That Tim Duncan, what a dummy.

He's all set to take on the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference finals, which start in San Antonio tonight. He has two MVP awards in the past three years. His team just slayed the Lakers dragon and is favored to win the NBA title.

And to think he was thisssss close to throwing it all away. Or throwing it all to the Magic.

The NBA summer of 2000 ranks with Hannibal crossing the Alps and NBC green-lighting "Seinfeld" as one of the most pivotal times in world history.