duncan228
03-26-2008, 08:59 AM
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/basketball/magic/orl-mside2608mar26,0,4637262.story
The Magic's young Dwight Howard can learn from Spurs veteran Tim Duncan
Tim Povtak | Sentinel Staff Writer
Tim Duncan doesn't lead the San Antonio Spurs in scoring anymore.
He just leads them.
Duncan, 31, remains the foundation of the team that is going for its fifth NBA title in the past 10 seasons, the consummate leader of the NBA's model franchise.
He still sets the tone.
Younger, more athletic Dwight Howard -- arguably the league's best center today -- had more points and more rebounds, but Duncan got the 107-97 victory. He usually does.
"The most important, most significant advantage that we have over a lot of teams is that our best player is also unbelievably coachable, unbelievably team-oriented," said Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich. "It all starts with Tim."
Howard finished with 24 points, 21 rebounds and two blocked shots, compared to Duncan with 19 points, 15 rebounds and four blocks. But two of those blocks came against Howard late in the third quarter when the Spurs took control of the game.
If Howard -- the rising star -- is looking for someone to copy, he doesn't need to look any further than Duncan, who has the resume he would like to build.
Howard, clearly the more athletic, jumped over Duncan to steal a rebound late in the game. Howard posterized Duncan in a victory last season, dunking right over his outstretched hand. Yet it's still Duncan who goes about the business of winning in the most low-key manner of any star in the league.
"We won this one tonight, and if I did my part to help us, I'm happy," he said. "We're just slow and steady."
The Spurs were led by Manu Ginobili, their high-energy reserve who had 28 points. He hit 10 of 19 shots and all seven of his free throws. Michael Finley had 24 points. Tony Parker had 11 points and nine assists.
Duncan is averaging less than 20 points (19.6 ppg) for just the second time in his career, yet he is coming off his ninth consecutive all-star appearance. He is the example of a great player, who can make an average player look good.
He did it superbly on one play in the second half when he grabbed a rebound, firing it to journeyman guard Jacque Vaughn before he even hit the floor. Vaughn was so wide open, he could have counted to 10 before hitting the shot.
"Timmy makes my job, everyone's job easier," said Parker. "When you have a dominating guy inside, it gives everyone opportunities. The Magic will be able to do the same with Dwight Howard. For us, he [Duncan] is a great example to follow. He is why this team has been successful so long. He plays hard, practices hard and always comes to work. He doesn't take days off. When your star does that, it works."
The Magic's young Dwight Howard can learn from Spurs veteran Tim Duncan
Tim Povtak | Sentinel Staff Writer
Tim Duncan doesn't lead the San Antonio Spurs in scoring anymore.
He just leads them.
Duncan, 31, remains the foundation of the team that is going for its fifth NBA title in the past 10 seasons, the consummate leader of the NBA's model franchise.
He still sets the tone.
Younger, more athletic Dwight Howard -- arguably the league's best center today -- had more points and more rebounds, but Duncan got the 107-97 victory. He usually does.
"The most important, most significant advantage that we have over a lot of teams is that our best player is also unbelievably coachable, unbelievably team-oriented," said Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich. "It all starts with Tim."
Howard finished with 24 points, 21 rebounds and two blocked shots, compared to Duncan with 19 points, 15 rebounds and four blocks. But two of those blocks came against Howard late in the third quarter when the Spurs took control of the game.
If Howard -- the rising star -- is looking for someone to copy, he doesn't need to look any further than Duncan, who has the resume he would like to build.
Howard, clearly the more athletic, jumped over Duncan to steal a rebound late in the game. Howard posterized Duncan in a victory last season, dunking right over his outstretched hand. Yet it's still Duncan who goes about the business of winning in the most low-key manner of any star in the league.
"We won this one tonight, and if I did my part to help us, I'm happy," he said. "We're just slow and steady."
The Spurs were led by Manu Ginobili, their high-energy reserve who had 28 points. He hit 10 of 19 shots and all seven of his free throws. Michael Finley had 24 points. Tony Parker had 11 points and nine assists.
Duncan is averaging less than 20 points (19.6 ppg) for just the second time in his career, yet he is coming off his ninth consecutive all-star appearance. He is the example of a great player, who can make an average player look good.
He did it superbly on one play in the second half when he grabbed a rebound, firing it to journeyman guard Jacque Vaughn before he even hit the floor. Vaughn was so wide open, he could have counted to 10 before hitting the shot.
"Timmy makes my job, everyone's job easier," said Parker. "When you have a dominating guy inside, it gives everyone opportunities. The Magic will be able to do the same with Dwight Howard. For us, he [Duncan] is a great example to follow. He is why this team has been successful so long. He plays hard, practices hard and always comes to work. He doesn't take days off. When your star does that, it works."