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Share on FacebookWhat people are saying about the 2001-02 and 2002-03 NBA Most Valuable Player, Spurs forward/centre Tim Duncan:
 Tim Duncan helped lead San Antonio to an NBA Championship in 1998-99, just his second NBA season. Stephen Dunn NBAE/Getty Images |
It was a little difficult for both Tim and I at times. We both had to adjust. Where I'd run to the ball before, I was running away from it. I think once we got into it, it became a nice mix for the two of us. It's good for both of us.
We've learned to use each other. I think it was limiting at first, but I think we've found ways to feed off each other instead of get in each other's way. When we play well, we both play well. It's not because one guy plays well. It's because we're helping each other.
Spurs Guard Steve Kerr
Tim's seven feet tall, he's got long arms and he's so well-coordinated. He's really athletic, with great hands and great footwork. He has all sorts of moves on the block, then steps outside and knocks down jumpers.
He's well-drilled, well-schooled, with tremendous fundamentals. He has a total understanding of the game and knows how to apply it.
Tim is one of the nicest people I've ever met. He's a fierce competitor, but that doesn't stop him from being a genuinely nice guy.
New Jersey Nets Guard Jason Kidd
[Duncan is] one of the best in this league. He attracts so much attention on the court and he makes his teammates better. He's so fundamentally sound, doesn't do anything really fancy, but gets the job done. He's one of the best big men in this game.
Philadelphia 76ers General Manager Billy King
I think if you take Tim Duncan and put him on any team, not just San Antonio, he'd have a huge impact. He's a player who's going to be around a long time and his skill level is only going to get better.
Memphis Grizzlies General Manager Jerry West
The thing [I] like about [Duncan] is the maturity, the poise, the instinctive way he plays the game, which you cannot teach. He's an instinctive passer, and he sees the court as well or better than a lot of guards, to be honest. He reminds me a little of [Kareem] Abdul-Jabbar, except he doesn't have a hook shot. Looking at him, [I] see nothing but greatness. [He'll be] mentioned in the same breath as some of the great centres who have ever played.
He's tremendous, and he hasn't even breathed, as far as his NBA career.
Former Spurs Teammate Jerome Kersey
[Duncan is] pretty quiet. He listens to Dave [Robinson] a lot, so Dave does all the talking. But Tim goes out and he just plays. He doesn't get rattled, and that's the great thing about him. And he has a lot of patience . . . doesn't let things get to him out there.
Former NBA Player Sam Perkins
Tim Duncan is like Michael Jordan, in a sense. In his first year, he really took the NBA by storm. Duncan seemed to hold his own every night, like he had something to prove, like the word "rookie" was a bad word to him.
He's not a typical big man, a guy who just plays in the low post. He can face up, put the ball on the floor, drive; and he's quick. He has all the fundamental moves . . . Duncan does everything well.
Former NBA Player Charles Barkley
I have seen the future and he wears No. 21.
What people are saying about Spurs centre David Robinson, who will retire at the end of the 2002-03 NBA season after an impressive 14-year career:
 David Robinson was the NBA Most Valuable Player in 1994-95. Andrew D. Bernstein NBAE/Getty Images |
David's had a great career. He's one of the great defensive presences of all time and during his prime he was a great scorer, too. He's brought a lot of class and dignity to the game. It's always great, as an NBA player, when you can look at somebody and the way they carry themselves and know that they are helping our league's image and David's certainly done that.
Spurs Guard Tony Parker
It's great to play with a guy who was in the top 50 greatest players of all time. [Robinson] is just a great player and a great guy to be around. He helps the young players . . . It would be great to do something for his last year, try to go deep into the playoffs, because David's done so much for this franchise.
Spurs Guard Steve Smith
Unbelievable career. I don't think [Robinson] gets the credit he's due because of his personality. I don't think people will realize until he's left the game what he meant to it on and off the court. He's a guy who has had an unbelievable career. I wish he wasn't leaving, but that's his choice and his family's choice.
Former Spurs Coach and Current Detroit Pistons Head Coach Larry Brown
David is truly as good as any player in the league, and as well-respected as any player in the league. Based on my experience with him, I would love to coach that guy again. I would take my chances with David any day. He's always going to put you in a position to win a championship.
Dallas Mavericks Centre Shawn Bradley
[Robinson is] a great centre, a guy who can run the floor, make the open shot. Lately, he's really become a 12-to-15-foot jump shooter, but he's also a guy who can do the spin lob and block shots. He has a good veteran mind and is deceptively strong. He's a great athlete, a very dangerous player, especially when he's healthy. When his back is hurting, it's difficult for him. But when his back is feeling good, he's every bit an All-Star and a great player for his team.
Dallas Mavericks Guard Avery Johnson
I think what happened with [Robinson's] career was people took his sportsmanship and his gentleman attitude as a sign of weakness. But I have yet to see an MVP in the NBA that was a weak person.
Miami Heat Head Coach Pat Riley
The last three or four or five years, Tim [Duncan has] pretty much dominated the Spurs with his offence. But I can remember when David was Tim. He was an incredible basketball player. Still is.
Former Spurs Teammate Sean Elliott
[After Robinson retires, the Spurs team] will eventually take on its own personality. But there's also going to be remnants of David Robinson around. He set such a high standard for the team and the community.
NBA Commissioner David Stern
Not only is David Robinson one of the 50 greatest NBA players of all-time, but he has proven, time and time again, that he is one of the greatest community leaders in the history of professional sports. The entire NBA Family thanks him for all he has done for our game, for our fans and for our communities.
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