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Tim Duncan
Tim Duncan
Tim Duncan
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Timothy Theodore Duncan (born April 25, 1976)[1] is an American former professional basketball player and coach. He spent his entire 19-year career with the San Antonio Spurs in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Nicknamed "the Big Fundamental", he is widely considered to be the greatest power forward of all time and one of the greatest players in NBA history,[5] and was a central contributor to the franchise's success during the 2000s and 2010s.[6] He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2020 and named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021.

Key Information

Born and raised on Saint Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Duncan initially aspired to be a competitive swimmer, but took up basketball at 14 after Hurricane Hugo destroyed the island's only Olympic-sized pool. In high school, he played basketball for St. Dunstan's Episcopal. In college, Duncan played for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, and in his senior year, he received the John Wooden Award and was named the Naismith College Player of the Year and the USBWA College Player of the Year.

After graduating from college, Duncan was the NBA Rookie of the Year after being selected by San Antonio with the first overall pick in the 1997 NBA draft. In his second season, he became the third player (alongside Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) to win NBA Finals MVP in his first two seasons after being drafted, guiding the Spurs to the 1999 NBA title. Known as a strong post defender, Duncan was selected to one of the two All-Defensive teams each of the first 13 seasons of his career, an NBA record. As part of the Spurs' Big Three with guards Tony Parker and Manu Ginóbili, Duncan won four additional NBA championships and collected three Finals MVP trophies. He primarily played the power forward position and also played center throughout his career. He is a five-time NBA champion, a two-time NBA MVP, a three-time NBA Finals MVP, a 15-time NBA All-Star,[7] and the only player to be selected to both the All-NBA and All-Defensive Teams for 13 consecutive seasons.[8]

Early life

[edit]

Duncan was born on April 25, 1976, and raised in Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. He is the son of immigrants from Anguilla: Ione, a professional midwife, and William Duncan, a mason.[9] He has two older sisters, Cheryl and Tricia,[10] and an older brother, Scott, who became a film director and cinematographer.[11] Cheryl was a champion swimmer before she became a nurse, and Tricia swam for the U.S. Virgin Islands at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul.[10]

In school, Duncan was a bright pupil and dreamt of becoming an Olympic-level swimmer like Tricia.[12][13] His parents were very supportive, and Duncan excelled at swimming, becoming a teenage standout in the 50-, 100-, and 400-meter freestyle and aiming to go to the 1992 Olympic Games as a member of the United States Team.[12]

In 1989, after Hurricane Hugo destroyed the island's only Olympic-sized swimming pool, Duncan was forced to swim in the ocean instead, and his fear of sharks ruined his enthusiasm for the sport.[12] He was dealt another emotional blow when his mother died of breast cancer on April 24, 1990, the day before his 14th birthday.[12] On her deathbed, she made Duncan and his sisters promise that they would graduate from college, going a long way in explaining Duncan's later refusal to leave college early for the NBA.[14]

Duncan never swam competitively again, but his brother-in-law inspired him to turn to basketball.[14] Initially, Duncan had difficulties adapting to the game he thought would help relieve his pain and frustration. St. Croix Country Day School athletic director Nancy Pomroy has said, "[Duncan] was so huge. So big and tall, but he was awfully awkward at the time."[15] He overcame his awkwardness to become a standout for the St. Dunstan's Episcopal High School, averaging 25 points per game as a senior. His play attracted the attention of several universities.[16] Wake Forest University basketball coach Dave Odom, in particular, grew interested in Duncan after the 16-year-old allegedly played NBA star Alonzo Mourning to a draw in a 5-on-5 pick-up game.[12] Odom was searching for a tall, physical player to play near the basket.[12] Given the weak level of basketball in the Virgin Islands, Odom was wary about Duncan at first, especially after first meeting him and thinking him inattentive; Duncan stared blankly at Odom for most of the conversation.[17] But after the first talk, Odom understood that this was just Duncan's demeanor and discovered that he was not only a talented athlete but also a quick learner.[17] Eventually, despite scholarship offers by the University of Hartford, the University of Delaware, and Providence College, Duncan joined Odom's Wake Forest Demon Deacons.[12]

College career

[edit]

In the year before Duncan's arrival at Wake Forest University, the Demon Deacons had reached the Sweet 16, but then lost leading scorer Rodney Rogers, who entered the 1993 NBA draft.[12] In the 1993–94 NCAA season, Coach Dave Odom was considering redshirting Duncan, but was forced to play him after fellow freshman big man Makhtar N'Diaye violated NCAA rules and eventually transferred to Michigan.[18] Duncan wore No. 21 at Wake Forest in honor of his brother-in-law, Ricky Lowery, who had taught him to play basketball and had worn the same number when he was in college. He would continue to wear this number throughout his entire professional career.[19] Duncan struggled with early transition problems and was even held scoreless in his first college game, but as the year progressed, he and teammate Randolph Childress led the Deacons to a 20–11 win–loss record.[12] Duncan's style of play was simple yet effective, combining an array of low-post moves, mid-range bank shots, and tough defense. He was chosen to represent the U.S. in the 1994 Goodwill Games.[12] Meanwhile, Duncan worked towards a degree in psychology and also took classes in anthropology and Chinese literature.[17] Despite his heavy focus on basketball, Wake Forest psychology department chairperson Deborah Best said, "Tim ... was one of my more intellectual students. ... Other than his height, I couldn't tell him from any other student at Wake Forest."[17] Duncan also established his reputation as a stoic player, to the extent that opposing fans taunted him as "Mr. Spock", the prototype of a logical, detached character from Star Trek.[17]

In the 1994–95 NCAA season, the sophomore was soon called one of the best prospects among those eligible for the NBA, along with peers Joe Smith, Rasheed Wallace, and Jerry Stackhouse.[12] Los Angeles Lakers general manager Jerry West suggested that Duncan might become the top pick in the 1995 NBA draft if he went early; however, Duncan said that he had no intention of going pro before graduation, despite the NBA's plan to add a rookie salary cap in 1996. Though it meant passing up a large amount of money, Duncan was loath to deviate from his determination to stay in school.[12] In that season, he led the Demon Deacons into the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) championship game against the Rasheed Wallace-led North Carolina Tar Heels.[20] During that game, Duncan neutralized Wallace, while Childress sealed the win with a jump shot with four seconds left in overtime.[12] In the NCAA tournament, the Demon Deacons reached the Sweet 16. Playing against Oklahoma State, Duncan scored 12 points to go with 22 rebounds and eight blocks, outplaying Bryant Reeves, but Wake Forest still lost, 71–66. Duncan ended the season averaging 16.8 points and 12.5 rebounds per game, was named Defensive Player of the Year, and became the third-best shot-blocker in NCAA history with 3.98 blocks per game.[12] He was also voted All-ACC First Team, a feat he would repeat in his two remaining years at Wake Forest.[21]

During the 1995–96 NCAA season, Wake Forest lost Childress, who had graduated the previous season and entered the NBA. In Childress's absence, Duncan led the team to a 12–4 ACC record, and a 26–6 record overall.[12] The Demon Deacons won the ACC Finals again,[22] but in the Sweet 16, Duncan came down with the flu, and his team missed the Final Four. His season averages of 19.1 points and 12.3 rebounds per game led to another ACC Defensive Player of the Year award and his first ACC Player of the Year award.[21][23] Although the Wake Forest star was now rumored to be entering the 1996 NBA draft, he stayed in college.[12]

In the 1996–97 NCAA season, new 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) Demon Deacon and future NBA player Loren Woods eased the pressure on Duncan close to the basket. The 1996–97 team won their first 13 games, but then came a slump, and they failed to win a third ACC title.[12] On January 12, 1997, Duncan scored 26 points and 14 rebounds in an 81–69 win against Duke.[24] On January 24, 1997, Duncan scored 16 points, 15 rebounds and 5 blocks in a 65–62 victory over Clemson.[25] Later, during the NCAA tournament, Stanford University, led by future NBA point guard Brevin Knight, eliminated Wake Forest with a 72–66 win.[26] Duncan finished his senior season with career high averages of 20.8 points, 14.7 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game while shooting .606 from the field and winning the Defensive Player of the Year for a third straight season. He earned first-team All-American honors for the second time and was a unanimous pick for both the Oscar Robertson Trophy and Naismith College Player of the Year.[12] Duncan was first in the 1996–97 NCAA Division I in rebounding, tenth in blocked shots (3.3 bpg), and 28th in scoring (20.8 ppg).[21] He was voted ACC Player of the Year again and, based on the votes of sportscasters and newswriters, won the 1997 John Wooden Award as the NCAA's best overall male player.[27]

In contrast to contemporary prep-to-pro players like Kevin Garnett, Jermaine O'Neal, Tracy McGrady, and Kobe Bryant, Duncan stayed in college for a full four years. During that period, he was a two-time ACC Player of the Year and a three-time NABC Defensive Player of the Year. The center also made the All-ACC Tournament between 1995 and 1997 and the All-ACC First Team between 1995 and 1997. In 1996, he led the ACC in scoring, rebounding, field goal percentage, and blocked shots, becoming the first player in conference history to lead all four of those categories.[21] That same year, he was also named Most Valuable Player of the ACC Tournament. Overall, Duncan led his team to a 97–31 win–loss record and finished his college career as the all-time leading rebounder in NCAA history in the post-1973 era (a mark later surpassed by Kenneth Faried). Duncan left college as the all-time leading shot-blocker in ACC history with 481 blocks—at the time second in NCAA annals behind Colgate's Adonal Foyle—and third on the ACC career rebounding list with 1,570 rebounds.[21] He is also tied with Armando Bacot for the second-most double-doubles in NCAA history with 87.[28]

In college, Duncan co-authored a chapter in the social psychology book Aversive Interpersonal Behaviors with Mark Leary.[29][30] After earning his college degree in psychology,[31] Duncan entered the 1997 NBA draft.[32] In 2009, Duncan was inducted into the Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame.[33]

Professional career

[edit]

San Antonio Spurs (1997–2016)

[edit]

"Twin Towers" (1997–2003)

[edit]
Further information: Twin Towers (San Antonio Spurs)

