Tim Duncan’s magnificent night for the Spurs

Former Spurs assistant coach Mike Budenholzer suffers a familiar fate offered to Duncan’s opponents.

Dec 3, 2013, 1:18 PM UTC

Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

As you may have heard, Tim Duncan had a hell of a night on Monday. The 37-year-old big man recorded 23 points and 21 rebounds on 10-for-15 shooting against the Atlanta Hawks, far and away his best game of the year. Oh, and he hit a game-winner. No big deal.

Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer, a San Antonio assistant for the past 17 seasons, had the best reaction to Duncan's performance after the 102-100 Spurs win, via Dan McCarney of the San Antonio Express-News:

“I’ve seen that very play,” he said. “That’s a credit to them and their execution and to Timmy. He’s made that shot in a lot of games. Timmy’s a heck of a player, the greatest power forward ever. He did a heck of a job. I’m happy for him in a strange, pissed off kind of way.”
…
Quote of the night: “What the hell did you guys do to Duncan? He’s supposed to be 100 million years old” — Budenholzer to long-time Spurs team physicians David Schmidt and Paul Saenz.

Pounding the Rock: Duncan's awesome outlet pass (GIF)

Duncan might not be 100 million years old, but he is now the oldest player to record a 20/20 game in NBA history. He’s also rounding back into form. After starting the season in a shooting slump, he’s averaged 20.7 points, 12.7 rebounds and shot 63.4 percent from the field in his last three games.

His shooting percentage on the season dipped below 40 percent in November, but he's raised it to 44 percent with these string of strong outings. It is clear Duncan is a different player than the one who went 1-for-12 for two points against the Washington Wizards on Nov. 13, via AP:

“I feel a lot healthier now,” he said. “For a while there, I was dealing with some stuff, but now my body is feeling good and I’m starting to get my legs underneath me.”
...’
‘Tonight was good for (Duncan),” [Manu] Ginobili said, “but we never lost trust in him. We would be crazy if we did. It does feel good to see him coming back, especially over the past few games.”

In his recap, Fred Silva of Pounding the Rock speaks for all San Antonio fans when expressing his admiration for Duncan:

I find myself appreciating Tim Duncan more and more with every passing year. It’s unbelievable that in his 17th season, Tim is still capable of such a dominating performance. 23 and 21 with the game-winner. This really isn’t supposed to be possible. His knees were supposed to end him years ago. I’ve been in a state of awe for 17 straight years. Spurs fans, we are a lucky bunch.

That much is inarguable. You could say other jealous fans are happy for him in a strange, pissed off kind of way.