Dear Tim Duncan,

Thank you for establishing one of the strongest presences in the history of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Your contributions to the San Antonio Spurs can not go unnoticed. You led a team from irrelevancy into an NBA powerhouse from the late 1990s to today. The chemistry of you, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili captivated a legion of basketball fans and brought a professional sports dynasty to San Antonio. Even though I am not a Spurs fan, I cannot deny how awesome of a player you were and a great example of leadership.

After being drafted in 1997 out of Wake Forest University, you became a part of what is considered one of the best team building accomplishments in NBA history orchestrated by coach Gregg Popovich and owner Peter Holt. In two seasons, you and your teammates celebrated the Spurs' first championship in franchise history in 1999 and would capture four more championships during your illustrious career. You have had the proud privilege to play with some of the most talented players. You and David "The Admiral" Robinson were known as the "Twin Towers" and with Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili you helped form "The Big Three." Another person, and, perhaps, the most important person, who mentored you and helped you become one of the best power forwards of all-time was your coach, Gregg Popovich.

Your relationship with Popovich is comparable to Kobe Bryant and Phil Jackson with the Los Angeles Lakers, Tom Brady and Bill Belichick with the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL), as well as Derek Jeter and Joe Torre with the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB). The longevity of this player-coach tandem proved to be the lasting bond that helped you become one of the best role models in the NBA in terms of both character and work ethic. There are no words to describe all that you have done for the San Antonio Spurs. You have helped them become consistent winners each of your 19 seasons and have helped guide them to the postseason each year. 19 straight postseason appearances is a rare feat in professional sports, but your playing abilities made it possible.

Again, I am not a Spurs fan personally, but you have been the reason why the team has been worth watching and following. It is also because I like to see what terse answers Coach Pop will give during his in-game interviews with the media. It is no wonder why the Spurs have a huge fan following. It is sad to see you retire, but you certainly used your 19year career to the fullest and you deserve all what the rest of your life has to offer. The NBA will never be the same again without you, but now you get to write your next chapter.

From,

A Perhaps Closeted Spurs Fan