HT: 6-8 | WT: 210 | AGE: 21 | YR: 4
PTS: 26.4 | REBS: 7.6 | BLK: 1.8
By Fred Carter
Special to ESPN.com
On the face of things it seems ludicrous to say Tracy McGrady is more valuable to his team than Tim Duncan. Duncan is a better player than McGrady and was integral in the Spurs' title run. But if you define value by what would happen if you took each player away from his team than the case can be made that McGrady is more valuable.
If you took Tracy McGrady away from the Orlando Magic they are competing with the Bulls for the worst record in the NBA. On San Antonio's side of the fence they still have a talented team if you took Duncan off the roster. David Robinson is still a legitimate superstar. Orlando doesn't have too many household names after McGrady.
Right now, Orlando has a shot at gaining the eighth East playoff spot, and an outside shot at the seventh. Without McGrady, the Magic are counting ping pong balls. Orlando needs Tracy McGrady more than San Antonio needs Tim Duncan.
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HT: 7-0 | WT: 260 | AGE: 24 | YR: 4
PTS: 19.3 | REBS: 11.3 | BLK: 2.2
By Dr. Jack Ramsay
Special to ESPN.com
Tim Duncan was the Spurs' MVP when they won the NBA title in 1999. He is not doing producing as well this season, but he is the one player who needs to the productive scorer, rebounder and shotblocker for the Spurs if they are going to be a contender or win another championship this year.
I don't think Duncan has fully recovered from his knee surgery last summer, after hurting it in the playoffs last year. And he doesn't seem as quick or as decisive in his game as he was. He seems tentative. Duncan's numbers are decent, but he's a player who can really dominate a game.
He is a low-post scorer, he can shoot and make shots from the edges, and he can put the ball on the floor. He can also pass and is the Spurs' best rebounder. He and David Robinson are the same as shotblockers, which gives the Spurs between five and six a game. But Duncan is the go-to player.
Tracy McGrady is playing a big role for the Magic, but mostly because Grant Hill is out for the season and McGrady is the only Orlando player who can be a high-volume scorer. He doesn't contribute in the same way Duncan does for San Antonio. I like McGrady and think he's playing very well, but Duncan's total game is more valuable to his team. If Duncan is at his best, the Spurs can win the title.
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