NBA: Top five forwards of all time

2. Tim Duncan; 1997-Present, San Antonio Spurs

Career Averages: 20.2 ppg; 11.2 rebounds; 3.2 assists; 0.7 steals; 2.3 blocks

The Mr. Fundamental should probably be called Mr. Consistent.He’s never led the league in points or rebounds or even shots blocked per game. But he’s still regarded as the greatest PF to have ever played the game. The speaks of his consistency – game after game and season after season

How would one describe Duncan? He’s not a flashy player, he’s not very intense nor is he very expressive. He’s quiet, consistent and sticks to the fundamentals. These attributes have earned him 4 Championship rings, 2 MVP awards, 3 Finals MVP awards and 14 All-Star roster slots over a career spanning 16 years, so far.

Last season, nobody reckoned that the San Antonio Spurs would post a deep playoff run. They called them “old, soft and boring”. An apt description, but they failed to take into account the never-say-die attitude and leadership of Duncan. The Spurs did not win the title, but Duncan sent out a message, loud and clear: His hunger for yet another ring still remains unsatiated.