While Duncan has been the Spurs' Rock of Gibraltar for much of the past five years, he also has started to emerge from Shaquille O'Neal's shadow as one of the game's unyielding forces this season. Even if he has yet to fully tap his potential.

"What is he, 25?" Rivers asked. "I still believe the age where everything comes together ? maturity, toughness, knowledge of the game ? is still at 28, 29. To think he has four or five more years of improving is a scary thought. A scary, scary thought.

"By then Shaq will be gone or close to gone. I can't see anybody else. Garnett is a dominant player, but unless he goes on an eating binge he's not going to be dominant the same way Tim is."