Tim Duncan
- Alternative meaning: Tim Duncan (politician)
Tim Duncan (born April 25, 1976) is an NBA basketball player who is a native of the United States Virgin Islands. Duncan plays for the San Antonio Spurs.
Basketball was not his first sport as a child; he was a nationally-ranked swimmer. However, the only Olympic-size pool in the Virgin Islands was destroyed by Hurricane Hugo in 1989. Duncan then took up basketball, eventually becoming an All-American at Wake Forest.
NBA career
He was drafted in 1997 by the San Antonio Spurs and immediately caused an impact, averaging 21.1 points per game his first season. The 1999 season was shortened because of a strike, but when the season began in February, Duncan began to help his team win the franchise's first world championship. They beat the New York Knicks in five games to become champions.
In the 2001-2002 season, Duncan was named the league's MVP, joining teammate David Robinson as Spurs members who have earned this award. After 2002-2003, Duncan was named MVP for the second season in a row. Duncan and his Spurs teammates made it all the way to the NBA finals, where they beat the New Jersey Nets 88-77 in Game Six to once again win the NBA's world championship. Duncan was named Finals' MVP, and he and Robinson shared Sports Illustrated magazine's 2003 "Sportsmen of the Year" award. His lifetime averages in points, blocks, assists, and rebounds are higher in the playoffs than in the regular season. In the last game of the 2002-2003 NBA finals, Duncan was a mere two blocks away from a quadruple double, finishing with 21 points, 18 rebounds, 10 assists and 8 blocks.
In contrast to many NBA greats, Duncan is famous for his graceful finesse on the court and for his low key demeanor. Possessing a sound all-around game, he has been dubbed "The Big Fundamental" by fellow NBA great Shaquille O'Neal. His signature offensive moves are his smooth footwork and his accurate bank shot. Duncan scored 53 points in an NBA game on December 26, 2001 in a home game against the Dallas Mavericks.
NBA career
totals | Per-game
averages |
|---|
- Points: 11,862
- Rebounds: 6,407
- Assists: 1,660
- Blocks: 1,314
|
- Points: 22.8
- Rebounds: 12.3
- Assists: 3.2
- Blocks: 2.5
|
Olympics
Duncan played with the United States national team in the Championship of The Americas in Puerto Rico, helping them qualify for the 2000 Summer Olympics. However, a knee injury forced him to stay out of the Olympic Games.
Four years later, Duncan was a member of Dream Team IV, competing in basketball at the 2004 Summer Olympics. The team lost its right to the "Dream Team" nickname by losing three games on their way to a bronze medal. That record represented more losses in a single year than in the 68 previous years combined. It was also the first time since NBA professionals became eligible that the U.S. men's basketball team returned home without gold medals. After their last game Duncan provided a concise summary of his experience on the team:
- I am about 95 percent sure my FIBA career is over. I'll try not to share my experiences with anyone.
