Tim Duncan and How His Hard Work Paid off

His USD 150 million was earned through a long career in the NBA .

Tim Duncan, worth USD 150 million, is a member of the San Antonio Spurs who plays the position of power forward. The U.S Virgin Island’s native is a five-time NBA champions with two MVPs, three NBA Finals MVPs and NBA Rookie of the year. Duncan also holds the record for being selected to All-NBA and All-Defensive Teams for his first 13-consecutive years. Duncan only started to play basketball in the ninth grade in high school.

• Duncan was the first NCAA player to get 1,500 pts, 1,000 rebounds
• In his 2nd game, Duncan had 22 rebounds against Chicago’s Dennis Rodman
• Duncan surpassed Kareem Abdul Jabbar for most minutes played in the playoffs

Originally a swimmer, but had to resort to basketball after the only Olympic sized pool in St. Croix as destroyed by Hurricane Hugo. He soon excelled at it in high school and enrolled at Wake Forest University where he became the most talked about the college player in the U.S. Even though Duncan’s accolades alone have made US gambling news, he is a philanthropist creating the Tim Duncan Foundation.

Tim Duncan’s developmental years at Wake Forest

At Wake Forest Duncan was supposed to be red-shirted in order to provide time for him to develop. Due to the fact that Wake Forest’s freshman Makhtar N’Diaye suffered NBA violations and left for University of Michigan, Duncan was put into the center position. Teammate Randolph Childress and Duncan led Wake Forest Deacons to a 20-11 record. The following year proved more successful as Duncan was considered a top NBA prospect.

Several NBA team were interested in Duncan, but he told them that he would graduate before going pro. Duncan, who majored in psychology, chose education over a larger amount of money because the next year the rookie salary cap would be in place. In the 1994-1995 NCAA Tournament, Wake Forest made it to Sweet 16 where they lost to Oklahoma State. His average of 16.8 points and 12.5 rebounds per game helped earn Duncan Defensive Player of the Year and the third highest shot blocker in NCAA history.

Randolph Childress would go for the money in the NBA and Duncan alone managed to only lose four times the whole season. Progressing to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA tournament, Duncan caught the flu and the team lost in the Elite Eight. The 1996-1997 season, Wake Forest had Loren Woods, a 7 foot 1 player who can help on the inside. Although Duncan couldn’t claim an ACC title, he won ACC Player of the year and Defensive Player of the year again.

Duncan’s exposure to playing alongside another big man would prove very instructive in his professional years. Duncan was one of the few NBA superstars who stayed in college for four years. He built his career in the way basketball through experience, hard work and an education. As the first NCAA player to get 1,500 points, 1,000 rebounds, 400 blocked shots and 200 assists, Duncan was ready for the NBA. Only people in Vegas were allowed to wage on Duncan’s NCAA games according to US gambling laws.

Tim Duncan consistent NBA career

It wasn’t any surprise that Tim Duncan entered the 1997 draft as a number 1 pick. San Antonio Spurs drafted Duncan in hopes of alleviating their weary, injury infested team which had sidelined their star player David Robinson. The combination of Duncan and Robinson had most of the league threatened. The “Twin Towers” emerged as one of the best front courts in the NBA with their impregnable defense in the paint.

In his second game Duncan had 22 rebounds against Chicago’s Dennis Rodman, who is considered one of the best rebounders in NBA history. Duncan’s mental stability on the court combined with his power and humility made him an instant NBA star. The Spurs were able to get to the Western Conference Championships losing to Utah. Although next season was short because of the NBA lockout, the Spurs were able to win the NBA Championship due to Duncan’s splendid performance.

The 1999-2000 season repeated more of the same as Duncan averaged 23.2 points, 12.4 rebound, 3.2 assists and 2.2 blocks per game. The Spurs would go one to experience back to back to back playoff loses. By this time Duncan was earning a stable USD 12 million a year as the 2002-2003 season presented Duncan with more force with Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili as they sailed to the playoffs with their 60-22 record. The Spurs were able to defeat the Lakers and the New Jersey Nets in the final for the NBA Championship.

Duncan’s struggles to win more championships

The next year would result in another loss, but the 2004-2005 season would prove more rewarding. Duncan’s numbers were a bit lower, but his salary increased by USD 2 million as he led the Spurs to 59 victories. Making it all the way to the finals against the Detroit Pistons, Duncan was able to secure another NBA Final and an NBA MVP award tying Michael Jordan, Shaquille O’Neal and Magic Johnson for the most titles at three.

In 2005, Duncan had plantar fasciitis (injury to the heal and bottom foot) for most of the season and as a result lost in the playoffs. The next year would provide Duncan and company with another Championship. The next six years would prove a to be a low for Duncan with playoff appearances minus the championships. Duncan’s salary between 2009 and 2011 would be roughly USD 20 million a year.

The 2013-2014, Duncan earned USD 10 million. Defying all punters using online sportsbooks in the US., Duncan went on record as the oldest NBA player to get 20 points and 20 rebounds in a game. The team made it all the way to the 2014 Finals where the Spurs would win and Duncan would surpass Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul Jabbar for most minutes played in the playoffs. Duncan failed to take his team to another championship the following year.