Tim Duncan announces retirement from NBA after 19-year career

MANILA, Philippines – Five-time National Basketball Association (NBA) champion Tim Duncan announced his retirement on Monday, July 11 after 19 years in the league.

Duncan, a two-time Most Valuable Player who played the entirety of his career with the San Antonio Spurs, made his decision public through the Spurs’ website. The 40-year-old Duncan had seen his minutes dip to a career-low of 25.2 per game in the 2015-16 season as the focus shifted from the core of Duncan, Parker and Ginobili which had won titles in 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2014 to the next generation led by Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge.

Duncan had a $6.4 million player option for a 20th season, but the addition of Spanish free agent center Pau Gasol last week solidified that the team was in full transition out of the Duncan era.

Duncan was drafted first overall in 1997 out of Wake Forest University and ends his career with regular season averages of 19.0 points per game, 2.2 blocks per game and 10.8 rebounds per game.

Ginobili tweeted his feelings immediately after, saying “Even tho I knew it was coming, I’m still moved by the news. What a HUGE honor to have played with him for 14 seasons!”

Never among the flashiest of players in the league, Duncan often went under the radar among top players, earning the nickname “The Big Fundamental” from Shaquille O’Neal for his attention to the minor details that define hoops efficiency. He became the poster child for NBA consistency, earning 15 selections to the All-Star, All-NBA and 15 All-Defensive Teams, while being named MVP of the NBA Finals on 3 separate occasions.

Duncan’s height (6-foot-11) would’ve defined him as a center, but his ability to run the court and open up passing lanes made him a natural power forward – perhaps the best to ever play the 4-position.

He entered the league after the Spurs had won the lottery following the 1996-97 season in which the Spurs finished with the league’s third worst record (20-62) after star center David Robinson missed all but 6 games due to injury. Robinson returned the following season to team up with Duncan as a twin towers duo. In their second season together, ’98-99, they defeated the New York Knicks in 5 games to win the franchise its first NBA title.

Since Duncan entered the league, the Spurs never won fewer than 50 games – save for the lockout-shortened ’98-99 season when they managed to win 37 of 50 regular season games – and made the playoffs every season.

Duncan played his final game on May 13, 2016, turning in 19 points and 5 rebounds as the Oklahoma City Thunder eliminated the Spurs in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals. 

“I’ll get to that after I get out of here and figure out life. That’s it,” Duncan said afterwards when asked if he would be retiring. – Rappler.com