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Tim Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs were a match made in heaven for nearly 20 years. The No. 1 overall draft pick in 1997 quickly grew into a Spurs legend and one of the greatest big men in NBA history.

Duncan’s team-first playstyle set the basis for a culture that remains the gold standard under longtime Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich. Although his playing days are over, Duncan could have a future in kickboxing.

Tim Duncan is a San Antonio Spurs legend

Tim Duncan is both one of the greatest No. 1 overall picks in NBA history and one of the most underappreciated. An impactful big man who played his entire 19-season career with the San Antonio Spurs, Duncan averaged 19 points, 10.8 rebounds, three assists, and 2.2 blocks in 1,392 games and 1,389 starts.

The 15-time All-Star and All-NBA selection won two MVP Awards and became the greatest player in Spurs’ history. Nicknamed ‘The Big Fundamental,’ Duncan hit 50.6% of his shots from 1997 to 2016.

San Antonio reached the postseason every year of Duncan’s career. He kept them alive year after year by averaging 20.6 points, 11.4 rebounds, three assists, and 2.3. blocks in 251 playoff games. The Spurs won five titles in Duncan’s 19 seasons.

Tim Duncan is interested in kickboxing

After retiring following the 2015-16 season, Tim Duncan spent 2020 on the San Antonio Spurs’ coaching staff. Don’t expect the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer to replace Gregg Popovich anytime soon, though.

Duncan isn’t working with the Spurs this year. Instead, Becky Hammon, the former WNBA star, is Popovich’s lead assistant. If Duncan pursues another post-basketball career, it may be one in kickboxing. Videos after Duncan’s retirement caught him practicing his kickboxing with personal trainers.

It isn’t unrealistic to think Duncan will eventually join an NBA coaching staff again. But if he opts for something new and unique, he may choose to go into fighting.

Several professional athletes have pursued fighting careers

If Tim Duncan ever focuses on kickboxing, he’ll be the latest professional athlete from one of the four major North American sports to become a fighter.

Former New York Knicks guard Nate Robinson is an amateur boxer. Ex-Carolina Panthers defensive lineman Greg Hardy is an MMA fighter. UFC legend Brock Lesnar originally tried playing with the Minnesota Vikings before he focused full-time on the octagon. Former All-Star outfielder Jose Canseco also tried his hand at MMA and boxing.

For now, Duncan is only 47. Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich said multiple times he believes Duncan is “too smart” to focus full-time on coaching. If the retired NBA star doesn’t want to become a coach, he can always test his kickboxing skills.

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Jake Elman

Jake Elman joined Sportscasting in 2020 after writing for UPI, Gannett, MLB Advanced Media, and The Palm Beach Post. As a member of the Football Writers Association of America, Jake specializes in covering college football, the NFL, and sports media for Sportscasting. A former college football beat writer and podcast host, Jake is also a voter for the Fred Biletnikoff Award.

Originally born and raised in New York, Jake is a Florida Atlantic University journalism graduate who is inspired by sports, passionate about his work, and enjoys reading the work of Jay Mariotti, Joe Posnanski, and Peter King. Jake lives in South Florida with his two dogs, Jack and Karma, and believes they are the key to fixing the New York Jets.