Thanks for letting us watch too, Tim. “I appreciate his career, and vice versa”.
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In keeping with Duncan’s low profile, the announcement of his retirement came in a press release heavy on statistics and light on personal details. Few players have ever been able to boast the kind of across-the-board accomplishments Duncan has, remaining a player capable of controlling a game from the moment he came into the league after a spectacular four-year career at Wake Forest up until his last season in the National Basketball Association, even when a knee injury in February seemed to fundamentally alter what Duncan was able to provide for his team over the final few months of his career.
Duncan’s final game was a 113-99 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals on May 12.
Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr, who played with Duncan for four seasons, said it will not be the same without Duncan on the court.
There were hints in that game of Duncan’s plans.
With the Spurs getting blown out and the fourth quarter set to begin, Popovich and his veteran star had a brief conversation on the bench. “It wasn’t fun as much”, Duncan said of the decision. Last season’s campaign was disrupted by a knee injury and he played in only 61 games. “And I can honestly tell you, my dinner would be with Timmy”.
And Duncan was truly one of a kind. During the offseason he would’ve done it then but he waited until the NBA Draft was over, then he waited a while longer until free agency period over.
The Spurs, meanwhile, would go on to win three more championships with Duncan as Tony Parker manned the point instead. After the title in 2003, the Spurs won again in 2005 and 2007, before winning again in 2014. But he never really changed. He is a 15-time All-Star and has been a member of the All-Defensive First or Second team 15 times.
Harrison, 21, averaged 18.5 points, 4.9 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.5 steals in 46 games this past season for the Iowa Energy, the Grizzlies’ NBA Development League affiliate. “He helped build something so strong that’s still going after he leaves”.
The Spurs have won 1,072 regular-season games since the start of the 1997-98 season, 155 more than the next closest team.
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Among those who paid tribute to Duncan were former Syracuse University star Etan Thomas, who faced off with the Spurs’ star in the National Basketball Association as a member of the Washington Wizards, Oklahoma City Thunder and Atlanta Hawks. And that’s when Duncan finally decided it was time to step away.
