Tim Duncan is one of the most underrated star players of all time. Despite being a multiple-time regular season and Finals MVP, Duncan’s name is often lost atop the pantheon of NBA greats. LeBron James and Michael Jordan are easily the first two names people think about when it comes to the greatest.

Outside those two, people have Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kobe Bryant, and other stars that have dominated this game. But Tim Duncan remains noticeably absent from most people’s top lists. Not for former Defensive Player of the Year Metta-Sandiford Artest. Artest had recently called Bill Russell the greatest player of all time. But second place doesn’t go to LeBron, MJ, or even Kobe. It goes to Tim Duncan.

READ MORE: New Syracuse Orange Guard Picks Michael Jordan For Greatest of all Time Over LeBron James

Duncan’s success often does go unnoticed. He won 5 championships across a long career with the San Antonio Spurs. He regularly dominated the league and put up numbers we rarely see. However, Duncan has always been soft spoken and kept to himself. He doesn’t believe in superficial boasting or establishing himself as the GOAT. Maybe if he did, Artest wouldn’t be alone.

Tim Duncan: A case for him to greater than LeBron and MJ

Tim Duncan is one of the most versatile big men that the NBA has ever seen. He is in the all-time lists for blocks, rebounds, and points. That is typical for a center. However, he also averaged three assists a game throughout his career. This is in an era where passing big men were almost impossible to find.

Duncan’s immediate impact on the league is often understated. Michael Jordan and LeBron James had to learn how to win. However, Duncan entered the league on winning terms. He never missed the Playoffs in his career and won his first title in 1999, two years after being drafted by the Spurs. Along with that, Duncan was already one of the best defensive players in the league as a rookie.

He built off success created in a not-so-glamorous market like San Antonio. However, what Tim Duncan achieved in the game is often forgotten. While it may be excessive to put him ahead of MJ and LeBron due to the other stunning achievements of the two, it is definitely worth having an argument.

Top Stories

Caitlin Clark Shows Concerning Signs vs. Kelsey Plum During USA Camp Debut, per National Reporter

NBA Urged To Take Action After Stephen Curry, Warriors’ ‘Blatant Cheating’ Caught on Camera

Victor Wembanyama Breaks Down in Tears After Death News as Fans Backtrack on NBA Cup Criticism

Sabrina Ionescu’s LA Home Burglarized for Items Worth $60K

Forbes Places Caitlin Clark Ahead of Angel Reese, Paige Bueckers Despite Injury-Hit 2025