Mitchell & Ness Swingman Tim Duncan San Antonio Spurs 98/99 Jersey

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The truth is, it’s impossible to distill Duncan’s career into words or some lengthy think piece. We already know about the mind-boggling stats, the five titles, the two MVPs and 15 All-Star appearances, not to mention the fact Duncan retired in 2016 ranked second in playoff victories, first in playoff double-doubles and third in postseason rebounds.

Then, there’s the day-to-day Duncan at the team’s training facility, his leadership through deeds, not words. This made Duncan one of only two players to win the Championship in three decades. Late Playing Career

LEADERSHIP THROUGH SELFLESSNESS: In Duncan’s 19 seasons as a player and one as an assistant on the Spurs staff, Buford said nobody in the organization can remember a single instance he was late. With Timmy, it softened them,” Buford explained. “It wasn’t so regimented and rigid [anymore]. I think with the way Pop and Tim connected it also became a very caring environment.” Marc Blucas (center), a longtime friend of Tim Duncan’s, shares a laugh with he and Grant Hill in 2014.

Tim Duncan was a man of few words on and off the court. Instead, the former San Antonio Spurs star power forward always spoke loudly with his stellar game. Despite the interests of the Los Angeles Lakers, Duncan was determined to continue his education until graduation. Duncan rejoined the Spurs as an assistant coach in July 2019. He had a 104-103 win against the Charlotte Hornets on his debut as an acting head coach on March 3, 2020. The three-time NABC Defensive Player of the Year finished his senior season in the 1996-97 NCAA season with third Defensive Player of the Season and second ACC Player of the Season.

Early Life & Swimming

Obviously, he’s honored by it, reveres the institution of the Hall of Fame and is proud and grateful for the honor. But staying true to what he is and what he’s done, for him, it’s not about the limelight, the speeches or the trophy room. I don’t know how that kind of success, money, fame and impact doesn’t change you. But damn it, he’s the same kid I met when he was 17 years old, 200 pounds soaking wet. Duncan retired from the NBA on July 11, 2016, after 19 seasons with the Spurs. The club retired his No. 21 jerseys on December 18. Coaching Career We’re talking about it, and I said, ‘Listen, Tim, my job is to represent you. So, I can’t really be worried about David’s point of view on this,’ ” said Babby, who also represented Hall of Fame inductee Tamika Catchings. “He turned to me and said, ‘Well, you might not have to worry about it, but I do because I’m gonna be his teammate. I’m coming in, and he’s been the star of this team. I need to be sensitive to his feelings.’ That’s just one of several displays of professionalism over the years from Duncan that set a standard for the rest of the franchise to follow. Duncan would start 32 of 33 games as a freshman at Wake Forest. That one season fighting alongside the power forward made a powerful impression on Blucas.

Duncan was selected in the 1997 NBA draft by the San Antonio Spurs. He paired with David Robinson, popularly known as “Twin Towers.” Earning good impressions from the beginning, Duncan was voted to the 1998 NBA All-Star Game by coaches. Duncan’s No. 21 will become the eighth Spurs player retired by the franchise, joining David Robinson (50), George Gervin (44), James Silas (13), Johnny Moore (00), Sean Elliott (32), Avery Johnson (6) and Bruce Bowen (12).The big thing that differentiates [Duncan] from the other superstars is that he wanted to be coached just like the 12th or 13th guy on the team," Gentry said. "You're able to get on him, you're able to do a lot of things, and he's just a tremendous guy. I was in Phoenix most of the time, and he made life miserable for us there. So we kind of wish he would've retired about eight years ago. I think we would have been much better off in Phoenix.

Pop being crazy, he thought Scot Pollard was who we should Draft,” Buford said. But once it became clear the plan was to select Duncan No. 1 overall, Popovich booked a flight to the Virgin Islands to spend time with Duncan.San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan listens while special guests speak about him during his jersey retirement ceremony, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016, in San Antonio. Duncan became the eighth Spur in franchise history to have his jersey retired, joining a group that includes George Gervin (44), David Robinson (50), Sean Elliott (32), James Silas (13), Avery Johnson (6), Bruce Bowen (12) and Johnny Moore (00). In July 2001, Tim married Amy Sherrill. They had a daughter, Sydney, and a son, Draven. The couple divorced in 2013. It was pretty obvious he was highly intelligent, had a great sense of humor, was serious about the game,” Popovich said. “Winning was what he was concerned with, nothing else. He was fun to be around. Those were probably the qualities I noticed first when I spent that time with him.”