Editing Tim Duncan (section)

===="Twin Towers" (1997–2003)====
{{further|Twin Towers (San Antonio Spurs)}}
In the 1997 NBA draft, the [[San Antonio Spurs]] drafted Duncan with the first draft pick.<ref name="stats" /> The Spurs were coming off an injury-riddled [[1996–97 NBA season|1996–97 season]]; their best player, [[David Robinson]]—himself a number one draft pick [[1987 NBA draft|in 1987]]—was sidelined for most of the year, and they finished with a 20–62 win–loss record.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/history/standings/19961997.html|title=1996–97 Standings|work=NBA.com|access-date=April 19, 2007|archive-date=November 25, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151125024632/http://www.nba.com/history/standings/19961997.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In the [[1997–98 NBA season|1997–98 season]], Duncan and Robinson became known as the "[[Twin Towers (San Antonio Spurs)|Twin Towers]]". The duo earned a reputation for their exceptional defense close to the basket.<ref name="jockbio" /> From the beginning, Duncan established himself as a quality player: In his second road game, he grabbed 22 rebounds against [[Chicago Bulls]] [[List of players in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame|Hall-of-Fame]] power forward [[Dennis Rodman]], a multiple rebounding champion and [[NBA Defensive Player of the Year]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Slam Duncan|first=Kevin|last=Kernan|year=2000|page=[https://archive.org/details/timduncanslamdun0000kern/page/47 47]|publisher=Sports Pub |isbn=978-1-58261-179-2|url=https://archive.org/details/timduncanslamdun0000kern/page/47}}</ref> Duncan was voted to the [[1998 NBA All-Star Game]] by coaches. Later, when Duncan played against [[Houston Rockets]] Hall-of-Fame power forward [[Charles Barkley]], Barkley was so impressed he said, "I have seen the future and he wears number 21."<ref>{{cite book|title=Slam Duncan|first=Kevin|last=Kernan|year=2000|page=[https://archive.org/details/timduncanslamdun0000kern/page/13 13]|publisher=Sports Pub |isbn=978-1-58261-179-2|url=https://archive.org/details/timduncanslamdun0000kern/page/13}}</ref> In his rookie season, Duncan lived up to expectations of being the first draft pick, starting in all 82 regular season games, averaging 21.1 points, 11.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.5 blocks per game, and earning All-NBA First Team honors.<ref name="stats" /> His defensive contributions ensured that he was chosen for the [[NBA All-Defensive Second Team]] and was also named [[NBA Rookie of the Year]], having won the NBA Rookie of the Month award every single month that season.<ref name="nbabio" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jockbio.com/Bios/Duncan/Duncan_numbers.html|title=Facts|work=Jockbio.com|access-date=February 20, 2008|archive-date=January 16, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120116162021/http://www.jockbio.com/Bios/Duncan/Duncan_numbers.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Spurs coach [[Gregg Popovich]] lauded Duncan's mental toughness, stating his rookie's "demeanor was singularly remarkable", Duncan always "put things into perspective" and never got "too upbeat or too depressed."<ref>{{cite book|title=Slam Duncan|first=Kevin|last=Kernan|year=2000|page=[https://archive.org/details/timduncanslamdun0000kern/page/25 25]|publisher=Sports Pub |isbn=978-1-58261-179-2|url=https://archive.org/details/timduncanslamdun0000kern/page/25}}</ref> Center Robinson was equally impressed with Duncan: "He's the real thing. I'm proud of his attitude and effort. He gives all the extra effort and work and wants to become a better player."<ref>{{cite book|title=Slam Duncan|first=Kevin|last=Kernan|year=2000|page=[https://archive.org/details/timduncanslamdun0000kern/page/44 44]|publisher=Sports Pub |isbn=978-1-58261-179-2|url=https://archive.org/details/timduncanslamdun0000kern/page/44}}</ref>

The Spurs qualified for the [[1998 NBA playoffs]] as the fifth [[Seed (sports)|seed]], but Duncan had a bad first half in his first playoff game against the [[Phoenix Suns]], causing Suns coach [[Danny Ainge]] to play Duncan with less defensive pressure. The rookie capitalized on this by finishing Game 1 with 32 points and 10 rebounds<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/PHO19980423.html |title=San Antonio Spurs at Phoenix Suns, April 23, 1998 |work=Basketball-reference |access-date=August 30, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001003847/http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/PHO19980423.html |archive-date=October 1, 2007}}</ref> and replicating the performance in Game 2,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/PHO19980425.html |title=San Antonio Spurs at Phoenix Suns, April 25, 1998 |work=Basketball-reference |access-date=August 30, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001043831/http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/PHO19980425.html |archive-date=October 1, 2007}}</ref> contributing to a 3–1 victory over the Suns.