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Jeff McDonald did a nice job gauging player reaction to Gary Payton’s recent assertion that TD was no longer deserving of an All Star start. It’s amazing what difference there can be in perspective from one person to the next. For my money, not only is Tim Duncan an All Star, he’s a near MVP candidate. Near? The award is LeBron James’ to lose (and Dwight Howard’s to steal away). Nevertheless, a moment’s reflection shows that Tim Duncan is still, eh, Tim Duncan. Briefly, then.

The Spurs have been hit hard with injury while working two significant pieces into the rotation (Mason, Hill). Duncan has shepherded them to a 29-13 record, good for second in the conference and fifth in the league. Before the season, voices like John Hollinger predicted the Spurs ‘09 campaign threatened a “sudden, unexpected collapse” that would see them squeak into the playoffs, forced to play “every round on the road.” Hollinger was not alone in his assessment. Now that the Duncan led Spurs have surpassed preseason projections, the shape-shifting punditry is calling for the Spurs to struggle mightily against a tough second half schedule. The glass of national conversation is always half-empty, it seems.

So it goes with Gary Payton. He thinks Al Jefferson is a better player than Tim Duncan this season.

	PTS	REB	AST	BLK	FG%	PER	Record
Duncan	20.6	10.4	3.6	1.9	.518	25.26	29-13
Jefferson	22.2	10.7	1.5	1.6	.491	22.47	14-27

Color me unconvinced.

Don’t misunderstand me. I’m not knee-jerking to avoid the Gary Payton ditch, thereby careening into another. Al Jefferson is a great player; the Spurs upcoming schedule is daunting. Still, a little sense of proportion goes a long way.

Duncan’s 28 double-doubles are better than anyone in the league, not counting Dwight Howard and David Lee; his assist totals haven’t been this high since 02-03, when he has was named MVP. Tim Duncan is the best player on one of the league’s few true contenders.

And Gary Payton is a better point guard than analyst.