NBA players and coaches react to Tim Duncan’s retirement
Tim Duncan might have wanted to retire with very little fanfare, but NBA players and coaches were never going to miss this opportunity to celebrate the legend.
San Antonio Spurs power forward Tim Duncan announced his retirement in perhaps the most fitting way possible. He did it on a Monday through a team press release. Duncan has never cared about fanfare and he is perhaps the league’s quietest superstar of all time. It’s fitting that he won’t even be at his own retirement press conference.
However, his influence on the game of basketball will be felt. NBA players and coaches, as well as former teammates, wanted to make sure that Duncan didn’t get his final wish of having a very quiet retirement. He is one of the most influential and greatest players of all time.
Many people don’t realize that because of how quiet and efficient Duncan was. In today’s culture, athletes are expected to have charisma and bravado. Society embraces athletes like Shaquille O’Neal and Cam Newton, but often, the silent stars like Duncan are overlooked. Thanks to kind words from all over the NBA, that will definitely not be the case with Duncan.
Duncan’s 2002-03 season was one of the most efficient seasons in NBA history. It also might be one of the most unheralded MVP seasons ever. He averaged over 20 points and 10 rebounds per game during that season, his second MVP season.
The NBA has ensured that everyone will remember or figure out how incredible Duncan truly was on the court.
Steve Kerr on his pal Timmy: "Just a phenomenal teammate. A superstar with the humility of someone who just feels lucky to be in the league"
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 11, 2016
#Pistons' Stan Van Gundy tells me that Tim Duncan's retirement "with no big fanfare, says everything you need to know about his character."
— Sam Amico (@AmicoHoops) July 11, 2016
Quote from former Spurs guard Avery Johnson on Tim Duncan's retirement. @CoachAvery6 #spurs pic.twitter.com/XY3Qujt68H
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) July 11, 2016
Dirk Nowitzki to ESPN on Timmy: "He was always about winning, never about making a brand out of himself. That's what I appreciated the most"
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 11, 2016
Kobe Bryant tells me of frequent foe Tim Duncan: "More cutthroat than people give him credit for. I loved everything about him on the court"
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 11, 2016
Even tho I knew it was coming, I'm still moved by the news. What a HUGE honor to have played with him for 14 seasons! #ThankYouTD
— Manu Ginobili (@manuginobili) July 11, 2016
Congrats TD #19yrs #GoSpursGo
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) July 11, 2016
Shaquille O'Neal (@SHAQ) to ESPN on the retirement of longtime rival Tim Duncan: "Greatest power forward ever. Unbreakable power forward."
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 11, 2016
Sometimes all you NEED to say is THANK YOU........To the BEST EXAMPLE of a Leader, Brother, Friend. Looking forward to the Phase Homie!
— Bruce Bowen (@Bowen12) July 11, 2016
Salute to the greatest power forward ever! Illustrious career!! Much respect Timmy D.
— 🏁 Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) July 11, 2016
For more NBA coverage, check out FanSided’s hub page.