Duncan ranked 8th among 50 Greatest of All Time

With the NBA lockout still unresolved, the guys at Bleacher Report made an updated list of the 50 Greatest NBA Players of All Time.

San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan was ranked 8th in the list, a notch ahead of another great big man Hakeem Olajuwon (9th) and a step behind Shaquille O’Neal (7th).

Here’s the take on Duncan:

Tim Duncan has remarkably been one of the most consistent players in NBA history. By sticking to smart fundamental moves (hence, his nickname “The Big Fundamental”), Duncan became the first player to make the All-NBA and All-Defensive Team in each of his first 13 seasons in the league.

With his superb post footwork and signature bank shot, Duncan has continually been one of the best scorers in the NBA. While teaming with David Robinson, the 13-time All-Star led the Spurs to the first of four titles in just his second season. That historic run was capped by the first of three Finals MVP awards.

Spurs.com: George Gervin by the Numbers

Spurs.com takes a look back at George Gervin’s career and some of his notable accomplishments with the San Antonio Spurs, by the numbers.

George "The Iceman" Gervin is one of the greatest Spur of All time.

4 – Ice won four NBA scoring titles during his 10-year NBA career … Michael Jordan (10), Wilt Chamberlain (7) and Allen Iverson (4) are the only three other players in NBA history to have four or more scoring titles.

9 – Gervin was named to the All-NBA/ABA team nine times … Gervin earned All-NBA First Team honors five times (1978, ’79, ’80, ’81 and ‘82) … he was named to the All-NBA Second Team in 1977 and 1983 … he garnered All-ABA second team honors in 1975 and 1976.

12 – Ice appeared in 12 All-Star games (9 NBA and 3 ABA) … he won the All-Star MVP Award in 1980 … just one of 23 players to be named an All-Star 12 or more times.

26.3 – Gervin’s scoring average (NBA/ABA combined) in his 12 seasons with the Silver and Black … the Iceman averaged 22.2 ppg in three ABA seasons and bumped that average up to 27.3 ppg in his nine NBA seasons in San Antonio … for his career Gervin averaged 25.1 ppg (NBA/ABA combined) which ranks 11th all-time … his 26.2 ppg scoring average in NBA games only ranks eighth all-time.

Video: A look back at Parker’s 55-point Game

Tony Parker is one of the quickest guards in the NBA today, his dribble drives and ability to knife into the lane and finish with precision has made him one of the deadliest players on the open floor.

When he’s hitting his jumpers, Parker is virtually unstoppable.

Today Spurs World looks back at Parker’s career 55-point performance.

On November 5, 2008, Parker scored a career-high 55 points, including a 20-footer at the buzzer to force a second overtime, in San Antonio’s 129-125 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

David Robinson: The Admirable Admiral

David Robinson had a Hall of Fame career, and his arrival in San Antonio made a lasting impact. He joined the San Antonio Spurs in the 1989-90 season after fulfilling his commitment with the Navy and instantly led the Spurs into respectability.

David Robinson

During his first year, Robinson helped the Spurs to achieve one of the biggest one-season turnaround in NBA history.

After a 21-61 record the previous season, the Spurs finished with a 56–26 record, good for first place in the Midwest Division.

Robinson had one of the most successful rookie seasons for a center in NBA history, finishing the season as the unanimous choice for Rookie of the Year award while averaging 24.3 points and 12.0 rebounds.

With that the Spurs began the 1990s with great optimism and became a perennial playoff team.

However, there’s a tendency among some basketball observers to discount some of his most notable accomplishments.

Fair or not, Robinson’s career is judged by many as mainly what he achieved after Tim Duncan’s arrival. The fact that the Spurs made only one Western Conference Final appearance before Duncan came to the franchise makes some forget how truly dominant Robinson was.

Gervin: A scorer from all angles

To younger San Antonio Spurs fans who probably don’t know or see George Gervin play and to the not so young at heart who witnessed Gervin’s greatness, this article from NBA.com’s Shaun Powell is a must read.

It is a fitting coincidence that George Gervin made much of his career, and his current home, in a place where Old West outlaws drew first and asked questions later.

Because nobody could shoot quite like — or as quick as — “The Iceman.”

“Actually,” he corrects, politely yet firmly, “I was more than just a shooter. I was a scorer and a shooter. Ain’t been too many like me.”

Gervin was also something else: A game-changer, someone whose impact on the NBA lasted far beyond his final hoop. He didn’t invent the shot, but he did refine it and taught everyone who followed him the many different ways to put the ball in the bucket.

Greatest Of All Time: MJ or Kobe?

For a change, let’s talk about some long standing debate about who is the Greatest Of All Time in the NBA. Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant?

Via: Medical Insurance Blog

For most people it is a forgone conclusion, Jordan is the best player to ever play the game.

However, does Kobe have a shot of at least equaling the greatest?

Chime in Spurs and Hoop fans. I’m curious about what you will say about this matter. Have fun with it!

Duncan, Ginobili fell short to All-Defensive team

After being named to the All-Defensive team in each of his first 13-seasons, Tim Duncan fell short this time.

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard, headlines the NBA All-Defensive First Team. He totaled 56 points overall, including 27 First Team votes.

Howard earned the 2010-11 Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award, becoming the first player to win the award three straight seasons.

Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant each earned All-Defensive First Team honors for the ninth time in their career, tying Michael Jordan and Gary Payton for the most in NBA history.

Averaging just 28.4 minutes per game, Duncan had a career-low in scoring (13.4 ppg) and rebounding (8.9 rpg).

Possible trade scenarios for the Spurs

With the San Antonio Spurs already out in the playoffs, here are some trade deals that they could possibly make to try to improve their roster in the offseason.

Here are four scenarios.

Richard Jefferson for Paul Millsap

Why it might work? I know this like a pipe dream, and it looks like a one-sided deal for the Spurs.

However, the Utah Jazz could loose Andrei Kirilenko to free agency at season’s end, meaning they might need to look for a small forward in the market.

Jefferson has played better for the Spurs this season and his 44 percent clip from the 3-point line is a great improvement. The problem is he never fitted the Spurs system after two years with the team.

A change of scenario and a new role could help him revive his NBA career. Also the departure of Paul Millsap will pave the way for young big man Derrick Favors to develop his game sooner than later.

For the Spurs, any help on the front court will be a welcome addition. Some could see this trade to hinder DeJuan Blair’s or Tiago Splitter’s progress, but with Antonio McDyess possible retirement and Tim Duncan declining, getting a young big man like Millsap would be a coup.

Nonetheless, the Spurs will have to use the draft or the free agency to fill the gap on the small forward spot.

Rose wins MVP Award

Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose is the youngest Most Valuable Player award-winner in the history of the NBA.

Derrick Rose was named the MVP for the 2010-11 season and became the youngest player to win the award in NBA history.

The 22-year-old Rose was officially announced as season MVP on Tuesday after leading the Bulls to a 62-20 record and No. 1 seed throughout the playoffs.

Rose finished with 113 first-place votes and 1,182 total points. Orlando Magic’s Dwight Howard finished second with three first-place votes and 643 points, Miami Heat’s LeBron James was third with 522 points, including four first-place votes, and Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant was fourth with 428 points and one first-place vote.

The Bulls point guard had a breakout third season, averaging 25 points, 7.7 assists and 4.1 rebounds.

He will be honored before Wednesday’s Game 2 against the Atlanta Hawks at the United Center.

“Very proud. He’s earned it,” Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said Tuesday. “Thrilled for him. He’s been everything you could ask for in a leader, player, and he’s only going to get better.”