In the 1997 NBA draft, the San Antonio Spurs drafted Duncan with the first draft pick.[7] The Spurs were coming off an injury-riddled 1996–97 season; their best player, David Robinson—himself a number one draft pick in 1987—was sidelined for most of the year, and they finished with a 20–62 win–loss record.[34] In the 1997–98 season, Duncan and Robinson became known as the "Twin Towers". The duo earned a reputation for their exceptional defense close to the basket.[12] From the beginning, Duncan established himself as a quality player: In his second road game, he grabbed 22 rebounds against Chicago Bulls Hall-of-Fame power forward Dennis Rodman, a multiple rebounding champion and NBA Defensive Player of the Year.[35] Duncan was voted to the 1998 NBA All-Star Game by coaches. Later, when Duncan played against Houston Rockets Hall-of-Fame power forward Charles Barkley, Barkley was so impressed he said, "I have seen the future and he wears number 21."[36] In his rookie season, Duncan lived up to expectations of being the first draft pick, starting in all 82 regular season games, averaging 21.1 points, 11.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.5 blocks per game, and earning All-NBA First Team honors.[7] His defensive contributions ensured that he was chosen for the NBA All-Defensive Second Team and was also named NBA Rookie of the Year, having won the NBA Rookie of the Month award every single month that season.[16][37] Spurs coach Gregg Popovich lauded Duncan's mental toughness, stating his rookie's "demeanor was singularly remarkable", Duncan always "put things into perspective" and never got "too upbeat or too depressed."[38] Center Robinson was equally impressed with Duncan: "He's the real thing. I'm proud of his attitude and effort. He gives all the extra effort and work and wants to become a better player."[39]

The Spurs qualified for the 1998 NBA playoffs as the fifth seed, but Duncan had a bad first half in his first playoff game against the Phoenix Suns, causing Suns coach Danny Ainge to play Duncan with less defensive pressure. The rookie capitalized on this by finishing Game 1 with 32 points and 10 rebounds[40] and replicating the performance in Game 2,[41] contributing to a 3–1 victory over the Suns.[12] However, the Spurs lost in the second round to the eventual Western Conference champions, Utah Jazz.[42]

Duncan at the free throw line in 2005

During the lockout-shortened 1998–99 season, the Spurs started with a lackluster 6–8 record and Popovich came under fire from the press.[43] However, Duncan and Robinson stood behind their coach and finished the season with a 31–5 run.[44] The sophomore averaged 21.7 points, 11.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.5 blocks in the regular season, making both the All-NBA and All-Defense First Teams.[7] In the 1999 NBA playoffs, the Spurs defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 3–1, swept the Los Angeles Lakers and the Portland Trail Blazers 4–0, and defeated the Cinderella New York Knicks 4–1 in the Finals.[45] In this series, a large contingent of Virgin Islanders flew over to support their local hero,[46] and were not disappointed. In the first two games, the "Twin Towers" outscored their Knicks counterparts Chris Dudley/Larry Johnson with 41 points, 26 rebounds, and nine blocks versus five points, 12 rebounds, and zero blocks.[46] After a Game 3 loss in which Duncan was held scoreless in the third quarter and committed three turnovers in the last quarter, Duncan bounced back with 28 points and 18 rebounds in a Game 4 win,[46] and in Game 5, the Spurs protected a 78–77 lead seconds from the end with the ball in the Knicks' possession. Double teamed by Duncan and Robinson, Knicks swingman Latrell Sprewell missed a last-second desperation shot,[46] and after closing out the series with a strong 31-point, 9-rebound showing in Game 5, Duncan was named Finals MVP, bringing San Antonio their first-ever NBA championship.[47] Sports Illustrated journalist and retired NBA player Alex English added: "Duncan came up big each time they went to him with that sweet turnaround jumper off the glass. He was the man tonight [in Game 5]." And Popovich later said to losing coach Jeff Van Gundy: "I've got Tim and you don't. That's the difference."[47]

In the 1999–2000 season, Duncan further cemented his reputation. He averaged 23.2 points, 12.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.2 blocks per game, earning another pair of All-NBA and All-Defense First Team nods.[7] However, the Spurs had a disappointing postseason. Duncan injured his meniscus shortly before the end of the regular season and was unable to play in even one postseason game.[16] Consequently, the Spurs were eliminated in the first round of the 2000 NBA playoffs, losing 3–1 to the Phoenix Suns.[48] The following offseason, Duncan nearly joined the Orlando Magic in free agency, but stayed with the Spurs after Magic coach Doc Rivers refused to allow Duncan to bring his family to fly on the team plane.[49]

In the next season, Duncan averaged 22.2 points, 12.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.3 blocks per game. He was again named to the All-NBA and All-Defensive First Teams.[7] In the 2001 NBA playoffs, the Spurs eliminated the Timberwolves 3–1, defeated the Dallas Mavericks 4–1, but then bowed out against the Lakers (led by superstars Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant) in four straight games.[50] Sports Illustrated described the series as a "[m]erciless mismatch", and Duncan was criticized as "silent when the Spurs need him most".[51]

On the back of two consecutive playoff disappointments, Duncan improved statistically in the 2001–02 season. He averaged career highs in scoring (25.5 points per game, including a league-leading 764 field goals and 560 attempted free throws) and rebounding (12.7 boards per game, and his accumulated 1,042 boards again led the league), and also averaged 3.7 assists and 2.5 blocks per game, both career highs.[7] Coupled with another pair of All-NBA and All-Defensive First Team nods, he was named the league's Most Valuable Player, joining teammate David Robinson as one of only two Spurs players in history to have earned the honor.[52] On the other hand, Duncan's team struggled with the fact that the aging Robinson was no longer able to sustain his level of performance, and backup center-forward Malik Rose had to step in more often.[12] In the 2002 NBA playoffs, the Spurs were again outmatched by the Lakers. Up against star center O'Neal once more, the Spurs were defeated 4–1 by the eventual champions.[53] Duncan, who managed 34 points and a franchise-high 25 rebounds in Game 5, stated his frustration: "I thought we really had a chance at this series. The Lakers proved to be more than we could handle. Again, we had a (heck) of a run at it. We had opportunities to win games and make it a different series, but that's just the way the ball rolls sometimes."[54] Nevertheless, NBA.com praised Duncan as "phenomenal" and criticized his supporting cast.[54]

Duncan (middle) and the Spurs at the White House after winning the 2003 NBA Finals

In the 2002–03 season, the Spurs began play at the SBC Center on November 1 by defeating the Toronto Raptors 91–72. In that game, Duncan recorded 22 points, 15 rebounds and 3 blocks for the Spurs.[55] He averaged 23.3 points, a career-high 12.9 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.9 blocks per game, and earned All-NBA and All-Defensive First Team recognition, resulting in his second NBA Most Valuable Player Award.[7][12] At age 37, Robinson had announced that the season would be his last; his playing time was cut by coach Popovich to save his energy for the playoffs.[12] The Spurs qualified easily for the playoffs, concluding the regular season as the Western Conference's number one seed with a 60–22 record.[56] In the Western Conference Semifinals against the Lakers, Duncan dominated forward Robert Horry[57] and closed out the series in style; Duncan finished Game 6 with 37 points and 16 rebounds.[57] The Spurs made it to the finals, and defeated the New Jersey Nets 88–77 in Game 6 to win another NBA championship.[58] Helped by an inspired Robinson, Duncan almost recorded a quadruple double in the final game,[59] and was named the NBA Finals MVP.[16] Following this successful Spurs campaign, Robinson and Duncan were named Sports Illustrated's 2003 "Sportsmen of the Year".[60]

Leader of the Spurs (2003–2007)

[edit]
Duncan backing down Ben Wallace in a 2005 game

On July 16, 2003, Duncan signed a seven-year, $122 million contract with the Spurs.[61] Before the 2003–04 season began, the Spurs lost their perennial captain David Robinson to retirement. Embracing the lone team leader role, Duncan led a reformed Spurs team which included Slovenian center Rasho Nesterović, defensive stalwart Bruce Bowen, Argentinian shooting guard Manu Ginóbili and young French point guard Tony Parker. Coming off the bench were clutch shooting power forward Robert Horry, versatile Hedo Türkoğlu and veterans Malik Rose and Kevin Willis.[62] In retrospect, Robinson commented that at first, Duncan was reluctant to step into the void, still needing some time to truly develop his leadership skills.[63] Statistically though, Duncan remained strong; after another convincing season with averages of 22.3 points, 12.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.7 blocks,[7] he led the Spurs into the Western Conference Semifinals. There, they met the Los Angeles Lakers again, split the series 2–2, and in Game 5, Duncan made a toughly defended jump shot which put the Spurs ahead by one point with 0.4 seconds left to play. Despite the little time remaining, Lakers point guard Derek Fisher hit a buzzer beater, giving his team the win.[64][65] In the end, the Spurs lost the series 4–2, and Duncan attributed the strong Lakers defense as one of the reasons for the loss.[66]

Duncan and his Spurs looked to re-assert themselves in the next 2004–05 season. Despite their new captain's slight statistical slump (20.3 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.6 blocks per game),[7] the Spurs won the second seed for the 2005 NBA playoffs by winning 59 games.[67] In the first round, the Spurs eliminated the Denver Nuggets four games to one, and met the Seattle SuperSonics in the semi-finals. After splitting the first four games, Duncan led his team to two decisive victories,[12] setting up a meeting with the Phoenix Suns, known for their up-tempo basketball. The Spurs managed to beat the Suns at their own game, defeating them 4–1[12] and earning a spot in the 2005 NBA Finals against the Detroit Pistons. In the Finals, Duncan was pitted against Detroit's defensively strong frontcourt anchored by multiple NBA Defensive Player of the Year Ben Wallace. After two convincing Game 1 and 2 wins for the Spurs, the Pistons double teamed Duncan and forced him to play further from the basket.[12] Detroit won the next two games and the series was eventually tied at 3–3, but Duncan was instrumental in Game 7, recording 25 points and 11 rebounds as the Spurs defeated the Pistons.[68] NBA.com reported that "with his unique multidimensional talent, Duncan depleted and dissected the Pistons... He was the fulcrum of virtually every key play down the stretch", and coach Popovich added: "[Duncan's] complete game is so sound, so fundamental, so unnoticed at times, because if he didn't score, people think, 'Well, he didn't do anything'. But he was incredible and he was the force that got it done for us."[68] Pistons center Ben Wallace remarked: "He put his team on his shoulders and carried them to a championship. That's what the great players do."[68] Duncan won his third NBA Finals MVP Award, joining Michael Jordan, Shaquille O'Neal, and Magic Johnson as the only players in NBA history to win it three times.[16]

Duncan going up for a shot over the Lakers' Andrew Bynum

During the 2005–06 season, Duncan suffered from plantar fasciitis for most of the season,[69] which was at least partly responsible for his sinking output (18.6 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.0 blocks per game), and also for his failure to make the All-NBA First Team after eight consecutive appearances.[7] The big man came back strong in the 2006 NBA playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks, where he outscored rival power forward Dirk Nowitzki 32.2 to 27.1 points, with neither Nowitzki nor Mavericks center Erick Dampier able to stop Duncan with their man-to-man defense.[70] But after splitting the first six games, Duncan became the tragic hero of his team in Game 7. Despite scoring 39 points in regulation time and fouling out both Dampier and Keith Van Horn, Duncan only made one of seven field goal attempts in overtime against Mavericks reserve center DeSagana Diop, and the Spurs lost Game 7.[70]

