enjoy Timmy D’s brutally efficient style — this despite the fact that I hate the Spurs.
November 14th, 2007 at 10:07 am
Ian says:
the biggest lock in the nba
of course hes in
greatest 4 ever
btw i dont know who mentioned it but they already did garnett
who do u think helped develope many and tony they where just ok players when they came in
timmy best player in the league
all nba 1st team every season except the one he was injured and still made second team
November 14th, 2007 at 1:59 pm
nikko says:
too easy
November 16th, 2007 at 1:25 pm
Sacto J says:
The big smooth is in fo sho. What else is there to say except “glass…..”