Yes there's a Bill Simmons novel/article on the history of the Duncan era. If you haven't read this yet it's basically a detailed summary of every thread involving the Spurs on Texags the past 15 years. He touches on pretty much all the major and minor moments with the right perspective. I feel that Simmons and most of this board is in sync, which makes sense given that most of us are under age 40 and the Internet Era, Simmons era and Duncan era all started at about the same time. The entire Texags NBA experience has been shaped by Duncan's great play and Simmons great writing. The greatest player of his generation, the greatest basketball writer of his generation and the Internet era all came together.

From the Dallas perspective add that the greatest owner of this generation also bought the Mavs at about the same time this all started. It's been a great ride. And I'm still a little bitter that Simmons didn't give a similar history lesson for the 2011 Mavs - remember that Grantland launched during the 11 Finals and all his articles at that time felt mailed in due to his distraction of running the business side of things.

http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/9362631/tim-duncan-part-1

I don't have time to review the article, but I was most proud when Simmons actually gave the 2006 Mavs-Spurs series it's due as the greatest playoff series of this era. That's the series that ultimately made the creation of the Basketball Other necessary.

[This message has been edited by Internetfan02 (edited 6/13/2013 12:21p).]

quote:

---

The greatest player of his generation, the greatest basketball writer of his generation and the Internet era all came together.

---

Now you're naming the entire era after yourself? Typical.

Pretty fantastic article with lots of great video. Certainly it is complementary but it also speaks kindly of the other teams and players the Spurs played and gives a pretty accurate portrayal. It's been an amazing run when you look back at how much the league has changed. Seeing the Spurs losing the Jazz in Year 1 with Malone and Stockton all the way to now. Some of the commentary at the time is great as well, loved the video of Duncan being drafted.

He has truly been amazingly good for an amazingly long time.

It was a very good read. There were a few nit picks where I think he got it wrong. I don't remember ANYONE EVER saying Van Horn should be drafted over Duncan. After the injuries, everyone knew Robinson's time was potentially up and Duncan was the most sure thing ever.

I watched the lottery in Rooty's on 281 and Bitters and the entire restaurant was on their feet waiting for the envelope. Mass pandemonium as everyone celebrated winning Tim Duncan. I remember all that pretty vividly as I was going into my senior year of HS.

quote:

---

quote:

---

The greatest player of his generation, the greatest basketball writer of his generation and the Internet era all came together.

---

Now you're naming the entire era after yourself? Typical.

---

yes and if Texags were a 90210 episode then guitarsoup would be Dylan

quote:

---

I don't remember ANYONE EVER saying Van Horn should be drafted over Duncan.

---

I seem to remember that people were saying that they should just trade the pick for some outside guys to complement Robinson.

Then Pop came out said that there's no way they're not taking Duncan.