Tim Duncan Retires After 19-Year Tenure in NBA

Tim Duncan’s tight-lipped ora, has led him to be the one of the most silent but deadly forces in the NBA. During his 19-year stint with the San Antonio Spurs, he’s accumulated a record of 1,072-438 during the regular season. He also has five NBA titles underneath his belt. But today, we say goodbye to one of the most efficient players of not only NBA history, but sports in general.

The Spurs announced this morning [Monday, July 11] that their franchise power forward Tim Duncan would retire from the league. “Even tho I knew it was coming, I’m still moved by the news. What a HUGE honor to have played with him for 14 seasons!,” Manu Ginobli tweeted earlier today.

The retirement ends what was one of the league’s greatest group of three; Duncan, Ginobli, and Tony Parker. Together, those guys did damage to their opposition. They won 126 playoff games together, becoming the most by any trio in the league. Duncan came a long way from being held scoreless in his first college game at Wake Forest, to finishing his NBA career average with 19 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per-game.

Drafted in 1997, Duncan and former teammate David Robinson, became a backcourt you just didn’t want to deal with. They were known as the “Twin Towers” and a huge threat to their opponents. Their dominance underneath the rim, led teams to take low percentage shots around the floor. In 2003, the duo would reach their stopping point as Robinson exited the league. However, Duncan continued to do damage on the court. In the 2012-2013 NBA Finals, Duncan and his team suffered defeat to the Miami Heat. They redeemed themselves the following year with an overall record of 62-20 during the regular season, leading to Duncan’s last and final championship win over the Heat.

Duncan’s retirement was in question throughout the entire playoff series. As they lost game six to the Oklahoma City Thunder, many wondered if it would be the last time they saw Duncan suit up for play.

Predicting the future, his announced retirement did come, during an off-the-wall summer of movement in the league. Duncan has yet to give a statement on his retirement. Tomorrow [Tuesday, July 12] the Spurs will hold a press conference but Duncan will not be present.

Coach Greg Popovich and Duncan have the most wins by any player/coach duo in league history, with 1,001. Duncan made coaching easy for Pop, and their bond is something that words can not explain.

There are a lot of guys and teams in this league that I couldn’t walk in the gym and try to coach them, because I’m going to be too direct, and that’s what we believe. If you did poorly, we’re going to tell you. If you did well, we’re going to tell you. If Timmy isn’t rebounding, I’m going to get on him just like the 11th or 12th guy on the team. – Coach Popovich

“There are a lot of stars out there who can’t handle that. They don’t want to be criticized at all. But Tim’s comfortable enough in his own skin to know that I’m gonna tell him right between the eyes what’s going on.