Dear Tim Duncan | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Sports

Dear Tim Duncan

This is what Tim Duncan meant to me.

97
Dear Tim Duncan
Vifreepress

Dear Tim Duncan,

This sucks. I'm sorry, but this sucks.

I was born on May 23rd, 1997. One month and two days later, the San Antonio Spurs (my father's favorite team), drafted Tim Duncan out of Wake Forest with the first pick in the NBA Draft. Ever since then, the Spurs have not had a losing season. In fact, the only season in which the Spurs had less than 50 wins was a lockout season in which the spurs posted 37 wins (in 50 games) and won an NBA Championship. For this reason, my father began telling me at a young age that I was the reason the Spurs were good.

Boy, did I eat that lineup. I immediately became the biggest Spurs fan in Massachusetts. I asked for a Tim Duncan jersey, which still fits me to this day (not very well). From that day on, I refused to wear any number other than 21 in any sport, especially basketball. Only when an older kid took the number 21 from me at age 12 was I able to switch my number to 31 after a large temper tantrum. At any rate, Tim Duncan had the largest impact on my life of any athlete that has ever played.

Living in Massachusetts did two things for me: it made me and my father the only San Antonio Spurs fans that I have ever met or heard of, and it made going to a San Antonio Spurs game very, very tough. The only reasonable option was to go see the Spurs play the Celtics, but these games were few and far between and seemed never to match our schedules. An opportunity arose recently as I moved into my temporary address at Princeton University, a short distance from Philadelphia and New York, making a larger number of games much more accessible. To top it off, the Philadelphia 76ers were tanking... again, making tickets cheaper as well. Perfect, right?

Wrong. By the time I came to this realization, the Spurs had already played both games against the 76ers for the 2015-16 season, and I was out of luck. I resolved to see my favorite team and my favorite player a year later. There was only one problem. My favorite player was getting old, and retirement loomed overhead. I dreaded the day that the news would come, but I always knew it was coming. A few days ago, my heart was broken as I read about his retirement and watched Gregg Popovich become emotional talking about his golden boy Timmy.

So selfishly, Mr. Timmy Duncan, this sucks. I will forever regret not being able to see you play. As much as it sucks, I cannot help but thank you. Thank you for 5 NBA Championships, 19 winning seasons, and a lifetime of inspiration. Seriously, a lifetime. Before the retirement, there were only 34 days that I was alive and Tim Duncan was not a San Antonio Spur. So you're welcome because obviously, my birth had something to do with all that success. More than anything, I'll miss you, Timmy. Hold your head high as you walk away the greatest and quietest Power Forward of my time and of all time.

With Love,

A Misplaced Spurs Fan, Sean Buxton



Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

195737
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

18169
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

460359
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

28018
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments