NBA Draft: Every team’s best pick ever

Jun 10, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) speaks to the media during a press conference after game four of the NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. The Warriors won 108-97. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

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Apr 22, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Tim Duncan looks on in the fourth quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at FedExForum. Spurs defeated Grizzlies 96-87. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /

San Antonio Spurs: Tim Duncan, No. 1, 1997 NBA Draft

The first overall pick in the 1997 NBA Draft, Tim Duncan made a huge impact on the franchise immediately. The team already had the great David Robinson on the roster, and the two players lead the organization to a championship in Duncan’s second season. Duncan was recognized as one of the best players in the game after that, and in his sixth season, he helped the Spurs win another championship in 2003. Robinson retired after that season, and the quiet big man from the U.S. Virgin Islands officially became the face of the franchise.

Together with head coach Gregg Popovich, Duncan and the Spurs became the premier franchise in the league, routinely making the playoffs and competing for championships. Duncan would also help the Spurs win a title in 2005, 2007, and 2014, with the help of teammates Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker. The Spurs big man has become one of the greatest players to ever play the game, with 1,392 career regular season games and 251 career postseason games, all as a member of the Spurs. There will likely never be another player like The Big Fundamental to ever play the game again.

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