When you think of professional athletes in this day and age, there aren't many that are humble. Most players are all about the money and the fame. Tim Duncan was not one of those guys. He just wanted to play basketball and win. He could care less about being a "max player" when it comes to salary. He is a player that every athlete should aspire to be Here are a few things that every NBA fan should thank Tim Duncan for.
1. For making the bank shot look cool.
For the players that might not be the best at basketball (Like myself) if the shot went in it didn't matter how. That's how it was for Duncan. Whether it was a swish or a bank it still counts as 2 points. Duncan made shots like this look cool while becoming the greatest Power Forward of all time.
2. For never being flashy
At the end of the day, Tim Duncan was just a normal guy. He didn't want the nicest clothes or the coolest cars, he just wanted championships and boy did he achieve that goal. He will never be known and remembered for his style and for Duncan that is more than okay.
3. For setting the example to other NBA players that staying in on one team for your whole career isn't the worse thing.
From his rookie year in 1997 to his final year in 2016, Tim Duncan was a San Antonio Spur. He never thought about leaving or jumping ship to create "Super Teams." He just wanted to win in San Antonio and he did. Duncan won 5 championships with the Spurs along with 2 MVPs. Without Duncan, the Spurs are no where near as respected as they are today.
4. For not having a big ego.
Duncan has been the king of San Antonio since he came into the NBA in 1997. Back in 2014, he knew it was time to hand the keys over to Kawhi Leonard. That year the Spurs won the NBA finals and Leonard won the finals MVP. There is no doubt that would have happened without Duncan's mentoring of the younger guys on the team. Then this past off season the Spurs signed top free agent LaMarcus Aldridge who always looked up to Duncan and plays a similar style to Duncan. Instead of Duncan getting mad about them signing basically his replacement, he took on the challenge of mentoring Aldridge into becoming the new face along with Leonard on the Spurs.
5. For showing us you can win at all ages.
Duncan won a championship in 3 different decades. That is something that will most likely never be repeated in NBA history. He is the prime example of working hard and being consistent in your craft. If you follow the model of Tim Duncan, you are on the right path to success.
So thanks Tim, you set the example that every NBA player should follow.
