Morgan: Duncan quietly joins list of NBA legends

Full names are not required in the NBA's pantheon of legends. To paraphrase singer Paul Simon: I could say Wilt, Russell, Big O, Dr. J, Bird, Magic, Jordan, Shaq and Kobe. And everybody here would know who I was talking about.

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I mean everybody here would know exactly who I was talking about.

Diamonds on the soles of basketball shoes.

But there is one whose name is rarely sung in this hallowed company.

Tim Duncan.

And that's a shame.

All Duncan has accomplished in 11 NBA seasons is capture four NBA titles, two MVPs and three Finals MVPs.

And disembowel the Suns.

So why the dis?

Maybe it's because he plays in easy-to-ignore San Antonio.

Then again, is there a city in the U.S. that gets less respect than Cleveland? And yet LeBron is already a national icon.

More likely, Duncan's lack of legendary status outside NBA circles is a product of his style - or lack thereof.

"Maybe he lacks some of the charisma that other players have," Toronto general manager Bryan Colangelo said. "But he certainly doesn't lack the talent and basis to succeed.

"Statistically and otherwise, he's been the kind of guy that you can build around and, maybe more importantly, rely on, both on the court and off it."

In former Sun Charles Barkley's opinion, Duncan is to basketball what Greg Maddux is to baseball and Pete Sampras was to tennis. He is substance over flash - a coach's dream combination of professionalism, humility and efficiency.

In other words, a marketing nightmare in a society that measures quality entertainment by its shock value.

"I call it the ESPN generation," Barkley said. "They don't show left-handed jump hooks and finger rolls on those highlight packages. They show no-look passes and slams. That's what everybody wants to see.

"That's not Tim."

Duncan would rather kill you with a sound, basic game, thus his nickname: The Big Fundamental.

"He's just so efficient the way he gets his 20 and 10," Barkley said. "You don't see a lot of spectacular dunks and plays that you remember. Then you get to the end of the game and he's put up big numbers and beat you again."

It doesn't help that Duncan eschews the spotlight and self-promotion.

Nor does his stoic, on-court demeanor, that is broken only on rare occasion by that scary, bulging-eye glare he uses to bore holes in the odd official who dares to whistle him for a foul.

When he speaks, there's as much inflection and emotion in his voice as your average accountant.

There is nothing sexy about Duncan, unless you're talking to his wife.

You hate to use the phrase lunch-bucket to describe his approach - mostly because it's a cliché and shows your lack of talent as a writer.

But that's Duncan.

Punch the clock.

Flip in a few baby hooks.

Grab a few boards.

Play first-team All-NBA defense.

And punch your ticket to the Hall of Fame.

"He has been the biggest part of a modern-day dynasty of sorts," Colangelo said. "And if they put together another run here and do it again, it will only add to his reputation."

Legends of the hardwood

Here's a look at how some of the NBA's greatest players stack up against each other

Name Titles MVPs Key career stats Wow factor

Bill Russell 11 5 15.1 ppg, 22.5 rpg Had 51 boards in one game, 49 in two others

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 6 6 24.6 ppg, 11.2 rpg, 2 bpg The skyhook. Nuff said

Michael Jordan 6 5 30.1 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 5.3 spg Scored 40+ points in 9 straight games in '86-'87.

Magic Johnson 5 3 19.5 ppg, 11.2 apg, 7.2 rpg No-look, behind-the-back passes.

Tim Duncan 4 2 21.6 ppg, 11.8 rpg Made All-NBA and All-Defensive first teams 7 times in same season

Shaquille O'Neal 4 1 25.2 ppg, 11.5 rpg Which shattered backboard story shall we recount?

Larry Bird 3 3 24.3 ppg, 10 rpg, 6.3 apg Shot .525 from floor and .910 from free throw line in '86-'87

Kobe Bryant 3 0 25 ppg, 5.3 rpg Scored 81 points vs. Toronto in '06

Wilt Chamberlain 2 4 30.1 ppg, 22.9 rpg The 100-point game begs mentioning

Oscar Robertson 1 1 25.7 ppg, 9.5 apg, 7.5 rpg Averaged triple-double(30.8 ppg, 12.5 rpg, 11.4 apg) in '61-'62

Julius Erving 1 1 22 ppg, 6.7 rpg The afro with the Nets in the ABA