When the San Antonio Spurs won the NBA Draft lottery in 1997, there was no doubt who they would select with the first pick. Their selection would make an immediate impact and would turn out to be one of the greatest of all-time, widely-recognized as the best power forward to ever step on a NBA court.

Tim Duncan won Rookie of the year. In his second season, he led the Spurs to their first NBA title, the first of five in the span of 15 years. The accolades are many (back-to-back MVPs) to 15 All-star appearances. Duncan's greatness goes deeper than his accomplishments. Duncan will forever be admired and remembered by basketball pursuits because of his simplicity and humility. Of course, Duncan has a ego like every great player, but he subdued it.

So many superstars are recognized because of their play, extracurricular activities, off-the-court antics or their self-assuring proclamations. Duncan actually let his play do the talking. He is the anti pre-madonna who knew his stature but didn't impose it on the franchise. It was always team over ego.

Duncan's approach didn't include brass comments or defiant interviews or Twitter beef. He played basketball because he loved the game and he loved his coach and teammates. Think pieces and criticism didn't matter because that had no barring on his team. Duncan didn't let the outsiders affect the insiders. He didn't play to shut up the doubters but so he wouldn't let his team down.

Duncan's magic lies in his humility. There's not another superstar in the game that wholeheartedly accepted the authority of their coach (although he's the greatest coach of all-time). Gregg Poppovich ability to coach his player equally comes from Duncan's willingness to adhere to correction. Again, team greater than self. Duncan showed us what professionalism looks like. He dominated his position, but never played the role of dictator.

Personally, it was a true honor to watch Tim Duncan and his unparalleled greatness for 19 years. Thank you, Tim Duncan, for everything. We'll miss you.