They say that first impressions say a lot. Way back in 1994 this guy that was a swimmer shows up at Wake Forest to play basketball and after watching him play about three times he became my favorite player not playing for NC State.
Tim Duncan who used the backboard on jump shots, blocked shots and if he ran the block down off running with teammates to try to score. I don't know I ever at anytime while in college or 19 years in the pros saw him pump his chest to say look what I have done as many players do these days.
Being interviewed after winning NBA championships games he was a hard interview because it was never about him. Just may be the last two weeks of the playoffs he showed his age that he no longer could play at the championship level. Other than the final two weeks he was an all pro more worried about how he could help his teammates over what they could do for him. While others had year long retirement tours he simply walked off the court in his last game praised the team that beat the Spurs and two months later gets the team to announce his retirement.
He was on Spurs teams that won 5 NBA titles. Won the MVP of the NBA twice. He is known at Timmy, The Big Fundamental, Ground Hog Day and Old Man Riverwalk. Played in 1392 games 7th all time. Won more than 1000 games second all time. Third all time winning percentage per games played 69.5. Scored 26,494 14th all time. With Tim it was never about how many I can score. Rebounds 15,091 6th. Blocks 3,020 5th.
He walked softly, but will go down in NBA history as the greatest power forward in the game. While others were making 25 million a year and playing on losing teams Tim Duncan redid his contract so others could join the Spurs. He was about the only reason I watched NBA games when the Spurs were on as the brand of basketball played in the NBA and the actions of the players is not watchable for me. Tim Duncan played the game the way it is suppose to be played. I don't see on the horizon any player that makes me want to watch.
I will miss Tim Duncan.
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