Charles Barkley predicted big things for Tim Duncan after their first NBA matchup

Over the years, plenty of NBA No. 1 picks have struggled to live up to the excessive pressure and expectations placed upon them. Tim Duncan , however, was a notable exception. Selected first overall in the 1997 draft by the San Antonio Spurs after averaging 16.3 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 3.8 blocks over four years at Wake Forest, he transitioned into the big stage so seamlessly that Charles Barkley instantly knew that he was going to the future of the league.

Duncan impressed an aging Charles Barkley

Contrary to the typical struggles of rookie big men adjusting to the NBA's physicality, Duncan, who wore jersey No.21, held his own. Standing at 6'11", not only could he shrug off opposing forwards and centers around the rim, but his ability to maneuver and shoot with the finesse of a point guard made 'The Round of Rebound' certain that Duncan, indeed, was the flagbearer of a new breed of versatile big men.

"I have seen the future," Barkley said . "And he wears No. 21."

Moreover, Barkley wasn't the only one against whom Duncan made his presence felt. In his next preseason game against Patrick Ewing, he logged 19 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists to lead the Spurs to a hard-fought 97-90 victory against the New York Knicks.

Duncan was dominant against Barkley and his Houston Rockets

Tim's presence was felt even by Barkley and his Rockets in the 1997-98 regular season. Across their four games, Duncan averaged 14 points on 50.1% shooting and 8.5 rebounds, helping the Spurs win two of those matchups.

That being said, his influence on the Spurs was transformative. In his rookie year, the team's defensive rating skyrocketed from 29th in the 1996-97 season to 2nd overall. Even offensively, Duncan's 21.1 scoring average helped elevate the Spurs from the third-worst offensive rating to 17th in the league. Consequently, the Spurs improved their win total by 36 games in just one season.

These stats underscore why Barkley and many others recognized 'The Big Fundamental's' dominating presence. As the latter went on to win the ROY award, an All-NBA First-Team, and an All-Defensive Team Second-Team selection, all signs indicated that he was on the verge of becoming arguably the greatest power forward in the league's history.

Related: Why Nikola Jokic reminds Charles Barkley of Tim Duncan - “Most no-drama great player I ever watched in my career"