Saying goodbye to one of the Greats

Tim Duncan

Tim Duncan, formerly of the San Antonio Spurs announced his retirement little over a week ago. Duncan will be truly missed in basketball for his hard work, commitment, leadership and somewhat quiet aggressiveness on the basketball court. Duncan has always been a beast in the post. He scrapped for rebounds, he blocked shots, he made decent passes, just like any all round special player. He committed many years to the league and he will be going out with five NBA Championship. In addition, he is the only player to win in three different decades in the 90’s, 2000’s, 2010’s. I will provide a list of his honors at the end, I want to use the majority of this article to show my appreciation for Tim Duncan.

Tim Duncan entered the NBA in the year 1997 as the 1st overall picked for the San Antonio Spurs. He then went on to have a spectacular career as the leader on and off the courts for the Spurs. He is a true basketball genius; his love for the game is unquestionable, there are so many words I could use to describe what I saw from Duncan but take a look at how some of his colleagues reacted to the news of his retirement.

LeBron James

✔@KingJames

Timmy D you know how I feel about you, what you did for me and for the entire NBA. Thank you for an amazing career! #BestPFEver #Legend

Kobe Bryant

✔@kobebryant

Congrats TD #19yrs #GoSpursGo

Steve Kerr

✔@SteveKerr

Congrats to Tim Duncan. Probably a top 5 all time player and undoubtedly a top 5 all time teammate. Wow, what a career.

Bruce Bowen

✔@Bowen12

Sometimes all you NEED to say is THANK YOU……..To the BEST EXAMPLE of a Leader, Brother, Friend. Looking forward to the Phase Homie!

Manu Ginobili

✔@manuginobili

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! #ThankYouTD

Scottie Pippen

✔@ScottiePippen

At the end of the day, Tim Duncan played the game the way it was meant to be played. One of the all-time greats.#ThankYouTD

Marc Gasol ✔@MarcGasol

For many and different reasons thank you Mr. Tim Duncan. Always led by example, will miss you on…https://www.instagram.com/p/BHut9odgBkg/ 

These are just a few of the comments that I could gather but reading them shows what an amazing athlete and human being Tim Duncan is. He for me was the most humble superstar in his time in the NBA. I’v never seen not even a glimpse of arrogance in the way he carried himself. He had an exemplary career and he has been an inspiration not just to me but to many others around the world. The game will truly miss the ‘Big Fundamental’ as he is affectionately called.

Goodbye Tim Duncan you have truly left a mark.

Career highlights and awards
5× NBA champion (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014) 3× NBA Finals MVP (1999, 2003, 2005) 2× NBA Most Valuable Player (2002–2003) 15× NBA All-Star (1998, 2000–2011, 2013, 2015) NBA All-Star Game MVP (2000) 10× All-NBA First Team (1998–2005, 2007, 2013) 3× All-NBA Second Team (2006, 2008–2009) 2× All-NBA Third Team (2010, 2015) 8× NBA All-Defensive First Team (1999–2003, 2005,2007–2008) 7× NBA All-Defensive Second Team (1998, 2004,2006, 2009–2010, 2013, 2015) NBA Rookie of the Year (1998) NBA Shooting Stars champion (2008) Twyman–Stokes Teammate of the Year Award(2015) San Antonio Spurs all-time leading scorer USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year (2003) Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year (2003) National college player of the year (1997) 2× Consensus first-team All-American (1996–1997) 3× NABC Defensive Player of the Year (1995–1997) 2× ACC Player of the Year (1996–1997) No. 21 retired by Wake Forest
Career statistics
Points	26,496 (19.0 ppg)
Rebounds	15,091 (10.8 rpg)
Blocks	3,020 (2.2 bpg)