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San Antonio Spurs' Tim Duncan retires after 19 seasons, five NBA titles

By The Sports Xchange
San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan stands on the court during the first quarter against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center in Chicago on January 22, 2015. UPI/Brian Kersey
San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan stands on the court during the first quarter against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center in Chicago on January 22, 2015. UPI/Brian Kersey | License Photo

San Antonio Spurs star Tim Duncan is calling it a career after 19 seasons and five NBA championships.

Duncan's announcement Monday marks the end of an era for the Spurs. The 6-foot-11 center also won two MVP awards, was a three-time NBA Finals MVP, made 15 All-Star appearances and was named to the All-NBA First Team 10 times in his career. He also made the NBA All-Defensive First Team eight times.

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Duncan, who turned 40 in April, was the No. 1 overall pick out of Wake Forest in 1997.

Duncan, teaming with head coach Gregg Popovich and Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, was the backbone for the franchise's championship run.

Duncan spent his entire career with the Spurs, leading the team to titles in 1999, 2003, 2006, 2007 and 2014.

The Spurs posted a 1,072-438 regular-season record since drafting Duncan -- the best 19-year stretch in NBA history.

Duncan's final game was a 113-99 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals on May 12. In his career finale, he scored 19 points, with five rebounds and a block in 34 minutes.

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Duncan finished his career with averages of 19.0 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.2 blocks per game. He ranks 14th all-time in points (26,496), sixth in rebounds (15,091) and fifth in blocks (3,020).

Last season, Duncan was hobbled by a sore right knee and played in only 61 games, averaging 8.6 points and 7.3 rebounds.

Popovich will discuss Duncan's retirement decision at a news conference Tuesday.

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