The following season, however, was another championship year for Duncan and the Spurs. Duncan averaged 20.0 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.4 blocks per game in the regular season,[7] and was selected as a Western Conference starter for the 2007 NBA All-Star Game, his ninth appearance in the event. In the 2007 NBA Playoffs, he led the Spurs to a 4–1 series win over the Denver Nuggets in the opening round, a 4–2 win over the Phoenix Suns in the second round, and a 4–1 win against the Utah Jazz in the Western Conference Finals, setting up a meeting with the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Finals.[71] There, the Spurs swept the Cavaliers 4–0, earning Duncan his and San Antonio's fourth ever championship.[72] Duncan proclaimed that that championship was "the best" of his four championships; however, he also acknowledged he played "sub-par" and thus received only one vote for NBA Finals MVP from a panel of ten.[63] His colleagues were more appreciative of Duncan; among others, ex-teammate David Robinson referred to the Spurs titles as the "Tim Duncan era", and lauded his leadership. Coach Popovich also praised Duncan: "Tim is the common denominator. He's [had] a different cast around him [in] '99, '03 and '05. He's welcomed them all. ... But he is that easy to play with, and his skills are so fundamentally sound that other people can fit in."[63] Then-NBA commissioner David Stern added: "[Duncan] is a player for the ages. I'm a tennis fan, and Pete Sampras is one of the greats. OK, he wasn't Andre Agassi or John McEnroe. He just happens to be one of the greatest players of all time. You take great players as you find them."[63]

Playoff disappointments (2007–2013)

[edit]

During the 2008 NBA All-Star Weekend, Duncan was a member of the San Antonio team that won the Shooting Stars Competition.[73] For the season, he played 78 games and posted his typical 20/10 numbers,[74] San Antonio concluded the 2007–08 regular season with a 56–26 record, finishing behind the Lakers and New Orleans Hornets in the Western Conference and setting up themselves for a first-round contest against the Suns. The Suns—defeated by the Spurs in three of the past four seasons of playoffs—were out for revenge and featured a new player in four-time NBA champion Shaquille O'Neal. In Game 1, Duncan set the tone with a 40-point game and a rare three-pointer that sent the game into double overtime.[75] The trio of Duncan, Ginóbili and Parker continued playing to form for the remainder of the series, and the Spurs eliminated the Suns in five games.[76] In the first game of the next round against the Chris Paul-led Hornets, San Antonio was badly defeated 101–82 as Duncan played one of the worst playoff games in his career, recording only 5 points and 3 rebounds.[77] The Spurs dropped the next game as well, but recovered in Games 3 and 4, with Duncan putting up a team-high 22 point/15 rebound/4 block performance in the game that tied the series.[78] Duncan then recorded 20 points and 15 rebounds in Game 6,[79] and the Spurs relied on their experience to seal the series in Game 7.[80] However, arch-rivals Los Angeles Lakers defeated San Antonio in five games in the Conference Finals, and the Spurs once again failed to capture back-to-back NBA championships.[81]

Duncan with the ball in 2009

Duncan started the 2008–09 season with strong showings in points and rebounds per game. However, by mid-season, his performance declined and he was subsequently diagnosed with chronic knee tendinosis.[82] Despite Duncan having problems with his knee and the team losing the services of shooting guard Ginóbili for most of the season, San Antonio qualified for the playoffs as the third seed with a 54–28 record.[83][84] Coupled with an aging supporting cast (Bowen, Michael Finley and Kurt Thomas were all in their late 30s), however, the Spurs were only considered fringe contenders for the championship.[84] As it turned out, Duncan and Parker were not enough to help the Spurs avoid a 4–1 defeat by Dallas, and the Spurs were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs for the first time since 2000.[85]

With the Spurs looking to provide a more solid supporting cast in the 2009–10 season, they acquired Richard Jefferson, Theo Ratliff, Antonio McDyess, DeJuan Blair, and Keith Bogans.[86] The team got off to a 5–6 start, but a series of double-double performances by Duncan gave them a 9–6 record by the end of November. Duncan was subsequently named the Western Conference Player of the Week for the last week of November.[87] Even at 34 years of age, he remained a constant 20–10 threat, being only one of three players in the league at the mid-season to average at least 20 points and 10 rebounds a game. On January 21, 2010, Duncan was named as the starting forward for the West for the 2010 NBA All-Star Game.[88] After securing yet another 50-win season,[89] the Spurs qualified for the playoffs as the seventh seed, and defeated Dallas 4–2 in the first round, only to lose 4–0 to Phoenix in the next round.[90]

Duncan in a red shirt
Duncan in February 2011

Eleven games into the 2010–11 season, Duncan became the Spurs' all-time leader in points scored and games played.[91] Along the way, the Spurs compiled a 12-game winning streak to go 13–2 after 15 games. On November 30, 2010, Duncan recorded his third career triple-double against the Golden State Warriors.[92] 12 days later, in a game against the Portland Trail Blazers, Duncan became the 94th player in NBA history to play 1,000 games. Through his 1,000th game, the Spurs have been 707–293; only Scottie Pippen (715–285) had a better record with his team through his first 1,000 games.[93] The Spurs were 29–4 after 33 games—one of the ten best starts in NBA history[94]–and led the league at 35–6 halfway through the season.[95] Although Duncan produced career lows in points and rebounds per game, the Spurs ended the regular season as the first seed in the West for the 2011 NBA playoffs, and were second in the league (to Chicago). Despite finishing with a 61–21 record, however, the Spurs could not avoid being upset in the first round, 4–2, by the eighth-seeded Memphis Grizzlies.[96]

Duncan in a red shirt
Duncan as an All-Star for the West in 2011

The Spurs again finished the 2011–12 season as the number one seed in the West—it was a lockout-shortened 66-game season—tying with the Chicago Bulls for a league-best 50–16 record.[97] Prior to a game against the Philadelphia 76ers on March 24, 2012, head coach Gregg Popovich decided to give Duncan a night off by listing him on the official scorecard as "DNP-OLD", poking fun at his 36-year-old body.[98] Overall, Duncan's numbers remained at par with the previous season. The triumvirate of Duncan-Parker-Ginóbili entered the 2012 NBA playoffs well-rested and healthy, and the Spurs swept the Utah Jazz and the Los Angeles Clippers 4–0 in the first two rounds. On May 31, 2012, in the third game of the Western Conference Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Duncan set the record for most career blocks in playoffs history, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The Spurs' playoff run came to an end when the Thunder defeated them 4–2.[99]

On July 11, 2012, Duncan agreed to re-sign with the Spurs. Helped by a supporting cast comprising Danny Green, Tiago Splitter, Gary Neal and Kawhi Leonard that had been maturing steadily over the last two seasons, Duncan and the Spurs would again make the playoffs with a 58–24 regular season record. Duncan also returned to the All-Star line-up and was named to the All-NBA First Team. He finished the regular season with 23,785 career points, which broke George Gervin's record for most points in a Spurs uniform (23,602). In the playoffs, the Spurs swept the Los Angeles Lakers, beat Golden State in six games and defeated the Memphis Grizzlies in the Western Conference Finals in a 4–0 sweep to reach the NBA Finals. In Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals, Duncan recorded his 500th playoff block, becoming the first player in NBA history to reach that milestone, although the NBA did not track blocks prior to the 1973–74 season.[100][101] The Spurs met defending NBA champions Miami Heat in the NBA Finals in a tightly contested series. Miami had home court advantage, but San Antonio took the first game and headed into game 6 with a 3–2 lead. In that game, Duncan scored 25 points in the first half,[102] his biggest haul in a half of an NBA Finals game.[citation needed] However, the Spurs lost the game in overtime, and then lost the deciding seventh game.[103]

Fifth championship (2013–2014)

[edit]

On December 2, 2013, Duncan became the oldest player to record a 20–20 game in NBA history, finishing with 23 points, 21 rebounds, and the game-winning jump shot against the Atlanta Hawks.[104] The Spurs went on to conclude the 2013–14 regular season with a league-best 62 wins.[105] The Spurs defeated Dallas in seven games in the first round of the playoffs, Portland in five games in the conference semifinals, and Oklahoma City in six games, where game 6 went into overtime, as the Spurs won, 112–107.[106][107][108] They set up a Finals rematch against the Miami Heat, which they won, 4–1, setting a record margin for a win in the NBA Finals, for games 3 and 4.[109] Along the way, the Duncan-Ginóbili-Parker trio broke the record for most wins in NBA playoffs history.[110] After winning the Finals in five games, Duncan joined John Salley as the only players to win a championship in three different decades.[111]

Late career (2014–2016)

[edit]

On June 23, 2014, Duncan exercised his $10.3 million player option for the 2014–15 season.[112][113] On November 14, 2014, Duncan scored his 25,000th point in the first half of the Spurs' 93–80 win over the Los Angeles Lakers, becoming the 19th player in NBA history to reach the milestone.[114] On February 19, 2015, he passed Alex English to move into 16th place on the NBA's all-time scoring list with 30 points against the Los Angeles Clippers.[115] On March 4, he recorded six rebounds against the Sacramento Kings, breaking his tie with Nate Thurmond for ninth in career rebounding.[116] Two days later, he recorded three blocks against the Denver Nuggets to surpass Patrick Ewing for sixth overall in career blocks.[117] On April 12, he played his 1,330th career game against the Phoenix Suns, which passed Moses Malone for 11th all-time. He also scored 22 points and passed Kevin Garnett to move into 14th place on the NBA's all-time scoring list.[118] The Spurs finished sixth in the Western Conference after 82 games and faced the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round of the playoffs. Their quest for back-to-back championships was ended May 2 as they lost to the Clippers in seven games.[119] Duncan was later named to the All-Defensive second team on May 20 for the seventh time in his career.[120]

On July 9, 2015, Duncan re-signed with the Spurs to a two-year deal.[121] On November 2, 2015, in a win over the New York Knicks, Duncan recorded 16 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in his NBA-record 954th victory with one team, surpassing John Stockton's 953 wins with the Utah Jazz.[122] On November 11, he pulled down the 14,716th rebound of his career against the Portland Trail Blazers to pass Robert Parish for seventh place on the NBA's all-time rebounding list.[123] On November 14, in a win over the Philadelphia 76ers, Duncan had five blocked shots to become the Spurs' franchise leader with 2,955 blocks, surpassing former teammate David Robinson's career total of 2,954. Duncan also moved into fifth all-time on the NBA's blocks list.[124] After missing the Spurs' last three games of December due to rest and right knee soreness, Duncan returned to action on January 2, 2016, against the Houston Rockets. In his return game, Duncan was held scoreless for the first time in his 19-year career;[125] giving him the most consecutive games with at least one point, at 1,359.[126] Four days later, Duncan scored a then-season high 18 points in a 123–98 win over the Utah Jazz, helping the Spurs extend its franchise-record home winning streak to 30 straight regular season games dating to 2014–15.[127] On February 10, he returned to the starting lineup after missing eight games with a sore knee.[128] On February 27, in a win over the Houston Rockets, he became the fifth player in NBA history to reach 3,000 blocks. In addition, with six rebounds in the game, Duncan reached 14,971 for his career, surpassing Karl Malone (14,968) for sixth place in league history.[129] On March 10, Duncan became the sixth player in league history with 15,000 rebounds, completing the feat midway through the first quarter of the Spurs' 109–101 win over the Chicago Bulls.[130] On March 19, he came off the bench for only the third time in his career to counter the smaller lineup of the Golden State Warriors. With a win over the Warriors, the Spurs recorded their 35th straight home win of the season and their 44th straight at home dating to 2014–15, tied for the second-longest streak in NBA history with the 1995–96 Chicago Bulls.[131] On April 5, in a win over the Utah Jazz, he became the third player with 1,000 victories in the regular season, following Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Robert Parish. Duncan extended his mark as the NBA's career leader in victories with one team.[132] On April 8, he scored a season-high 21 points in a losing effort to the Denver Nuggets. Having already locked up second seed in the West with a franchise-best record (65–13 prior to Nuggets game), all four of Duncan's starting teammates were rested.[133] The Spurs went on to lose to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round of the playoffs.[134]

Duncan from behind on the court
Duncan's 21 jersey was retired months after he stopped playing.

