I have always felt that Tim Duncan is one of the premier power forwards in the NBA. He is solid, steady, Mr. Fundamentals. Duncan does all the things needed to win and he wants the ball late in the game in crunch time.

He is not spectacular, yet you look at his hand and you see those championship rings, baby! He is out to add another one this time around!

I remember years ago there was an unsung player named Bob Pettit. He was a superstar and his people knew how great he was. The fans in the street did not know enough about him. If you polled the average fan in the street right now, I am not sure that many know about Duncan. They know about LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, guys who are more flashy and explosive.

Duncan is a low-key guy, very professional and he is a flat-out winner. There is no doubt that the media and his peers recognize how good he is.

Then there is the discussion of the best of the best power forwards of all-time. Names come up like Karl Malone, Elgin Baylor, and yes, Mr. Duncan. I also feel Elvin Hayes should be on that list. Some would throw Kevin McHale into the equation.

Baylor was really a combination forward, playing both the three and four slot because he was so agile and explosive. Malone was the prototype power forward. Don't forget Hayes, a really strong inside factor and a super scorer.

My friends, Duncan is right there with all of them. He is a classic winner, a guy who gets his shot, averages double-figures off the glass.

If Duncan can put another championship ring on his finger, maybe fans and the media will look at him more favorably among the top all-time power forwards.

Dick Vitale coached the Pistons and the University of Detroit before broadcasting ESPN's first college basketball game in December 1979. Send him a question for possible use on ESPNEWS.