Facing the Big Fundamental: Brad Miller Tricks to Contain Tim Duncan
Guarding Tim Duncan was no easy task, even for seasoned NBA players like Brad Miller. Despite lacking flashy post moves, Duncan’s versatility and fundamental skills made him a formidable opponent on the court.
Given the open talk on the All The Smoke podcast, former point guard of the Spurs, Brad Miller, talked about how he tried to defend K-Dubb by using various approaches. In his account of the match, he frankly disclosed his impropriety by stooping to pinch Duncan’s hips with the main intention of stopping him from enjoying his flow.
People will talk about Larry Bird falling to round 3 for generations. Who you got winning?
New episode of All The Smoke with Brad Miller is available now on our YouTube. pic.twitter.com/fhbyvHuxJY
— All the Smoke Productions (@allthesmokeprod) May 9, 2024
Brad Miller’s efforts were in vain as the tough rival Duncan did not yield. After all, for Brad Miller, the fact that the best player out there was still better at Duncan than he could be, even with the best tricks he had up his sleeve, was enough. Domination of Duncan was a reality in the case of Miller as he managed to snap a 22-9 winning streak in the victorious rounds.
2006: Brad Miller (7.1)
2007: Marcus Camby (5.8)
2008: Marcus Camby (6.3)
2009: Brad Miller (6.4)
2010: Tim Duncan (5.6)
2011: Chuck Hayes (6.8)
2012: Marc Gasol (5.4)
2013: Marc Gasol (6.6)
2014: Joakim Noah (7.6)
2015: Joakim Noah (8.4)
2016: Pau Gasol (6.5)(continued): pic.twitter.com/dKTYzLmnvP
— 𝗕𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗘🚨 (@bmore_TM) April 12, 2023
Their fight lasted for quite a while during which Duncan consistently demonstrated his abilities, averaging almost 20 points, 10 rebounds, and many blocks and steals per game. His capability to impact the game by being such a presence on offense and defense made him a player the other team would not want to play against.
Champions like Duncan not only won the NBA championships but they also proved their remarkable talents when it matters most. His match-winner state was the source of wonder and admiration for the opponents and fans.
Tim Duncan won ROTY, the NBA championship and finals MVP in his two first years in the NBA. https://t.co/oD0yOMUxUJ
— Daniel Mohajer (@BoasMohajer) January 29, 2020
With the NBA undergoing significant changes, the stars of today can only dream of making their own mark Victor Wembanyama is probably one of them as such, he is likely to go where Duncan paved the way as he leaves his footprints on the NBA. Though protecting Duncan was quite a challenge, he will gravely be implanted into the game’s history books in the next years.