The subject of Tim Duncan is a complicated one for me. As a lifelong Laker fan I am programmed to dislike all of the competition. Somehow through the years I've stopped being a hater and I try to appreciate the moment. I will try my best to be objective but I may resort back to my homer ways. Feel free to correct me or give your opinion as well.
Tim Duncan came into the league in 1997 when the Spurs were already a very good team. David Robinson was the focus of that team and came into the league with much fanfare. Tim Duncan came in with close to the same expectations. I don't think anyone could have predicted the impact he would have though. Honestly, the only negative I can think of with Tim Duncan is the way he would complain about a foul being called on him. Outside of that one minor thing he's been a classy guy his entire career.
I even read a story about when he was going through a divorce. His wife had met another man and was seen with him. Tim Duncan quietly divorced her while continuing the season. It's not my job to judge people on whether they should divorce or why. I am simply stating that at no time did he smear her or act irrational. I appreciate and respect that in someone.
He was an impact player. He played the power forward position but could easily be a center and could also step away from the basket and shoot the ball. The Lakers matched up against the Spurs what seemed like every year and Duncan always seemed to be a beast. Although I don't believe you have to be a fan to respect someone I also don't believe you have to dislike someone just because they're not on your team. That allowed me to respect Tim Duncan without ever being a fan of his. He always seems to say the right things during interviews as well. This guy just seemed to get it. But how about his work ethic? At 40 years old I don't know if I've seen a big man age so gracefully. I don't know his diet or his exercise routine but to me it seems as though he stayed consistent his entire career. I don't know if it's lack of drinking, partying, etc. I just look at him and he doesn't seem much different than when he came in. Good parenting?
As Tim Duncan retires I feel as though another era in the NBA has come and gone. Just like the Magic Johnson/Larry Bird era now goes the Kobe Bryant/Tim Duncan era. Although I miss the good ol days I enjoy the process more than I used to. So now I watch the young Lakers and Spurs and wonder which of these young players will retire someday and leave their own legacy. Congratulations Tim Duncan! I know you'll be successful in whatever you do in the future. From a Laker fan that hated you almost your entire career, congratulations on finishing as one of the best players in history. Tim Duncan is right up there when discussing what it means to be a professional in sports.
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