Tim Duncan received endless praise for his outstanding performances on the NBA court. However, compliments from fellow legendary power forward likely resonated with him in a unique way. One memorable tribute came from Karl Malone, who had kind words for 'Timmy' during the summer of 2010.
"My all-time favorite right now is still Tim Duncan. He just plays. He's old, but he's been playing like that now for 15 years. He don't care about really what he's worth to the game or what you think about it; he just play," Malone said , per Deseret News.
The NBA's greatest power forward
Fans have witnessed many exceptional power forwards throughout NBA history. In July 2010, Malone addressed this topic, pondering whether he should consider himself the best.
The two-time MVP, who had retired six years earlier, expressed uncertainty about that notion. However, Malone confidently claimed superiority in an area of conditioning, asserting he never believed "somebody was better" in that regard.
While 'The Mailman' was reluctant to admit he was the best power forward ever, his former Utah Jazz teammate, John Stockton, was more than happy to make that claim for him, once labeling Malone "the greatest power forward to have ever played the game."
Charles Barkley, the legendary 1993 MVP, is another name frequently mentioned in this debate. However, Karl—all in good fun—did not particularly favor that idea.
"Charles Barkley was soft. He was weak. He was a punk. Charles was a little punk; he knows that," the Louisiana native said with a laugh.
Related: "I hope the league figures out a way to fix it; I don't really buy into the science part" - John Stockton is not a fan of load management
Contrasting Hall of Famers
As Karl pointed out, Duncan, who retired in 2016 as a San Antonio Spurs legend, always had a more understated approach to the game. True to his nickname, 'The Big Fundamental,' he wasn't flashy or overly exciting to watch. Instead of making highlight-reel plays, Tim thrived on a fundamentally sound and efficient style of play, earning five NBA championships in the process. His calm demeanor, both on and off the court, mostly kept him away from controversies.
In contrast, Malone had a very different presence. Known for his unpredictable, often brash, and physical style, the 6'9" powerhouse frequently clashed with opponents and referees. He was also known for his vicious trash-talking. Off the court, the 61-year-old made headlines for some unsavory incidents that didn't always paint him in a positive light.
Ultimately, the contrast between the Jazz legend and the Spurs icon makes Malone's praise for 'Timmy' even more significant.
Since 2020, both legends have rightfully secured their places in the Hall of Fame, when Duncan reached the milestone that 'The Mailman' had achieved ten years earlier.
Related: Avery Johnson shares one important reason why Tim Duncan is one of the greatest players ever: "He was never late, always early"
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