I don't get to watch the Spurs much, but whenever I can catch a game almost all his points seem to come off of jump shots, running the floor, smart cuts, and good guard play. When he tries to post up it seems like 60-70% of the time it's that same fadeaway off the right shoulder. Has his post game declined or were these the shots he normally made in the past?
I don't get to watch the Spurs much, but whenever I can catch a game almost all his points seem to come off of jump shots, running the floor, smart cuts, and good guard play. When he tries to post up it seems like 60-70% of the time it's that same fadeaway off the right shoulder. Has his post game declined or were these the shots he normally made in the past?
Duncan had literally every post move in the book. He used both hands. Right hook left hook fade away. And a nice drop step. It was nothing flashy but it was the most effective post game of his era not named Shaq because Shaq was pure power. But Duncan dominated as well just with skill, touch and strength just not as much strength as Shaq. Duncan also never forced anything and in my opinion is why he didn't score more than he could have, he was so hell bent on making the right play. Kicking it out to open teammates when the double came that he took shots away from himself. But in hindsight his unselfishness set the blueprint of why the Spurs probably are who they are.
He had about four moves. Nobody could stop them. He would be given the ball a lot more to create than he is now, but really what he did was make smart plays with and without the ball and "control" the game on both ends. As far as the act itself of putting the ball in the basket, and especially of acquired "moves" with which to accomplish it, what he had was touch, timing, instinct, patience, and discipline -- not moves. I would also say he was never "dominant" as a scorer, or even as a scorer-creator, the way I've seen Larry Bird, MJ, and Lebron be. His impact on the game on offense was (to me) rather like Jason Kidd in patience and floor-wisdom with Zach Randolph's great touch and reflexes.
And of course his defense was in every way preternatural. I don't recall gaudy stats on that end - except for playoff success and championships. You couldn't ask for a better defender than Duncan. You could probably ask for a more dominant offensive player though. It's just you wouldn't be likely to get it. There probably aren't 5 guys in the league right now with more offensive impact than prime TD.
Duncan had literally every post move in the book. He used both hands. Right hook left hook fade away. And a nice drop step. It was nothing flashy but it was the most effective post game of his era not named Shaq because Shaq was pure power. But Duncan dominated as well just with skill, touch and strength just not as much strength as Shaq. Duncan also never forced anything and in my opinion is why he didn't score more than he could have, he was so hell bent on making the right play. Kicking it out to open teammates when the double came that he took shots away from himself. But in hindsight his unselfishness set the blueprint of why the Spurs probably are who they are.
Pretty much said it all here.
The only thing I can add...or that I can think of, is his ability to control the game from the post. That goes beyond just the ability to score or to playmake or even facilitate. It's like what a PG does. That's his claim over guys like Shaq, even Hakeem. He was in complete control in the post.
Duncan could score on either block with consistency, whether it was the fadeaway referred to earlier, or the jump hooks. He's always had very good footwork and used fakes well. He also regularly made nice moves across the lane. Really, all you can ask for from a post player is to have a consistent shot over either shoulder, and Duncan had that, with a very good touch. He's always had a good outside shot up to 18-20 feet, but he has relied on it more the last 5 years or so. Probably to preserve his body.
He also had a very soft touch which made his post up moves even deadlier. I think people underestimate his size though. He was almost as tall as Garnett but heavier.
Let me try breaking down Duncan's game in his prime:
He was a solid 7 foot, 260 lbs with a round, not quite musculed frame and broad butt that allowed him to set up station on the pivot better than almost any other big in the last 30 years.
That enabled him to draw more fouls. As the Big Fundamental, Duncan had superior footwork and a larger repertoire of moves in the low post than even Hakeem Olajuwon. Duncan had a solid bankshot, though it waxed and waned. Post up moves topped by a brutally efficient right handed jumphook. Excellent spin moves, stronger left hand than most great post up bigs, and had a longer shooting range than almost anyone. Amazing handle, especially during face-up attempts.
Where guys like Karl Malone would go to a shaky turnaround jumper in the clutch, Duncan went to work on the low-post.
Very dominant. Ambidextrous, excellent range, and you rarely saw him make a bad decision with the ball. He was a perfectionist in that he would make the right play; whether it was a baby hook with either hand, passing to the open teammate, or stepping back and hitting his trademark bank shot.
At his peak, you could stick him on any team in the league and they would be an instant playoff team, no matter who else was on the roster- he had a huge positive impact that goes well beyond statistics (even though his stats are beastly)
He completely dominated games even without scoring-- he is the very definition of a winning basketball player, and sits in an elite group with the Bird's and Magics' of the world who make everyone else better and can turn a team of poop nuggets into a team of gold nuggets.
Last edited by FindingTim : 03-17-2013 at 02:12 AM.
Really Good. He Wasnīt in the Level of McHale, Barkley or Shaq in Terms of Efficiency but He Had Great Fundamentals...Reason To Why They Call Him "The Big Fundamental". One of the Few Big Men of the 00s and 10s that Had Great Post Game along Pau Gasol. I Recently Found a Video and Put It Here on ISH on Duncanīs Post Game. His Bank Shot Was Money!
Maybe the best high post big man in the history of the game. His ability to shoot, pass, and drive from the high post and wing area was astonishing. He was able to control the game on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, something very few players, even great players, are able to accomplish.
How good was Duncan's post game in his prime?