On June 28, 2016, Duncan opted into his $5.6 million contract for the 2016–17 season.[135] However, on July 11, 2016, he announced his retirement from the NBA after 19 seasons with San Antonio.[136] In September 2016, coach Gregg Popovich indicated that Duncan would have a coaching role with the team in the 2016–17 season.[137]

On December 18, 2016, the Spurs retired Duncan's No. 21 jersey in a postgame ceremony, making him the eighth Spur in franchise history to have his jersey retired.[138]

National team career

[edit]

In 1998, Duncan was selected as one of the last two players for the United States national team for the World Basketball Championship. However, this team was later replaced with CBA and college players because of the NBA lockout.[139] Duncan's first chance at playing for the national team came in 1999 when he was called up to the Olympic Qualifying Team. He averaged 12.7 ppg, 9.1 rpg and 2.4 bpg and led the team to a 10–0 finish en route to a qualifying berth for the 2000 Sydney Olympics, but a knee injury forced him to stay out of the Olympic Games themselves.[21]

In 2003, Duncan was also a member of the USA team that recorded ten wins and qualified for the 2004 Summer Olympics.[21] He started all the games he played in and averaged team bests of 15.6 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 1.56 bpg, while shooting 60.7 percent from the field.[21] At the Olympics itself, the team lost three games on its way to a bronze medal.[140] The record represented more losses in a single year than in the 68 previous years combined. It was also the first time since NBA players became eligible that the U.S. men's basketball team lost a game in international competition and returned home without gold medals.[140] After the tournament, Duncan was disappointed with team's unpreparedness for the tournament and commented, "I am about 95 percent sure my FIBA career is over. I'll try not to share my experiences with anyone."[141] In total, Duncan was a member of five USA Basketball teams and played in 40 games.[21]

Player profile

[edit]
Duncan (No. 21) attempting to block Kobe Bryant's shot in a game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center

Standing at 6 feet 11 inches (2.11 m) and weighing 250 pounds (113 kg), Duncan was a power forward who could also play center. With a double-double career average in points and rebounds, he was considered one of the most consistent players in the NBA throughout his career.[68] Regarded as one of the league's best interior defenders, Duncan also ranked consistently as one of the top scorers, rebounders and shot-blockers in the league.[7] At the end of his final season in 2015–16, he was ranked first in regular season point-rebound double-doubles among active players,[142] while he led the charts in postseason point-rebound double-doubles (158 as of 2013–14). His main weakness for much of his career was his free throw shooting, with a career average of less than 70%.[7]

Apart from these statistics, Duncan has gained a reputation as a clutch player, as evidenced by his three NBA Finals MVP awards and his playoff career averages being higher than his regular season statistics.[7] Eleven-time NBA champion Bill Russell further complimented Duncan on his passing ability, and rated him as one of the most efficient players of his generation,[143] a view shared by 19-time NBA All-Star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.[144] Because of his versatility and success, basketball experts widely consider Duncan to be the greatest power forward in NBA history,[2][3] while coach Popovich and teammates Parker and Ginóbili have also credited much of San Antonio's success to him.[145][146] Duncan's detractors, however, label him as "boring" because of his simple but effective style of play (thus earning him the nickname "The Big Fundamental"). Following his first championship ring in 1999, Sports Illustrated described him as a "quiet, boring MVP",[147] a characterization which persists today.[143]

Duncan himself commented on his "boring" image, stating, "If you show excitement, then you also may show disappointment or frustration. If your opponent picks up on this frustration, you are at a disadvantage."[148] Sports journalist Kevin Kernan commented on his ability to relax and stay focused, stating that having a degree in psychology, Duncan often not only outplays, but out-psychs his opponents.[149] Shaquille O'Neal had high praise for Duncan's on-court demeanor. "The Spurs won because of Tim Duncan, a guy I could never break," O'Neal wrote in his autobiography. "I could talk trash to Patrick Ewing, get in David Robinson's face, get a rise out of Alonzo Mourning, but when I went at Tim he'd look at me like he was bored."[150]

Duncan has stated that he especially likes his bank shot, saying: "It is just easy for me. It just feels good."[151] Additionally, Duncan's close and longstanding relationship with Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has been described as "the greatest love story in sports".[152]

Honors

[edit]

During his basketball career, Duncan received a number of individual and team honors, including being a two-time MVP (2002, 2003), five-time NBA champion (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014), and three-time NBA Finals MVP (1999, 2003, 2005). As a college player, he was honored by the House of Representatives,[153] named the ACC Male Athlete of the Year, won the John R. Wooden Award and Adolph Rupp Trophy, and was selected as the Naismith College Player of the Year in addition to player of the year honors from the United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA), National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) and Sporting News (all 1997).[21] In 2002, Duncan was named to the ACC 50th Anniversary men's basketball team honoring the 50 greatest players in ACC history.[154] In his debut year in the NBA (1998), he was voted Rookie of the Year and elected into the All-Rookie Team. He has been named to 15 NBA All-Star teams (1997–98; 1999–2000 to 2010–11; 2012–13 and 2014–15), 15 All-NBA Teams (1997–98 to 2009–10, 2012–13, 2014–15; ten First Team nominations), and 15 All-Defensive Teams (1997–98 to 2009–10; 2012–13, 2014–15; eight First Team nominations).[7] With these impressive performances, Duncan is one of only four players to receive All-NBA First Team honors in each of his first eight seasons (1998–2005), along with Hall-of-Famers Bob Pettit (ten seasons), Larry Bird (nine seasons), and Oscar Robertson (nine seasons), and is the only player in NBA history to receive All-NBA and All-Defensive honors in his first 13 seasons (1997–98 to 2009–10).[155]

Duncan was also named by the Association for Professional Basketball Research as one of the "100 Greatest Professional Basketball Players of the 20th Century", and is the youngest player on that list.[156] In the 2001–02 season, he won the IBM Player Award[157] and the Sporting News (TSN) MVP Award,[158] becoming the third player to ever win the NBA MVP, IBM Player and TSN Player Awards in the same season. On February 18, 2006, he was named one of the Next 10 Greatest Players on the tenth anniversary of the release of the NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team by the TNT broadcasting crew.[159] In 2009, Duncan was ranked 8th by Slam magazine in their list of the top 50 NBA players of all time,[160] while Sports Illustrated named him its NBA Player of the Decade.[161] In 2022, to commemorate the NBA's 75th Anniversary The Athletic ranked their top 75 players of all time, and named Duncan as the ninth greatest player in NBA history, the highest ranked power forward on the list.[162]

On April 4, 2020, it was announced that Duncan would be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on August 29.[163][164] He was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021.[165]

Coaching career

[edit]

On July 22, 2019, the San Antonio Spurs announced that Duncan was named an assistant coach.[166][167][168] He made his debut as acting head coach on March 3, 2020, leading the Spurs to a 104–103 comeback win over the Charlotte Hornets, which Popovich missed for personal reasons.[169]

On November 12, 2020, Duncan stepped down as assistant coach of the Spurs.[170]

Career statistics

[edit]
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high
 †  Won an NBA championship  *  Led the league

NBA

[edit]

Regular season

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
1997–98 San Antonio 82* 82* 39.1 .549 .000 .662 11.9 2.7 .7 2.5 21.1
1998–99† San Antonio 50* 50* 39.3 .495 .143 .690 11.4 2.4 .9 2.5 21.7
1999–00 San Antonio 74 74 38.9 .490 .091 .761 12.4 3.2 .9 2.2 23.2
2000–01 San Antonio 82 82* 38.7 .499 .259 .618 12.2 3.0 .9 2.3 22.2
2001–02 San Antonio 82 82 40.6 .508 .100 .799 12.7 3.7 .7 2.5 25.5
2002–03† San Antonio 81 81 39.3 .513 .273 .710 12.9 3.9 .7 2.9 23.3
2003–04 San Antonio 69 68 36.6 .501 .167 .599 12.4 3.1 .9 2.7 22.3
2004–05† San Antonio 66 66 33.4 .496 .333 .670 11.1 2.7 .7 2.6 20.3
2005–06 San Antonio 80 80 34.8 .484 .400 .629 11.0 3.2 .9 2.0 18.6
2006–07† San Antonio 80 80 34.1 .546 .111 .637 10.6 3.4 .8 2.4 20.0
2007–08 San Antonio 78 78 34.0 .497 .000 .730 11.3 2.8 .7 1.9 19.3
2008–09 San Antonio 75 75 33.6 .504 .000 .692 10.7 3.5 .5 1.7 19.3
2009–10 San Antonio 78 77 31.3 .519 .182 .725 10.1 3.2 .6 1.5 17.9
2010–11 San Antonio 76 76 28.3 .500 .000 .716 8.9 2.7 .7 1.9 13.4
2011–12 San Antonio 58 58 28.2 .492 .000 .695 9.0 2.3 .7 1.5 15.4
2012–13 San Antonio 69 69 30.1 .502 .286 .817 9.9 2.7 .7 2.7 17.8
2013–14† San Antonio 74 74 29.2 .490 .000 .731 9.7 3.0 .6 1.9 15.1
2014–15 San Antonio 77 77 28.9 .512 .286 .740 9.1 3.0 .8 2.0 13.9
2015–16 San Antonio 61 60 25.2 .488 .000 .702 7.3 2.7 .8 1.3 8.6
Career 1,392 1,389 34.0 .506 .179 .696 10.8 3.0 .7 2.2 19.0
All-Star 15 12 20.7 .548 .250 .765 9.1 2.1 .9 .5 9.3

