Some of the greatest players in the NBA were practically unstoppable on a nightly basis.
Stories of certain players telling their opponent what move they were about to pull off before they did it, and afterwards doing just that are pretty legendary.
Spurs legend Tim Duncan is yet another, but a bit different. Duncan didn’t trash talk his opponents, and he didn’t speak to them either.
He is known for telling players how to guard him, and how to score against him during games.
Former Seattle Supersonics big man Robert Swift has a story about Duncan in the same regard, and spoke with Sports Illustrated about his experience:
Swift buys a kick-ass truck, eats like a king. And he gets to play against his idols. The first time he guards Tim Duncan, Swift pushes up on him on the block, trying to impress him.
“Nah, nah, don’t do that,” Duncan says.
(Swift is surprised. Duncan never talks to opponents. And yet…)
“The ball’s going to swing to the other side, get position,” Duncan continues.
The ball swings. Swift follows orders, shuffling his feet across the lane, staying behind Duncan.
“No, further up,” Duncan says. Swift takes a half-step.
“No, a little higher, don’t let me duck in on you.”
(Swift complies.)
“All right, now come back,” Duncan says, moving across the lane. “The ball’s about to be swung back, but it’s not coming to me this time so don’t worry about it. But now you know how to play it.”
It’s one thing to trash talk an opponent, and another thing to be so confident in what you do, that you can give opponents tips on how to play against you with no fear.
Duncan is truly a legend in his own right.
Stories of certain players telling their opponent what move they were about to pull off before they did it, and afterwards doing just that are pretty legendary.
Spurs legend Tim Duncan is yet another, but a bit different. Duncan didn’t trash talk his opponents, and he didn’t speak to them either.
He is known for telling players how to guard him, and how to score against him during games.
Former Seattle Supersonics big man Robert Swift has a story about Duncan in the same regard, and spoke with Sports Illustrated about his experience:
Swift buys a kick-ass truck, eats like a king. And he gets to play against his idols. The first time he guards Tim Duncan, Swift pushes up on him on the block, trying to impress him.
“Nah, nah, don’t do that,” Duncan says.
(Swift is surprised. Duncan never talks to opponents. And yet…)
“The ball’s going to swing to the other side, get position,” Duncan continues.
The ball swings. Swift follows orders, shuffling his feet across the lane, staying behind Duncan.
“No, further up,” Duncan says. Swift takes a half-step.
“No, a little higher, don’t let me duck in on you.”
(Swift complies.)
“All right, now come back,” Duncan says, moving across the lane. “The ball’s about to be swung back, but it’s not coming to me this time so don’t worry about it. But now you know how to play it.”
It’s one thing to trash talk an opponent, and another thing to be so confident in what you do, that you can give opponents tips on how to play against you with no fear.
Duncan is truly a legend in his own right.
