Tim Duncan passes David Robinson on career blocks list, Kevin Garnett and Tony Parker reach personal milestones
Tim Duncan sets franchise block record
With his fifth block in his five block outing against the Philadelphia 76ers, Tim Duncan etched his name San Antonio Spurs record books for most career blocks registered. He passed Hall of Famer and former teammate David Robinson who had 2,954 blocks in a 14-year career spanning 957 games.
With 5 blocks Saturday, Tim Duncan (2,955) passed @DavidtheAdmiral (2,954) for 5th on NBA's all-time blocks list! pic.twitter.com/icwSd7011S
— NBA (@NBA) November 15, 2015
As NBA’s official twitter handle indicates not only did Duncan set a franchise record in blocks by surpassing by Robinson, he also moved into 4th spot in the NBA’s all-time block leaders. He now trails Hakeem Olajuwon (3830), Dikembe Mutumbo (3289), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (3189) and Mark Eaton (3064). While the top spot might be out of contention, given Duncan’s contract situation with the Spurs surely he could make a run for at least the third spot.
39-year-old Duncan has played all of his 18 years with the Spurs, who drafted first overall in the 1997 NBA Draft. He holds numerous franchise records including points, rebounds, field goals, minutes played and is currently in his first year of a 2 year 10.4 million dollar deal with the Spurs.
Here’s the tribute video to Duncan by the official NBA Youtube Page;
Kevin Garnett logs 50k minutes
Former MVP Kevin Garnett recent milestone tracker underlines what he is trying to accomplish with the current Minnesota Timberwolves young squad. Playing the role of teacher mentor, Garnett’s body crossed 50000 miles of NBA playing time when he logged 24 minutes in the Timberwolves’ most recent 106-114 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Big Ticket, Kevin Garnett, has moved to 4th in all-time minutes played. KG has played a total of 50,006 minutes. pic.twitter.com/jDj5TU5C8j
— NBA TV (@NBATV) November 16, 2015
Garnett not only crossed the 50000 minutes mark but also surpassed Elvin Hayes (50000 minutes) to jump to the 4th spot in the NBA’s all-time minutes played list. He is the highest ranked active player and trails only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (57446), Karl Malone (54852) and Jason Kidd (50111). Given his minutes restriction and current contract with the T-Wolves, Garnett could at most move past Kidd for the third spot on the list.
“Durability is something I take pride in,” Garnett said. “At this stage of my career, able to be out here, starting? I don’t put a lot of [stats] up. But, energywise, I’m giving what I have. I’d like to think I can still guard. That says a lot.”
Drafted 5th overall in the 1995 NBA Draft, Garnett has spent his 20-year career with two NBA franchise other than the T-Wolves, which included the Brooklyn Nets and the Boston Celtics. He holds numerous franchise records for Wolves in points, rebounds, games and minutes played. He is currently serving his first year of a 2 year 16 million dollar deal he signed with the Wolves this summer.
Tony Parker registers 6000th assist
Not surprisingly teammate Tim Duncan stole all the limelight in the Spurs’ 92-83 win over the Sixers but 14 year veteran point guard Tony Parker made some history himself. With an assist to Kyle Anderson on a fast break in the first quarter, Parker registered his 6000th career assist, ranking him 6th among active players and 34th overall in the NBA’s all-time assists ranks.
The @Spurs' @TonyParker just became the 34th player in @NBAHistory to surpass 6,000 career assists! #MilestoneAlert pic.twitter.com/0DSkkbwmlv
— NBA (@NBA) November 15, 2015
Drafted 28th overall in the first round of the 2001 NBA Draft by the Spurs, Parker has repaid the team’s faith in him by playing his point guard duties to perfection. He currently holds the franchise record for assists with his current tally of 6001. At 33 years old Parker is still relatively young and could make a run to reach higher spots on the NBA’s career assists list. He is currently playing in his second year as part of a 3 year 43 million dollar deal he signed with the Spurs last season.
On November 1st, after defeating the Boston Celtics the Spurs trio of Parker, Duncan and Manu Ginobili became the winningest trio in NBA history, surpassing the Boston Celtics trio of Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish (540 wins).