Playoffs

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
1998 San Antonio 9 9 41.6 .521 .000 .667 9.0 1.9 .6 2.6 20.7
1999† San Antonio 17 17 43.1 .511 .000 .748 11.5 2.8 .8 2.6 23.2
2001 San Antonio 13 13 40.5 .488 1.000 .639 14.5 3.8 1.1 2.7 24.4
2002 San Antonio 9 9 42.2 .453 .333 .822 14.4 5.0 .7 4.3 27.6
2003† San Antonio 24 24 42.5 .529 .000 .677 15.4 5.3 .6 3.3 24.7
2004 San Antonio 10 10 40.5 .522 .000 .632 11.3 3.2 .8 2.0 22.1
2005† San Antonio 23 23 37.8 .464 .200 .717 12.4 2.7 .3 2.3 23.6
2006 San Antonio 13 13 37.9 .573 .000 .718 10.5 3.3 .8 1.9 25.8
2007† San Antonio 20 20 36.8 .521 — .644 11.5 3.3 .7 3.1 22.2
2008 San Antonio 17 17 39.2 .449 .200 .626 14.5 3.3 .9 2.1 20.2
2009 San Antonio 5 5 32.8 .532 — .607 8.0 3.2 .6 1.2 19.8
2010 San Antonio 10 10 37.3 .520 .500 .478 9.9 2.6 .8 1.7 19.0
2011 San Antonio 6 6 35.3 .478 — .625 10.5 2.7 .5 2.5 12.7
2012 San Antonio 14 14 33.1 .495 .000 .707 9.4 2.8 .7 2.1 17.4
2013 San Antonio 21 21 35.0 .470 .000 .806 10.2 1.9 .9 1.6 18.1
2014† San Antonio 23 23 32.7 .523 .000 .760 9.1 1.9 .3 1.3 16.3
2015 San Antonio 7 7 35.7 .589 .000 .559 11.1 3.3 1.3 1.4 17.9
2016 San Antonio 10 10 21.8 .423 — .714 4.8 1.4 .2 1.3 5.9
Career 251 251 37.3 .501 .143 .689 11.4 3.0 .7 2.3 20.6

College

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
1993–94 Wake Forest 33 32 30.2 .545 1.000 .745 9.6 .9 .4 3.8 9.8
1994–95 Wake Forest 32 32 36.5 .591 .429 .742 12.5 2.1 .4 4.2 16.8
1995–96 Wake Forest 32 32 37.2 .555 .304 .687 12.3 2.9 .7 3.8 19.1
1996–97 Wake Forest 31 31 36.7 .608 .273 .636 14.7 3.2 .7 3.3 20.8
Career[171] 128 127 35.1 .577 .321 .689 12.3 2.3 .5 3.8 16.5

Awards and honors

[edit]

NBA

U.S. National Team

NCAA

Halls of Fame

Media

Personal life

[edit]
Duncan with members of the North Carolina Air National Guard at Cyril E. King Airport in 2017 after unloading 77,000 pounds of food donated by Duncan following Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria

Duncan married Amy Sherrill in July 2001,[16] and had two children before their divorce in August 2013.[183] In 2017, Duncan and his girlfriend welcomed their first child.[184]

In 2001,[185] Duncan established the Tim Duncan Foundation to fund programs involving health awareness and research, education, and youth sports and recreation in San Antonio, Winston-Salem, and the United States Virgin Islands.[16] The foundation's major events have included the Tim Duncan Bowling for Dollar$ Charity Bowl-A-Thon and the Slam Duncan Charity Golf Classic.[16] Between 2001 and 2002, the foundation raised more than $350,000 for breast and prostate cancer research.[27] In those two years, Duncan was named by Sporting News as one of the "Good Guys" in sports.[27] Duncan has also supported the Children's Bereavement Center, the Children's Center of San Antonio and the Cancer Therapy and Research Center.[16] In August 2017, BlackJack Speed Shop, in partnership with The Tim Duncan Foundation, organized urgently needed supplies for victims of Hurricane Harvey.[186]

Duncan cites his late mother as his main inspiration. Among other things, she taught him and his sisters the nursery rhyme "Good, Better, Best. Never let it rest/Until your Good is Better, and your Better is your Best", which he adopted as his personal motto.[14] On and off the court, he believes that the three most important values are dedication, teamwork and camaraderie.[14] He chose No. 21 for his jersey because that was his brother-in-law's college number, since he was Duncan's main basketball inspiration. Duncan also cites Hall-of-Fame Los Angeles Lakers point guard Magic Johnson as his childhood idol.[14]

Duncan was honored with the Virgin Islands Medal of Honor, the highest award bestowed by the Virgin Islands territorial government, and has been celebrated in several "Tim Duncan Day" ceremonies.[187] In 2000, Legislature of the Virgin Islands President Vargrave Richards said, "He is a quiet giant. His laid-back attitude is the embodiment of the people of St. Croix, doing things without fanfare and hoopla."[187]

Duncan enjoys Renaissance fairs and the fantasy role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons.[188]

In 2015, Duncan sued his former investment adviser Charles Banks, claiming over $20 million in losses.[189] In September 2016, a federal grand jury indicted Banks on two counts of wire fraud related to the case.[189] In April 2017, Banks pled guilty to wire fraud in the case;[190] in June 2018, Duncan reached a settlement with Banks and received $7.5 million.[191]

In March 2020, Duncan offered to pay for airline tickets for college students in the U.S. Virgin Islands to travel home during the COVID-19 pandemic.[192]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]

Further reading

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Tim Duncan

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from Grokipedia
Tim Duncan (born April 25, 1976) is an American former professional player widely regarded as one of the greatest power forwards in NBA history, known for his 19-season career exclusively with the , where he won five NBA championships and established a legacy of consistency, defense, and team success. Born in in the U.S. , Duncan initially pursued before switching to following the destruction caused by in 1989, eventually starring at before being selected as the first overall pick in the 1997 NBA Draft. Over his tenure from 1997 to 2016, Duncan averaged 19.0 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.2 blocks per game across 1,392 regular-season appearances, leading the Spurs to a league-best .710 winning percentage (1,072-438) during that span and making 19 consecutive playoff appearances. His individual honors include two awards (2002, 2003), three MVP awards (1999, 2003, 2005), the (1998), 15 selections, 15 selections, and 15 All-Defensive Team selections, the latter a league record. Duncan's championships came in 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2014, making him one of two players to win NBA titles in three different decades, and he holds Spurs franchise for points (26,496), rebounds (15,091), and blocks (3,020), while ranking among the NBA's all-time leaders in playoff double-doubles (164, first) and postseason rebounds (2,859, third). Nicknamed "The Big Fundamental" for his efficient, fundamentals-driven style, Duncan was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2020, cementing his status as a pivotal figure in the Spurs' dynasty alongside teammates like and .

Early life and education

Early life

Timothy Theodore Duncan was born on April 25, 1976, in Christiansted, , U.S. , to William Duncan, a mason in the construction industry, and Ione Duncan, a professional midwife. He was the youngest of four children, with two older sisters, and Tricia, and an older brother, Scott; Tricia excelled as a swimmer and represented the U.S. at the . Growing up in a close-knit on the island, Duncan was a bright student who initially showed little interest in team sports. From a young age, Duncan was drawn to , following his sister Tricia, an Olympic backstroke swimmer, by pursuing competitive himself; by age 13, he had broken local records in the 50- and 100-meter events and ranked among the top junior freestylers in the U.S. for his age group, with aspirations to compete in the 1992 Olympics. However, in September 1989, devastated St. Croix, destroying the island's only Olympic-sized and forcing Duncan to train in the ocean, where he struggled against currents and quickly lost his competitive edge. The family faced further heartbreak when Ione Duncan was diagnosed with breast cancer and passed away on April 24, 1990—the day before Tim's 14th birthday—leaving a profound impact on the young teen. In her final moments, she urged him to stay focused on his studies and pursue a degree, motivating Duncan to channel his grief into a new pursuit: , a sport he had casually played only a few times before. With no prior organized experience and still growing into his frame, Duncan faced significant challenges adapting to the demands of the game after such a late start at age 14, yet his determination began to shine through in informal play on the island. This shift marked the beginning of his transition to structured during high school.

High school career

Duncan began playing organized basketball late, at the age of 14, during his freshman year at in St. Croix, , after giving up competitive due to the destruction of local pools by in 1989. Initially awkward on the court, he quickly adapted under coach Cuthbert George, transforming into a dominant interior presence by his senior year in 1993. As a senior, Duncan averaged 25 , leading St. Dunstan's to improved success in local competition and drawing attention from U.S. college scouts despite the remote location. His rapid development from a to a skilled big man highlighted his natural athleticism and , overcoming early coordination challenges to excel in rebounding and shot-blocking within the high school game. Duncan's recruitment was modest, with interest from mid-major programs like the , , and , but Wake Forest coach Dave Odom's persistence set him apart. Odom discovered Duncan during a 1992 exhibition tour to the , where an assistant coach connected him to the 16-year-old prospect; after personally scouting him in a and observing his IQ and team play, Odom offered a full , securing Duncan over other suitors. Enrolling at Wake Forest in 1993, Duncan entered college as the least-heralded member of his recruiting class.

College career

Duncan enrolled at in , joining the Demon Deacons men's team under head coach . He committed to completing his undergraduate degree, majoring in , and remained for all four seasons rather than entering the earlier. Duncan's college career showcased steady improvement and dominance in the paint. As a in –94, he started 32 of 33 games, contributing defensively with 3.8 blocks per game while averaging 9.8 points and 9.6 rebounds. The Demon Deacons finished 21–12 overall and 9–7 in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), securing a bid to the NCAA Tournament where they advanced to the second round before losing to . In his season of 1994–95, Duncan elevated his production to 16.8 points, 12.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and a nation-leading 4.2 blocks per game. Wake Forest achieved a 26–6 record, including a 12–4 ACC mark that clinched the regular-season title, and reached the of the NCAA Tournament with a loss to eventual champion UCLA. Duncan's junior year (1995–96) saw him average 19.1 points, 12.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 3.8 blocks per game, earning him ACC Player of the Year honors. The team matched its previous season's success with another 26–6 record (12–4 ACC), sharing the conference title and again advancing to the , falling to . As a senior in 1996–97, Duncan peaked with averages of 20.8 points, a nation-leading 14.7 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 3.3 blocks per game. He was recognized as the consensus National Player of the Year, winning the Naismith College Player of the Year award, the , and . Under his leadership, Wake Forest posted a 24–7 record (11–5 ACC) and reached the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament, defeating Saint Louis before a loss to Stanford. Over four seasons, Wake Forest compiled a 97–31 record (.758 ) with Duncan, marking four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances—the program's most sustained success in decades. His career statistics included 16.8 points, 12.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 3.7 blocks per game across 128 contests. Duncan set the ACC record for career blocks (481) and ranked second in Wake Forest history for total rebounds (1,570). He graduated with a degree in in 1997.
SeasonGamesPoints/GameRebounds/GameAssists/GameBlocks/GameTeam Record (Overall/ACC)NCAA Result
1993–94 (Fr.)339.89.60.93.821–12 / 9–7Second Round
1994–95 (So.)3216.812.52.14.226–6 / 12–4
1995–96 (Jr.)3219.112.32.93.826–6 / 12–4
1996–97 (Sr.)3120.814.73.23.324–7 / 11–5Sweet Sixteen

