Tim Duncan announced his retirement on Monday morning following a 19-season career in the NBA. It was a career that included five championships and left him as just one of two players in NBA history to record at least 26,000 points, 15,000 rebounds, and 3,000 blocks. The other was the legendary Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
It wasn’t just his personal success that mattered either, as the San Antonio Spurs racked up a .710 winning percentage to go along with those five titles during his 19 years with the team. Not only was that the best mark in NBA history over any 19-year span, but it was also the best winning percentage of any major sports team during his time in San Antonio.
Given all of that, it is safe to say Duncan’s retirement has had a great impact on not just the Spurs organization, but the NBA as a whole.
Those reactions came pouring in steadily on Monday morning and included a message from the NBA, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, and former rival Shaquille O’Neal to name just a few.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver released the following statement regarding Tim Duncan’s announcement today pic.twitter.com/RIhdkNJLIJ
— NBA (@NBA) July 11, 2016
#ThankYouTD, for everything.https://t.co/tsjN4go8Rk
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) July 11, 2016
Even tho I knew it was coming, I'm still moved by the news. What a HUGE honor to have played with him for 14 seasons! #ThankYouTD
— Manu Ginobili (@manuginobili) July 11, 2016
Shaquille O'Neal (@SHAQ) to ESPN on the retirement of longtime rival Tim Duncan: "Greatest power forward ever. Unbreakable power forward."
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 11, 2016
https://twitter.com/mcuban/status/752520117938888704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Even new-school players like Blake Griffin got in on the act, sending out thank you messages to the 40-year old Duncan.
Congrats to the best power forward to ever play the game. It was truly an honor. Winner above all else. #thankyouTD pic.twitter.com/cXAxvKk8z4
— Blake Griffin (@blakegriffin23) July 11, 2016
There were also those who recognized him for caring more about winning than setting himself up as some kind of “brand” or star.
Dirk Nowitzki to ESPN on Timmy: "He was always about winning, never about making a brand out of himself. That's what I appreciated the most"
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 11, 2016
Kobe Bryant tells me of frequent foe Tim Duncan: "More cutthroat than people give him credit for. I loved everything about him on the court"
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 11, 2016
Timmie D! Congrats on an Unbelievable career! Thanks for inspiring us all with just your PLAY! #GreatestPowerforwardtoeverplaythisgame
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) July 11, 2016
Even writers and TV guys poured out their hearts about TD and his meaning to them and the game of basketball.
I don't know how to put Tim Duncan's career into words except to say: No matter how good you think he was, he was better.
— Jeff McDonald (@JMcDonald_SAEN) July 11, 2016
Loved calling games of @TimSlamDuncan @WakeForest & no doubt to me GOAT big forward to play in @NBA https://t.co/BpJttsMLga
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) July 11, 2016
