Tim Duncan, pivot or power forward?

[ZB9]

Why do the Spurs insist on listing Duncan as a "PF"? His game resembles a traditional post moreso than a power forward imo. Just look at who he usually covers on defense and who usually covers him on offense

anyway, he's either the best power forward of all time or a top 5 center of all time...but im just curious why he prefers being listed as a "PF" and why people consider him a "PF"

what do you consider Tim Duncan?

[55]

Re: Tim Duncan, pivot or power forward?

If it walks like a center and talks like a center...

[OSUFan_88]

Re: Tim Duncan, pivot or power forward?

If it walks like a center and talks like a center...

Then it must be a goalie for Real Madrid.

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: Tim Duncan, pivot or power forward?

Power Forward.

[Mo_Magic]

Re: Tim Duncan, pivot or power forward?

Why do the Spurs insist on listing Duncan as a "PF"? His game resembles a traditional post moreso than a power forward imo. Just look at who he usually covers on defense and who usually covers him on offense

anyway, he's either the best power forward of all time or a top 5 center of all time...but im just curious why he prefers being listed as a "PF" and why people consider him a "PF"

what do you consider Tim Duncan?

Tim Duncan is a really weird player. On offense, his game IS powerforward from how far he plays out from the basket. His skillset is also that of your prototypical powerforward, but on defense, he assumes all roles and responsibilities of a center.

[Shinyhubcaps]

Re: Tim Duncan, pivot or power forward?

Tim Duncan is a really weird player. On offense, his game IS powerforward from how far he plays out from the basket. His skillset is also that of your prototypical powerforward, but on defense, he assumes all roles and responsibilities of a center.

Agreed, and that's why I voted PF.

The quintessential Tim Duncan was the PF to David Robinson's center, and though that was 6 years ago, that's his MVP, Rookie of the Year, All-Star starter, and Finals MVP position.

But, the question is about now... and frankly, I think he's had to play up because of his teammates, such as Matt Bonner and Kurt Thomas in the starting lineup.

[chabber]

Re: Tim Duncan, pivot or power forward?

I don't buy that playing further from the basket argument. He does most of his damage inside and his range isn't any further out than that of Hakeem, Ewing or Robinson all of whom had a decent jump shot and fade-aways.

He's a center always has been. The Spurs weren't playing a PF and a C. They were playing Twin Towers.

[55]

Re: Tim Duncan, pivot or power forward?

I don't buy that playing further from the basket argument. He does most of his damage inside and his range isn't any further out than that of Hakeem, Ewing or Robinson all of whom had a decent jump shot and fade-aways.

He's a center always has been. The Spurs weren't playing a PF and a C. They were playing Twin Towers.

My thoughts exactly. I couldn't have summed it up any better. I guess I was just being lazy when I originally posted.

[Mo_Magic]

Re: Tim Duncan, pivot or power forward?

I don't buy that playing further from the basket argument. He does most of his damage inside and his range isn't any further out than that of Hakeem, Ewing or Robinson all of whom had a decent jump shot and fade-aways.

He's a center always has been. The Spurs weren't playing a PF and a C. They were playing Twin Towers.

Duncan shoots more from the outside than in and scores more from the outside than in. 52% of his shots are midrange jumpers and he hits around 43% of them. He's a MUCH better shooter than he gets credit for from 11-17 feet.

He doesn't really have a great fade-away, but you can't leave the dude open and his triple threat game is one of the best I've seen out of a post when he chooses to utilize it.

On offense he DOES play what would be considered the PF when you look at the teams positional history. On defense, he plays the position of Center.

Anybody know of any other player that basically served the primary defensive role of a center(the anchor of the defense) and the primary offensive role of Power Forward? It's actually quite impressive when you think about it. While offense can definitely come out of a Center, teams usually look for their power forward to provide an all around offensive punch and defensive punch for the center. Duncan provides both playing what is essentially two different positions from the offensive end of the floor to the defensive end.

Versatile.

[DC]

Re: Tim Duncan, pivot or power forward?

Traditionally what is the difference between a C and PF?

[iRepOklahoma]

Re: Tim Duncan, pivot or power forward?

Traditionally what is the difference between a C and PF?

nothing but height

[ehh]

Re: Tim Duncan, pivot or power forward?

I don't buy that playing further from the basket argument. He does most of his damage inside and his range isn't any further out than that of Hakeem, Ewing or Robinson all of whom had a decent jump shot and fade-aways.

He's a center always has been. The Spurs weren't playing a PF and a C. They were playing Twin Towers.

Exactly, it's not like Hakeem was dubbed a PF his entire career because back in the day when he came in to the league and played along side Ralph Sampson.

[PrettyT11]

Re: Tim Duncan, pivot or power forward?

Exactly, it's not like Hakeem was dubbed a PF his entire career because back in the day when he came in to the league and played along side Ralph Sampson.

Yes but Hakeem and Ralph only played together for three years. Two and a half if you count Ralph's injury. Hakeem spent the rest of his 15 years as the center. So if you compare he only spent a fraction of his career as a PF.

Duncan on the other hand came in and spent without question the first 10 years as PF. The only reason you can question it now is because they don't have a true center on the roster and have other guys playing the center spot. But all the time before then they had Robinson as the center and Rasho after that who can't be anything but a center and a bad one at that. Today he plays both positions but if the team lists him as a PF then that is what he is and has spent the vast majority of his career as one unlike Hakeem.

So my vote is PF for Duncan.

[X*Cell]

Re: Tim Duncan, pivot or power forward?

Traditionally what is the difference between a C and PF?

my thoughts exactly. I dislike when tradition is used as a rule of thought. Who cares how they did it a few years ago... I have argued in another thread that Ewing, Robinson, Olajuwon, etc were yesterday's PF's like Garnett, Duncan, Amare, and Bosh.

[Mo_Magic]

Re: Tim Duncan, pivot or power forward?

Traditionally what is the difference between a C and PF?

Mainly defensive responsibilities and where a player sets up in an offense.

Centers will usually go to the block/establish low position EVERY TIME, unless they're extremely skilled(ala Yao, Duncan) whilst more power forwards play the high post/low middle of the floor.

Defensively, the power forward usually matches up on the best post player of the other team while his center counterpart plays helpside to help A) stop that player and B) help his guards on D. Since most PF's play further from the basket than a center, the center is in better position to help, most of the time.