Robinson Athletic News: Tim Duncan Calls It A Career

After 19 of the most successful seasons in NBA history, Tim Duncan officially retired yesterday via a team press release. No ticker tape parade, no call to attention, this legend just decided he was done and let the team handle it for him. While I would have loved to see him go out on top, I certainly am impressed by his illustrious career. IMO, Tim Duncan is the 2nd greatest player to ever play the game of basketball. He is at least the 2nd best during my lifetime. His consistent greatness is something that will never be matched. Another thing that won't be matched is his selfless team play and team first attitude. The Spurs philosophy worked because Duncan was a selfless superstar. The NBA is losing a lot in Duncan's departure, and I am not sure basketball fans realize just what we are losing. Just look at some of his accomplishments listed below and you will see why.

Duncan Accomplishments

5 NBA Championships

2 League MVPs (Should Have Been More, but Nash etc.)

3 Finals MVPs

1072 Wins (1 of 3 in NBA History w/ 1000)

Only Player in NBA History w/ 1000 wins for 1 Team

701 Wins By A Trio (Most All-Time W/ 2nd Round Pick Ginobili, and last pick of Rd. 1 Parker)

.710 Winning Percentage (Best in NBA History)

19 Consecutive Seasons with 60% Wins (Only Player in History Across 4 Major Sports)

19 Consecutive Playoof Appearances

150 More Wins Than Any NBA Franchise During His Career

Only Player to Start & Win Title in 3 Different Decades

26,000 Points, 15,000 Rebounds, 3,000 Blocks (1 of 2 Players in NBA History)

15 All-NBA Selections (T- Most All-Time)

15 Defensive All-NBA Selections (Most All-Time)

At 40 years Old Led the League in Defensive Rebounds Per Minute

1998 NBA Rookie of the Year

15 Time All-Star

Spurs All-Time Leader in Points

Spurs All-Time Leader in Rebounds

Spurs All-Time Leader in Blocks

Spurs All-Time Leader in Games

Spurs All-Time Leader in Minutes

3rd Most Assists in Spurs History (As a Power Forward!)

5th in NBA History in Double Doubles

5th in NBA History in Blocks

6th in NBA History in Rebounds

14th in NBA History in Points

Only Player in NBA History with 9000+ Playoff Minutes

Most Post Season Double Doubles

Most Post Season Blocks

3rd in Post Season Rebounds

6th in Post Season Scoring

251 Postseason Appearances (2nd All-Time)

1 of 3 Players in NBA History to Spend 19 years w/ One Franchise

1,001 Wins For Duncan and Popovich (Most All-Time for Player Coach Duo)

To me though, his most impressive accomplishment was at 37 years old after one of the most devastating Finals losses of all-time, he led the Spurs back to the 2014 NBA Finals and they won it. That is the legacy of Tim Duncan, but don't take my words for it, look at his peers messages....

Duncan Farewell Messages