Do you think Duncan will keep playing after next season?

[phxspurfan]

He will be 38 at the end of this season. But he looks like he could play for at least 2 more years, unlike KoMe and other aging superstars, as he takes care of his body and (apparently) doesn't over train. Now that he is unattached on the personal side, I'd think he would be more open to playing a couple more years to earn that extra cash and just enjoy the game a little more, as an escape, of sorts.

[exstatic]

My answer is no, because I don't even think he plays next season.

[BillMc]

I just hope he plays NEXT season. (George Karl's "scoop" that this is Timmy's last year has made me nervous). The odds of him staying beyond next year are small, as he said in an interview he won't be playing at 40. But, who knows, maybe with the divorce he'll want to keep a little continuity in his life.

[SupremeGuy]

I think he does either way. Hopefully it's to comeback to defend a championship.

[Mouth is Bleeding]

Keep playing.

Keep winning and enjoying it.

[TampaDude]

Hope Timmy is around at least one more year. Gonna miss him when he retires.

[capek]

My answer is no, because I don't even think he plays next season.

:nutkick:

He'll definitely play next year. After that, I'm not expecting it, though if the wheels haven't fallen off, who knows.

[Seventyniner]

I find it hard to speculate on this. It all depends on what Tim thinks deep down, and he doesn't let people inside his head like that.

I think he could definitely be a productive 15-20 MPG player at age 39-40. A billionaire's Kevin Willis if you will. If he does play past his current contract, the Spurs will have a lot of cap room, probably to use on a starting big to pair with Splitter. Not sure if Tim would be ok coming off the bench in that situation.

[letmk]

I expect him to finish his current contract, but I hope he can at least play until 40.

[SpursFan86]

I really don't see Tim as the type to keep playing until he's coming off the bench for 15-20 mpg...especially considering he has kids. I'd be pretty surprised if he played past his current contract tbh.

[wildbill2u]

I think the goal of winning another championship is keeping him in shape, focused and having fun. If we should win #5 this year, I think he might retire and go out as a winner.

[Ditty]

I actually think if we win it all this year, next year will be his final year to try to win back to back championships. If it's another heart breaking postseasob exit, I think he will retire.

[Spur|n|Austin]

I think he does either way. Hopefully it's to comeback to defend a championship.

[phxspurfan]

True, he keeps his feelings about the matter close to the vest. But he just looks so damn solid at 38, compared to how other guys like Shaq looked. I just re-watched the Warriors game and their announcers were saying that Jermaine O'Neal is 36 and Manu and Duncan are both older than him. Duncan at this point is playing way better than J.O., so I thought maybe he could do that 10-15 minute thing at 40-41.

Also, with the way our young guys are looking, even if Manu retires, we could still be damn good in 2 years if we have Beli, Parker, Leonard, Green, Splitter, Patty and Daye, plus another bruising big.

[Horry Hipcheck]

I think he fulfills his contract, regardless of what happens this season. I can't see him getting torn up about another postseason exit so much that he bails on his final year. He's always been the player to put the franchise first, and he inked a three year deal after 2012 without knowing if his team would ever sniff the Finals again. I'd like to see him win his fifth ring this year, because I'm starting to believe this is the best iteration of the post-2007 Spurs we've yet seen and the window of "We got close this time, next year is our year" is probably going to shut after this season. I think Manu returning for one more year will help.

[spurraider21]

after NEXT season? unlikely. there's a solid chance he plays next season though

[siraulo23]

hes still playing so damn well that i see no problem with him playing another couple of years IF he wants to

watch as much spurs games as you can till tim retires,we'll never see another duncan in a spurs uniform in a long time

[poeticism707]

I actually think if we win it all this year, next year will be his final year to try to win back to back championships. If it's another heart breaking postseasob exit, I think he will retire.

This.

But I hope TD pulls a Robert Parish and plays 5 more years.

[024]

I doubt he would come back after his contract ends. I would rather him retire next year (or the end of this year if the Spurs miraculously wins the championship) anyways. Duncan should retire with dignity not like Nash and Kobe who are struggling just to get back on the floor to play a couple of games. Age catches up to everyone.

[Kidd K]

At this point I think Timmy might retire if he wins this year. If he loses again, he will probably come back for one more. Of course, I also wouldn't be the least bit surprised if Timmy came back to defend either.

It's sort of up in the air imo. . .depends how the postseason plays out and if he gets hurt. I could see him back for one more season. I certainly hope he does come back win or lose this year.

[Kool Bob Love]

Yes he plays next season.


http://youtu.be/Qsal_3b-dG8

[barakz21]

I hope he does, but in the end I think it all boils down to how he feels, tbh. I think he'd still provide SLIGHTLY better stats than DRob did at the twilight of his career (off topic, but can't believe KG is averaging 6ppg and 6rpg, how far the mighty have fallen), and occasional throwback performances sprinkled here and there. But if he feels like he can't bring it night in and night out anymore, I don't think he'll be back. And don't forget about his two kids. Besides, he's done everything already. He doesn't have anything left to prove, and his legacy is already secured, not that it matters to him.

[Budkin]

Next season yes. After that, no way.

[EVAY]

no.

[heyheymymy]

I worry that if spurs win this year he will go out on top like drob. but he could prob play 1-2 more seasons in a reduced role.

[Spursfanfromafar]

The thing about Duncan is how he has adjust his game over the years as he ages. He will definitely play next year and will be very productive per par.

After that, I think it will depend on what kind of role, he would want to take. If the Spurs snag a developing PF, someone like Kevin Love (if my wishes were horses), then I suspect TD will like to play a mentoring role as he rides into the sunset and play one more season.

[Sean Cagney]

Hope Timmy is around at least one more year. Gonna miss him when he retires.
We all will miss him, trust me.
I worry that if spurs win this year he will go out on top like drob. but he could prob play 1-2 more seasons in a reduced role.

I would not worry that, if we win it all this year I will gladly let him retire this year as a fan and smile! DAMN! I would wish for that title.

[HI-FI]

If Spurs can win it this year, he might retire, but I think he enjoys this group and his stature within it to just bolt. He's apart of something special and I think he wants to make the most of it. just my opinion.

[Gummi Clutch]

I actually hope he ends it on a good note. I just hate it when good players force themselves to play when their bodies just can't handle it anymore. It'll be better for Tim's legacy if he gets that finals MVP and retires.

[sandman]

Not that Timmy has ever been a stats guy, but think about these stats if he plays for two more years:

27,000 points (2,250 away) for Top 10 all time
15,000 rebounds (1,150 away) for Top 6 all time
3,000 blocks (275 away) for Top 5 all time

Those are very realistic numbers for him to pick up over the next 176 regular season games (12.9/6.6/1.6)

He would be only the second player in the history of the game with Kareem to reach all three of those numbers (Well, probably Wilt if they counted blocks back in his day).

Again, not that he would ever play just for the stats, but I wonder if he realizes (or cares) how close he is...

[superbigtime]

My answer is no, because I don't even think he plays next season.

Same here unfortunately.

[Juggity]

My answer is no, because I don't even think he plays next season.

I'll disagree. Only way it'd happen is if he took home the trophy, and even then, I'm think he'd go for one more season.

[heyheymymy]

i know i got flamed for saying it in another thread, and i understand about the monotony of the reg season and just wanting to FF to the playoffs and get a do over after being so close, but duncans body language seems different this season in a bad way. really makes me think he's done with it tbh but what do i know, i'm just a noob. he's prob just burned out and ready to get back to a game that counts again. does seem to be lightening up lately too so whatever

not saying he will, i personally think the competitor in him will come back regardless of how 14 playoffs end. at least for one more try.