Bryant always did things differently, from his much-flashier wardrobe to his much larger bank account last season as the NBA’s highest-paid player, which prevented the Lakers from the building options that Duncan’s salary afforded the Spurs. While the move was a mere formality, the club needed to do it to “waive and stretch” Duncan’s $6.4 million salary for the 2016-17 season so that it’s spread out over three seasons instead of one, which lessens the cap hit the team will take. He also won 2 NBA MVP awards, made 15 All-Star appearances and is most likely the greatest power forward to ever play the game.
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The Spurs made the playoffs in all 19 of his seasons and won 71 percent of their regular season games with No. 21 in the middle. 600 in every season since Duncan was drafted.
Duncan, you’ve influenced my life in such a way unlike any other person, I could never fully show my appreciation. You taught me humility in basketball, you taught me to let the game and the skill do the talking, to use actions rather than just words.
Choking up at times and making wisecracks at others, Popovich bade a public farewell to Duncans playing career on Tuesday.
Duncan announced his retirement on Monday on the Spurs official website. Or maybe it’s the complete handful of championship rings, the uncanny ability to create scoring chances or dedication to the betterment of his game day in and out. San Antonio won titles in 1999, 2003, 2006, 2007 and 2014.
As a city, we now get to say thank you.
And when asked if there’s a specific game of Duncan’s that sticks out, Popovich recalled a Summer League game when Duncan got blocked by Greg Ostertag.
Coach Gregg Popovich talks to Tim Duncan during a Spurs home game.
Nicknamed “The Big Fundamental” for his humble persona and consistent production that allowed him to be great for so long, Duncan embodies what the Spurs have stood for.
Where he fits inside that group is up for debate, but he will be one of the first picks for starting power forward on any all-time team.
Even in his early days with the Spurs, Duncan’s impact on the team transcended his skills on the court.
Tim Duncan has retired, which means that today the National Basketball Association is a less dope place than it was yesterday, but which also means that we can travel back to when it wasn’t today.
The 40-year-old was never going to have the Kobe Bryant retirement tour.
What now? Will Tim Duncan pursue a coaching career? Duncan arrived the following June as one of the surest things ever, a four-year player at Wake Forest with NBA-ready skills and smarts.
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This is why you are so special to me, and so special to sports fans everywhere.
