Tim Duncan: ‘I Know My Time is Winding Down So I’m Enjoying it More’

The San Antonio Spurs are headed home with a 3-2 series lead against the LA Clippers, largely thanks to Tim Duncan’s heroics in Game 5.

Duncan, who somehow keeps winning his battle with Father Time, posted a line of 21 points and 11 rebounds in the critical 111-107 road win.

The 39-year old future Hall of Famer knows he doesn’t have many days left on the NBA hardwood, so he’s making sure to soak up each and every game.

Per Yahoo! Sports:

A few days removed from his 39th birthday, flecks of grey now in his hair and beard, Tim Duncan sat on the Staples Center scorer’s table late Tuesday, watching the chaotic scene unfold in front of him in the final seconds of the 239th playoff game of his storied NBA career. The game hung in the balance, the atmosphere thick with tension, and yet in that small moment Duncan looked utterly comfortable – happy, even – at what awaited him and his San Antonio Spurs. […] “It’s just a realization of mortality, I guess,” Duncan said late Tuesday. “I know my time is winding down so I’m enjoying it more.”

 

Clippers coach Doc Rivers complained long and hard about the game’s officiating. But when the subject of Duncan’s play was raised, Rivers’ tone immediately changed. […] “He’s a consummate pro,” Rivers said. “He never gets too high or low. It’s like he’s the easy button they have on that old [Staples] commercial. He’s their easy button. You knew tonight he was going to come and play. On nights where they don’t need him, he’s cool with that, too.”

 

“The reason their franchise has been great is (Gregg Popovich) and [Duncan],” Rivers said. “The reason is [Duncan is] a superstar and he cooperates with his coach. He allows him to be the leader and the coach of the team. And he’s the second leader. And I think that is so important. […] That should be [Duncan’s] legacy. Forget the basketball part. He’s allowed that franchise to be great because it’s never been about him.”