Is this the Tim Duncan Farewell Tour?

[TrainOfThought5]

Win or not, I think he retires after this year. Same with Manu. Glad I got to see them live their last time here in Detroit.

Im strongly considering dropping 1000 dollars on a trip to SA in march for the Spurs Warriors game.

[sasaint]

Smh

Tim is fine and Spurs are fine... First unit is holding nicely stuff with net positive rating, second unit is tearing apart opponents... Why in would you change that to move Tim in second unit ? It is already complicated to integrate in the team LMA, to make room for superstar Kawhi, for players to get used new roles like TP, to develop boban, to fit west into second unit.... Yeah why not middle of the season change again everything and acclimate Tim on second unit... Smh

people have no clue

tim is still among best Spurs player and fans are crying cauz you know he cannot shoot that top of the key shot he doesn't take anymore... Dear god people, use your brain.

for the rest nobody knows what he will do but for as far as I'm concerned he can do the he wants and I'll take this Tim version for another year in a heartbeat

In the first place, you seem to be completely overlooking the fact that Pop has played everybody on the team in every conceivable combination, including starting West in Tim's DNP games. The Spurs do much more blending of their units than you acknowledge, acclimating players with players, not units. Second, you fail to acknowledge that LMA and Tim really want to occupy many of the same spots on the floor and are, hence, not particularly complementary pieces in the first unit - more like redundancies. Finally, the team would also benefit from splitting the shorter Diaw/West duo most of the time either is on the floor.

Regardless, I believe more and more that we are witnessing Tim's last season as a player. The team should do everything necessary to maximize his skill and contribution in order to win the championship with this truly historic team. We as fans should appreciate what we've got before it is gone - at this season's end, IMHO.

[sasaint]

Win or not, I think he retires after this year. Same with Manu. Glad I got to see them live their last time here in Detroit.

We Spurs fans have expected that Tim and Manu would ride off into the sunset together. However, I am reconsidering my own hopes. IF Tim is merely going through a slump, it is barely conceivable that he could return next season (when he undoubtedly would be a part of the second unit). However, assuming Tim does retire after this season (as I expect), then Manu has played so well this season (being the difference-maker in several games) that I hope he returns next season for 12-15 minutes/game. It might be an easier transition from the old Big Three to the Spurs TNG if Tim and Manu staggered their retirements.

[will_spurs]

I can't hear your stupid arguments over the sound of Duncan leading the whole NBA in DRPM (and being #7 in RPM).

http://espn.go.com/nba/statistics/rpm/_/sort/DRPM

[sasaint]

I can't hear your stupid arguments over the sound of Duncan leading the whole NBA in DRPM (and being #7 in RPM).

http://espn.go.com/nba/statistics/rpm/_/sort/DRPM

I acknowledged his "stellar defense" in my original quote. He continues to be elite. It is on the Offensive end where his decline has seemed precipitous since the beginning of the season. I believe it is a good time for Pop to "experiment" (as I commented) with pairing LMA and West in the first unit and Tim/Boris in the second. I think Pop will probably do that during the Rodeo Road Trip, if not sooner.

I will be as happy as any Spurs fan if what I perceive to be Tim's decline on the offensive end is merely a slump. It does not look like it at this point.

[TrainOfThought5]

I think KA needs one more good year of offseason training and playoff experience before he'll be ready to The field general for the Bench. I have no idea where we'll find a Timmy Replacement.

[Thomas82]

I still don't believe this is his last year. I believe he comes back next year, whether we win it all or not. I know I'm in the minority with this opinion, but I don't mind it.

[sasaint]

I still don't believe this is his last year. I believe he comes back next year, whether we win it all or not. I know I'm in the minority with this opinion, but I don't mind it.

I thought so at the beginning of the season - possibly even two more seasons. But now I don't.

[Obstructed_View]

I'd argue that those reasons will become more frequent in the playoffs. For the record though, I don't think that shot is broken. More like playing a bit of possum.

In the Spurs offense, which is to pass up a good shot for a great shot, that rates nothing better than a good shot, and that's if Duncan's feeling it and the defense leaves him completely alone. Sometimes you take that just to punish the defense for leaving you, or you take it because the shot clock is running down. I've said it several times in the last few years, but Duncan taking that jumper is a sign of the health of the offense. If he takes more than one in a game, they're probably gonna lose.

[sasaint]

I think KA needs one more good year of offseason training and playoff experience before he'll be ready to The field general for the Bench. I have no idea where we'll find a Timmy Replacement.

We will NOT find a Timmy Replacement. That's essentially what LMA was supposed to be. We will need a player to complement LMA and Kawhi. I do not expect Boban to be that player in the starting lineup. I expect Boban to be the center for the second unit indefinitely.

[Thomas82]

I thought so at the beginning of the season - possibly even two more seasons. But now I don't.

I believe he's playing possum right now.

[sasaint]

I believe he's playing possum right now.

I don't think he's "playing possum" by clanking shots - especially the numerous bunnies he has been missing more and more. But I hope you're right. I would like nothing more than for Timmy to regain some of his touch.

