San Antonio Spurs roster news: Tim Duncan becomes third player to get a thousand wins
Tim Duncan's age has exceeded father time in a sport where most players reaching the age of 35 are either contemplating on retirement or already retired. But one of the greatest power forwards of all time continues to amaze every NBA observer with his conditioning and will to continue playing. On Tuesday night, the veteran added another milestone to his colorful career by becoming only the third player in history to achieve 1,000 victories.
His San Antonio Spurs won a tight one against the determined Utah Jazz, 88-86, where he contributed a measly three points; but that was enough to put him in the same league as two other legends in the NBA, and yes, only three own the distinction of having won 1,000 or more games. The other two are Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who owns 1,074 wins, and Robert Parish, with 1,014, per ESPN.
But that achievement is just one of the several others he obtained in a career that started in 1997. Last month, he entered the list of players to have grabbed 15,000 or more rebounds, becoming only the sixth to do that in the league. Both he and Abdul-Jabbar are the only players in league history to have reached 25,000 points, 15,000 rebounds, and 3,000 blocks.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
What is even more amazing is that he's still active and is in fact a major contributor to a Spurs team that is holding on to second place in the Western Conference. His team-up with fellow veterans Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili will go down as one of the most successful in all of basketball.
Aside from individual achievements, the 39-year old has maintained a very unique streak – helping his team win at least 50 games in each season he played for them. The only time he didn't reach 50 wins was when the NBA was in a lockout during the shortened 1998-99 season.
Although he no longer is the dominant inside force he once was, the best thing about Duncan is that he'll walk away from the sport in such a manner that his team is still successful. It's just unbelievable to know that ever since he was drafted first overall by the Spurs in '97, the team never experienced a losing season and never missed the playoffs.
