Quote Originally Posted by JamStone
I think Tim Duncan is the greatest power forward to ever play the game, and from what I've read about him and seen, he appears to be a great person as well. None of that has anything to do with his "paycut."

I have nothing but respect for Tim Duncan, his game, and the little I know of him as a person.

What gets me is when some Spurs fans deify Tim Duncan to the point where everything about him is another step to sainthood. I understand being a fan, but there is a limit.

By the end of his current contract, Tim Duncan will have made well over $200 million in his career. This $11 million paycut people want to laud and applaud still nets Duncan $40 million over 2 years. But, many times this summer I've read Spurs fans talk about how this so-and-so NBA player is all about getting paid or that such-and-such NBA player has no loyalty or honor, "not like Tim Duncan or Bruce Bowen..." It just gets me every time. Tim Duncan is one of the most well paid athletes in the world, forget just the NBA. His little "paycut" gesture is nice and all, but it simply doesn't make him a loyal angel that no other NBA player can match.

Where does Tim Duncan stand after his paycut and display of loyalty? Where he's always stood. It doesn't change. Legendary player. From all indications, great person. To me, the paycut doesn't change it either way for the better or for the worse. Let me make $200 million, and I'll give back some too.
Thank you JamStone!!

There are reasonable Spurs fans.....who understand what you are writing.

I'm a big Tim Duncan fan and I agree with your posts.

It was a nice gesture....but also a business decision to take less than the max contract for his extension. He understands the big picture for the Spurs and for him (3-4 years) playing. Probably the last years of his career.

He has been paid (among the tops in the league) for several years. And true..it wasn't like he reduced his contract to get the MLE.

That would be something to write about!!!

It's much easier to be generous when you have 4 rings and been paid the max contract for several years.

But, don't take an act of generosity and make him a saint for it.