More Duncan Than Jordan

Originally published at RealGM.com.

The storylines surrounding the 2007 NBA finals will inevitably focus on how these two organizations are so closely intertwined; a relationship fostered by similar principles, fortune, and, perhaps above all else, a surprisingly similar pair of superstars.

Yes, we know Cavaliers head coach Mike Brown was an assistant under Gregg Popovich. We also know that Cavs GM Danny Ferry won a championship with the Spurs in the 2003 Finals. But perhaps the greatest similarity between the two teams is in their franchise players: Tim Duncan and Lebron James.

I know what you’re thinking…the two players couldn’t be more dissimilar. Comparing the full court athleticism of The King to the inside dominance of Duncan is apples and oranges (or, in this case, tejano and rock and roll). Duncan’s kiss off the bank resembles little of Lebron’s high flying maneuvers. Lebron’s speed and quickness won’t remind anyone of Duncan’s methodical, fundamental footwork and poise.

All of the above is true, their similarities may not be evident on highlight reels or boxscores… but it’s what they have in common, not their differences, that have landed their respective teams in the NBA finals.

Both players were the can’t-miss players of their decade; Duncan was an unstoppable college player who was the next great big man in the NBA while James was billed as the savior of a franchise (and perhaps the NBA). Both players have always had games mature beyond their years, Duncan favoring the fundamentals of a wily veteran while James has the poise and mentality of a point guard.

But their connections are rooted in more than on court play. Their similarities are fixated in the intangibles of the game, the smaller aspects of basketball both on and off the hardwood. Both James and Duncan will be the first player on their team to help a teammate off the court. They are the guy that puts his arm around his teammate when he misses the game winning shot, and the first to congratulate him when he makes it. Maybe most importantly, both players are of the rare superstar mold to actually pass up the game winning shot to that teammate in the first place.


Duncan and Lebron don’t get too down when they slump, and they aren’t satisfied with their success. They are mild-mannered off the court, rarely drawing attention to themselves in the national headlines for anything that isn’t basketball-related, and that professional tone helps craft the character of their flourishing organizations. At the early age of 23, Duncan appeared in the NBA Finals. James will do so at 22.

How many other superstars have their combination of leadership, competitiveness, a complete game and a total trust in teammates? Kobe and Iverson don’t. Dwayne Wade, though leading by example, isn’t the vocal leader on a team with Shaq and Pat Riley. Dirk and Nash don’t have enough dimensions to their game, notably on the defensive end. Kevin Garnett may be the closest thing to them, but he hasn’t had the success of Duncan or James, and doesn’t have the same cool, calm and collected demeanor. James and Duncan have a unique breed of humility, trust, and dominance that few, if any, can match.

No, they don’t mirror one another on the court, but while everyone is trying to make James into the next Jordan, perhaps the things that make James unique have more in common with another NBA legend.

A legend he’s about to face for the right to be a champion.