The San Antonio Spurs announced on Wednesday that they will retire Tim Duncan's No. 21 jersey on Dec. 18 on a special postgame ceremony after the Spurs take on the New Orleans Pelicans.
Considered by many as one of the greatest power forwards of all time, the Future Hall of Famer retired last July 11 after an illustrious NBA career, playing 19 seasons, all of them with San Antonio. His 19 year career with the Spurs ties him with John Stockton (Utah Jazz) for 2nd among NBA players who have spent their entire careers at one franchise, trailing only Kobe Bryant (20 seasons, Los Angeles Lakers).
Tim Duncan won 5 NBA championships (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014), was named NBA Finals MVP three times (1999, 2003, 2005) and NBA Rookie of The Year back in 1997. He is also a 15 time NBA All-Star and was selected to both the All NBA and All-Defensive Teams in all of his first 13 seasons, the only player to accomplish that feat. His style of play, the patented bank shot and his fundamentally sound footwork in the post, earned him the nickname "The Big Fundamentals". He led the Spur's to a 1,072-438 regular season record, the best ever in NBA history over 19 seasons.
Tim Duncan, 40, started out as a swimmer when he was young. He only started playing basketball in 9th grade. He played for St. Dunstan's Episcopal High School and then took his talents to the Wake Forrest University Demon Deacons wherein he had a stellar college career, winning the Naismith College Player of the Year, USBWA College Player of the Year and John Wooden awards in his final year. After playing four years at Wake Forrest, Tim Duncan graduated with a degree in Psychology. He then entered the 1997 NBA Draft.
The Spurs won the draft lottery that year and they made Tim Duncan their number one pick. He immediately made an impact with the Spurs. From a dismal 20-62 record the previous season, Tim Duncan helped the Spurs to a 56-26 record and they made the playoffs. Together with David Robinson, they formed a formidable frontcourt. They were dubbed as the "Twin Towers". During the last few years of David Robinson up until his retirement, the Spurs made him the cornerstone of the franchise, surrounding him with great players including Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. San Antonio made the playoffs in all 19 years Tim Duncan played for them. That's the most ever for one player playing for one team in NBA history.
He joins David Robinson, Sean Elliot, Avery Johnson, Bruce Bowen, George Gervin, Johnny Moore and James Silas to have their number retired. The eight player to do so in franchise history.
