Tim Duncan is destroying the Heat and they can't do anything to stop it. (USATSI)
A decade ago the San Antonio Spurs found themselves up 3 2 in the 2003 NBA Finals and looking to close out the New Jersey Nets. In Game 5 of that series Tim Duncan outdueled Jason Kidd with a 29 point 17 rebound four assist four block effort that trumped the 29 points seven rebounds and seven assists that the Nets point guard had posted. The Spurs won that game by five points and needed just one more heroic effort from Duncan to close out the franchise's second championship.
While you couldn't expect Duncan to do anymore than he did he put up one of the greatest NBA Finals closeout performances this league has ever seen. The Spurs won 88 77 in Game 6 thanks to Duncan's 21 points 20 rebounds 10 assists and eight blocks. The Spurs needed Duncan to be great and he was legendary nearly posting a quadruple double while dominating a Nets team that didn't have an answer for him. He also helped hold Kenyon Martin to just 3 of 23 from the field.
In the first half of Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals the San Antonio Spurs have a chance to close out the Miami Heat and secure their fifth championship in franchise history and the Duncan Popovich era. At 37 years old it was improbable to expect another legendary performance from Tim Duncan and yet that's exactly what he's provided so far.
Through the first two quarters he's been an unstoppable force that neither Chris Bosh nor Chris Andersen can stop inside. In helping to build San Antonio's 50 44 halftime lead Duncan had 25 points on 11 of 13 shooting to go with eight rebounds. He made his first eight shots of the game and scored in every fundamental typical way possible for him.
He's gone to the half hook he's gone to the bank shot and he's spun into the lane from the baseline and into the middle using exquisite footwork. He's even dunked on the Heat a time or two.
He's operating just like he did 10 years ago and his team can secure another title to add to his legend and make him the greatest player of his generation. This is what Tim Duncan does in closeout games. He dominates and he gives his team a chance for a victory parade.
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