Gerald Herbert - AP
How many more moments like this (after providing basketball fans with a career full of them) can we expect from Tim Duncan, who as one of the league's all time greats, has begun show signs of finally slowing down?
A thought came over me as I watched the Spurs pull one out over the Hornets the other night. I kind of toyed around with it before placing it on the back burner out of the necessity having more to it than simply being a thought. After last night's game against Atlanta, however, I decided that I would rather have this be as short and sweet as I could possibly make it, and have some of the long-windedness I usually tend to replaced with the essence of the truth that surrounds the matter as I see it. To be perfectly clear, it wasn't even the game itself that returned the thought to the forefront of my mind; it was merely the write-up of the game on ESPN's site.
The write up was plain in its offering, the rote recitation given the premium over descriptor, as is often the case with a recap. What stuck me though, was the particular bit of information that the Hawks had not beaten the Spurs on the road since Tim Duncan had been drafted in 1997. Like I said before, that little bit of information was all it took to bring everything tumbling back to the center of my attention.
When I watched Duncan play against the Hornets the other night, everything about it seemed so vintage (so truly a representation of the player he will be remembered as) that I instantly compared its sighting to the sensation I got as a child when my parents told me it was ok to stay out and play for a few minutes longer -- until the sun set. Seeing that performance, complete with the game winner so appropriate in its relative awkwardness in contrast with Duncan's style, and then coupling it with the Hawks tidbit a night later reminded me of how special the past 14 years have been, and how this ride will soon be over.
To me, Duncan represents, above simply being my favorite player, the bridge between the gap of childhood and adulthood. When I began following him, I was still young enough to look up to athletes without the cynicism and jealousy that tend to accompany such thoughts as an adult. In short, he was one of the very last childhood heroes I had the privilege of having. Watching his performance stand out from amongst his ever declining norm was something that made me happy and sad at the same time, the same way those few extra minutes of playtime in the evening brought joy to the reality of my impending bedtime years ago.
I feel like I'm in the minority, in that I believe this will be Duncan's last season, although what I saw the other night made me think that perhaps I'm only telling myself that so it won't hurt as much when he finally does hang them up. The fact remains that the performance the other night has become more exception than rule, and that the impending reality is that what we see is what is left, and nothing is being saved for the playoffs as we've so often assumed and been told. The sun is beginning to set, and we have to make the best of the few moments we have left in it.
5 recs | 32 comments
Well now I’m gonna cry
Kyle Gorzynski - January 27, 2012
Wow, great write up. I don’t know if you know this, but Tim Duncan isn’t going to retire until I’m dead. Also, my daughters will stay their current ages and never become teenagers.
SleepCrack - January 27, 2012 via mobile
I expect there may be a feeling among fans that Tim should retire if he has slipped much from the top of his game. But if Tim simply likes to play the game, and might want to play a few more years in some lesser role, is there a problem with that? If Tim were willing to be someone contributing from off the bench, would some have a problem with that? I recall as an example how Bill Walton spent one of his last years coming off the bench for the Celtics to back up Robert Parish and help the Celtics to a championship; is that beneath Tim?
Alamo - January 27, 2012
There’s no problem with that at all, Alamo. I don’t see that as being beneath Tim whatsoever.
I’m beginning to think that Tim would like to go out on top, the way Robinson did. And while he’s mature enough to realize that his career is different than David’s, the desire to experience that kind of ending will probably keep him competing for longer than some people (SiMA and Justin to name a couple) think he will.
J.R. Wilco - January 27, 2012
Speaking of SiMA, where is that cantankerous old bastard these days anyway? Did I miss something during my PtR hiatus last year? Miss talking to him.
Trey Felder - January 27, 2012
I think he’s busy taking care of a new baby.
Big50 - January 27, 2012
Ah, that would explain it then. Thanks Big50! And a hearty, so-late-it’s-not-even-funny congrats to SiMA :D
Trey Felder - January 27, 2012
You’d be better off passing your congratulations along via email. I talked with him yesterday and he admitted that he’d been too busy lately to even glance at PtR.
So sad…
J.R. Wilco - January 27, 2012
No, Timmy can play as long as he wants.
Tim C. - January 27, 2012
This. Every word of this.
Trey Felder - January 27, 2012
This makes me feel old. I say this because Robinson was the version of my last child hood hero transition to adult.
