No doubt: Duncan is one of the all-time greats

Originally selected by the San Antonio Spurs with the first overall pick in the 1997 draft, Duncan’s career has simply been awesome. He has already led his club to three championships, played in nine All-Star Games, been co-MVP of the All-Star Game, won NBA MVP twice, collected three NBA Finals MVP awards and has been on numerous All-NBA Teams and All-Defensive Teams. The Wake Forest product was also a member of the bonze-medal winning U.S. Olympic Team in 2004.

To say the 31-year-old Duncan has had an incredible career would be a gross understatement. The statistics and the facts don’t lie. He has played in 746 regular-season contests and has career averages of 21.8 points, 11.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.4 blocks and has shot over 50 percent from the floor.

Entering the 2007 NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Duncan has participated in 134 postseason games. The 6-11 power forward has posted 23.9 points, 12.6 boards, 3.5 assists and 2.8 blocks in the playoffs.

The numbers, awards and championships are all present on Duncan’s bio. Former NBA great Karl Malone, who has been mentioned by some as the greatest power forward to play the game, is not even in Duncan’s class. Malone played in plenty of All-Star Games, did win NBA MVP twice, teamed with John Stockton to lead Utah to two finals appearances and played in another as a member of the Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant-led Lakers in 2004. While Malone has a very impressive resume, he wasn’t able to get his team over the hump and retired without ever winning an NBA title.

Duncan picked up his first two rings (1999, 2003) alongside center David Robinson. The pair teamed to give the Spurs a dominant duo down low. One of the great centers to play in the league, Robinson announced prior to the 2002-03 campaign that he would end his 14-year career after the season.

Even though Robinson was a force during San Antonio’s first championship run and was still a factor in 2003, it was Duncan who was the leader and go-to guy on both squads. Duncan led the team in scoring and rebounding both seasons and was the player who finally got the Spurs over the hump.

In 2004-05, All-Star point guard Tony Parker started to come on and earn the attention of the rest of the league. Manu Ginobili had a breakout campaign and showed that he was ready to make a splash. But, once again it was Duncan who shined when the spotlight was on and delivered in the clutch to help the Spurs knock off the Eastern Conference’s Detroit Pistons in a tough, seven-game series in the finals.

With the victory over Detroit, the San Antonio franchise and Duncan earned their third championship. When the Spurs have needed a defensive stop, two points or a big win, it’s been Duncan who has stepped up and delivered in the clutch.

What’s even more scary about Duncan is that he is in the prime of his career and has shown no signs of slowing down. How many more championships will this guy win? What about All-Star Games and the other accolades that come along with being one of the greatest to ever lace up a pair of sneakers.

Is Duncan the best power forward to ever play in the NBA?

Yes!

Duncan is a winner! Plain and simple. Oh and let’s not forget, he is also one of the greatest — regardless of position — to ever play on the hardwood courts of the NBA.