Atlanta Hawks: 5 legends for Onyeka Okongwu to study over the offseason

NBA legend for Atlanta Hawks center Onyeka Okongwu to study No. 1) Tim Duncan

Who better to study as a big man than arguably the best power forward/center to play the game. Tim Duncan had a Hall of Fame career. He was a five-time champion, 15 time All-NBA, 15-time All-Defensive team player, and a 15-time All-Star.

On top of that Duncan was a three-time Finals MVP and a two-time regular-season MVP. This is a truly impressive resume for a player who did not have a 3-point shot. Yes, the game was different back then but Duncan was a shining light for those players who play fundamental basketball.

Over his 19-year career, Duncan averaged 19.0 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.2 blocks. These are the numbers for a career, not a single season. To put it simply, Duncan knew his role with the team and where he needed to be on the court.

This is the greatest lesson that Okongwu can learn from watching Duncan. His offensive game is a lot more limited than Duncan’s. He has already shown that if he is in the right spots on the floor, he has teammates around him that will find him, particularly in the pick and roll with Lou Williams.