This June was an amazing month for winner, Tim Duncan. Although he didn’t do all his damage in the month of June, the 2003 NBA Finals ended in June and it wouldn’t be right but to give props where it’s due.

Duncan, this 2002/2003's regular season MVP carried over the success of a early playoff defeat from the Phoenix Suns in game six in which he dropped a triple double of 15 points, 20 rebounds, 10 assists, and 4 blocks. He then averaged 28 points on the 3-time defending world champions Los Angeles Lakers in the second round of the 2003 NBA playoffs including a emphatic 37 points, 16 rebounds, 2 blocks and 4 assists in the deciding game six on the road. Remember this is the same Lakers (in particular Shaquille O’Neal) team that called the Spurs 1999 NBA championship a fraud because of the strike-shortened season.

Then he and the Spurs Texas’ two stepped over the high scoring power of the Dallas Mavericks averaging 28 points a game and 12 rebounds a game.

Duncan ended with the NBA Finals MVP award, a six game defeat of the New Jersey Nets and a triple double near quadruple double with 20 points, 21 rebounds, 10 assists and 8 blocks. Duncan played 42 minutes per game averaged 24.9 points, 15.2 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 3.1 blocks in the playoffs and the assists were the most important as he made his team playoff off tested by giving them the opportunity to step up and make plays.

The early series versus Phoenix was Duncan’s worst but it helped give the team confidence for the further rounds. This month Duncan cemented his status as an all-time great. Two titles are very hard to come by.

Who is your player of the month?
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