<ref name="jockbio"/> However, the Spurs lost in the second round to the eventual Western Conference champions, [[Utah Jazz]].<ref name="jazz98">{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1998.html|title=1998 NBA Playoffs|work=Basketball-reference|access-date=April 19, 2007|archive-date=August 7, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807235647/http://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1998.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Duncan Cropped.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Duncan at the [[free throw]] line in 2005]]
During the [[lockout (industry)|lockout]]-shortened [[1998–99 NBA season|1998–99 season]], the Spurs started with a lackluster 6–8 record and Popovich came under fire from the press.<ref>{{cite news |last=McDonald |first=Jeff |date=January 13, 2023 |title=San Antonio Spurs: Remembering 50 Years of Epic Wins and Historic moments |url=https://www.expressnews.com/projects/2023/spurs-anniversary/ |work=[[San Antonio Express-News]] |location=[[San Antonio]] |access-date=January 20, 2024 |archive-date=January 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240118212957/https://www.expressnews.com/projects/2023/spurs-anniversary/ |url-status=live }}</ref> However, Duncan and Robinson stood behind their coach and finished the season with a 31–5 run.<ref>{{cite book|title=Slam Duncan|first=Kevin|last=Kernan|year=2000|page=[https://archive.org/details/timduncanslamdun0000kern/page/65 65]|publisher=Sports Pub |isbn=978-1-58261-179-2|url=https://archive.org/details/timduncanslamdun0000kern/page/65}}</ref> The sophomore averaged 21.7 points, 11.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.5 blocks in the regular season, making both the [[All-NBA]] and All-Defense First Teams.<ref name="stats"/> In the [[1999 NBA playoffs]], the Spurs defeated the [[Minnesota Timberwolves]] 3–1, swept the [[Los Angeles Lakers]] and the [[Portland Trail Blazers]] 4–0, and defeated the [[Cinderella (sports)|Cinderella]] [[New York Knicks]] 4–1 in the [[1999 NBA Finals|Finals]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/history/playoffs/19981999.html|title=1999 Playoff Results|work=NBA.com|access-date=April 19, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100411143151/http://www.nba.com/history/playoffs/19981999.html|archive-date=April 11, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> In this series, a large contingent of Virgin Islanders flew over to support their local hero,<ref name="Kernan7376">{{cite book|title=Slam Duncan|first=Kevin|last=Kernan|year=2000|pages=[https://archive.org/details/timduncanslamdun0000kern/page/73 73–76]|publisher=Sports Pub |isbn=978-1-58261-179-2|url=https://archive.org/details/timduncanslamdun0000kern/page/73}}</ref> and were not disappointed. In the first two games, the "Twin Towers" outscored their Knicks counterparts [[Chris Dudley]]/[[Larry Johnson (basketball, born 1969)|Larry Johnson]] with 41 points, 26 rebounds, and nine blocks versus five points, 12 rebounds, and zero blocks.<ref name="Kernan7376"/> After a Game 3 loss in which Duncan was held scoreless in the third quarter and committed three [[turnover (basketball)|turnovers]] in the last quarter, Duncan bounced back with 28 points and 18 rebounds in a Game 4 win,<ref name="Kernan7376"/> and in Game 5, the Spurs protected a 78–77 lead seconds from the end with the ball in the Knicks' possession. [[Double team]]ed by Duncan and Robinson, Knicks [[swingman]] [[Latrell Sprewell]] missed a last-second desperation shot,<ref name="Kernan7376"/> and after closing out the series with a strong 31-point, 9-rebound showing in Game 5, Duncan was named [[NBA Finals MVP|Finals MVP]], bringing San Antonio their first-ever NBA championship.<ref name="firsttitle">{{cite magazine |date=June 28, 1999 |title=Duncan, Robinson lead San Antonio to first NBA title |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/1999/playoffs/news/1999/06/25/spurs_knicks_game5/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130120051700/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/1999/playoffs/news/1999/06/25/spurs_knicks_game5/index.html |archive-date=January 20, 2013 |access-date=April 29, 2007 |magazine=Sports Illustrated}}</ref> ''Sports Illustrated'' journalist and retired NBA player [[Alex English]] added: "Duncan came up big each time they went to him with that sweet turnaround jumper off the glass. He was the man tonight [in Game 5]." And Popovich later said to losing coach [[Jeff Van Gundy]]: "I've got Tim and you don't. That's the difference."<ref name="firsttitle"/>

