5 reasons Tim Duncan should not retire

By John Buhler | May 13, 2016

May 12, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Tim Duncan (21) fights for position with Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) during the first quarter in game six of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

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Feb 10, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Tim Duncan (21) looks on against the Orlando Magic during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Tim Duncan deserves a victory lap if he wants one.

It would be so grossly out of character for him, but if Duncan feels compelled to give his fans an appropriate send off before calling it career after next season, Duncan has been that great of a player to merit a glorified farewell tour, much like what Kobe Bryant got to do with the 2015-16 Los Angeles Lakers.

Duncan is one of the game’s most respected champions and very likely is the best power forward to have played the game of basketball. He’s always been a team-first type of player in his 19 years with the Spurs organization, but Duncan is beloved by basketball fans that are loyal to the other 29 teams in the Association.

He’ll have a strong minutes restriction in his final year in the NBA, but wouldn’t it be great for some doormat East Coast cities that only play the Spurs twice annually to have one last opportunity to show their appreciation for one of the game’s greatest big men?

San Antonio would still have a highly competitive team even on this Duncan victory lap. In all fairness, a Duncan farewell tour would in a way feel more genuine than the Bryant farewell tour, as Duncan is soft-spoken while Bryant was notoriously acrimonious for most of his career with his fellow NBA colleagues. If Duncan is cool with having a farewell tour, so will the rest of the NBA.

Next: 4. LaMarcus Aldridge is a top 20 player in the NBA.

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