![]() What about Hall of Famers like Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili? Popovich didn't trust Parker to close tight games early in his career, and he often turned to Speedy Claxton when the team needed a floor general in crunch time. Duncan earning an All-Star appearance, taking home MVP honors, and securing a title in 2003 when none of his teammates averaged more than 15 points per game is nothing short of astonishing. There were worse rosters in the league, but Duncan was essentially winning 50-plus games every season with a team full of mediocre veterans and so-so role players. Avery Johnson was a reliable albeit declining point guard nearing the twilight of his career. Robinson was a 35-year-old big man with back issues, and Elliott was battling a kidney disease. Though the rest of the roster wasn't atrocious, there was only so much his teammates could do to provide help. ![]() No one is implying Tim Duncan dragged the worst players in the NBA to victory every night, but he was carrying the bulk of the load on both ends of the court. Despite an evident lack of help, Tim Duncan would win the 2003 championship with no All-Star teammates playing alongside him. Yet the young man from Wake Forest consistently won with subpar supporting casts in his earlier years. ![]() But those debates don't typically paint a picture of the middling lineups he carried to regular and postseason success. When discussing Duncan's career, you will often hear the hot take that Duncan had an overwhelming amount of help. That lackluster group would be the most-used starting lineup for the Silver and Black that season despite suiting up for just 26 games together. With Sean Elliott out of commission for most of the year, Chucky Brown, Mario Elie, an aging Avery Johnson, and past-his-prime David Robinson would comprise the starters around Duncan. Tim Duncan and the reigning champion San Antonio Spurs are striving for another deep playoff run.
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