Well obviously Tim Duncan is upset.
The San Antonio Spurs fell in Game 7 of the NBA Finals to the Miami Heat, failing to win their fourth title of the Big Three era and fifth of Duncan’s career.
It was the first finals loss Duncan himself ever had to incur. He was 4-0 previously and after the Spurs jumped out to a 3-2 series lead, it appeared his stretch of perfection was bound to continue. Hell, up until 5.2 seconds left to play it seemed like a fifth championship was in the cards.
San Antonio had made it a two-possession game inside of a half-minute to play in Game 6. A pair of three-pointers by the Heat’s LeBron James and Ray Allen sent the game into overtime, where Miami emerged victorious.
Then came Game 7, and all its tightly contested glory.
Both teams jostled for position throughout the game, going back and forth. In the end, it was the Heat who prevailed 95-88 behind a transcendent performance from one LeBron James, who had 37 points—a career high in the NBA Finals—12 rebounds, four assists and two steals on 12-of-23 shooting from the floor.
Duncan himself had a superb game, playing 43 minutes and notching 24 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, four steals and a block on 8-of-18 shooting. But it wasn’t enough.
He missed two point-blank opportunities to tie the game late in the fourth, which was all the Heat needed. LeBron took care of the rest and they won.
Afterward, Duncan simply said the loss was disappointing.
Tim Duncan: "The obvious word is 'disappointing.' It's just… a tough end to the game."
— The NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 21, 2013
Of course it was disappointing. As he sat at the podium, Duncan was evidently crestfallen, obviously heartbroken. He wanted this one so bad.
Had he won his fifth title, it would have given him the right to go out on top, like David Robinson before him. The chance to do that meant so much to him and his teammates, including Tony Parker who promised Duncan he would get him back to the finals after the Spurs’ exit at the hands of the Oklahoma City Thunder last season.
Alas, they couldn’t get it, that fifth ring for Timmy, leaving Duncan to contemplate his future after a loss. A gut-wrenching loss.
Would he retire? Return? Was he unsure?
Speaking in the moment, Duncan asserted that he wasn’t ready to walk away. Not yet.
Tim Duncan on whether he plans on retiring: "Not right now."
— The NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 21, 2013
Duncan is still under contract for another two seasons and, as of right now, he plans to fulfill at least one more year of that deal.
Duncan is asked about next season: "I have a contract that says I'll be back."
— Chris Mannix (@ChrisMannixSI) June 21, 2013
For NBA fans, that’s the silver lining of watching one of the league’s greatest players, who is rapidly approaching the end of his career, lose such a pivotal Game 7—Duncan is less likely to walk away.
His mind can change between now and next season, but in Duncan beats the heart of the warrior, someone who won’t stop playing for a fifth title until he has absolutely no fight left him.
Falling in Game 7 aside, it’s clear Duncan has plenty left to give. And after watching how far the Spurs were able to come this season, it’s apparent their championship window hasn’t closed. Not with Duncan and Parker at the helm. And most certainly not when the team has plenty of cap space to play around with this offseason.
So enjoy it while it lasts, Tim Duncan’s career I mean. He won’t be around much longer.
But he’s not ready to leave just yet either.
Dan Favale is a firm believer in the three-pointer as well as the notion that defense doesn’t always win championships. His musings can be found at Bleacherreport.com in addition to TheHoopDoctors.com. Follow @danfavale on Twitter for his latest posts and all things NBA.
