Why does Duncan call himself PF when he plays more like a C?

Not that it matters all that much, although it kinda tweaks things when All Star voting comes around and voting for All NBA teams. Check out this wierdness. Amare Stoudemire is supposedly a C. But he runs around looking for ways to receive a pass and dart in and slam real quick, or else goes for a jumpshot 10-15ft away from the basket. Duncan is supposedly PF. The dude posts up with his back to the basket on virtually every play, waits for the entry pass and does some nifty low post moves to score. Doesn't it look more like Duncan is C and Amare is PF?

Why does Duncan call himself PF when he plays more like a C?nba live 2005

Man, that's a valid observation, and I've thought a lot about it too. In fact, if you'd ask me who's the best center in the NBA today I'd easily say Tim Duncan. That dude really plays center both on offense and defense. You're absolutely right about his post moves, and in addition, you must've seen how he patrols that lane on defense, swatting shots and intimidating the slashers from opposite teams.

At any rate, I think the reason he starts at and is listed as PF has something to do with whom he match up against. Duncan usually guards the opposing team's PF and not the center. I'm sure you've never seen him match up against Shaq or Yao. Another player from the Spurs (Nesterovic and Mohammed before and now Francisco Elson) is made to guard the opposing team's center. But the moment the Spurs' starting center goes out, Duncan will man the slot.

Why does Duncan call himself PF when he plays more like a C?nba update ,nba teams

1st. See the 1999 NBA finals. Tim Duncan was matched up against Shaquille O'Neal. When DR was on the team he was the Center.

2nd. Maybe if Amare played more like a real Center Phoenix would be in the playoffs still. Report It


because when Duncan was drafted, he's assigned at PF because David Robinson filled the C posistion in the starting line-up. But I agree with you that Duncan should play C. A PF should be faster than a C.
i never understood that either. go spurs.
The main reason why duncan calls himself a PF is due to the nba all- stars game. in the all star games, there is only one position for C, and certainly, Yao Ming will get that position as long as he is still playing in the nba. Therefore, if he call himself a C, then he must compete with Yao and get the Center position. He knows that it will be hard to challenge Yao, since there are so many chinese voting for him, so he named himself a PF, just to compete with kevin Garnett.
i consider them both fc

forward centers

ideally if the suns had a taller man they would use him as center and amare as PF. and since tim duncan is a seven footer, it would make sense to start him at center and horry at PF.

but like u say, it doesnt really matter except for all star and all-nba
I believe player positions are usually determined by their defensive responsibilities. In that case, it makes more sense that Amare is a C and Duncan is a PF (especially back when Robinson was still around).
who says who cant be a post up PF? hes the old school mentality of a PF, unlike the amares who are the new gen big men
Duncan is considered a Power Forward because he has a mid range shot even though he plays like a center at times. For example Elton Brand plays like a center at times, but he has a strong mid range shot. PF's are usually skilled at mid range shooting and the positions a center is good at. Even Dirk has plays like a center and he is a great outside shooter as well.
heck tim duncan can play all positions he is that good!