On June 25th 1997 in Charlotte, North Carolina – a Wake Forest University basketball player was assigned to what would soon be his home for the next (and entire) 19 seasons of his career. Timothy Theodore Duncan was a senior, averaging about 16.5 points per game when he was selected first round for the NBA draft to the San Antonio Spurs. He went from solely being a center his entire college career to also become one of the greatest power forwards with the Spurs and within his fifteen appearances as an All-Star.
In his nineteen seasons, Tim was not only part of, but was a key component in the five championships the team had won title of. He also won numerous awards from the beginning for his individual capabilities. Winning both All-American (twice) in college, the NABC Defensive Player of the year (three times), the ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference) Player of the Year, the NCAA Player of the Year, and the ESPY for Best Male College Basketball Player in the span of 1995-1997. Once entering the National Basketball Association, he continued his reign of honors and awards by obtaining a spot as the NBA's All-Rookie Team. Soon Tim Duncan was a part of the All-NBA Team and the All-Defensive Team. In 2003, Duncan stole headlines and titles as he was named the Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year, Best NBA Player ESPY Award, Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player, and USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year.
As a player for San Antonio, he won championships in 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2014. And let's not forget to rehash the 2014 NBA Finals of the Spurs vs. the Heat. I'm sorry LeBron, you may have been, "very confident", but your blocks were no match in the end for Duncan, Leonard, Parker, Ginobili, and Diaw. It was a team effort. One that could only be done with a deep bond and appreciation, with Tim as the heart.
There's something that's always stood out about Tim Duncan. It wasn't about all the trophies that he won. It wasn't about the money that he made each year. It wasn't about singling himself out from his team to become the greatest power forward. It was about his team. Today, that's rare. It's sad to say, but it makes you appreciate those players even more. The loyalty to their teams, to their teammates, to their coaches, and to their hometown fans. Duncan wasn't just a phenomenal player, he was an exception to the professional sports industry, he was, and always will be a pure athlete. Whether you were a Spurs fan from the beginning, an admirer of him after being first draft pick, or even jumped on the bandwagon later in his career; he is respected and admired by all fans of the sport.
Tim, I would like to take the time to reiterate what you said during the Post Game 5 Conference in 2014 – because it's a statement that I as a lifelong NBA fan can resonate with as well; "It's amazing to be a part of this for so long."
And that it has #21.
