Why Tim Duncan doesn’t get Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, or Dwyane Wade respect

January 06 09

Can Tim Duncan get some love?

Forget, for a moment, that the Spurs have won 14 of 17. And forget that this injury-riddled crew suddenly has the second best record in the Western Conference and are capable of challenging the Cavaliers, Celtics, and Lakers.

I’m talking about career love. Or even career recognition for his four NBA Titles, MVP and Defensive Player of the Year awards, and being the building block for the best organization in pro sports.

Duncan wins. Correction. San Antonio, Duncan’s team, wins. That’s what matters to the former first overall pick. Yet, in a results orientated business like the NBA, he gets less respect than a New Kids On The Block comeback or Rocky sequel.

Duncan’s backers always have to justify his status as an elite player. If winning is the mark of greatness, the currency among the crème de la crème, elite players –that would be the Kobes, LeBrons, and D-Wades of this world- should have to justify why they are worthy of Duncan.

That’s right: the lanky post is the bar others should aspire to. Not vice-versa. Duncan, arguably the greatest power forward of all-time, continues to be slept-on.

Well, why?

‘The Big Fundamental’ nickname says it all. Casual fans are entertained by flash, glitz, and aerial antics, while even serious fans don’t always like razor sharp efficiency and methodical brilliance. Duncan’s technical genius is under-appreciated.

Location. Location. Location. San Antonio is a quiet city and the Spurs are unable to get the same attention as bigger markets. The national media will always cover the Knicks’ on-going soap opera or the Lakers even though the Spurs deserve better.

There is also the matter of perception. Most reporters think because Duncan plays like a robot, he lacks personality. One famous scribe even dubbed him ‘Timmy Robot’ after the Will Smith flick I-Robot. This perception is wrong. Duncan has a great sense of humour and an interesting perspective that doesn’t get nearly enough national attention.

Of course, Duncan doesn’t care about getting love, which means he’ll continue to be overlooked. Hopefully, we will wake up. And hopefully, we will then recognize his accomplishments.

Is Duncan as good as Bryant, James, and Wade? If so, why doesn’t he get more respect? Get at us in the comment box with thoughts and come back to HoopsVibe The Blog for more NBA tidbits. Photo courtesy of killbucky.

148 Comments: Why Tim Duncan doesn’t get Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, or Dwyane (...)

Posted by
BasketballFan
on 06.15.2009

Thanks for writing such a great article pointing out what anyone who knows anything about basketball already knows. It debatable who has more talent between Tim and Kobe(although I think Timmy does), but even if we accept that they’re equal, Tim wins by virtue of being a great person on and off the court, while Kobe is just a symbol of what’s wrong with America today. .

Posted by
MichaelJordanForever
on 03.16.2009

Thank you...i have said it for a while...although i believe Kobe is the best player in the league today...the only player i would accept hearing is the best today instead of Kobe Bryant is Tim Duncan....Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan are indeed the two best players in the NBA today .

Posted by
jml
on 02.9.2009

Duncan is one of the greatest players and leaders of all time. He does not care about stats as long as the team gets the W .

Posted by
DesandDave
on 02.7.2009

Tim Duncan is the best!!!! .

Posted by

on 01.29.2009

WHY DO YOU GUYS LIKE BRYANT DUNCAN IS THE BEST AND ALWAYS WILL BE IN NBA HISTORY. AND IF YOU DONT AGREE YOU MUST BE OUT OF YOUR MIND. .

Posted by
Windy City
on 01.15.2009

I’ll never forget an incident with KG when he was in Minnesota, and the Spurs regularly ousted them early in the playoffs. It was late in a close game, and KG was in Duncan’s face, trash talking, the sweat flying. Duncan didn’t say anything back, just smiled. It made KG crazy, and he wound up so angry he didn’t make the plays his team needed down the stretch. Game Spurs. I’ll take a smart, controlled player over an out-of-control emotional one any day. .

Posted by
Grasshopper
on 01.15.2009

Duncan is the greatest PF in the game. He doesn’t need the media for hype. Educated fans and non partisan sports analyst’s like Oly Sandor, knows Duncan"s career is greater than any superstar today. .

Posted by
Steven Segal
on 01.13.2009

Timmy D is the best power foward in this generaion. Timmy D doesnt care about stats, he cares about making his team better. To show how great he is as human being, he took a price cut on his salary so the spurs can get free agents to make the team better. Timmy D doesnt care about the glitz and glamour. The only thing he cares about is getting on that court and winning. I dont care if the media doesnt kiss Duncan’s A** like they do Kobe, and Lebron. Duncan has proven waht he can do on the court .

Posted by
AA
on 01.13.2009

Duncan doest need to prove anything or change himself as a person. Whatever happens, people still know and have to accept that he has been a better player than anyone in the NBA since 1998. .

Posted by
The Hurricane
on 01.13.2009

yeah Duncan is too serious. He needs to get angry sometimes and talk trash to other opponents. He is good enough to back up his trash talk. .

Posted by
soy
on 01.13.2009

hes a good player..hes jus so serious all the time .

Posted by
Duncan is the man!
on 01.12.2009

If you havent win a ring, you dont deserve to be in this conversation. So Lebron should not be even discussed here. Duncan has 4 rings, Kobe has 3 and Wade has 1. These guys deserve to be discussed in this topic! .

Posted by
Duncan will win 7 rings before retirement
on 01.12.2009

This is a basketball site. Shut the helll up people and go to a football room if you’re gonna discuss the choker Cowboys! .

Posted by
Fabulous Fab
on 01.12.2009

The Knicks sucks. Why are we talking about those losers. They are not worthy in the same sentence as the Spurs. Yes, they have money, but the Spurs are just better overall! Winning rings are the utmost objective of franchises! Can anyone compare Eddy Curry to Tim Duncan? Tony Paker to Nate Robinson? Manu Ginobili to Wilson Chandler? come on give me a break! .

Posted by
Mizzou
on 01.12.2009

The Spurs are poor compared to the Knicks or Cowboys. I guess if it’s money, that would only mean that Bill Gates is the best human being in the world, while all of us are his servant. Maybe we should also kiss Warren Buffett’s behind. Both of them are superior, superhuman beings, while all of us are inferior, substandard species. Sorry, Im not jumping on the wagon, I dont care how much money you have, I will never consider you the best if you are not. .

Posted by
Blaque
on 01.12.2009

Lol. The cowboys the best organization and the Spurs arent? I thought in sports winning is the most improtant, I guess for other people money is everything. .

Posted by
Morrocan Prince
on 01.12.2009

are you crazy Oly Sandor? or people here must be on drugs? Duncan gets the media attention. All of the media talks about how great Duncan is, that he is a hall of famer, the best player in the last 10 years, and the greatest power forward to play the game. All of this is true, so people and the writer for this article needs to take a chill pill. Don’t hate on Lebron or Kobe. Duncan gets attention too! .

Posted by
Aquaman
on 01.12.2009

kobe gets more respect than his suppose to. If you have kids, who would be the best role model for your kids, Kobe or Duncan? come on! .

Posted by
KpBoi
on 01.12.2009

hahaha, the cowboys better organuzation than the Spurs. Taylor must be on midol. .

Posted by
Batista
on 01.12.2009

Every sports magazine has ranked the Spurs the best sports organization, not because of their $$ and cocky athletes, but because of their winnings. The Celclits on won one title, and now everyone is saying they are one of the best organization, which is BS. The Spurs by far are better. .

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	About Oly Sandor
Daily take on NBA Oly Sandor is an NBA analyst and sports journalist based out of Vancouver, Canada.After years of the free-lance game, Oly Sandor is bringing his unique brand of NBA analysis exclusively to (...) More

Why Tim Duncan doesn’t get Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, or Dwyane Wade respect

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