If the old saying about talking softly but carrying a big stick has a personification among modern athletes, it's probably the San Antonio Spurs' ace big man Tim Duncan. He may not make headlines with outrageous behavior or witty quotes, but his play speaks for itself - and it says he's going to go down as one of the best to ever play in the NBA.
A native of the U.S. Virgin Islands, Duncan picked up basketball at a relatively late age but soon found he had a knack for the game. His college career at Wake Forest earned him numerous accolades, most notably the John Wooden Award in 1997, and it came as little surprise when the Spurs made him the number one overall pick in the NBA Draft that same year.
Though he won the Rookie of the Year trophy in 1998, Duncan initially played in the shadow of the considerable shadow of David Robinson. The Spurs were still known as Robinson's team when they won a championship during the 1998-99 season, but two league MVP awards later, Duncan was the unquestioned alpha dog of the squad that added another title in 2002-03.
Duncan's accomplishments might be gaudy, but his game is strictly blue collar. His array of post moves and bank shots make him a handful for any opposing big, and his uncanny timing and long arms enable him to harass any opponents who shake free of San Antonio's perimeter defense.
And just like the man they picture, Duncan's rookie cards are free of autographs, numbering and other bells and whistles - though that's a result of the year they came out, not a conscious design decision. His Topps Chrome # 115 and SP Authentic # 128 are the best of a pretty affordable bunch, though they can be tricky to find in top condition. Duncan's steady play means his cards are unlikely to go through wild fluctuations in value, making them perfect for the more conservative collector.
Tim Duncan 1997-98 Rookie Cards
- Bowman's Best # 106
- Collector's Choice # 323
- E-X2001 # 75
- Finest # 101
- Flair Showcase Row 3 # 5
- Fleer # 201
- Hoops # 166
- Metal Universe # 66
- Metal Universe Championship # 72
- Skybox Premium # 112
- SP Authentic # 128
- SPx # 37
- Stadium Club # 201
- Topps # 115
- Topps Chrome # 115
- Ultra # 131
- Upper Deck # 114
- Z-Force # 111