Former First Pick Tim Duncan is the Last of a Dying Breed

The superstar college senior is no longer a fixture in the NBA Draft.

He's nearly extinct, and any player that returns for a junior or senior season is expected to be drafted lower than his younger, less-experienced peers.

The traditional post player is also headed the way of the dinosaurs, and the humble superstar probably left the building after yielding to a flashier, more talkative version.

But in the 1997 NBA Draft, Tim Duncan was available to help change the destiny of San Antonio and its Spurs.

Tim Duncan was a determined, yet reserved All-American that was not drafted on potential, but based on his record of domination in the college ranks.

NBA scouts are still searching for the next Duncan, a player that can instantaneously turn a franchise into a playoff contender and lead his team to a championship in the beginning of his career.  

He came equipped with a throwback style of play, and a throwback attitude to match.

He didn’t try to tear the rim down or make the highlight reel every night. He always remembered to respect his teammates and his coaches, and to give his all on the court.

While most of the players in the 2009 NBA Draft will be drafted based on their All-Star potential—which may not vest for several years—it’s refreshing to remember a player who came into the league fully developed and ready to conquer all challengers.

Four-year starter hones his game at Wake Forest

You can’t teach height, grit, and discipline, which were qualities Duncan possessed from the beginning of his career at Wake Forest.

He could have been a lottery pick after his sophomore and junior seasons. But he returned to dominate the Atlantic Coast Conference, and his efforts finally paid off when he was selected with No. 1 overall pick by the San Antonio Spurs.

Now, you’d be hard-pressed to find a superstar big man in the ACC willing to risk a guaranteed multi-million dollar contract and return to college.

Success for a Traditional Post Player

Today’s NBA is full of jump-shooting big men who stay away from the block and would rather take three-point shots than do the dirty work required of a post player.

But in crucial playoff situations, when the outside shots aren’t falling and the pressure to win is at its highest, Duncan’s post game is one of the best weapons in the league.

His bank shot has become legendary, and even though the opposition anticipates his quick spin moves and face-up game, they’re still unstoppable after 12 NBA seasons.

Duncan’s arrival brought immense success to a Spurs team that finished 20-62 in 1996. The team finished with a 56-26 record and returned to the playoffs in Duncan’s rookie year.

After his second NBA season in 1999, Duncan and the Spurs defeated the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals and brought San Antonio its first major sports championship.

In two short years, the team went from winning the NBA lottery to NBA champions.

Because the NBA had a strike-shortened season in 1999, many discounted Duncan’s early success. But after claiming world championships in 2003, 2005, and 2007, he’s earned the respect of some of his biggest doubters.

Last of the Humble Superstars

No trade-me-or-else threats. No salary demands. No degrading his coach or teammates.

Duncan’s selfless play and unselfish attitude are admired by many fans, coaches, and owners tired of overhyped, overpaid, and unappreciative players whose worst characteristic is a lack of postseason success.

He also has a proven an ability to work well with fellow stars, willingly welcoming reinforcements with a positive outlook rather than approaching them with a jealous mind-set.

All-Stars David Robinson, Manu Ginolbi, and Tony Parker benefited from his humbleness, reliability, and unflappable resolve.

The Los Angeles Clippers have the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft, but what they need most is no longer on the market in today's NBA.