In the [[1999–2000 NBA season|1999–2000 season]], Duncan further cemented his reputation. He averaged 23.2 points, 12.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.2 blocks per game, earning another pair of All-NBA and All-Defense First Team nods.<ref name="stats"/> However, the Spurs had a disappointing postseason. Duncan injured his [[Meniscus (anatomy)|meniscus]] shortly before the end of the regular season and was unable to play in even one postseason game.<ref name="nbabio"/> Consequently, the Spurs were eliminated in the first round of the [[2000 NBA playoffs]], losing 3–1 to the Phoenix Suns.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/history/playoffs/19992000.html|title=2000 Playoff Results|work=NBA.com|access-date=June 16, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100420013344/http://www.nba.com/history/playoffs/19992000.html|archive-date=April 20, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> The following offseason, Duncan nearly joined the [[Orlando Magic]] in free agency, but stayed with the Spurs after Magic coach [[Doc Rivers]] refused to allow Duncan to bring his family to fly on the team plane.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-12-21 |title=Bruce Bowen: Tim Duncan would've left Spurs for Magic in 2000 if Doc Rivers allowed family on flights |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nba/news/bruce-bowen-tim-duncan-wouldve-left-spurs-for-magic-in-2000-if-doc-rivers-allowed-family-on-flights |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US}}</ref>

In the [[2000–01 NBA season|next season]], Duncan averaged 22.2 points, 12.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.3 blocks per game. He was again named to the All-NBA and All-Defensive First Teams.<ref name="stats"/> In the [[2001 NBA playoffs]], the Spurs eliminated the Timberwolves 3–1, defeated the [[Dallas Mavericks]] 4–1, but then bowed out against the Lakers (led by superstars Shaquille O'Neal and [[Kobe Bryant]]) in four straight games.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/history/playoffs/20002001.html|title=2001 Playoff Results|work=NBA.com|access-date=June 16, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100615070828/http://www.nba.com/history/playoffs/20002001.html|archive-date=June 15, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''Sports Illustrated'' described the series as a "[m]erciless mismatch", and Duncan was criticized as "silent when the Spurs need him most".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/2001/playoffs/news/2001/05/25/spurs_lakers_ap/|title=Bryant, Shaq keep Lakers rolling past|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=May 2, 2001|access-date=August 24, 2007|archive-date=October 12, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012221401/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/2001/playoffs/news/2001/05/25/spurs_lakers_ap/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On the back of two consecutive playoff disappointments, Duncan improved statistically in the [[2001–02 NBA season|2001–02 season]]. He averaged career highs in scoring (25.5 points per game, including a league-leading 764 field goals and 560 attempted free throws) and rebounding (12.7 boards per game, and his accumulated 1,042 boards again led the league), and also averaged 3.7 assists and 2.5 blocks per game, both career highs.<ref name="stats"/> Coupled with another pair of All-NBA and All-Defensive First Team nods, he was named the [[NBA Most Valuable Player Award|league's Most Valuable Player]], joining teammate David Robinson as one of only two Spurs players in history to have earned the honor.<ref>{{cite web|last=Badger|first=T.A.|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/nba/spurs/2002-05-09-duncan-mvp.htm|title=It's official: Duncan captures MVP award|work=[[USA Today]]|date=May 10, 2002|access-date=August 13, 2007|archive-date=December 21, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111221093023/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/nba/spurs/2002-05-09-duncan-mvp.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> On the other hand, Duncan's team struggled with the fact that the aging Robinson was no longer able to sustain his level of performance, and backup center-forward [[Malik Rose]] had to step in more often.<ref name="jockbio"/> In the [[2002 NBA playoffs]], the Spurs were again outmatched by the Lakers. Up against star center O'Neal once more, the Spurs were defeated 4–1 by the eventual champions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/history/playoffs/20012002.html|title=2002 Playoff Results|work=NBA.com|access-date=June 17, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100523130855/http://www.nba.com/history/playoffs/20012002.html|archive-date=May 23, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> Duncan, who managed 34 points and a franchise-high 25 rebounds in Game 5, stated his frustration: "I thought we really had a chance at this series. The Lakers proved to be more than we could handle. Again, we had a (heck) of a run at it. We had opportunities to win games and make it a different series, but that's just the way the ball rolls sometimes."