Arguably the greatest power forward in basketball history, Tim Duncan, retired on Monday. He leaves behind a highly competitive team and an unquestionable legacy. Since he was drafted in 1997, the Virgin Islander has personified greatness and led the San Antonio Spurs dynasty.
It was typical of Duncan to sneak out the back door, retiring with very little fanfare after a season with the exhaustive build up for Kobe Bryant‘s retirement. Bryant and Duncan are both legends of the game who have won five championships respectively, but they have carried themselves in very different ways from the beginning.
The tributes that Duncan has received since his announcement are a testament to his professionalism, team orientated attitude, and the sacrifices he made throughout his career.
One of the most staggering things about The Big Fundamental is the lack of a significant decline in the statistics from his rookie year in ‘97-98 to his final championship season in ‘13-14. In his first season he averaged 21 points and 12 rebounds, and 16 years later he managed 15 points and 10 rebounds per game. He won a championship in all three of the decades he played in the NBA, and all for the same franchise.
As reported by CBS Sports' Matt Moore, it all could have been so different, as Duncan was almost pulled away from Texas.
Deadspin recently brought an old NBA.com article back, remembering a move that almost took place that had Duncan heading to the Orlando Magic.
Three years into his NBA career, Duncan became a free agent in 2000 and was courted by the Orlando. Tracy McGrady made the move to Florida in the same free agency to join Grant Hill. If Duncan had joined a team that featured McGrady and Hill, they could have created a ‘Big Three’ that rivaled those built by the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics. Duncan was only 24 years old at the time.
Here are some interesting quotes from the article:
“I came close to leaving,” said Duncan.
How close?
“Real close.”
…
“It was a nerve-wrecking time,” (Gregg) Popovich admitted.
“It was hell. You get close to a player and you don't want to see him leave. I never let myself believe he was going to stay. I was just getting myself prepared, for sanity reasons. It's no fun.
“It also seems like it takes forever to resolve. That's the worst part of it. We made our pitch to him and let him be, let him make up his own mind.”
Unlike the recent move by Kevin Durant, the formation of this super team didn’t come to fruition. Clearly, staying in San Antonio worked out for Duncan, but the proposed move will go down as one of the all-time NBA what-ifs.
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