Future Hall of Fame big man Tim Duncan retired from the NBA after 19 seasons this past summer. The 14-time All-Star and five NBA champion did so without as much as a press conference to call his own.
And as weird as it has been to see his San Antonio Spurs play without him earlier this season, it looks like Duncan will make a return to the place he called home for two decades.
According to the Spurs, the team will retire Duncan’s No. 21 jersey in a ceremony prior to their game against the New Orleans Pelicans on December 18th.
“The San Antonio Spurs today announced that they will retire Tim Duncan’s No. 21 jersey on Sunday, Dec. 18 when the Silver and Black host the New Orleans Pelicans at 6 p.m. CST. A special postgame ceremony honoring Duncan will take place on the AT&T Center floor and will be broadcast live on FOX Sports Southwest and the FOX Sports Go app,” the Spurs announced, via their official website. “Duncan will become the eighth Spurs player in franchise history to have his number raised to the rafters, joining Bruce Bowen (12), Sean Elliott (32), George Gervin (44), Avery Johnson (6), Johnny Moore (00), David Robinson (50) and James Silas (13).”
That’s most definitely a quick turnaround from a player retiring and his team honoring him. Though, Duncan surely has earned this honor.
In addition to being the best player in the history of Spurs basketball, Duncan defined what it meant to be a true professional, both on and off the court.
Following his retirement announcement during the summer, some of the greatest players in Association history showed their respect for him. It’s now time for the Spurs organization and their fans to do the same.