<ref name="lakers2002"/> Nevertheless, NBA.com praised Duncan as "phenomenal" and criticized his supporting cast.<ref name="lakers2002">{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20020514/SASLAL/recap.html|title=Lakers Roll Past Spurs, Eye Clash With Kings|work=NBA.com|date=March 14, 2002|access-date=January 13, 2008|archive-date=March 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160330095309/http://www.nba.com/games/20020514/SASLAL/recap.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Spurs White House.jpg|thumb|right|Duncan (middle) and the Spurs at the [[White House]] after winning the [[2003 NBA Finals]]]]
In the [[2002–03 NBA season|2002–03 season]], the Spurs began play at the [[SBC Center]] on November 1 by defeating the [[Toronto Raptors]] 91–72. In that game, Duncan recorded 22 points, 15 rebounds and 3 blocks for the Spurs.<ref name="databasebasketball.com">{{cite web|url=http://databasebasketball.com/teams/boxscore.htm?yr=2002&b=20021101&tm=SAS |title=Game Story |publisher=databasebasketball.com |access-date=May 19, 2009 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708233730/http://databasebasketball.com/teams/boxscore.htm?yr=2002&b=20021101&tm=SAS |archive-date=July 8, 2011}}</ref> He averaged 23.3 points, a career-high 12.9 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.9 blocks per game, and earned All-NBA and All-Defensive First Team recognition, resulting in his second NBA Most Valuable Player Award.<ref name="stats"/><ref name="jockbio"/> At age 37, Robinson had announced that the season would be his last; his playing time was cut by coach Popovich to save his energy for the playoffs.<ref name="jockbio"/> The Spurs qualified easily for [[2003 NBA Playoffs|the playoffs]], concluding the regular season as the Western Conference's number one seed with a 60–22 record.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/history/standings/20022003.html|title=2002–03 Standings|work=NBA.com|access-date=August 28, 2007|archive-date=May 23, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100523134756/http://www.nba.com/history/standings/20022003.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In the Western Conference Semifinals against the Lakers, Duncan dominated forward [[Robert Horry]]<ref name="lakers2003">{{cite web |date=May 15, 2003 |title=Spurs, Tim, Dunk Lakers, Head to Conference Finals |url=http://www.nba.com/games/20030515/SASLAL/recap.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030602205100/http://www.nba.com/games/20030515/SASLAL/recap.html |archive-date=June 2, 2003 |access-date=June 17, 2007 |work=NBA.com}}</ref> and closed out the series in style; Duncan finished Game 6 with 37 points and 16 rebounds.<ref name="lakers2003"/> The Spurs made it to the [[2003 NBA Finals|finals]], and defeated the [[New Jersey Nets]] 88–77 in Game 6 to win another NBA championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/history/playoffs/20022003.html|title=2003 Playoff Results|work=NBA.com|access-date=June 16, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100523142703/http://www.nba.com/history/playoffs/20022003.html|archive-date=May 23, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> Helped by an inspired Robinson, Duncan almost recorded a [[quadruple double]] in the final game,<ref name="williams">{{cite web|last=Williams|first=Bryan|url=http://www.nba.com/finals2003/game6_030615.html|title=Feels Like the First Time|work=NBA.com|date=June 15, 2003|access-date=August 21, 2007|archive-date=September 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918123743/http://www.nba.com/finals2003/game6_030615.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and was named the NBA Finals MVP.<ref name="nbabio"/> Following this successful Spurs campaign, Robinson and Duncan were named ''Sports Illustrated''{{'}}s 2003 "[[Sportsman of the Year|Sportsmen of the Year]]".<ref name="x931">{{cite web | last=McCallum | first=Jack | title=Twice Blessed Drafted No. 1 by the Spurs a decade apart, David Robinson and Tim Duncan led the franchise to a second NBA title in five years while making ever greater contributions to the Alamo City | website=Sports Illustrated Vault | date=2003-12-15 | url=https://vault.si.com/vault/2003/12/15/twice-blessed-drafted-no-1-by-the-spurs-a-decade-apart-david-robinson-and-tim-duncan-led-the-franchise-to-a-second-nba-title-in-five-years-while-making-ever-greater-contributions-to-the-alamo-city | access-date=2024-07-29}}</ref>