Listen now:

NBC Sports: Voices of the Game with Newy Scruggs

RotoWorld

NBA

Duncan might have his wake-up call

Feud with referee could spark star, Spurs against tough Suns, Mavs

Donna Mcwilliam / AP

Spurs forward Tim Duncan, back left, has words for referee Jerry Crawford, right, after Crawford ejected him Sunday night.

OPINION

By Michael Ventre

NBCSports.com contributor

updated 1:34 a.m. ET April 22, 2007

Michael Ventre

In a pre-fight “Tale of the Tape,” Tim Duncan has a decided edge over Joey Crawford.

Duncan is about to turn 31; Crawford is 55.

Duncan is 7-0, Crawford stands roughly about 5-8.

Duncan’s reach is undetermined, but suffice to say he has a giant wing span that would allow him to stick and move freely, whereas Crawford has stubby little arms that might occasionally graze Duncan’s kneecaps as Duncan keeps him at bay with one arm extended and its hand pressed on top of Crawford’s dome.

Of course, all bets are off if the bout involves ultimate fighting rather than traditional boxing. There’s really no telling what Crawford might do to Duncan. Given Crawford’s ornery nature, Duncan’s only hope would be to try to get the IRS to go after him again.

This topic comes up, of course, because in an unusual sequence of events, the Spurs’ superstar big man and the NBA’s most pugnacious bulldog have called each other out. Soon their respective posses will be exchanging insults about each others’ mamas, pretty girls will choose sides and an impartial observer will be assigned to oversee the combatants’ bling.

But perhaps what is says more than anything is that Tim Duncan has some fighting spirit, which isn’t always apparent. And it may have surfaced at the perfect time, when pundits are conceding the West title to Dallas, and if not Dallas, then Phoenix.

interactive

Rank who's leading the race this week

Now, he may not get a chance to beat up Joey Crawford, but he could take out his aggression on the teams in the Spurs’ path to the championship.

The tiff between Duncan and Crawford happened Sunday afternoon in Dallas. Crawford assessed two technical fouls to Duncan only 1 minute and 16 seconds apart. Before the second, Duncan was laughing on the bench. Duncan alleges that Crawford saw him laughing and said repeatedly, “Do you want to fight?”

Ask the NBA expert: Sam Smith

How Isiah can save Knicks

Send in your questions

Duncan also claims he said nothing to Crawford except the words, “I got fouled.” Crawford disagrees, alleging that Duncan was “complaining the whole game.”

The issue between these two men won’t be settled in the parking lot. Parking lots at NBA games these days are crammed to capacity, so there’s no room for a good donnybrook between two bare-knuckled amateur pugilists. Plus they’d have to pay the valets to move some cars out of the way, there would be insurance concerns, fights would break out among media over pay-per-view rights, advertisers would want a piece of it. The world is a much more complicated place.

Also on this story

Of course, one area where a good old rock ‘em, sock ‘em row is not only condoned but encouraged is on the hardwood, where the stage is prepared for Duncan and the Spurs to prove that they’re not obsolete and not irrelevant despite the noise that the Mavericks and Suns are making.

CONTINUED : no love for MVP award

1 | 2 | Next >

Also on NBCSports.com

Posnanski: 'Squeaky-bum time,' Sir Alex Ferguson like no other
Vijay Singh sues PGA Tour over doping case
Live commentary of 2013 NBA playoffs
Follow us on twitter: @NBCSports | Facebook

More news

Getty Images

Noel tops latest mock

Rotoworld: The Cavaliers won the draft lottery on Tuesday night, and the latest mock gives them the big man with the highest upside.

NBC Sports

DPS: Kerr breaks down LeBron vs. Jordan

DPS: Steve Kerr joins Dan Patrick to discuss the Eastern Conference finals and the recent comparison between LeBron James and Michael Jordan.

Headlines

Label

Video: NBA from NBC Sports

Kerr: LeBron vs. Jordan comes down to rings
DPS: Steve Kerr joins Dan Patrick to discuss the Eastern Conference finals and the recent comparison between LeBron James and Michael Jordan.

Spurs take a commanding 2-0 lead

Metta World Peace the weatherman

Eastern Conference finals preview

Heat gearing for another physical battle

Phil Jackson compares MJ and Kobe

Grizzlies ready for 'running' Spurs

Latest from ProBasketballTalk

Report: Mike Krzyzewski to return, coach Team USA in 2016 Olympics58 min ago

Clippers’ owner basically admits Del Negro let go to keep Chris Paul happy1 hr 12 min ago

LeBron says he isn’t afraid to challenge Hibbert at the rim. But watch for floaters anyway.2 hr 13 min ago

Reports: Clippers, Bucks waiting to talk to Lionel Hollins for coaching jobs2 hr 53 min ago

Slideshow

Denver Nuggets v Golden State Warriors - Game Three

Get your NBA cheer on
Check out some of the dancers from the NBA.

more photos

‘

NBC Sports

Sports

Day	Time	Event	Location	Talent
Saturday, May 18	1 - 4:30 p.m.	NHL Playoffs: Teams TBD	TBD	TDB
	4:30 - 6:30 p.m.	Preakness Stakes	Baltimore, Md.	Bob Costas, Tom Hammond, Gary Stevens, Randy Moss, Kenny Rice, Bob Neumeier, Mike Battaglia, Donna Brothers, Michelle Beadle, Laffit Pincay III, Larry Collmus
Sunday, May 19	1 - 3 p.m.	Agmen Tour of California	California	Phil Liggett, Paul Sherwen, Bob Roll, Steve Porino
	3 - 6 p.m.	NHL Playoffs: Teams TBD	TDB	TDB

Note: All times ET