Professional career

Draft and rookie season (1997–1998)

The selected Tim Duncan with the first overall pick in the , held on June 25 in . Duncan, coming off a dominant senior season at Wake Forest where he averaged 20.8 points and 14.4 rebounds per game, was viewed as a safe, high-floor prospect due to his defensive prowess and IQ. On July 23, he signed a three-year rookie-scale contract with the Spurs worth $10.2 million, with team options for additional seasons under the NBA's agreement. In his rookie season of 1997–98, Duncan quickly adapted to the professional level, starting all 82 games for the Spurs and delivering efficient, team-oriented play. He averaged 21.1 points, 11.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 2.5 blocks per game while shooting 54.9% from the field, showcasing his post fundamentals and rim protection from day one. His defensive impact was immediate, anchoring a Spurs unit that ranked among the league's top defenses, and he earned NBA Rookie of the Year honors, All-Rookie First Team selection, All-NBA First Team recognition, and All-Defensive Second Team placement—the only player ever to achieve all four in his debut season. Duncan's arrival complemented incumbent center , forming the foundation of a formidable frontcourt duo that propelled the Spurs to a 56–26 regular-season record, good for second in the Midwest Division. The team advanced through the playoffs, defeating the and Phoenix Suns in the first two rounds before falling 4–0 to the in the Western Conference Finals. His seamless integration highlighted his emphasis on fundamentals and defensive discipline, as noted by coach , who praised Duncan's stoic approach and rejection of flashy play in favor of winning contributions. Off the court, Duncan relocated from to , embracing the city's understated culture and cultivating a low-key that avoided , earning him early nicknames like "The Big Fundamental" for his no-nonsense demeanor. This quiet integration helped him focus on team success amid the pressures of instant stardom.

Twin Towers era (1998–2003)

The pairing of Tim Duncan and formed one of the NBA's most formidable frontcourts, earning the nickname "Twin Towers" for their towering presence and defensive prowess at 6'11" and 7'1", respectively. Under coach , their synergy anchored a stifling defensive scheme that emphasized rim protection and help defense, allowing the Spurs to rank among the league's top defenses annually during this period. The duo's shot-blocking ability was particularly dominant, with the Spurs leading the NBA in team blocks per game at 6.9 in the 1998-99 season and maintaining top-five rankings through 2002-03, as Duncan and Robinson combined for over 200 blocks each in multiple campaigns. The 1998-99 season, shortened to 50 games by a labor lockout, saw the Spurs post a league-best 37-13 record en route to their first NBA championship. Duncan emerged as the cornerstone, averaging 21.7 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game in the regular season before elevating his play in the playoffs. In the NBA Finals, the Spurs defeated the New York Knicks in five games, with Duncan earning Finals MVP honors after averaging 27.4 points, 14.0 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game, including a 31-point, 17-rebound effort in Game 1 to set the tone. In the following seasons, the Spurs achieved 50 or more wins in four straight years from 1999-00 to 2002-03, with records of 53-29, 58-24, 58-24, and 60-22, respectively, solidifying their status as a perennial contender. Duncan consistently delivered double-doubles, averaging over 20 points and 12 rebounds per game each year, including a career-high 25.5 points and 12.7 rebounds in 2001-02, when he captured his first NBA MVP award amid Robinson's lingering back issues that limited the veteran's effectiveness and forced Duncan to shoulder a heavier load. The 2000-01 campaign highlighted Duncan's resilience, as the Spurs still reached 58 wins despite Robinson missing time due to injury, with Duncan posting 22.2 points and 12.2 rebounds. Duncan's dominance peaked in 2002-03, his second MVP season, where he averaged 23.3 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks, leading the Spurs to a franchise-record 60 wins and positioning the team for another title run as Robinson's role began to wane. Popovich's defensive strategies, which leveraged the Twin Towers' length to clog the and force turnovers, were instrumental in these successes, enabling the Spurs to hold opponents under 85 multiple times.

Leadership and championships (2003–2007)

Following David Robinson's retirement after the 2002–03 season, Tim Duncan assumed full leadership of the , guiding a core group that included point guard and shooting guard . Robinson's departure marked the end of the Spurs' "Twin Towers" era, leaving Duncan as the undisputed anchor of the team's defense and offense. In the 2002–03 season, the Spurs achieved a league-best regular-season record of 60–22, earning the top seed in the Western Conference. They advanced through the to defeat the Nets 4–2 in the , securing Duncan's second championship. Duncan earned Finals MVP honors, averaging 24.2 points, 17.0 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game in the series. His performance exemplified his evolution into the team's primary leader, blending scoring efficiency with playmaking from the post. The 2004–05 season saw the Spurs post a 59–23 record, again claiming the Southwest Division title. They overcame the defending champion in a grueling seven-game series, winning 4–3 to claim their third title in seven years. Duncan secured his third Finals MVP award, averaging 21.5 points and 14.3 rebounds across the series, providing steady production amid the physical matchup. His ability to control the paint and distribute the ball was crucial to the Spurs' balanced attack. During the 2006–07 campaign, the Spurs finished 58–24, securing the second seed in the West behind a league-leading defense. They swept the 4–0 in the for their fourth championship, with earning Finals MVP honors. Throughout the playoffs, Duncan delivered an all-around effort, averaging 22.2 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game, nearly achieving 20+ production in points and rebounds while facilitating opportunities for teammates. Individually, Duncan won back-to-back NBA awards in 2002 and 2003, capping a dominant regular-season stretch. He earned All-NBA First Team selections four times during this period (2003, 2004, 2005, and 2007), recognizing his consistent excellence as a two-way force. Duncan's mid-range game, particularly his bank shots off the glass, and his advanced passing vision for a big man defined his peak, enabling efficient scoring and team orchestration without relying on flashier plays.

Playoff challenges (2007–2013)

Following their fourth NBA championship in 2007, the entered a period of postseason adversity from 2008 to 2013, marked by early exits and narrow defeats against emerging contenders, testing Tim Duncan's enduring leadership amid the team's aging core. Despite Duncan's consistent performances, the Spurs struggled against fresher, athletic opponents, highlighting the challenges of sustaining dominance in a league shifting toward speed and youth. In the 2008 Western Conference Finals, the Spurs fell to the in five games, a 4-1 series defeat that exposed vulnerabilities after a grueling regular season and earlier playoff rounds. Duncan averaged 22.4 points and 17.4 rebounds per game in the series, but the team appeared fatigued, with the veteran lineup unable to match the Lakers' pace led by and . This loss ended the Spurs' reign as Western Conference powers temporarily, as the Lakers advanced to . The Spurs experienced further frustration in the 2011 playoffs, suffering a first-round upset to the eighth-seeded in six games, 4-2. Duncan's performance was hampered by lingering knee tendinosis that had surfaced earlier in the season, limiting his explosiveness against and in the paint; he averaged 15.4 points and 11.6 rebounds but shot just 41.7% from the field. The defeat underscored the toll of age and injuries on the Spurs' frontcourt, derailing what had been a league-best 61-win regular season. The following year, in the 2012 Western Conference Finals, the Spurs were ousted by the young Oklahoma City Thunder in six games, 4-2, unable to overcome the athleticism of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. Duncan posted 18.0 points and 10.3 rebounds per game, but the Thunder's transition game exploited San Antonio's slower tempo, particularly after the Spurs won the first two contests. This series highlighted Duncan's matchup challenges against a rising superstar in Durant, then 23 years old, as Oklahoma City reached the Finals. The pinnacle of these challenges came in the , where the Spurs pushed the to seven games but lost 95-88 in the decisive Game 7. Duncan recorded 18 points and 18 rebounds in the finale, contributing to a series-long average of 18.9 points and 12.1 rebounds, yet the Spurs faltered late as dominated with 37 points. The series featured intense drama, including Miami's comeback from a five-point deficit with under two minutes remaining in Game 7, denying Duncan a fifth title. To counter these setbacks, the Spurs adapted by drafting versatile forward in , who provided defensive versatility and spacing, allowing Duncan to evolve into a more facilitative role within Gregg Popovich's system. As Duncan aged into his mid-30s, his scoring dipped to 18-20 points per game in during this span, but he increased playmaking with averages around 2.5 assists, focusing on high-post passing and rebounding to preserve his effectiveness. These adjustments sustained the team's contention but could not fully offset the physical demands against younger dynasties like the Thunder and .

Final championship and late career (2013–2016)

In the 2013–14 season, the achieved a regular-season record of 62 wins and 20 losses, securing the top seed in the Western Conference. Motivated by their narrow defeat in the , the team refined their style of play under coach , emphasizing ball movement and three-point shooting to overcome previous playoff frustrations. They advanced through the playoffs by defeating the , , and before facing the in the Finals. The Spurs won their fifth NBA championship in franchise history by defeating the 4–1 in the 2014 , with decisive victories including a 104–87 clincher in Game 5. This triumph marked Duncan's fourth title appearance in five series, solidifying his status as a cornerstone of the franchise's success. In the series, Duncan averaged 15.4 points and 10.0 rebounds per game across five contests, contributing efficiently to the team's dominant performance while sharing the load with emerging stars like , who earned MVP honors. The following 2014–15 season saw the Spurs finish with a 55–27 record, earning the third seed in the West despite integrating new addition . Duncan, who turned 39 during the season on April 25, 2015, played reduced minutes of 28.9 per game—his third-lowest career mark—to preserve his health amid a deeper rotation. However, the Spurs were upset by the in the first round of the , losing 4–3 in a hard-fought series marked by controversial officiating and injuries. In his final 2015–16 season, the Spurs posted a league-best 67–15 record, showcasing elite defense and team chemistry en route to the second seed in the West. Duncan, now 39 and turning 40 midseason, appeared in 61 games off the bench for the first time in his career, averaging a career-low 8.6 points and 7.3 rebounds in 25.2 minutes per game. The team advanced past the in the first round but fell to the 4–3 in the Western Conference semifinals, ending Duncan's playoff run. On July 11, 2016, Duncan announced his retirement after 19 seasons with the Spurs, concluding a career defined by consistency and five championships. The franchise honored him by retiring his No. 21 jersey on December 18, 2016, during a halftime ceremony at the AT&T Center, where tributes from teammates and Popovich highlighted his quiet leadership. Throughout his late career, Duncan evolved into a mentor for younger players, particularly guiding Kawhi Leonard's development into a two-way superstar while achieving 28 double-doubles in 2013–14, 21 in 2014–15, and 10 in 2015–16, extending his legacy of rebounding prowess into his 40s.

