San Antonio Spurs: Was That Tim Duncan’s Final Act?
After another disappointing end to the San Antonio Spurs’ season, we must again ask ourselves if we’ve seen the last of Tim Duncan
We’ve seen him play the game. We’ve seen him make his signature hook shots. We’ve seen him beat down opposing big men on the defensive end. And, we’ve seen him play through pain, through injuries.
We have seen it all.
Tim Duncan, arguably the best power forward to ever play the game of basketball.
He was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs back in 1997 and never left. Through 19 years, we’ve witnessed greatness through Duncan’s intensive dedication and determination in giving everything he has for the game, for the Spurs, for the fans.
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After five NBA championships, 15 selections in the All-Star game, 10-time All-NBA 1st Team, and two NBA MVP awards, Tim Duncan, the Big Fundamental is already at the climax of his well-decorated career.
After losing to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 6 of their Western Conference Semifinals, the Spurs are back in an uncomfortable scene they were in many times in the recent years, scratching their heads and asking themselves, “Is this the last game of Timmy?”
A few years ago, Tim Duncan went down with various injuries. We thought that was it for No. 21. No. We were wrong. Duncan continued to play and even won his fifth NBA championship against the Miami Heat.
Last season, they lost to the Los Angeles Clippers, in a full 7-game series, in the first round of the playoffs. This season, the Spurs had the second best record in the West and yet, they just lost to the Thunder in 6 games. Although Duncan just signed a two-year extension with the Spurs back in 2015, fans have been asking among themselves: “Can he still play at a competitive level for at least one more season?”
If we are to look back at Duncan’s numbers throughout the 2015-16 season, there was a significant deduction in his performance. He only averaged seven points and seven rebounds a night. His field goal percentage was at one of its lowest in Duncan’s career at 48.8 percent.
His minutes were limited to 25 per outing, partly due to the arrival of LaMarcus Aldridge during the offseason. Whether we like it or not, whether you’re a Spurs fan or not, Tim Duncan is already at the end of his already legendary career. The question is: when will he accept the fact that his body can’t no longer play the game he loves, if that is indeed the case?
If their loss to Kevin Durant and company was the finale for Tim Duncan, are the Spurs ready to take it to the next era without No. 21? Talent-wise? They can certainly contend for an NBA title next season and beyond. That’s assuming Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili decide not to join old Timmy in his retirement. Not just yet.
If Duncan does decide to hang his jersey for good, then it shouldn’t be much of a problem, not at least in terms of fire power. LaMarcus Aldridge will have to fill in a big pair of shoes left by Duncan, both offensively and defensively. Let’s not forget about this year’s Defensive Player of the Year, Kawhi Leonard.
Whether we like it or not, the future of the San Antonio Spurs is now in the hands of Leonard and he won’t be alone. Danny Green is around. Patty Mills will definitely stick around. Veterans like David West and even Andre Miller will have more time to furthermore develop their respective games under Gregg Poppovich.
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That’s, assuming Coach Pop decides to stay, too.
Have we seen Tim Duncan’s final game? That is up for Duncan himself to decide on.