NBA

A Look Back at the World When Allen, Duncan Debuted

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By
Jeff Hawkins
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Jeff Hawkins Sports Editor

Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry (print and digital media). A freelance writer/stay-at-home dad since 2008, Hawkins started his career with newspaper stints in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois, where he earned the 2004 APSE first-place award for column writing (under 40,000 circulation). As a beat writer, he covered NASCAR Winston Cup events at NHIS (1999-2003), the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks (2003-06) and the NFL's Carolina Panthers (2011-12). Hawkins penned four youth sports books, including a Michael Jordan biography. Hawkins' main hobbies include mountain bike riding, 5k trail runs at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., and live music.

All posts by Jeff Hawkins
Sports Editor

Updated15 Oct 2021

TimDuncan_RayAllen_2014_USAT

Nearly 20 years after entering the NBA, Ray Allen and Tim Duncan are still going strong as top-caliber players in the midst of a Finals battle. Their age seems irrelevant when it comes time to contend for a championship, and it’s easy to forget just how long these Future Hall of Famers have been leaving it all on the court.

The reality is, though, a lot has changed since they entered the league in the 90s. To appreciate the longevity of their careers, take a look back at when Allen made his NBA debut on November 1, 1996 and Duncan on October 31, 1997.

Reigning NBA MVP
Allen debut: Michael Jordan
Duncan debut: Karl Malone

Defending NBA Champions
Allen: Chicago Bulls
Duncan: Chicago Bulls

Reigning NBA Rookie of the Year
Allen: Damon Stoudamire
Duncan: Allen Iverson

Gregg Popovich
Allen: Spurs executive vice president of basketball operations and general manager
Duncan: Spurs head coach

LeBron James
Allen: 11 years old
Duncan: 12 years old

Jabari Parker and Andrew Wiggins
Allen: 1 year old
Duncan: 2 years old

Sports Illustrated Cover Story
Allen: “Tiger!”
Duncan: “Coach Larry Bird”

No. 1 Billboard Hot 100
Allen: Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix) by Los Del Rio
Duncan: Candle In The Wind 1997 by Elton John

Hot in Theaters
Allen: Romeo + Juliet
Duncan: I Know What You Did Last Summer

Popular Video Games
Allen: Resident Evil
Duncan: Grand Theft Auto

Motor Trend Car of the Year
Allen: Dodge Caravan
Duncan: Chevy Malibu

Average Cost of a Gallon of Gas
Allen: $1.26
Duncan: $1.20

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Author photo
Jeff Hawkins
Sports Editor

Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry (print and digital media). A freelance writer/stay-at-home dad since 2008, Hawkins started his career with newspaper stints in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois, where he earned the 2004 APSE first-place award for column writing (under 40,000 circulation). As a beat writer, he covered NASCAR Winston Cup events at NHIS (1999-2003), the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks (2003-06) and the NFL's Carolina Panthers (2011-12). Hawkins penned four youth sports books, including a Michael Jordan biography. Hawkins' main hobbies include mountain bike riding, 5k trail runs at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., and live music.

All posts by Jeff Hawkins
Author photo
Jeff Hawkins Sports Editor

Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry (print and digital media). A freelance writer/stay-at-home dad since 2008, Hawkins started his career with newspaper stints in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois, where he earned the 2004 APSE first-place award for column writing (under 40,000 circulation). As a beat writer, he covered NASCAR Winston Cup events at NHIS (1999-2003), the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks (2003-06) and the NFL's Carolina Panthers (2011-12). Hawkins penned four youth sports books, including a Michael Jordan biography. Hawkins' main hobbies include mountain bike riding, 5k trail runs at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., and live music.

All posts by Jeff Hawkins