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Tim Duncan is widely regarded as the greatest power forward in NBA history. But when the discussion is about the NBA GOAT, the San Antonio Spurs' legend isn't usually mentioned, unless you're a diehard Spurs fan.
However, Duncan does have an interesting case to be considered as a top-five player in NBA history. He is arguably the greatest #1 pick in the history of the NBA Draft too.
Duncan led the San Antonio Spurs to each of their five NBA championships in franchise history. He won the NBA Finals MVP award three times, including one as a sophomore in 1999.
David Robinson was Spurs' franchise player before Duncan arrived, and George Gervin was also huge in the Spurs' early NBA years. But TD is the undisputed GOAT of San Antonio.
In his 19 seasons with the franchise, San Antonio made the playoffs each time. They won at least 50 games in every full season (not including the 50-game 1998-99 season, which ended with a Spurs' title).
He appeared in six NBA Finals with the San Antonio Spurs. On that note, here's a look at Tim Duncan's top five championship-winning performances from his legendary Hall-of-Fame career. Without further ado, let's get started:
#5 Tim Duncan vs Miami Heat - 2014 NBA Finals
Had the San Antonio Spurs sealed the deal in Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals, Tim Duncan would've won the Finals MVP award. That's because he was averaging 18 points, 12 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game with 50% field-goal efficiency.
However, that memorable series went in the Miami Heat's favor. When the San Antonio Spurs demolished LeBron James and Miami in the 2014 NBA Finals, Duncan was the team leader, putting up 15.4 points and ten rebounds per game in the series.
Kawhi Leonard eventually earned the Finals MVP award, but the 38-year-old Tim Duncan would have been a worthy winner as well.
#4 Tim Duncan vs Cleveland Cavaliers - 2007 NBA Finals
The San Antonio Spurs swept the Cleveland Cavaliers and LeBron James in the first NBA Finals appearance of 'The King'. Tony Parker earned the NBA Finals MVP award after a solid series.
Tim Duncan had a big series too, averaging 18.3 points and 11.5 rebounds per game. He also performed tremendously in defense, as he did for his entire career.
Duncan's 91 Defensive Rating in the 2007 NBA Finals was the best of the series for any player across both teams. It could've won him the Finals MVP award winner, which would've been the fourth of his career.
#3 Tim Duncan vs Detroit Pistons - 2005 NBA Finals
Tim Duncan earned the third NBA Finals MVP award of his career after the San Antonio Spurs beat the reigning champions Detroit Pistons in the 2005 NBA Finals.
It was a thrilling, seven-game series between the NBA's most recent champions at the time. The Spurs had won the title in 2003 and Detroit in 2004. Eventually, the Spurs lifted the Larry O'Brien trophy and Tim Duncan was named the Finals MVP.
Against one of the strongest defensive frontcourt in NBA history, comprising Ben Wallace and Rasheed Wallace, Tim Duncan put up 20.6 points and 14.1 rebounds per game.
#2 Tim Duncan vs New York Knicks - 1999 NBA Finals
As a sophomore in the strike-shortened 1998-99 NBA season, Tim Duncan led the San Antonio Spurs to their first NBA title in franchise history. With David Robinson, Duncan formed the 'Twin Towers' of San Antonio as the duo dominated in defense.
The San Antonio Spurs won a five-game series against the East's eighth-seeded New York Knicks. Tim Duncan averaged 27.4 points and 14 rebounds, and over two blocks per game in the series.
He won the first of his three NBA Finals MVP awards in that series, starting the Spurs' run of greatness and sustained success.
#1 Tim Duncan vs New Jersey Nets - 2003 NBA Finals
Tim Duncan's 2003 NBA Finals performance was the best of his career and one of the most complete efforts in a deciding series in league history. Duncan led San Antonio to their second NBA title with a dominant performance against Jason Kidd's New Jersey Nets.
In the six-game Finals series against the Nets, Duncan averaged 24.2 points, 17 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 5.3 blocks per game.
His 21-point triple-double in the series-clinching Game 6, and 20 rebounds, ten assists and eight blocks, is arguably one of the greatest performances at both ends of the floor in Finals history.
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