Tim Duncan (photo. Jonathan Mannion)

“He won’t be a boy forever. And, winter is coming…”

He’s only averaging more assists than Chris Paul did as a rookie (8.6 to 7.8). He’s only averaging more steals than Rose did as a rookie (1.6 to 0.8). He’s only averaging more minutes than Westbrook did as a rookie (38.2 to 32.5). He’s only averaging more of everything than Rajon Rondo and Deron Williams did as rookies (a lot to a little).

What happens when a top pick has to come of age when his biggest rookie competition is blazing a trail of destruction on the entire league and the man he’s compared to becomes an MVP at 22? They are forgotten. Overlooked. Then next season, or perhaps the year after that, when he does blow up, it’ll become a question of how? How did he get so good in so short a time? We said the same things about Derrick Rose this year. But in truth, John Wall’s path to super-duper stardom hasn’t wavered or lost it’s course at all. He’s right on time, and soon everyone will see that.

The real catch? None of that will matter if the Wizards don’t rise from the cellar. Andray Blatche. JaVale McGee. Nick Young. The Looney Tunes. While they may never don a Washington uniform again – who knows? – for now, the motley crew holds the key to unlocking Wall’s promise because a genius stuck in a class of Billy Madisons becomes a genius no more.

“First lesson: stick ‘em with the pointy end.”

Whichever unlucky soul – probably Kyrie Irving – gets dropped into the mess in Cleveland, it’ll be years of lessons. The Duke point guard couldn’t have picked a worse time to be a number one pick. As the first light since the King went “traitor,” there will be pressure, and hardly any resources.

If anything, Irving will take his lumps, will hear the questions, will watch as the hope of his arrival dwindles. When they say you will carry us, they really mean it. Irving will have to bear the brunt of Cleveland’s scars, picking up the pieces of the forgotten city until more help finally does arrive.

“You’re just a soldier, aren’t you? You take your orders and you carry on. I suppose it makes sense. Your older brother was trained to lead, and you were trained to follow.” … “I was also trained to kill my enemies, your Grace.” … “As was I.”

Will Tyreke, DeMarcus Cousins & the Kings ever be able to co-exist?

“Very handsome armor. Not a scratch on it.” … “People have been swinging at me for years, they always seem to miss.” … “You’ve chosen your opponents wisely.” … “I have a knack for it.”

If Tim Duncan had an ego, he would be at the throats of the Spurs’ front office: R.C. Buford, Pop and the rest.

Even though they won 61 games last year, it never seemed real. No one believed in them and during the playoffs, a young and hungry and athletic mismatch exploited them. Still good enough to be solid. But no longer great. And to think it took Zach Randolph to finally swing down the sword and prove it’s a new day. When will they realize it?

Duncan needs someone to take over for him. Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker aren’t quite good enough to be the leading men on a championship team. San Antonio needs to hit a home run in the draft (not likely, especially this year) or make some moves. They built loyalty and success through years of doing the it all the right way, being smart, savvy and efficient. Now, do the right thing and give Duncan another shot at another ring. Get some help.

What do you think?

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