The San Antonio Spurs have the best record in the league, while averaging a league second best 107.8 points per game. Tim Duncan has taken a backseat averaging 13.8 points and just 29.1 minutes of action in the first 13 games. It appears that we are finally witnessing a much needed change in Duncan's role this season: anchor the defense, pull down rebounds, and score if the opportunity presents itself.
In the first 13 games of the last two seasons Duncan had to shoulder the scoring load. He did not disappoint; Duncan played like an MVP candidate, averaging 18.5 points and 10.8 rebounds in 2008 and 21.7 points and 10.7 rebounds in 2009. However, this kind of start eventually doomed the Spurs in the latter half of the regular season and the postseason.
Duncan is only attempting 11.6 shots per game so far this season. In the first 13 games of last season Duncan attempted 13.5 shots per game and in 2008 he attempted 16.8 shots. With a less demanding role on offense in the early part of the season, Duncan's bad knees will not plague him the way that they have in the previous two seasons.
With the improved health of Parker and Ginobili a ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NBA
Article written by Chris Hawkins
Tim Duncan’s New Role Beneficial for The Spurs Now and in The Future
November 23rd, 2010 by Chris Hawkins Leave a reply »
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