The Big Fundamental Retires

http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2016/7/11/9165781/tim-duncan-retires-san-antonio-spurs



One of the greatest careers in basketball history has come to an end. Tim Duncan, a five-time champion, two-time MVP, three-time Finals MVP and 15-time All-Star announced he's retiring on Monday.

Duncan's career will be remembered for many things, but his ability to consistently be great is what separates him from nearly every other player who's ever stepped foot on an NBA floor. During the 1997-1998 season, as a 22-year-old rookie, Duncan averaged 19.4 points, 11 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.3 blocks per 36 minutes. His PER was 22.6. As a 39-year-old during the 2014-2015 season he averaged 17.3 points, 11.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.4 blocks per 36 minutes. His PER was 22.6. Duncan never played fewer than 61 games in a season (excluding the 50-game lockout season in 1999) and his team won at least 50 games every year of his career (again, excluding the lockout-shortened '99 season).

He, along with Gregg Popovich, transformed the small-market San Antonio Spurs into a powerhouse of a franchise, a team and organization, that every other one in world of professional sports has looked to emulate for years. And it all started with the man known as the Big Fundamental.

His game was never flashy, though to true basketball enthusiasts it was more beautiful than anyone else's. The impeccable footwork from the low block. The genius-level understanding of defensive angles and positioning. The automatic bank shot off the glass. And, perhaps most important of all, the ability to lead by example and desire to empower the revered man now commonly referred to as Pop.

"The truth is we all work for Timmy," Spurs general manager R.C. Buford is fond of saying.

That right there tells you all you need to know.



bob
MY NOTE:  It was time to go, but he will be missed.  I LOVED watching his footwork.  I used to say his high school coach should be bronzed, even if still alive.  If you are on his home island of St. Croix, in the US Virgin Islands, as you drive into the airport there is a big stone monolith at the entrance with a painting of Tim Duncan in his uniform waving to you.

Best of everything, Tim Duncan, and thanks for 19 years of joy.  You and Pop brought back basketball back from the one-on-one schoolyard game the NBA turned into to the team game we all love.


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Thanx timmy.. ya were never a celtic but ya sure as hell played like one.

bob


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I wish that he had been on TV much more in the east than he ever was because he was certainly fun to watch for all of those years.

Such an understated retirement - typical Timmy. No tears. No retirement tour a al Kobe/Jeter. What a humble dude. He really was remarkable, both in terms of talent and consistency. I would say he is in the top 5 of the greatest to ever play the game. Other than the fact that he should have been a Celtic, he had a remarkable career. Hopefully there is a Duncanaissance at some point so today's kids can see how to play the game...

Class. Class. Class.