Good riddance Timmy, goodbye, duces.

Yes as a Warriors fan I’ve been waiting for 1 of 2 things to happen with the Big Gentle. Either Sign with a team in the East or retire. And today I got my wish I’ve had since the  ’97 draft. My first time really being into college hoops I knew Tim was the man, he was a dominant low post player with a smooth jump shot around the rim. Tim was beyond humble, rarely showing emotion I mean the guy has the meanest poker face ever! I don’t think I’ve ever seen him smile.
But as a Warriors fan, oh man we all hated him. Tim has been the Warriors slayer since he came into the league, and compiled an astounding 57-9 record against the dubs. The number 1 player taken in the 1997 draft, a weak draft that included the likes of Ron Mercer, Derek Anderson and the second best player in the draft the guy the Warriors passed over for Adonal Foyle (insert crying emoji here) one of my all-time favorites Tracy “T-Mac” McGrady. I remember vividly coach Pop (Greg Popovich) saying in a pre-draft interview “Tim can have any number he wants.” Just knowing it was over for my Warriors David Robinson was still balling back then in ’97. And now they were pairing him with another soon to be great player in Duncan making the twin towers. From 1997 – 2003 the towers balled out. I remember getting my hands on a twin towers basketball card with Duncan & Robinson featured on it. (Yes to this day I still have it.) I remember before Duncan came to the Spurs the W’s dominated the Spurs time in and time again. But things changed in a big way even after Robinson retired Duncan carried on the dominance of the Warriors.
Let’s take a look at Tim’s career highlights….
• 5× NBA champion (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014)
• 3× NBA Finals MVP (1999, 2003, 2005)
• 2× NBA Most Valuable Player (2002–2003)
• 15× NBA All-Star (1998, 2000–2011, 2013, 2015)
• NBA All-Star Game MVP (2000)
• 10× All-NBA First Team (1998–2005, 2007, 2013)
• 3× All-NBA Second Team (2006, 2008–2009)
• 2× All-NBA Third Team (2010, 2015)
• 8× NBA All-Defensive First Team (1999–2003, 2005,2007–2008)
• 7× NBA All-Defensive Second Team (1998, 2004,2006, 2009–2010, 2013, 2015)
• NBA Rookie of the Year (1998)
• NBA Shooting Stars champion (2008)
• Twyman–Stokes Teammate of the Year Award(2015)
• San Antonio Spurs all-time leading scorer
• USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year (2003)
• Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year (2003)

How can you not love what he’s done for the game of basketball? But on a personal note, they don’t make’em like Duncan anymore. In an age when a lot of players are flashy, some even with me first attitudes, you have Tim who stayed loyal to the team that drafted him spending his entire career with the Spurs. In a league where it’s all about money, just check the ridiculous contracts players have been receiving this free agency period. Duncan the 19 year vet who has made and estimated 236 million in his career was only going to be on the Spurs books for 2 years at 5.6 million. Let’s just give him the good guy award. I’m going to miss his fundamental game. If you have a kid who wants to learn the 5 position watch tapes of Tim, emulate Tim, his game was flawless. While I’ll miss the player the gentle giant who took a backseat to his teammates year after year, I won’t miss his streak against my beloved Warriors. Goodbye Timmy Duncan the Spurs should retire your number this coming season!!!