Tim Duncan

As expected Duncan was selected as the first overall pick of the 1997 draft by the San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs, who had gone 20-62 the previous year, were a deceptively good team. Their pathetic showing in the 1996-97 season was due primarily to the absence of star David Robinson, who sat out all but six games due to injury. But Robinson was once again healthy for the 1997-98 season, and Spurs Coach Greg Popovich considered Duncan as icing on the cake. If there was any doubt that Duncan was tough enough to compete at the next level, he spent his rookie year proving just how well he could play. He averaged 21.1 points, 11.9 rebounds, 2.5 blocks, and .549 field goal percentage, leading all NBA rookies in all categories and finishing third in the nation in rebounding. Named NBA Rookie of the Year in 1998, Duncan was also selected to the First Team All-NBA and was the only rookie to play in the 1998 All Star Game.

Duncan helped the Spurs rebound from a twenty-win year to post a record turnaround of fifty-six wins for the 1997-98 season. Injury struck Duncan in the playoffs, and despite hopes of an NBA title, the Spurs fell to the Utah Jazz in the second round. The following season was shortened to fifty games because of a player lockout, but when play resumed in January of 1999, Duncan and the Spurs were ready. After sweeping Shaquille O'Neal and the Los Angeles Lakers in four games, the Spurs beat the New York Knicks in five games to win the NBA title. Duncan, who was named the Most Valuable Player of the finals, averaged 27.4 points, 14.0 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game.

After finishing the 1999-2000 season averaging 23.2 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game, Duncan watched his team lose in the first round of the playoffs as he sat on the bench, sidelined by injury. He then became a free agent and the Spurs scrambled to convince their young star to stay in San Antonio. Although the Orlando Magic made a strong bid, ultimately Duncan decided with remain with the Spurs.

The 2001-02 season proved to be the best of Duncan's career. After leading the Spurs to fifty-eight wins, and averaging 25.5 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game, Duncan was named the 2002 NBA Most Valuable Player. With the Spurs beginning to rebuild their aging team, and anticipating the retirement of "The Admiral" David Robinson after the 2002-03 season, Duncan has found himself in a new leadership role on the team. As a result, he has worked to increase his emotional demonstrations on the court to help inspire his teammates. Spurs forward Malik Rose told Basketball Digest, "He's always trying to get us pumped up. And we get real inspired by it because we know how tough it is for him. He's such a quiet kid." Quiet or not, Duncan continues to make a loud statement as one of the finest players in the NBA.