Tim Duncan (Part 3)

On July 16, 2003, Tim Duncan penned a significant seven-year, $122 million contract with the San Antonio Spurs. Ahead of the 2003–04 NBA season, the Spurs faced the departure of their long-time leader, David Robinson, who retired from professional basketball. Stepping into the void left by Robinson, Duncan assumed the role of sole team leader, guiding a revamped Spurs roster that included notable players such as Rasho Nesterović, Bruce Bowen, Manu Ginóbili, and Tony Parker. Despite initial reservations about embracing his new leadership role, Duncan continued to excel on the court, maintaining his statistical prowess with averages of 22.3 points, 12.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 2.7 blocks per game.


During the season, the Spurs advanced to the Western Conference Semifinals, where they faced off against the Los Angeles Lakers in a closely contested series. In Game 5, Duncan showcased his clutch performance by sinking a difficult jump shot to put the Spurs ahead late in the game. However, the Lakers' Derek Fisher stunned the Spurs with a buzzer-beater, ultimately leading to the Spurs' series loss.
In the subsequent 2004–05 NBA season, Duncan and the Spurs sought redemption. Despite a slight statistical dip in Duncan's performance, the Spurs secured the second seed for the playoffs by winning 59 games. In the playoffs, the Spurs displayed their dominance by eliminating the Denver Nuggets and the Seattle SuperSonics in the first two rounds. They then faced the Phoenix Suns in the semi-finals, triumphing over them in a convincing fashion.
Advancing to the 2005 NBA Finals, the Spurs encountered the defensively formidable Detroit Pistons. After splitting the first four games, the series became tied at 3–3. In a crucial Game 7, Duncan showcased his exceptional talent, recording 25 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Spurs to victory. His performance earned him his third NBA Finals MVP Award, solidifying his status as one of the greatest players in NBA history.


During the 2005–06 NBA season, Tim Duncan battled with plantar fasciitis, which impacted his performance on the court. Despite his ailment, Duncan continued to contribute to the San Antonio Spurs, albeit with reduced output compared to previous seasons. His statistical averages of 18.6 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2.0 blocks per game reflected the challenges he faced due to his injury. Additionally, Duncan's streak of eight consecutive appearances on the All-NBA First Team came to an end during this season.
However, Duncan showcased his resilience and determination during the 2006 NBA playoffs, particularly in the series against the Dallas Mavericks. He outscored his rival power forward Dirk Nowitzki and played a pivotal role for the Spurs. Despite his impressive performance, Duncan faced disappointment in Game 7 of the series, where despite scoring 39 points in regulation time, the Spurs fell short in overtime, leading to their defeat.


The following season, Duncan bounced back, contributing significantly to the Spurs' success. He maintained solid averages of 20.0 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 2.4 blocks per game during the regular season. Duncan's consistent performance earned him a spot as a Western Conference starter in the 2007 NBA All-Star Game, marking his ninth appearance in the event.
In the playoffs, Duncan led the Spurs through a series of victories, including wins over the Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns, and Utah Jazz, leading them to the NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Spurs swept the Cavaliers in the Finals, securing Duncan's fourth NBA championship and solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest players in NBA history.
Despite his modest self-assessment of his performance during the championship run, Duncan received accolades from teammates, coaches, and basketball luminaries, who recognized his leadership, skill, and contributions to the Spurs' success.


During the 2008 NBA All-Star Weekend, Tim Duncan showcased his versatility as a member of the San Antonio team that won the Shooting Stars Competition. Throughout the 2007–08 regular season, Duncan maintained his consistent performance, playing 78 games and posting typical 20/10 numbers. San Antonio concluded the season with a 56–26 record, setting up themselves for a first-round playoff contest against the Phoenix Suns.
In the playoffs, Duncan set the tone in Game 1 against the Suns with a remarkable 40-point performance, helping the Spurs secure a victory in double overtime. Alongside teammates Manu Ginóbili and Tony Parker, Duncan continued to play at a high level, leading the Spurs to eliminate the Suns in five games. However, in the next round against the Chris Paul-led Hornets, the Spurs suffered a setback in Game 1, with Duncan recording one of the worst playoff performances of his career. Despite this, Duncan bounced back in Games 3 and 4, contributing significantly to tie the series. Eventually, the Spurs relied on their experience to seal the series in Game 7.


In the Conference Finals, the Spurs faced their arch-rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers, but were defeated in five games, ending their quest for back-to-back NBA championships.
The following season, Duncan started strong, but his performance declined due to chronic knee tendinosis. Despite his struggles and the absence of Manu Ginóbili for most of the season, the Spurs qualified for the playoffs as the third seed with a 54–28 record. However, they suffered a disappointing first-round exit, losing 4–1 to the Dallas Mavericks.
In the subsequent seasons, the Spurs continued to build around Duncan, acquiring new players to strengthen their roster. Duncan remained a key contributor, earning accolades such as being named the Western Conference Player of the Week and making his 10th All-Star Game appearance.


Despite advancing to the playoffs in the 2009–10 and 2010–11 seasons, the Spurs faced playoff upsets, including a first-round loss to the Memphis Grizzlies in 2011 despite finishing as the top seed in the West.
In the 2011–12 season, Duncan and the Spurs once again finished as the number one seed in the West. They made a strong playoff run, reaching the Western Conference Finals before being defeated by the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Duncan's contributions to the Spurs' success were recognized when he re-signed with the team in 2012. Alongside a maturing supporting cast, Duncan led the Spurs to another successful season, culminating in a trip to the NBA Finals. Despite a valiant effort, the Spurs fell short against the Miami Heat in a closely contested series, losing in seven games.

References

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