Tim Duncan actually morphed from a superstar, to a star, then to a star in his role
In his rookie year, Tim Duncan was lucky enough to be teamed up with David Robinson, who had no problems being in a mentorship role for the good of the team. He was at the end of his career and knew that Duncan was the future of the franchise.
When the Spurs won the NBA title over the New Jersey Nets in 2003, it was David Robinson’s last season in the NBA. By then, injuries had slowed Robinson to the point where he missed 18 games and averaged only 8.5 points per game.
But by then, Duncan was the undisputed star of the franchise. In the closeout game in game 6, Tim Duncan had a stat line of 21 points, 20 rebounds, 10 assists, and 8 blocks. He was so dominant, there was controversy that he might have had a quadruple double.
Under Gregg Popovich, the Spurs went through offensive changes in their championship runs. When Tony Parker replaced Avery Johnson as the point guard, the tempo was increased. By the time 2005 brought the franchise another title, the Spurs were full of contributors with Manu Ginobli, Robert Horry, Bruce Bowen and others.
Tim Duncan’s second transformation came between the eras of two LeBron-led teams. By the time, LeBron James carried the Cleveland Cavaliers to the franchise’s first NBA title, Duncan was still a dominant force at the time and led the Spurs to a dominant sweep of the Cavs.
By the time LeBron took his talents to South Beach, Duncan was in the start of the twilight of his career. Tony Parker was the engine that made the Spurs offense go plus the team was start to groom another budding superstar in Kawhi Leonard.
But in these five championships, Duncan was an important piece in every title even though the stats aren’t as massive in the last two. He realized that the game had changed from the post up schemes earlier in his career to a more perimeter based style we see today.