Tim Duncan was seemingly never the center of attention.

Over 16 years he created the culture of the “boring” San Antonio Spurs, where the team chugs along year in, year out and never caught fans’ interest with flashy plays or highlight reel dunks.

What should’ve caught people’s interest, however, is Duncan and the Spurs’ four championship rings in nine seasons and being one miraculous three from Jesus Shuttlesworth away from a fifth in 14 years. It’s his constant production and consistency over such a long career that makes him the best player of his generation.

Right from his rookie year in 1998, Duncan emerged as one of the league’s best frontcourt players by earning Rookie of the Year, as well as first-team all-NBA honors, the first since Larry Bird in 1980 to be named to the all-NBA first team as a rookie. Duncan would make all-NBA for the next seven years, and 10 times total in his career — including being a part of 2013 first team at age 37.

The Big Fundamental averaged a double-double in his first 13 seasons and was four rebounds short of a 10 rebounds-per-game average in 2013. His scoring dropped below 15 points per game just once, and Duncan averaged at least 1.5 blocks per game every season of his career. On the biggest stage, Duncan rose to the occasion, earning four rings in nine seasons, which is on the verge of dynasty status. He was a three-time Finals MVP, and led the Spurs in rebounds, assists, blocks and steals in the 2007 Finals when Tony Parker was named Finals MVP.

Some of his best work was done in the 2013 postseason, though, as vintage Duncan took over in stretches when an injured Parker and Manu Ginobili were struggling. Duncan abused the Miami Heat down low in the Finals with five double-doubles in seven games including a monster 30-point, 17-rebound outing in Game 6 that could’ve brought a fifth championship in 14 years to San Antonio. Even after playing 44 grueling minutes in Game 6, the old man Duncan turned around and played 43 minutes less than 48 hours later in the deciding Game Seven where the Spurs lost despite 24 points, 12 rebounds and four steals from Duncan.

But even outside of the production and the rings, Duncan has always been the consummate professional and created one of the best team environments in basketball. As a teammate, Duncan acted as the big brother to younger guards Parker and Ginobili and now 21-year-old Kawhi Leonard and together with head coach Gregg Popovich keeps the Spurs in contention every single year.

And even while Duncan is enduring rare off-the-court issues and a messy divorce this spring, he still churned out one of his best postseasons and had the Spurs six seconds away from a championship.

In all-time numbers in the NBA, Duncan is 22nd in points, 13th in rebounds, 17th in field goals made (while shooting an efficient 50.7 percent from the field) and eighth in blocks. While there isn’t one particular number that leaps out as making Duncan the “best player of his generation” or “best power forward of all-time,” it’s the total package of longevity and production over time that grants him those titles.

On the fringe of attention is where Duncan has always operated, but he doesn’t need the spotlight to shine brightest.

Stephen is a junior in Media. He can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @steve_bourbon.