12 reasons Tim Duncan can be considered as the greatest basketball player of all time

12) The most unselfish superstar teammate of all time

The team always came before the individual for Duncan

Bill Simmons addressed the secret of winning in basketball in his Book of Basketball. Isiah Thomas imparted it to him, and he chronicled it thusly: "The secret of basketball is that it’s not about basketball." He was alluding to chemistry and unselfishness which allows a team to win. A winning culture can only be sustained for multiple decades when it is fortified by unselfish foundations.

In college, Duncan co-authored a paper in college titled “Blowhards, Snobs, and Narcissists: Interpersonal Reactions to Excessive Egotism.” That ought to give one an idea of his stand on egoism.

To get an idea of Tim Duncan’s impact, check out what his co-workers had to say about him. Spurs GM RC Buford has said, "The truth is we all work for Timmy,". Sean Elliot, former forward with the Spurs concurs, "We're not dumb. We all know we wouldn't have any rings without Timmy. Everybody understands that. We all feel like we're working for Timmy." Another former player, Tim Thomas explains why Popovich can reach every player because of Duncan. "If you see the way he talks to Tim Duncan, you don't have a problem with him getting on your ass. If Tim can take it, you can take it. From the top guy all the way to the bottom of the totem pole, he treats them all the same." said Thomas.

Former Spurs Chairman Peter Holt commented on Duncan having to adapt to sustain his game. He said, "People don't realize he had to change the way he runs. How many people do you see with a metal brace on their leg that cocks their knee back? How many players are willing to do that, much less can do it?"

Dave Odom, Duncan's college coach has said, "He's fundamentally sound, a fearless, determined champion, someone who didn't feel like he already knew everything, who puts the team first -- those were throwback virtues and attributes. Those were things that made the old Celtic teams great, but today that's not true. Today's game is style over substance. He's the opposite. He's substance over style.”

Perhaps one of the greatest indicators of his unselfishness can be seen in the loss which hurt the most, the Game 6 loss to the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals. It could have been avoided. Towards the end, Greg Popovich replaced Tim Duncan with Boris Diaw to match up with the small lineup of the Miami Heat. The Spurs lost, but Duncan never complained.

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When we ask about the greatest winner of all time, ask yourself these questions: Which player do you want to build a team around? Which player would other players love to play with? Which player is eminently approachable and coachable? Which player is considered as among the best teammates of all time? Which player will give you more years of excellence above everyone else?

The answer is one which the player himself would blush to utter, so we do it for him: Tim Duncan can be considered as the greatest basketball player of all time.