Tim Duncan Earns Massive Praise as Former 2x All-Star Names Spurs Legend His Toughest Matchup

· Yahoo Sports

Tim Duncan was a beast during his playing days, and former two-time All-Star Brad Miller experienced what it was like to play against him.

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Duncan may not be the flashiest player, but he was effective. Nicknamed the Big Fundamental by four-time champion Shaquille O’Neal, the San Antonio Spurs legend quietly dominated the NBA. During his tenure, he propelled the Spurs to five championships and two regular-season MVP awards while sustaining an unprecedented streak of 17 50-win seasons.

On the latest episode of “All the Smoke,” Miller was asked by hosts Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson about his thoughts on some of the players he faced. When it was time to talk about Duncan, the former Sacramento Kings star had nothing but massive praise.

San Antonio Spurs Hall of Fame Tim Duncan walks to his seat before the second half of game five of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

“Beast,” Miller said. “My tricks, every time I played Tim, I’d always grab, pinch on the hip. Every time you pinch someone on the hip. 99% of the time they would dip and drop an arm, so you can get around them.

“I would do that s to him. … I did it to everybody. Tim was like, ‘Are we doing this s**t again tonight?’ I’m like, ‘you know what? I’m going straight up tonight. You’re busting my butt but I’m gonna do it.’ He’s my legend. Toughest guy I had to guard. He’s my No. 1.”

Tim Duncan held a winning 22-9 record against Miller. The Hall of Fame center averaged 19.7 points, 10.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.2 steals through 31 head-to-head matchups. They played one postseason series against each other, which was in the first round of the 2006 playoffs.

Duncan and the Spurs disposed of Miller and the Kings, 4-2, to advance to the second round and face the Dallas Mavericks.

DeMarcus Cousins Wants Tim Duncan to Be Part of All-Time Discussions

All-time great discussions usually feature LeBron James, Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. However, former star big man DeMarcus Cousins wants a change. The former Kings star believes Tim Duncan should be part of all-time discussions and spoke about it when he appeared on the “Road Trippin’ Show” in July.

“I don’t wanna hear no Top 5 without Tim Duncan in it. I think he’s one of the most disrespected, [expletive] the basketball part, just winners of all time,” Cousins said. “Since he’s stepped foot in the league, he’s won. He’s done nothing but win. From my knowledge I think he’s the most winningest player of all time.”

Duncan is one of two players who have won championships in three different decades. He won his first in 1999, and added three titles in 2003, 2005 and 2007. The last championship he won was in 2014.

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