International career

FIBA competitions

Tim Duncan had a limited but impactful role in competitions, primarily through his participation in two FIBA Americas Championships during the early stages of his professional career. Selected for international duty shortly after completing his college tenure at Wake Forest, Duncan balanced these commitments with his burgeoning NBA obligations, opting out of more extensive global events to focus on rest and team preparation in . In the 1999 FIBA Americas Championship in , Duncan suited up for all 10 games as a key frontcourt presence for the , averaging 12.7 points and 9.1 rebounds per game. His steady contributions on both ends of the floor helped anchor a dominant U.S. squad that went undefeated, claiming the gold medal with an average winning margin of 31.6 points across the tournament. Duncan returned for the 2003 FIBA Americas Championship, also hosted in San Juan, where he averaged 15.6 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in 9 games. Leading the tournament in efficiency with a 23.2 rating, he played a pivotal role in the U.S. team's second consecutive victory, further solidifying American in the regional competition. Throughout his career, Duncan never competed in a World Championship, consistently prioritizing NBA recovery and performance over additional international demands. His selective involvement in the tournaments underscored his value in bolstering U.S. success against regional opponents during a period of unchallenged dominance.

Olympic considerations

Tim Duncan was considered for the 2000 Sydney Olympics but ultimately declined to participate, primarily due to a recent and ongoing rehabilitation needs. He had undergone to repair torn in his left on May 24, 2000, and had only begun a full rehab regimen two weeks prior to the decision, leaving insufficient time for recovery before the Olympic schedule. Additionally, the timing conflicted with his need for rest ahead of the upcoming NBA season, as Olympic practices were set to start on August 25 and the gold-medal game on October 1, just before training camps. Personal factors also played a role, including his father's recent hospitalization. Duncan made his only Olympic appearance in 2004 at the Athens Games, where he served as team captain and helped the United States secure a bronze medal despite high expectations for gold. However, the disappointing performance—marked by losses to Puerto Rico, Lithuania, and Argentina—left him deeply frustrated with international basketball. He cited issues with FIBA officiating, the physicality of the games without NBA-level star treatment, and the lack of team cohesion as major drawbacks, famously remarking that "FIBA [stinks]." Following the tournament, Duncan declared his international career "95 percent" over, effectively retiring from representing Team USA. This decision extended to future Olympics, including in and 2012 in , where Duncan opted out entirely. In 2006, he explicitly stated he had "no interest" in playing for the U.S. at the Games or the preceding FIBA World Championships, prioritizing rest and his NBA commitments amid growing fatigue from the league's demands. By 2012, at age 36, his absence aligned with his low-profile approach to off-season activities, focusing instead on playoff preparation with the Spurs rather than international competition; he was neither selected nor expressed interest in rejoining. Duncan's choices reflected a broader shift in the post-Dream Team era, where elite players like him balanced national duty against personal health and career longevity, influenced by his understated personality that avoided the spotlight.

Playing style and impact

Playing style

Tim Duncan played primarily as a and throughout his NBA career, earning the nickname "The Big Fundamental" for his efficient, unflashy style rooted in textbook execution and team-oriented play. His approach emphasized fundamentals over highlight-reel flair, allowing him to dominate without relying on athletic exploits or perimeter shooting. On offense, Duncan excelled with an elite jumper, particularly his signature bank shot, which he converted at around 48-50% efficiency from 10-16 feet, contributing significantly to his scoring arsenal. He also showcased a repertoire of moves, including up-and-unders, spins, and hooks, enabling him to score effectively in the low against smaller or larger defenders. As a big man, Duncan demonstrated strong passing vision, averaging up to nearly 4 assists per game in his peak seasons, often finding cutters or open teammates from the block. He largely avoided three-point attempts, taking just 168 in his career at 17.9% efficiency, preferring interior and opportunities. Defensively, Duncan was a , averaging 2.2 blocks per game over his career while providing elite rim protection and help defense through his positioning and timing. His ability to anchor the paint, contest shots without fouling, and rebound effectively made him a perennial elite defender, earning him selections to the All-Defensive First Team 8 times and the Second Team 7 times for a record 15 total honors. Duncan's game evolved from early-career reliance on athleticism and length in his years to late-career mastery through savvy, high-IQ play and refined fundamentals, maintaining productivity into his late 30s. He sustained a low turnover rate of 2.3 per game career-wide, reflecting his disciplined ball-handling and . Among his relative weaknesses, Duncan shot 69.6% from the free-throw line for his career, occasionally costing possessions in close s, and his limited perimeter restricted his adaptability in spacing-heavy offenses.

Legacy and influence

Tim Duncan's tenure with the solidified his role as the architect of one of the NBA's most dominant dynasties, guiding the team to five championships across 19 seasons—all played exclusively with the franchise—establishing a benchmark for sustained excellence. As the longest-tenured player in Spurs history, his and on-court were instrumental in transforming the organization into a model of consistency, with the team achieving the highest in major over two decades. Renowned as a cultural icon, Duncan epitomized humility and unwavering consistency, profoundly shaping the "beautiful game" philosophy under coach Gregg Popovich that prioritized selfless ball movement and team-oriented play over individual stardom. His influence on peers was evident in his mentorship of emerging stars like Kawhi Leonard, providing guidance that helped foster Leonard's development during the Spurs' 2014 championship run. Duncan also served as a blueprint for big men in the league, proving that elite defense, positioning, and fundamentals could achieve greatness without relying on superior athleticism. Duncan's statistical dominance underscores his impact, as he remains the Spurs' all-time leader in points with 26,496 and rebounds with 15,091, while contributing to over 1,000 wins as a starter across regular seasons and playoffs. In recognition of his enduring legacy, the Spurs retired his No. 21 jersey in December 2016, and he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021 as part of the Class of 2020.

Achievements and honors

NBA individual awards

Tim Duncan amassed an impressive array of individual accolades throughout his 19-season NBA career with the , underscoring his status as one of the league's most consistent and dominant performers. His awards reflect excellence in scoring, defense, leadership, and overall impact, earning him recognition as a two-time NBA , three-time NBA , and 15-time . These honors, combined with his selections to multiple All-NBA and All-Defensive teams, cemented his reputation as a foundational player whose contributions spanned offense and defense. Duncan captured the NBA MVP award in consecutive seasons, 2001–02 and 2002–03, leading the Spurs to strong regular-season performances with averages of 25.5 points and 12.7 rebounds in 2001–02, and 23.3 points with 12.9 rebounds the following year. His back-to-back victories highlighted his pivotal role in elevating the team amid competition from stars like and . Additionally, as a in the 1997–98 season, Duncan unanimously won the NBA Rookie of the Year award, averaging 21.1 points and 11.9 rebounds while anchoring the Spurs' defense with 2.5 blocks per game. In the playoffs, Duncan's impact shone brightest, earning him three MVP awards in 1999, 2003, and 2005—tying him for the second-most all-time behind Michael Jordan's six. In 1999, he averaged 27.4 points and 14.0 rebounds to lead the Spurs to their first championship; he repeated the feat in 2003 with 24.2 points and 17.0 rebounds against the New Jersey Nets, and in 2005 with 26.9 points and 14.1 rebounds over the . These performances exemplified his ability to dominate high-stakes series as the Spurs' offensive and defensive cornerstone. Duncan was selected to the 15 times from 1998 to 2015, starting in 14 of those appearances and serving as a consistent starter for the Western Conference. He shared MVP honors with in 2000, contributing 24 points and 14 rebounds in the West's 137–126 victory. His longevity in All-Star selections underscored his sustained excellence over nearly two decades. Duncan's defensive prowess earned him 13 consecutive All-Defensive Team selections from 1998 to 2010 to start his career, an NBA record, and a total of 15 selections overall, with eight First Team nods. He also garnered 15 honors, including 10 First Team selections, reflecting his elite status among forwards and centers. In 2021, Duncan was named to the , recognizing his enduring legacy among the league's all-time greats.
AwardYears
All-NBA First Team1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2013 (10 selections)
All-NBA Second Team2006, 2008, 2009 (3 selections)
All-NBA Third Team2010, 2015 (2 selections)
All-Defensive First Team1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008 (8 selections)
All-Defensive Second Team1998, 2004, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2015 (7 selections)

Team accomplishments

Under Tim Duncan's leadership as the ' cornerstone player and de facto captain, the team achieved five NBA championships in 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2014, establishing a dynasty built on collective discipline and defensive prowess. These victories included Western Conference championships in each of those years, with Duncan anchoring the frontcourt alongside teammates like in the early titles and later and during the "Big Three" era. The 1999 Finals saw the Spurs defeat the 4-1, marking their first title and Duncan's emergence as Finals MVP. Similarly, the 2014 Finals culminated in a 4-1 series win over the , avenging a loss from the previous year and showcasing the Spurs' ball movement and team-oriented play. The Spurs made the in all 19 of Duncan's seasons from 1997-98 to 2015-16, a streak that contributed to the franchise's longer run of 22 consecutive appearances. During this period, they compiled a regular-season record of 1,072 wins and 438 losses, reflecting sustained excellence with 50 or more wins in 18 of those 19 campaigns—the exception being the lockout-shortened 1998-99 season (37-13). This consistency transformed the Spurs from a lottery team prior to Duncan's arrival—having not won an NBA title since their ABA days in the —into a model franchise and contender. Duncan's influence extended to the team's defensive identity, as the Spurs ranked in the top five in defensive rating for most of his career, including top-three finishes in his first 11 seasons and the league's best defense five times. This emphasis on fundamentals and team defense not only fueled their playoff success but also set a benchmark for NBA sustainability, with Duncan's two regular-season MVP awards (2002, 2003) underscoring his role in driving these collective achievements.

Post-retirement activities

Coaching role

After retiring from his in 2016, Tim Duncan returned to the organization in July 2019 as a full-time assistant coach under head coach , taking on a role to guide the team's younger players. In this position, Duncan focused on player development, particularly mentoring young big men like center Jakob Poeltl, while also contributing to defensive strategies that aligned with the Spurs' tradition of disciplined, team-oriented play. The 2019–20 season, heavily impacted by the and played in part within the NBA bubble, saw the Spurs compile a 32–39 record and miss the for the first time in 22 years; nonetheless, Duncan's presence helped preserve the continuity of the franchise's culture and emphasis on fundamentals. Duncan stepped down from his full-time assistant coaching duties on November 12, 2020, citing family priorities as a key factor, and shifted to a part-time player development role with the Spurs, with no additional coaching positions as of 2025.