[SpursforSix]

Who gives a ? Timmy doesn't need accolades or adoration. I fully expect to see him walk off the court in the middle of a game sometime next year or the year after, followed quickly by a press release that Duncan has retired and Pop has hired him as an assistant coach.

I'm not looking forward to a day without Tim but I'd love to see him in the bench. Any up and coming big who really wants to get better should want to come to SA and learn from him.

[tmtcsc]

Tim is playing an entirely different role than in the past. It would be great if he made that shot but its not as important as its been the past. Once the playoffs role around, the makes will fall more frequently.

[LoneStarState'sPride]

I try not to think about it (for obvious reasons), but it very well could be.

That's why personally, I'm trying to just enjoy every time I see him on the court now. You know the end will probably be the exact opposite of Kobe's farewell tour: abrupt and not giving us nearly enough time to celebrate his greatness properly.

[jsandiego]

I think his offensive regression is part being old as dirt, and part new offensive role. He's doing his best to get the others' going. He's largely up on the perimeter swinging the ball from one side to another. He's still a great passer, rebounder, and defender, and can still be called upon for a post-up from time to time. His regression, willingness to accept a diminished role, or being unable to fill another role -- whatever the cause, has enabled LMA to have a more seamless transition into this team.

Hard to say if he retires. If he still has the passion for the game, he'll find his role next year and be successful at it. Just like he's doing this year better than any other 39 year old has in NBA history.

[BillMc]

Tim is playing an entirely different role than in the past. It would be great if he made that shot but its not as important as its been the past. Once the playoffs role around, the makes will fall more frequently.

This

[houston spurs fan]

Let's see how he does Monday. The last few games have been blah, you can tell...everyone will be focused and come out playing hard...

[Hemotivo]

Duncan is playin' great; one of the best defensive players in the league

[BillMc]

I wonder if to a certain degree all this rest and a lower usage rate have hurt tim. He doesn't get the chance to get in rhythm like in the past. Of course, this is necessary to preserve him, as the second half of the season will be more brutal. Expect to see more from him in March and April.

Also with LMA and Kawhi taking all these shots, Tim can really focus his energies on defense. And he has been magnificent. For all we know, this new role might extend his career rather than shorten it. It all depends on how much he enjoys this new role and how his body holds up.

[sasaint]

I think his offensive regression is part being old as dirt, and part new offensive role. He's doing his best to get the others' going. He's largely up on the perimeter swinging the ball from one side to another. He's still a great passer, rebounder, and defender, and can still be called upon for a post-up from time to time. His regression, willingness to accept a diminished role, or being unable to fill another role -- whatever the cause, has enabled LMA to have a more seamless transition into this team.

Hard to say if he retires. If he still has the passion for the game, he'll find his role next year and be successful at it. Just like he's doing this year better than any other 39 year old has in NBA history.

You and I probably would disagree about how seamlessly LMA has adjusted to the Spurs' game and his new teammates. I think Timmy's taking a new role is intended to facilitate that transition, but in some ways it has made it difficult. On the offensive end, Tim and LMA really do not mesh well since both like the same spots on the floor. Just look at the pairings analysis, and you will see that LMA and Tim are not the optimal pairing for the team.

Although he is performing at an extremely high level for a 39-year-old, he is still 39 years old! I do not expect him to magically regain his mid-range shot. The question is can he regain his touch around the rim. He is clanking bunnies at an alarming rate. The first shot of the game after the opening tip last night Tim obviously rushed in an awkward way. His last shot of the game was a similar clank. I believe these are not a result of a changed role, but possibly an indication that his knees are finally completely shot, and he is playing on willpower alone.

[sasaint]

I wonder if to a certain degree all this rest and a lower usage rate have hurt tim. He doesn't get the chance to get in rhythm like in the past. Of course, this is necessary to preserve him, as the second half of the season will be more brutal. Expect to see more from him in March and April.

Also with LMA and Kawhi taking all these shots, Tim can really focus his energies on defense. And he has been magnificent. For all we know, this new role might extend his career rather than shorten it. It all depends on how much he enjoys this new role and how his body holds up.

An alternate explanation to your "lower usage" theory is that his knees are finally completely shot, and Tim is playing on willpower alone. Last season Pop gave Tim DNPs, too. Those have not increased much. And he is still getting significant playing time, if less than before. I don't buy the reduced usage theory, but I hope you are right.

[Obstructed_View]

Tim is playing an entirely different role than in the past. It would be great if he made that shot but its not as important as its been the past. Once the playoffs role around, the makes will fall more frequently.

That shot has never been important. When the offense had him taking it more than once a game, the team wasn't any good. He's more useful in the post or passing the ball to someone who can break down the defense.

[sasaint]

Let's see how he does Monday. The last few games have been blah, you can tell...everyone will be focused and come out playing hard...

Not sure Monday will tell us much. We need to see Tim improve his offense consistently. Besides, in some paradoxical way, I think the Dubs feel like they have more to prove against us. Pop will try to win the game, but he will not reveal any wrinkles he may have in mind for a potential post-season confrontation.

[weeks]

Tim was an absolute monster in his most recent playoff game. It looks like he's getting close to the end, but I'm gonna wait and see before shoveling any dirt