When talking about underrated players in the NBA, there are a few usual suspects. In a poll conducted recently, players and coaches collectively agreed on Jrue Holiday. However, that is a far more nuanced scale. What about when the conversation turns to all-time rankings? One thing that nearly all NBA analysts and legends agree upon is that Tim Duncan remains underrated.
One of the calmer NBA personalities, he was one of the most fundamentally sound players ever. However, retirement life has seen the San Antonio Spurs legend live away from the limelight. Hence, seeing a video of him out at sea was a welcome sight for all NBA fans.
Rare surfing video?surfaces
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While the trend is for players to spend as little time in college as possible, this Wake Forest product was an exception to the norm. A four-year career saw him dominate the sport at a collegiate level.
Coming into the NBA, Spurs legend Tim Duncan was one of the most instantly impactful players ever, becoming an All-Star in his rookie year. He was the Backbone of a 20-year dynasty, taking over through sheer simplicity. So much so that his nickname literally became The Big Fundamental.?
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He was also one of the least flashy personalities in the NBA. As a result, his time since retirement has been away from the media’s eyes. While competitors like Shaquille O’Neal, who put him on his all-time list, are constantly in the spotlight, Tim Duncan prefers a more reserved approach.
So, seeing a video of the 6’11 Power Forward out at sea, surfing was a welcome, if unexpected, sight. But fans were quick to turn the video viral. Seeing a legend make a rare appearance on their feeds turned fans nostalgic as they remembered the legacy of the legendary swimmer-turned-baller.
NBA fans acknowledge the greatness of Tim Duncan
In his career, Duncan accomplished a lot. A model of consistency, Duncan was an S-tier player, and defender, for most of his 19-year run. However, one of the more overlooked aspects is how he was one miraculous Ray Allen 3-pointer in the Miami Heat series away from being a perfect 6-0 in the Finals. However, he did end up with 5 rings. And fans were quick to give him his flowers.
Read More: ?Don?t Sleep on Tim Duncan?: Michael Jordan Saw Spurs Legend?s Potential Before the NBA World
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“Just Timmy enjoying retirement life with 5 rings”.?If you were a fan of a Western Conference team during his tenure, Duncan surely gave you a ton of unhappy memories. Fans were quick to remember those days, albeit in a hilarious way. “Things you love to see: a happy Tim Duncan in retirement, unable to hurt your favourite team”.
Some older fans of Timmy were quick to point out how the 47-year-old was almost an Olympic-level swimmer. “He could of been a olympic swimmer… he was that good. But chose the NBA. I think he made the right choice”. But generally, fans were just happy to see the legend enjoying a peaceful retirement life. “Tim enjoying life, Love to see it”.
As another generational big man joins the Spurs timeline in Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio fans will be hoping for similar levels of success. While ‘Old Man Riverwalk’ was able to dominate the game through sheer fundamentals, Wemby remains an unknown anomaly. Either way, the days in SA look as bright as they ever have.
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What is your favorite Tim Duncan memory? Let us know in the comments below.