Tim Duncan

In between failed attempts at shielding his eyes from Texas’ beaming sun, the San Antonio Spurs’ head coach — fittingly, with 1997’s brightest NBA star standing beside him — addressed a parade of celebratory fans through a most-accurate understatement: “This is the best player that you’ve seen in a while, and Tim Duncan will be a great addition.” Four months later, in a trip to the Mile High on October 31, 1997, the Spurs’ No. 1 pick made well on the first of 1,392 regular-season opportunities in proving that claim accurate. Polished, and professional from Day One, Duncan introduced the Denver Nuggets to the full rolodex; the soft, fundamental finishes at the rim, a “no trespassers allowed”-type defensive approach, and the poise of someone 10 years his senior. In a battle that marked both the debut of the “Twin Towers,” and the return of integral supporting cast members, Duncan’s 15-point, 10-rebound, two-assist, two-block contribution guided a victory, and a 56-win season thereafter. From there, Duncan’s Hall of Fame trajectory was built from the outset, as the soon-to-be 1997-98 Rookie of the Year also finished at No. 5 in Most Valuable Player voting, quickly discovering the blueprint to historic, two-decade-long excellence.

Rookie of the Year

Rookie Year

Rookie Premiere