San Antonio Spurs News: Tim Duncan “honored” by AD comparisons

NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 26: Tim Duncan #21 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots the ball over Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 26: Tim Duncan #21 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots the ball over Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The San Antonio Spurs legend was flattered by the comparison to Davis

It doesn’t take much to spark a fire in the online tinderbox that is Twitter, any innocuous comment can kickstart a passionate conversation. But tell San Antonio Spurs fans that Anthony Davis is better than Tim Duncan and you’ll soon be on the receiving end of a tidal wave of angry responses.

Duncan is a Spurs legend, one of the best basketball players of all-time, and a beloved player in San Antonio. You can’t blame Spurs fans for defending the legacy of our guy.

The San Antonio faithful might get up in arms about the debate over who is better but when asked about the comparison, Duncan couldn’t have been more laid back about it.

San Antonio Spurs News: Tim Duncan “honored” by comparison to Anthony Davis

Appearing on The Real One’s Podcast with Logan Murdock and Raja Bell, Duncan touched on the comparisons between himself and players like Davis.

“It’s an honor man, it’s an honor. A lof these guys like AD, talented individuals and crazy athletic, it’s an honor to be compared, even have parts of my game to be compared like “it’s Tim Duncan-esq” or whatever the reference may be. It’s a lot of fun to hear that, it’s a lot of fun to be compared to those guys or for those guys to be compared to me. I’m honored by it.”

It might not be the answer Spurs fans were hoping to hear from Timmy but it’s the answer we should have expected him to give. Professional and humble, Duncan seemed to genuinely enjoy the comparisons across generations.

One of the most repetitive talking points in the discussions we have around the NBA today is older players talking down about the younger generation. Claims of “it was so much tougher back when I played” and “I would have put 45 and 16 on you” are exhausting.

Duncan’s simple admission that the comparison is an honor shouldn’t make waves but it might. It’s such a different tone than we’re used to seeing from stars of his era, especially the big men.

Next. Ranking all 5 Spurs championship teams

All of that said, Davis still has a long way to go before his resume stacks up to Tim Duncan’s. But he’s got a long to work on it. Who knows, maybe we will see him in the Hall of Fame next to the San Antonio Spurs legend when his career is over.