Wake Forest Demon Deacons: Tim Duncan to Retire?
Wake Forest Demon Deacons legend Tim Duncan may now be headed into retirement.
It seemed just a couple of days ago that former Wake Forest Demon Deacons basketball legend Tim Duncan was making indications of a return to the Spurs for one more go. Now the tea leaves are looking precisely the other way with Duncan heading toward retirement.
What could have changed Duncan’s mind over the last couple of days? It is probably Kevin Durant signing with the Golden State Warriors. There was a time when the Spurs were in the running to sign Durant. Duncan at that time appeared as if he would return to help with the pitch to sign Durant. If Durant had signed, Duncan may well have come back for one more round.
Durant did not. He cut the Spurs from consideration over the weekend and then agreed to terms with the Warriors. Without that incentive, Duncan may retire now. He has certainly done enough for the San Antonio Spurs franchise over the years. He owns five NBA titles.
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The Spurs probably understood this day was coming. Other than their moves to rework their team behind Kawhi Leonard, Danny Green, and LaMarcus Aldridge, the Spurs have also recently come to terms with Pau Gasol for a two year deal. Gasol will step right into the role vacated by Duncan if and when he vacates it.
Duncan was a fifteen time All Star over an eighteen year career. He is the only rival to Kobe Bryant in trying to determine the best player of that post-Jordan pre-LeBron James era. He was remarkably consistent even as he got older as a player. In the 2013 NBA Finals, he pulled off a great Game 6 performance for his best playoff game to date (sadly the Spurs let that one get away).
As for his position among Wake Forest basketball alumni, he is sitting securely at number one. Chris Paul does not even come close to matching his achievements.