San Antonio Spurs’ power forward Tim Duncan announced today he is retiring from the National Basketball Association.
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The Spurs have posted a 1,072-438 record since drafting Duncan No. 1 overall in 1997 out of Wake Forest. Led by coach Gregg Popovich, Duncan also has the most wins for a player-coach duo in National Basketball Association history (1,001).
Duncan was the most understated superstar of his generation, winning five championships, two MVPs and appearing in 15 All-Star Games over a career that was marked by bank shots, not look-at-met celebrations.
Duncan averaged 8.6 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game in his final National Basketball Association season, with the points and rebounds representing low points for his career, but he still ranked second in the National Basketball Association in individual defensive rating behind Miami’s Hassan Whiteside.
Duncan spent his entire career with the Spurs, leading the team to titles in 1999, 2003, 2006, 2007 and 2014.
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Duncan, teaming with head coach Gregg Popovich and Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, was the backbone for the franchise’s championship run. Over his career, he averaged 19 points, 10.8 rebounds, three assists and 2.2 blocks per game. He ranks 14th all-time in points (26,496), sixth in rebounds (15,091) and fifth in blocks (3,020).
