Tim Duncan Talks Hall of Fame Selection: 'Never Dreamt I'd Be at This Point'

One of the newest members of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame is still trying to process his inclusion among the greatest contributors to the game. 

San Antonio Spurs legend Tim Duncan told ESPN on Saturday following the announcement of his indicution that he never imagined he'd make it this far. After a 19-year career that saw him capture five NBA titles, two MVP awards and 15 All-Star game nods, he may be the only one who feels that way. 

Even without his trophy haul, Duncan's career numbers certainly are worthy of Hall of Fame recognition. 

The forward is the NBA's 14th-highest scorer of all time with 26,496 points and is sixth in rebounding with 15,091, trailing only Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Elvin Hayes and Moses Malone—each of whom are already enshrined in Springfield, Massachusetts. 

Beyond his ability to stuff the stat sheet, Duncan made use of the bank shot in a way few big men had before him. By perfecting his use of the backboard, Duncan was able to create angles in the paint that made it nearly impossible to defend his shot.

The soft-spoken Duncan let his game do much of the talking throughout his career while embracing his role as the leader of a core that featured Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and eventually Kawhi Leonard. 

Even as he's entered the second stage of his NBA career, serving as an assistant coach on Gregg Popovich's staff, Duncan is quick to point to his colleagues as the reason for the team's success. When he was forced to take over as head coach when Popovich missed a game earlier this season, Duncan made it known that while he was in the coach's box, all decisions were being made as a team.

Now a member of the Hall of Fame, it'll be impossible for Duncan to deny his own greatness as the game's most important contributors welcome him among their ranks.