Pocket Presence: Joe Montana and Tim Duncan

by Mario "Game" Granata
Now usually when the Pocket Presence is presented, the two athletes that are compared are from the same sport, but looking at the recent developments, there was a need to have a crossover.  Joe Montana and Tim Duncan are and will forever be remembered as great players for what they were able to accomplish with a quiet confidence, but there are more similarities when one looks deeper at the two. 

Joe Montana is considered by many to be the greatest quarterback ever in the National Football League.  There have been many debates to that point, but when you look at the legacy that Montana left, and the awards that he was able to achieve, one would be hard pressed to stage and argument against him.  Enter Tim Duncan.

Tim Duncan has been able to put up impressive numbers and when the pressure of the game happens to grow, so does his ability to seize the moment.  Just like Montana, Duncan isn’t very much of a talker, but lets his actions speak for him. 

Duncan and Montana were able to capture 4 World Championships in a 9-year span, and the class that both exhibited during that championship timeframe is one that should not only be admired, but should be the standard.  Also, during their 4 title reigns both Duncan and Montana were selected as MVPs three times (Montana as a Super Bowl MVP, Duncan as NBA Finals MVP). 

In the latter years of their careers, they were on the verge of once again capturing gold, as the Spurs fell short to the Heat in last years Finals, and Montana, with the Kansas City Chiefs, ran into a Buffalo Bills buzz saw in 1993.  However, Duncan and Montana’s legacies didn’t (and shouldn’t) take a hit for falling short, as Duncan has another golden opportunity to capture a 5th title this year, and avenge last years loss to the Miami Heat. 

What does this tell us about both Montana and Duncan:  If you are great, you don’t need to open your mouth, because your play will speak louder than you ever could.