Where is Tim Duncan now? Spurs legend in focus as Internet debates if Anthony Davis is greater than him
As the NBA 2020-21 preseason winds down with regular games starting Tuesday, December 22, fan debates have well and truly started. The current argument is comparing Los Angeles Lakers' Anthony Davis and former San Antonio Spurs' Tim Duncan. Naturally, there was support for both players although there were a lot more in favor of Duncan. Nicknamed 'The Big Fundamental', Duncan is widely regarded as the greatest power forward of all time and as one of the greatest players in the NBA. He spent his 19-year playing career with the Spurs.
"If you think Anthony Davis is a better basketball player than Tim Duncan, please seek immediate help," read one of the tweets, while another fan seconded, "Dawg why am I seeing Tim Duncan slander wtf please STFU Anthony Davis is not better than Dirk let alone Tim f*****g Duncan." It didn't end there. "Iām flabbergasted that people think Anthony Davis is better than Tim Duncan. #nba" read one of the tweets.
If you think Anthony Davis is a better basketball player than Tim Duncan, please seek immediate help.
ā Dean š¹ (@HeirLavine) December 21, 2020
Dawg why am I seeing Tim Duncan slander wtf š please stfu Anthony Davis is not better than Dirk let alone Tim fucking Duncan
ā Koohay š« (@Koohaysteen) December 21, 2020
Iām flabbergasted that people think Anthony Davis is better than Tim Duncan. #nba
ā Gary (@ProlificGMoney) December 21, 2020
Where is Tim Duncan now?
Soon after his decorated career with the Spurs, the franchise announced that he had been named as an assistant coach in 2019. Duncan soon marked his appearance as head coach on March 3, 2020 as the Spurs won a close 104-103 against the Charlotte Hornets. The recent update though was that Duncan stepped down from his role as full-time assistant with the Spurs. That said, his journey with the Spurs will continue as he is expected to have a player-development role with the team.
According to CBS Sports, "It's good for players, for coaches, for staff just having him around," Spurs coach and president Greg Popovich said before last season's start. "He's going to contribute in ways that I don't even know about ā kind of like a player that doesn't show in the stats but makes you better. I don't think he's going to ponder over seven hours worth of film or anything like that...(But) his presence will be invaluable."
Duncan has a slew of records. He was a 15-time All-Star, a two-time NBA MVP and is widely considered to be the greatest Spurs player of all time. As far as Davis goes, the former New Orleans Pelicans player was always marked for greatness. This was proved true when he linked up with LeBron James and the Lakers. He averaged 26.1 points in the 2019-20 season with 9.3 REB, 3.2 AST and 27.50 PER (via ESPN) While his lack of playoff experiences and fitness issues were stated as a concern, the 27-year-old quashed all these doubts as he put in an exceptional performance.