Tim Duncan is the one with the psychology degree. But everyone else gets to be the expert now.

How will the past week affect him tonight?

There's enough pop psychology out there to fill a month's worth of episodes for Oprah and Dr. Phil. One story, in particular, is rich in family and fate and talk-show wisdom.

But knowing Duncan, his response is not the issue. Assuming he's there tonight, the emotion in the Alamodome will affect him early, as will the tightness that comes from not playing a game in almost a full week.

Then he will settle down and rebound and defend and score.

In those areas, too, he's the expert.