The Big Fundamental

By Max Berger

Surprise, surprise. Guess who, through November 29^th, is ranked ninth in the league in rebounds per game and sixteenth in points per game? Hint, he is a four-time NBA champion and he and his team will again contend for a title this season.

AP Photo/ John Raoux

At age 36, Tim Duncan, arguably the greatest power forward of all time, is still one of the most dominant players in the league. Averaging 18.4 points and 9.8 rebounds per game, Duncan is having his best season statistically since 2009. Not only that, but at this point in the season, his San Antonio Spurs boast a 13-3 record, most wins in the NBA.

It is absolutely remarkable what Duncan, in his sixteenth NBA season, and the Spurs are doing now, considering the emergence of young powerhouse teams and players in the Western Conference.

Duncan, nicknamed “The Big Fundamental,” seems to elevate his performance when facing his best competition. Against the Thunder, Jazz, Trailblazers, Lakers and Celtics, all games which the Spurs won, he averaged 19.8 points, 10.4 rebounds and 3.2 blocks per game. In those matchups, he squared off against some of the league’s best big men, including Dwight Howard, Lamarcus Aldridge and Kevin Garnett.

Currently, San Antonio is sitting comfortably in second place in the West behind division foe Memphis, and there is no reason why this team, with its MVP candidate Tim Duncan, won’t continue to throttle opponents on its way to one of the NBA’s best records. According to ESPN NBA analyst Mark Stein, the Spurs have won 27 of their last 31 away games, dating back to lack season.

The Western Conference is rich with talent this season.  I believe that the San Antonio Spurs, the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Memphis Grizzlies, the Los Angeles Clippers and the Los Angeles Lakers all will contend for the Western Conference crown.

Every year, people seem to forget about the Spurs. Maybe it’s their unassuming future Hall-of-Fame coach Greg Popovich. Maybe it’s their humble trio of superstars in Duncan, point guard Tony Parker and shooting guard Manu Ginobli. Whatever it is, you just don’t hear about the Spurs on ESPN every day like you do with teams like the Heat and the Lakers.

Even though you won’t hear about them daily, keep an eye on the conference standings every now and then. Keep an eye on Tim Duncan’s statistics and appreciate what he’s doing as his career is coming to an end.

You may not hear about them now, but come playoff time, the Spurs and Duncan will be screaming supreme and do their talking where it matters most – on the hardwood against the rest of the West’s best.