However it happens, whenever it happens, we know one thing about Tim Duncan's impending retirement -- it's gonna be boring.
Because he wouldn't have it any other way.
With him at age 37 and playing his 17th NBA season, it could be coming soon. Duncan had recently said he likely would be finished after the 2014-15 season, which is when his contract is up. But that final season is a player option, and he actually may be thinking of hanging up his fundamentals after this season, according to George Karl.
"You know over the weekend, that was the whispers that I got," Karl said on SportsCenter. "I got a couple of phone calls, one from San Antonio, that said that Tim Duncan's thinking this is going to be his last year. The best, most fundamental big guy ever to play in the NBA, and him leaving would make me very very sad. The San Antonio Spurs without Tim Duncan would be very difficult for me to watch."
Duncan has remained productive despite his advancing age, but there's no denying he's not near at the level he once was. And with the wear and tear of constant postseasons, and the disappointment of coming up short against the Heat lingering, Duncan might just be ready.
Thinking about that though, a San Antonio Spurs, an NBA without Tim Duncan -- it's hard to picture.
But if there is a brightside to it, when Duncan does call it quits, maybe then with all the reflection and retrospections everyone will do, will he finally get some of the spotlight and recognition he's always deserved as one of the greatest to ever play.
Via Project Spurs
Basketball Hot News
Report: Trying to sell high, Kings make Isaiah Thomas available in trades
Kings fans love Isaiah Thomas and with good reason. We can all relate to the undersized guy picked dead last (60th) in the draft who has sliced his way to an impressive NBA season — 20.2 points and 6.3 assists a night, with a true shooting percentage of 56.8. He’s great at taking angles off the pick-and-roll, finishes very well inside despite being 5’9”, and he is shooting 36.7 percent from three.
So the Kings are trying to sell high.
One of the more aggressive deadline teams this year, the Kings are making Thomas available in trades, reports Marc Stein of ESPN — but don’t
Most intriguing Sacramento-based deadline story is increasingly loud buzz out there that Isaiah Thomas is available in midst of career year—
Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) February 18, 2014
Kings in tough spot w/IT headed to restricted free agency. Of course … anyone trading for his big stat line/low salary faces same issues—
Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) February 18, 2014
Thomas is a restricted free agent this summer and the rebuilding Kings wisely fear out in the marketplace Thomas will get more than they feel is worth. So, they are trying to get something now.
That included making a run at Rajon Rondo (something that didn’t go through).
Thomas is never going to be a plus defender because of his size; he’s a liability there. However, he is a guy who when put in a system that plays to his strengths (pick-and-roll) can put up good numbers. Credit coach Mike Malone for doing just that.
On a better team Thomas makes a great sixth man (sort of like how Houston uses Jeremy Lin). But with a few teams out there starved for point guards the Kings are clearly looking to see if someone really values Thomas and will give up something of quality to get him.
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