With the NBA Finals once again close to home in Detroit, I had the opportunity to watch my favorite player in person. If you ask a little kid to pick any player in the NBA they wanted to be, odds are Tim Duncan isn’t going to be the first name on their list. They love the charisma of players like Wade, Iverson, and Nash. High-flying dunks and ankle-breaking crossovers are what keep their attention. You would be pressed to find a gym where kids are practicing a reverse pivot off-the-glass jumper, or a baby hook shot going either direction. Although, Duncan isn’t going to blow by his defender or finish a play with a windmill slam, what he is going to do is give you the consistency the wins games and eventually championships.

As a post player, I might be paying a little more attention to Mr. Dependable’s performance than the average fan. Here’s why I am so impressed with Duncan as a player. His career double-double average of 22 points and 12 rebounds is not only a great feat in itself, but it also demands attention from the opponent’s defense. The inevitable double team does not faze him, as he is deft at scoring over or passing out of multiple defenders. His consistency is not isolated to the offensive end, as his shot-blocking and rebounding provide a solid defensive foundation. Granted he is a bit “stoical” in appearance, his contribution to the game is quite “dynamic”.

In the quest to win a championship, I will take “consistency” over “flashy” any day. As we saw, titles are won through defense and execution. Both the Pistons and the Spurs are similar teams when it comes to these areas, which is to be expected as their coaches have comparable philosophies on this subject. Don’t get me wrong, I was definitely cheering for the Pistons to win: but as a fan of the game, I respect the skills that Duncan brings to the floor. So in the light of sportsmanship, I want to congratulate the Spurs on a hard-fought championship, and commend Duncan on a MVP that is in some cases less-appreciated, but definitely well-deserved.