Fansided

25 most memorable moments from Tim Duncan’s career

By Brad Rowland

San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan (21) speaks during a press conference with his children Sydney (left) and Draven (right) after game five of the 2014 NBA Finals against the Miami Heat at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan (21) speaks during a press conference with his children Sydney (left) and Draven (right) after game five of the 2014 NBA Finals against the Miami Heat at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Former NBA Commissioner of 30 years David Stern is inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame by presenter Hall of Fame players Larry Bird ( 98), Earvin Magic Johnson ( 02), Bob Lanier ( 92) and NBA contributor Russ Granik ( 13) during the 2014 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony at Springfield Symphony Hall. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Former NBA Commissioner of 30 years David Stern is inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame by presenter Hall of Fame players Larry Bird ( 98), Earvin Magic Johnson ( 02), Bob Lanier ( 92) and NBA contributor Russ Granik ( 13) during the 2014 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony at Springfield Symphony Hall. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

San Antonio Spurs win 1997 NBA Draft Lottery – May 18, 1997

The Spurs finished the 1996-97 season with an ugly 20-62 record, thanks in large part to the aforementioned injury to David Robinson. However, that only provided the third-most ping-pong balls for the 1997 lottery, meaning that San Antonio needed a bit of luck in order to acquire Duncan.

In fact, the Boston Celtics were the team that the NBA world focused in throughout the process, as they won only 15 games during a legendary “tanking” exhibition in their own right. As the large market, Duncan was projected there all season long, but in the end, it was San Antonio.

As referenced previously, the Spurs probably weren’t the only organization capable of fostering this level of success for Duncan. Still, pairing him with Gregg Popovich and David Robinson (among others) was basically ideal in every way.

It’s the little things.

Next: The Number One Pick

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