SAN ANTONIO — Tim Duncan is the ultimate franchise player, a star who over the years has sacrificed salary, shots and minutes for the good of the San Antonio Spurs.
Just as David Robinson eventually deferred to Duncan, the player they affectionately call Old Man Riverwalk has deferred to Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge. It was a crucial progression and one that Carmelo Anthony knows will one day take place in New York.
The question is whether Anthony will accept a backseat to Kristaps Porzingis, assuming the rookie continues on his current trajectory.