I was probably about 13, a big, awkward aspiring power forward who could rebound like a boss and little else. It was during the 8th grade when I had finally managed to crack the school team that I discovered Tim while he was playing college ball at Wake Forest. I was captivated by him, his dominant and fundamentally sound low post game, his defense, even his signature bankshot from the wing. I watched every Wake Forest game I could find that season. He was the player I tried to emulate as best I could. He was the player I wanted to be.
Then everyone else started growing, I stopped, and before I knew it I was a combo guard that couldn't dribble or shoot the ball. So I tried to be more like Jason Kidd, I ended up being more like Charles Barkley and, well, my playing days kinda stagnated for a while. I learned to shoot and dribble just in time for intermurals in university and ever since I've played here and there where I could. Even though I've become more of a perimeter playmaker, defense first, spot up shooter type of player, I still get a bit excited when it turns out I'm one of the two biggest guys on the team.
As a youngster, I admired Tim's basketball skills. His defense, his shot blocking ability, his low post game that few could contain. I admired his accolades on the court, and the fact he is unquestionably one of the greatest basketball players of all time. On top of that is his longevity. He played 19 seasons and retired when he was 40 years old, unheard of for an NBA player, much less a 7 footer. When I broke out my Duncan jersey Monday, I quickly realized that there was no way I could wear it, it was at least two sizes too big. Just goes to show you how long he's been in the league. That jersey once fit pretty well, and it's been a long, long time since I was fat (hard to believe, but I was).
As I got older, I grew to admire the things that truly make Tim great. His selflessness, his unwavering desire to put the team first and do what ever he needed to do in order to win. I admired the way that he led by example, and the fact that he did all of this with a quiet dignity that we may never see again.
There was a story I remembered reading a few years ago that resurfaced on Monday that not only sums up the kind of player Tim was, but the kind of person he was. It comes from Etan Thomas and goes something like this:
"Here is my Tim Duncan story.
So we're playing the Spurs and I get the ball in the post. I inside pivot and sweep to the middle for my jump hook and he blocks it. So as we are running down the court, he says to me, 'That was a good move, but you have to get more into my body so you can either draw the foul or I can't block it.'
So I didn't know if he was talking noise or what so just kind of looked at him confused and said, 'OK'. Then, a few plays later I did it again - got more into his body and he couldn't block it. I missed the shot and he looked at me and said 'Much better,' and kept playing. I remember calling my boy Zee Chilton and telling him this story lol. Tim Duncan is honestly one of the nicest guys in the NBA and one of the best power forwards ever. Respect."
I remember being absolutely dumbfounded when I read this. Giving tips in the heat of competition, to someone you are trying to beat? It is one of those things I think only Tim would do. I can't begin to imagine just how great it must have been to play alongside Tim if he was giving tips to a young opponent as the game is going on. This story is absolutely amazing, and I'm sure there all kinds of others like it.
There was nothing flashy about Tim Duncan or the way he played. He just went and played the game. There was no farewell circus and no big presser to announce it. I'm sure nobody was surprised. Just a statement released by the Spurs as he quietly and fittingly moved on to life after basketball in true Tim Duncan fashion.
So long Timmy, the basketball world will surely miss you.
-matt
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