Tim Duncan: Remembering The Greatest Power Forward Ever

As Tim Duncan retires after 19 seasons in the NBA, we take a quick look back at the greatest power forward that has ever played the game

Whether it be for his outdated cargo shorts or his oversize, and out of style, t-shirts, Tim Duncan will always be remembered.

19 years. Five NBA Championships. Timmy D has officially retired into the sunset.

Tim Duncan is the only NBA player to win a championship in three different decades – the 90s, 00s and 10s. He never seemed to age, not even in his late 30s when he was in the midst of an ever-changing NBA.

Despite not being as flashy, loud or as demonstrative as some of his temporaries, Tim Duncan will still be remembered for being the greatest power forward of all-time. His longevity is perhaps the most impressive aspect of his 19-year run in the NBA.

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From the first day he stepped on an NBA floor, we knew he was going to be special – even though he had to share the spotlight with David Robinson throughout the first few years of his career. He was that good.

The young Duncan helped catapult his Spurs to win an NBA Championship in just his sophomore season. He averaged 23 points, 12 rebounds and nearly three blocks during that playoff run. He was only 22 years old. And his best was yet to come.

At the age of 26, he won his second NBA Championship. Then again at 28. And at 30. Then was the drought.

The Spurs and Duncan continued to make the playoffs from 2008-13, but always seemed to not have enough to get over the hump – falling to an ahead-of-their-time Suns squad, the up-and-coming Oklahoma City Thunder and then a LeBron James-led Miami Heat team.

Then came 2014.

Seven years removed from their last NBA Championship, the San Antonio Spurs – led by Duncan and a new young face in Kawhi Leonard – made it back to the NBA Finals, for the second-straight season, to face the Heat again.

This time, though, it was Duncan and the Spurs taking advantage. In one of the most dominant Finals performances in history, Duncan won his fifth NBA Championship.

And that was it.

For the next two seasons, the Spurs would make the playoffs but would fall in the first and second round, respectively.

Now, Tim Duncan calls it a career – the only way he can. Quietly and without the flare.

Tim Duncan Career Achievements

5-Time NBA champion
3-Time Finals MVP
2-Time NBA MVP
14th All-Time In Scoring
15-Time NBA All-Star
15-Time All-NBA Team
14-Time All-Defensive Team

Kobe Bryant had his farewell tour. That’s not Duncan, though. Like only he can, Duncan will walk away with a quiet press conference. It’s fitting.

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As we debated thought his career whether he was a power forward or center, it’s meaningless. Whatever position he played, he was the best at it. From his patented off-the-window jumpers to his fundamental defense, Duncan will always be remembered for being one of the greatest.

Tim Duncan never wanted to be the center of attention, but he deserves it this time.

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