2014 NBA Top 20: #20 - #17

18. Tim Duncan

Tim Duncan is like old wine, he gets better and better with age. In a career spanning 16 years, Duncan has produced 14 All-Star appearances and is a two-time NBA MVP. Duncan’s consecutive All-Star game appearance streak is longer by years than most Heat fans are in age.

Duncan enters his 17^th season at the ripe age of 37 seeking, his 5^th NBA ring after nearly being on the cusp of that feat last year. Tony Parker and Manu Ginobli may be the most potent weapons that the Spurs have. Kwahi Leonard and Danny Green may be the names that the crowds look up to. But with all that said, Duncan is still the heart and soul of the team.

The big fundamental answered all his critics last year as he came out of the regular season averaging 17.8 ppg, 9.9rpg and 2.7bpg. That ended the outcry of the past few years that the demise of Duncan was near.

No one would even put it beyond him to better his stats again his year. Duncan no longer has to shrug and grind to give proof of his greatness. He will probably go down as well as the best ever power forward the game has ever seen, but for the greats the thirst for success is that much more.

17. Marc Gasol

Marc Gasol was the Memphis Grizzlies’ second round pick in a draft pick they got from the Los Angeles Lakers lop-sided trade that moved his brother Pau to Hollywood. Marc Gasol, who seemed overweight at that time has since transformed himself as the one of the prime bigs in the NBA.

The Spaniard is the best passing big man in the league today and he might just even be considered as the most rounded big man. Yet, he is one of the most underrated in the league.

In the space of a few years, Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph have become one of the best two man combos in the league. The multi-faceted Spaniard not only provides the anchor in the defence, but also acts as one of the prime facilitators on the offensive end.

Marc Gasol has slowly but surely caught the imagination with his ability to do all most anything. His play was given recognition last year with an All-Star berth last season. No one would surely put it beyond him to further improve his game and lead the Grizzlies to ever greater heights.