The continued underappreciation of Tim Duncan.

At the time of this post, 1,168 regular season games played.

The soon to be 37-year-old Tim Duncan continues to perform at a level, in his 16th season, that most players can only imagine.

After Tim Duncan was diagnosed with degenerative knee tendinosis in 2009, the end felt near. Duncan hobbling up and down the floor with a bulky left knee brace. Struggling to back down players, barely getting off the ground to shoot or rebound.

Everyone knew he would slow down, but not so dramatically. So painful to the point where Spurs fans, (probably just me), were hoping he would retire. No reason to prolong the rebuilding process or take up salary cap space, for a guy who was barely the 3rd most productive player on the team.

Tim Duncan didn't have anyone to pass the torch to and had no chance of retiring on top, like David Robinson did.  The Spurs were just going to suffer in mediocrity with an oft-injured Manu Ginobili and an aging Tony Parker.

Only none of that happened.

He changed his off-season training regiment. Losing weight to make himself lighter and taking pressure off his knee. He improved his jumpshot, becoming more of a stretch-4, instead of the center he had morphed into after the days of Rasho, Nazr and Fabricio.

It's not only what Timmy did, it's what the Spurs built around him as well. The Kawhi Leonard trade, bringing over Tiago Splitter, signing fringe NBA players like Danny Green or Gary Neal and turning them into vital pieces in the rotation.

The old and boring Spurs had done the inconceivable...they built nearly an entire new roster, without ever having to go through a rebuilding period.

And a new Tim Duncan was at the forefront.

Tim Duncan 2.0 circa 2012-2013.

I can't tell you how many Spurs games I've purposely missed or skipped throughout the years.  Taking the regular season for granted, because it was a foregone conclusion that they would make the playoffs.  No one paid attention until after the Rodeo Road Trip.

Out of Tim Duncan's 1,168 games, I've probably seen a little more than half. Sadly, a good portion of those have been games I've watched the last three seasons.

In an effort to be a more knowledgeable and appreciative Spurs fan, I watch as many games as possible now. Whether it's a Thursday night nationally televised game against the Thunder, or a Monday night laugher versus the Hornets.

So of course when I see Tim Duncan already with a double-double, 33 seconds into the 3rd quarter versus the Mavericks, I'm taken by surprise.

Did young Tim ever do that?

Did Tim secretly go to Germany with Kobe and get the Regenokine procedure done too?

Those are questions I ask myself now, because of how lackadaisical I used to treat Spurs games.  No shame in admitting, I used to be one of those fans.

Now here we are a month away from playoff contention, and Tim Duncan is 0.1 rebounds away from averaging a double-double. Something he hasn't done since 2010, where he averaged 31 minutes a game. This season? 29 minutes.

Per 36 minutes, Tim's averages this season are 20 points and 12 rebounds. Numbers not seen since 2008.

Two of the most mind-blowing statistics in regards to "Tim Duncan Version 2.0" are blocks and free throw percentage. The notoriously poor free throw shooting Duncan, is averaging 81% from the line this season. He's never eclipsed 80% in his career, and hasn't come close since 2002 (79.9%).  Then there's blocks. Averaging 2.7 blocks a game, which hasn't been done since 2004. Duncan is third (!!!!!) in the NBA in blocked shots.

So what's the secret behind the rejuvenated Tim? Only he knows.

And honestly, who cares? I implore you to enjoy it while it lasts. As someone who didn't regrets not enjoying vintage Tim Duncan as much as possible during the championship years, I get nothing but joy watching him takeover games nowadays. Sure, he's not trying to cross anyone over, like how he abused Hot Rod Williams in his first ever playoff game. And, yeah, he's not putting guys on posters as often. But he is still getting the job done, night in and night out.

What Duncan is doing this late in his career is remarkable.  No longer will I regret not properly cherishing vintage Tim Duncan.  Because he's still playing at "vintage" Tim Duncan level.

After Game 4 of the 2007 NBA Finals, Tim Duncan told LeBron James, "This is going to be your league in a little while...but I appreciate you giving us this year."

Seven years later, Tim Duncan has arguably the best shot at stopping LeBron James.