Duncan's '03 Playoff Run

Before this get's out of hand, I should warn you that once you see some of the following numbers, you may require reconstructive surgery to your jaw after it falls completely off.

Now then, let's get to it. All of you should have some knowledge about the absolute machine that San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan was. If not, THANK BASKETBALL JESUS that you have decided to join us this evening. Some in the younger generation might not truly understand the beauty in watching Tim Duncan, as they are accustomed to Steph Curry pulling up from just outside the gate of the stadium parking lot. Duncan or better known to some as "The Big Fundamental" was just a flat out machine. Some might argue that Duncan is a version of the Terminator robots, and we can't confirm or deny that it's true. 

"Timmy" rarely broke a smile, and seemed emotionless for the majority of his career except for brief moments after he was holding an NBA Championship trophy above his head. The most beautiful part of Tim Duncan's career was the fact that he had become two different, and still dominate, versions of himself. 

THE EARLY YEARS

Every couple of years, an NBA Draft Prospect comes along that creates more hype than others. When you look back in time, there's a couple of players that stood out compared to the rest of their draft classes. Wake Forest big man Timothy Theodore Duncan was one of those players. Duncan was an alpha in college, and it seemed like only a matter of time before he was dominating the NBA game as well. Duncan spent 4 years playing for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons and his production during those 4 seasons had NBA teams drooling. In Duncan's final season, he went on to average 20.8 PTS, 14.7 REB, and 3.3 BLK while shooting 60.8% from the field. 

Fast forward to the NBA draft and the San Antonio Spurs won one of the greatest lottery wins in recent history. Remember, the Spurs cornerstone big man the year before, David Robinson, would go down with an injury forcing "The Admiral" to sit out the remainder of the season. 

The Early Years of Tim Duncan were ridiculous when you look back now. Duncan was a completely different type of player than the 2nd half of his career. He was light, quick, and fluid enough to blow by anyone in his path.  

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THE PLAYOFF RUN

It's easy to think that Tim Duncan has a history of success in the playoffs after winning 5 championships, but one specific Championship run was just flat out absurd. The year we are talking about of course is the 2003 Championship. During this playoff run, the Spurs would face the Phoenix Suns, led by Stephon Marbury, Shawn Marion, and Amar'e Stoudemire. In the second round, the Spurs would face the well known Los Angeles Lakers featuring Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal. The Dallas Mavericks featuring Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitzki would await the Spurs in the Western Conference Finals, before finally setting up an NBA Finals date with Jason Kidd, Kenyon Martin, and the New Jersey Nets. 

Now that we've set the mood allow us to show you just how ridiculous Duncan's performance was each round.

Duncan vs Suns (Western Conference First Round) 

Duncan vs Lakers (Western Conference Semifinals)

Duncan vs Mavericks (Western Conference Finals)

Duncan vs Nets (NBA Finals)

Now if you didn't laugh at some time throughout reading those numbers, I have some concerns for your well-being. Even if you're reading this and your favorite team was playing against Duncan during this run...you still have to laugh at what you had to deal with emotionally as an NBA fan. As mentioned previously, some of the younger generations were used to watching the slower, more bulked-up version of Tim Duncan and didn't truly get to appreciate how insane of a player the young ballet-like forward was during the younger part of his career. 

Well below, we have some clips that might just give all of you some recognition of what a monster the Big Fundamental was, especially during the '03 Playoffs. 

FACE UP 

Yes, you thought this initially was going to be a clip in which Duncan let us all know that the "bank is always open." But instead, it's Timmy simply using some hesitations before a blow by dribble and emphatic dunk. Make no mistake about Duncan in the early part of his career, he was springy and moved so fluidly for a big. 

THROW THE LOB

A number of times Duncan had this go-to move in transition where he would act to slow up before exploding down the lane for a lob. Like I stated above, Duncan was springy and had great athleticism and this clip is just a perfect example of that. Also, did you even notice that Ginobili is throwing the lob and features a full head of hair? 

BASKETBALL IQ

This play reminds me of anyone who enjoys the expression "it's chess not checkers." Look at Duncan read this play the entire way. Duncan is basically pointing at Ginobili the whole play to swing the ball up top to create the angle. Once Timmy feels the defense collapse on him, he throws a no-look pass out to Ginobili for the "dagger" three. 

TURNAROUND

Ah yes, the Tim Duncan turnaround fadeaway. You'll see these millions of times, but as Duncan got older he wasn't able to get as much lift on these shots as early in his career. Look at the recognition by Duncan though. Feels out the double team, doesn't panic. Dishes the ball up top to Ginobili, relocates...catch and shoot...boom.

FANCY FOOTWORK

Plays like this are why some might have said: "man the Spurs are just boring to watch." If they do say that...you might need to reconsider who your friends are. Duncan here with a little jab step to get the defender dancing and he has all of the daylight to get this shot off. Notice how Duncan patiently waits for the set to develop before he has the iso here. 

ATHLETICISM

I give you Tim Duncan running the break in the 2003 NBA Finals. If anyone wants to try to tell you that Duncan wasn't a good athlete, please use Exhibit A as a reference. Also, look at the one-handed dime by Duncan. I can hear you saying through your computer right now "that's an easy pass..." It's Tim Duncan, this is about as flashy as he ever gets. 

POST UP LESSON

Professor Duncan reporting for duty. Hopefully, any young basketball player just rewatches Tim Duncan postwork every day after their 14th round of Call of Duty. Duncan would just lull people to sleep in the post and then expose them at the perfect time. He was an artist with an empty canvas for each game. You thought you might have an idea of what he was going to paint...but in the end, it turned out to surprise you each and every time. 

THE CLIP ABOVE BUT ZOOMED IN

(The title should explain this clip.)

BLOCK PARTY

In case you somehow overlooked it when reading the stats earlier, Tim Duncan averaged 5.3 BLOCKS in the NBA Finals. In two other series, he averaged at least 3.0 BPG. Duncan was dominating on both sides of the ball. So many times players thought they could beat Duncan off the dribble to the rim, but Timmy would just be waiting there with a handful of rejections. 

OVERALL

Looking back now, this playoff run by Tim Duncan continues to impress when you consider the names he went up against. It's one of the most magnificent playoff runs of Duncan's career. That sentence alone is eye-opening when you consider the type of career Timothy Theodore Duncan had while dawning a San Antonio Spurs uniform. The Spurs would win 5 NBA Championships while Duncan was part of their organization, but I believe none were as jaw-dropping as the run that we saw in 2003 for the eventual NBA Finals MVP. Some might argue that others had more impressive playoff stretches, but I'd put Duncan's performance on both sides of the ball up against anyone.