His heroics spurred San Antonio on to victory and the NBA’s best record, guaranteeing home-court advantage for the playoffs that began last weekend. That was the scenario Spurs management envisioned when it made Duncan the first pick in the 1997 draft. He and center David Robinson, league MVP back in ‘95, were billed as the most lethal tandem of seven-footers in NBA history. Yet though Duncan was all-NBA his first season, the duo was less than the sum of its stars. Their games, which relied on finesse close to the basket, and their styles, low-key and lower, were too similar; they got in each other’s way on the court and, on a team desperate for leadership, in nobody’s face off it. “It’s been a growing process,” Duncan says. “David and I have learned to play with each other, not clash.”
That Duncan has now taken center stage is a tribute to both his enormous talent and Robinson’s class. Other star centers, like Shaquille O’Neal and Patrick Ewing, have balked at adjusting their egos or their games to accommodate younger talent. While the 33-year-old Robinson admits the supporting role was a painful blow to his pride, he has now embraced the change. “I don’t have to do it myself every night anymore,” says Robinson, whose scoring average has dipped almost nine points this season. On offense, Robinson drifts away from the basket, giving Duncan room to roam the lane for his jump hooks and spin moves. “David’s not blind,” says Sean Elliott, the small forward. “He can see how good Tim is.”
How good are the Spurs? They ran off a remarkable 31-5 string to catch Utah for the top playoff spot, but their overall toughness remains suspect. “We’ll go as far as Tim and Dave take us,” says Spurs backup center Will Perdue. “The two together are greater than Jordan.” In fact, with number 23 retired, that’s what this season comes down to: Duncan and Robinson. Utah’s Karl Malone and John Stockton. Miami’s Alonzo Mourning and Tim Hardaway, L.A.’s O’Neal and Kobe Bryant. The best player is gone. May the best twosome win.
