I was never very good at basketball, but that never made my love for the game any different. I remember that as a child I would constantly spend my evenings sitting next to my dad on the couch yelling at the TV screen as we cheered on our San Antonio Spurs. Of course they couldn’t hear us, but it was the pride that we possessed in our team that made us such huge fans. San Antonio, Texas is very unique because although it is now a big city, we can quickly come together to support the team we love. We have been fortunate enough to have such an inspiring team with so much talent has been put together to make our Spurs a fundamentally sound team. No, we may not always be the best, but I am certain that our Spurs play with the most heart.

For the last 19 seasons, the right-hand man to coach Pop has always been number 21. It has been so beautiful to see Tim Duncan develop as a player. I started watching the game at quite a young age and I remember the beginning of the "twin towers,” a David Robinson and Tim Duncan duo who were unstoppable. One of my fondest memories was after the Spurs won the 2003 NBA Champions title. I remember that after the last buzzer sounded my family took to the streets. Along with hundreds of other fans, we packed the roads with cars filled with cheering fans. It was definitely a sight to see and my love for the game just continued to grow.

Flash forwards 13 years later and it is time to say good-bye to someone that has always meant so much to my favorite basketball team. I know we all saw it coming, but still had hope. “Maybe since Ginobilli was staying, Tim would too, so that the terrific trio could fight together for one more year.” The anticipation that we all held this last week as we awaited for Timmy to make up his mind was quite a nail-biting experience. Regardless, the deed has been done and he has decided to start the next chapter of his life.

I am as devastated as the next Spurs fan and I know we just wanted to see one more game with one of San Antonio’s most beloved, but at the end of the day he had one heck of a run! Timmy, thank you for everything you brought to our city. No, I did not decide to join a basketball team as a child, but seeing your hard work made me fall in love with sports. Your teamwork motivated me to want to be a better athlete. You have inspired so many and brought a city that is diverse in culture closer together. Thank you for giving so many memorable and passion-filled years to our city and helping us to experience what victory feels like from time to time. We had a powerhouse of a team and I am certain that your legacy will never really die. The bar has been set with the presence of such a dedicated and outstanding athlete, and I know that a similar pattern will continue. Just from seeing how well our team has meshed for past years, it is so evident that many of your teammates respected you as a leader. San Antonio may never be the same, but I know that the fact that you have given so much to our team will make others want to continue to make our city proud. People are calling you one of the best power forwards of all time and I have no hesitation when agreeing to that. Our Spurs will continue to do great things and you have contributed so much. So again, I say thank you for being a role model, leader, and all around amazing athlete. You will be missed, but your city will always love you for what you’ve done.