Philanthropy and media appearances

Tim Duncan established the Tim Duncan Foundation in to support nonprofit organizations focused on youth programs, health awareness and research, education, and and recreation in and the U.S. . The foundation has donated millions over the years, including $100,000 to the Food Bank in 2020 to provide meals to low-income families during the , and another $100,000 alongside Spurs Give for the same initiative. In response to Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, Duncan founded the 21 U.S. Relief Fund, matching donations up to $1 million and personally delivering , , and other supplies to affected communities on St. Croix, where he grew up. These efforts provided immediate aid to thousands, including 130,000 pounds of for 5,000 residents. Post-recovery, the foundation supported education in the , donating $500,000 in 2019 to launch the "Yes! Our Kids Can" initiative, which delivers tools via an app to elementary schools across the territory. Additionally, Duncan has backed and research through the , motivated by the loss of his mother to the disease in 1990. Duncan has maintained a low media profile since retiring from the NBA in 2016, granting few interviews and avoiding broadcasting roles or major endorsements to preserve his privacy. One notable exception was his 2021 enshrinement speech for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2020, where he emphasized teamwork and thanked coach for visiting his family in St. Croix after drafting him. In 2025, the documentary The Boy From St. Croix, directed by his brother Scott Duncan, premiered at the and won the Marquee Feature Audience Award, offering an intimate look at Duncan's life and roots without his direct involvement in promotion. Duncan occasionally appears at San Antonio Spurs events, such as a surprise attendance at a 2025 game against the , where fans recognized the reclusive legend courtside. These low-key engagements reflect his preference for staying connected to the organization behind the scenes rather than seeking public spotlight.

Career statistics

NBA regular season

Tim Duncan played his entire 19-season NBA career with the from 1997 to 2016, appearing in 1,392 regular-season games. Over that span, he maintained remarkable consistency as a low-post scorer and rebounder, averaging 19.0 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.2 blocks per game while shooting 50.6% from the field. These figures underscored his efficiency and durability, with Duncan logging 47,367 total minutes and committing just 2.3 turnovers per game on average. Duncan's scoring peaked during the early , when he averaged between 22.2 and 25.5 from the 2000–01 to 2003–04 seasons, often pairing those outputs with double-digit rebounding. This period highlighted his offensive dominance inside the , bolstered by his fundamental footwork and touch. Following a brief dip due to minor injuries in 2004–05, his production stabilized around 18–20 through the late . By the 2010–11 season, as he transitioned to a more facilitating role amid younger teammates' emergence, his scoring declined below 15 , though he sustained elite rebounding and defensive contributions into his final years. Among his regular-season milestones, Duncan reached 25,000 career points on November 14, 2014, against the , becoming just the 19th player in NBA history to achieve the feat. He also recorded 841 double-doubles, the most in NBA history, demonstrating his perennial ability to impact both scoring and rebounding.
SeasonGPTSTRBASTFG%
1997–988221.111.92.7.549
1998–995021.711.42.4.495
1999–007423.212.43.2.490
2000–018222.212.23.0.499
2001–028225.512.73.7.508
2002–038123.312.93.9.513
2003–046922.312.43.1.501
2004–056620.311.12.7.496
2005–068018.611.03.2.484
2006–078020.010.63.4.546
2007–087819.311.32.8.497
2008–097519.310.73.5.504
2009–107817.910.13.2.518
2010–117613.48.92.7.500
2011–125815.49.02.3.492
2012–136917.89.92.7.502
2013–147415.19.73.0.490
2014–157713.99.13.0.512
2015–16618.67.32.7.488
Career139219.010.83.0.506

NBA playoffs

Tim Duncan appeared in the in each of his 19 professional seasons, compiling a career record of 157 wins and 94 losses across 251 games. His postseason per-game averages were 20.6 points, 11.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.3 blocks. These figures underscored his consistent dominance in high-stakes environments, where he elevated his regular-season production while anchoring the ' defense. He also recorded 164 playoff double-doubles, the most in NBA history. Duncan led the Spurs to six NBA appearances, winning five championships in 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2014. In 33 games, he averaged 22.3 points and 12.5 rebounds per game, earning three MVP awards. A standout performance came in the 2003 , where he recorded a triple-double (21 points, 20 rebounds, 10 assists) in to clinch the title, nearly achieving a quadruple-double with eight blocks. Duncan had 157 playoff wins, which ranked as the most by any player at the time of his retirement, a testament to the Spurs' sustained success during his tenure. He also ranks first in total playoff blocks with 568. Early in his career, Duncan averaged over 35 minutes per game in the playoffs, a workload that decreased to around 30 minutes in his later years as the Spurs adopted a more balanced rotation. Duncan's postseason performance varied by year, reflecting and his evolving . The following table summarizes his per-game averages for points and rebounds in select playoff runs:
SeasonPPGRPG
1998–991723.211.5
2000–011324.414.5
2002–032424.715.4
2004–052321.911.7
2006–072019.510.8
2012–132118.110.0
2013–142316.39.2

College statistics

During his four seasons at from 1993 to 1997, Tim Duncan compiled impressive statistics that highlighted his dominance as a , averaging 16.5 points, 12.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 3.8 blocks per game across 128 appearances while maintaining a highly efficient 57.7% , reflecting his prowess in inside scoring and defensive presence. His career totals reached 2,117 points, 1,570 rebounds—ranking second in Wake Forest history—and a school- and ACC-record 481 blocks, underscoring his rebounding and shot-blocking impact. Duncan led the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in rebounding each of his final three seasons, with per-game averages of 12.5 as a , 12.3 as a junior, and a nation-leading 14.7 as a senior. The following table summarizes Duncan's per-game statistics by season:
SeasonGamesPointsReboundsAssistsBlocksFG%
1993–94339.89.60.93.8.545
1994–953216.812.52.14.2.591
1995–963219.112.32.93.8.555
1996–973120.814.73.23.3.608
Career12816.512.32.33.8.577

Personal life

Family and relationships

Tim Duncan was born on April 25, 1976, in Christiansted, , U.S. , to William Duncan, a construction worker, and Delysia Ione Duncan. His mother, Ione, died of on April 24, 1990, the day before his 14th birthday; on her deathbed, she urged him to pursue seriously and promised to support his education. His father, William, passed away in 2002 from cancer. Duncan grew up with two older sisters, Cheryl and Tricia, and an older brother, Scott, a filmmaker and . In 2001, Duncan married his college sweetheart, Amy Sherrill, whom he met while attending . The couple had two children: a daughter, Sydney, born in 2005, and a son, Draven, born in 2007. They separated in early 2013, and their was finalized later that year in , following a private settlement. Though the proceedings involved public allegations of from both sides, the emphasized co-parenting arrangements for their children. Duncan's brother Scott Duncan directed the 2025 documentary The Boy from St. Croix, which premiered at the Austin Film Festival and explores Tim's early life and family influences.

Privacy and interests

Tim Duncan has long been recognized for his reclusive public persona, consistently shying away from the media spotlight throughout his NBA career and beyond. Unlike many high-profile athletes, he rarely granted interviews or sought personal endorsements, preferring to let his on-court performance speak for itself. This low-key approach extended to his post-retirement life, where he has maintained a deliberate distance from public engagements to safeguard his personal space. Despite his reserved exterior, Duncan is known among teammates and close associates for a dry, playful sense of humor that often emerged in private settings. He frequently engaged in lighthearted pranks, such as pushing former teammate off a broadcast during a game or collaborating on jokes with players like and during blowout victories. These moments highlighted a more relaxed, jovial side that contrasted sharply with his stoic reputation. Duncan's intellectual interests include , stemming from his undergraduate studies at , where he majored in the field and co-authored a chapter titled "Blowhards, Snobs and Narcissists: Interpersonal Reactions to Excessive " in the 1997 book Aversive Interpersonal Behaviors. This academic pursuit reflects his broader curiosity about , though he has not publicly elaborated on specific reading habits beyond this contribution. Other hobbies encompass gaming—particularly the Madden series—paintball, where he leads a team called Wolfpack, and car customization, for which he opened a shop in in 2013. A longtime resident of since being drafted by the Spurs in 1997, Duncan has embraced a subdued lifestyle post-retirement, centering his days around family time, including travel with his children following his 2013 divorce. In a 2025 interview, he expressed reluctance to return to the NBA in any formal capacity, such as coaching or an executive role, emphasizing his prioritization of privacy and personal freedom over professional involvement.

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  58. https://www.espn.com/nba/playoffs/2015/story/_/page/PresentsSpursHeat/how-spurs-2014-finals-performance-changed-nba-forever
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  63. https://www.nba.com/spurs/tim-duncan-announces-retirement
  64. https://www.nba.com/spurs/spurs-retire-tim-duncans-no-21
  65. https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/19154060/nba-san-antonio-spurs-miss-beat-losing-tim-duncan
  66. https://www.fiba.basketball/en/players/135949-timothy-theodore-duncan
  67. https://www.latinbasket.com/FIBA-AmeriCup/basketball_1999.asp
  68. https://www.fiba.basketball/en/history/184-fiba-americup/2681/leaders
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  72. https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna5853675
  73. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1367282-power-ranking-the-nbas-deadliest-mid-range-assassins
  74. https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/all_defense_by_player.html
  75. https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/16989399/why-tim-duncan-most-influential-player
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  81. https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/31452965/basketball-hall-fame-kobe-bryant-tim-duncan-kevin-garnett-headline-class-2020
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  86. https://www.nba.com/news/spurs-hire-tim-duncan-assistant-coach-release
  87. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2846629-tim-duncan-spurs-agree-to-contract-as-assistant-coach-on-gregg-popovichs-staff
  88. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1450871/2019/12/11/in-jakob-poeltls-austria-the-hills-were-alive-with-the-sound-of-dribbling/
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  94. https://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/tim-duncan
  95. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?collection=grantmakers&activity=result&key=DUNC030
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  98. https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/to-my-friends-family-and-all-us-virgin-islanders-im-not-giving-up-on-you/2017/11/14/06dd8204-c63b-11e7-aae0-cb18a8c29c65_story.html
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  100. https://www.poundingtherock.com/2019/6/4/18652783/tim-duncan-donates-500000-to-children-education-initiative-in-virgin-islands
  101. https://porterpress.org/2736/archives/tim-duncan-raising-money-for-the-virgin-islands/
  102. https://www.basketballnetwork.net/off-the-court/tim-duncan-on-why-he-is-hesitant-to-be-in-the-nba-after-retirement
  103. https://www.nba.com/watch/list/collection/2020-hall-of-fame-speeches
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  118. https://www.espn.com/nba/playoffs/2013/story/_/id/9310930/tim-duncan-san-antonio-spurs-divorcing-wife-12-years
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  122. https://news4sanantonio.com/sports/spurs-zone/watch-tim-duncan-pranks-sean-elliott-on-live-tv
  123. https://www.poundingtherock.com/2013/11/24/5141008/tim-duncan-pranked-by-manu-ginobili-tony-parker-bench-blowout
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  125. https://www.psychologicalscience.org/news/tim-duncans-other-career-as-an-academic-psychologist.html
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  127. https://www.basketballnetwork.com/off-the-court/tim-duncan-on-why-he-is-hesitant-to-be-in-the-nba-after-retirement
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