Good write up :)
Spurs Yoda - January 27, 2012
Yeah, SY, I can tell you that hanging around Justin is custom made for making guys like us feel old.
I watched ‘Super 8’ with him and found myself explaining how awesome all of the time-period touches were.
J.R. Wilco - January 27, 2012
Right. I still remember going to Spurs and Arena football games in the hemisphere arena with my father. (The good old San Antonio Force Football Team, only one season in 92 LMAO.)
I’ll never forgot when my dad took me to see Michael Jordan against the Spurs in maybe 90 or 91. Jordan had a sick almost double windmill like dunk, but the Spurs and DRob took the win. Great game.
Spurs Yoda - January 27, 2012
Nice write up. I really enjoy watching Duncan age gracefully and I think he thinks he’s still has ability left to play make a positive impact. I do believe he’ll be back if he thinks he and the Spurs have a legit chance to win. That said, we should always enjoy the moment, especially when the greatest PF of all time is playing for our team.
Big50 - January 27, 2012
Thanks for this, Justin. Timmeh is my favorite player and the reason I’m a Spurs fan. I will enjoy watching him (hopefully not for the last time) when the Spurs come to Denver in February.
CapHill - January 27, 2012
Retire this year? That’s ludicrous. If life followed your predictions, David Robinson would have retired in ‘01. And the Spurs wouldn’t have had a championship in ’03. Duncan can, and will, play 2 (maybe 3) more years and be a compentent contributer for this Spurs team.
CybikoRPG - January 27, 2012
Timmy can give the team a few more years and I truly think he will because the guy seems to be enjoying himself so much around the young cats. But if he does retire he had a great run and it was an honor and a privilege to watch him play at Wake Forrest and in San Antonio.
gunnin' gervin - January 27, 2012
Been a spurs fan since they drafted David Robinson.
And been a Tim Duncan fan since his Wake Forest days…. very well written article/blog Justin thank you!
jdelsandro - January 27, 2012
Welcome to PtR, jdelsandro. We’ve certainly been fortunate to have that pair of big men come through San Antonio.
J.R. Wilco - January 27, 2012
As reported in SA Express today Duncan said: " I’m still a big part of this team. I want to be a leader on and off the floor. I want Pop and the rest of the guys to count on me to do that"
indiancharlie - January 27, 2012
As I read this my eyes involuntarily sparkled and I had raised a fist of victory to the sky.
DewNO - January 27, 2012
All hail the FOV!
Let’s all raise one together.
J.R. Wilco - January 27, 2012
Ridiculously lucky to have him be the face of our franchise. Couldn’t ask for more in a man.
Trey Felder - January 27, 2012
Man, this writeup is awesome.
DewNO - January 27, 2012
I'm new.
Great read to put my first comment on. Been a fan for a while, first time season ticket holder (10 games) and I live 2 hours away. Beaming with pride.
TheTexican - January 27, 2012 via Android app
Welcome, Texican. It’s good to have you with us.
J.R. Wilco - January 30, 2012
This piece really connected with me, JB. I have always been really aware of the mortality of things, even when I was a kid, just as you describe.
For me, I spent several months feeling there would be no NBA season at all, and that the last we would see of Duncan in a Spurs uniform had already abruptly passed. Watching him this season is gravy.
Hoping that our other great Spur will be able to ride off into the sunset with a ring like the Admiral did is probably a very selfish thing. But I’m a selfish person.
quincyscott - January 27, 2012
That’s positively sig-rific.
J.R. Wilco - January 30, 2012
As I stated on another site, I’ve been a Spurs fan since the merger in 1976. TD is, by far,
my favorite all-time player. Like Robinson, he’s a gentle giant. It’s highly unlikely that we
will witness another player/individual like him in our lifetime. I do believe that he will play
another 1 or 2 years; that is, if Pop doesn’t burn him out. That’s another reason that we
desperately need another good big who can defend and rebound. But where do we locate one?
mercer - January 28, 2012
Good points, mercer. Can’t say that Splitter’s that kind of player, but I’m thinking he’s special nonetheless.
But guys like 50 and 21 aren’t gowning on trees, that much is certain.
J.R. Wilco - January 30, 2012
This is an absolutely wonderful write up. It definitely makes me appreciate Timmy so much more.
bj1der - January 28, 2012
Good writing, Justin. Thanks for sharing.
LatinD - February 4, 2012
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