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Tim Duncan spent nearly two decades as the quiet storm in the middle of the San Antonio Spurs franchise, putting the team on his broad shoulders and carrying it to heights unseen in modern American sports.With Duncan as the focal point, the Spurs won five championships, made the playoffs in all 19 of his seasons and cemented themselves as one of the most successful sports franchises in history. And now, the tireless and reluctant superstar is finally calling it a career.The 40-year-old Duncan announced his retirement on Monday, marking the end of an era for the Spurs and the NBA.The greatest power forward ever, the Los Angeles Clippers Jamal Crawford said Monday, as the tributes to Duncans career began coming.Few would dare argue.Duncan was the No. 1 overall pick in 1997 and teamed with coach Gregg Popovich, point guard Tony Parker and shooting guard Manu Ginobili to turn the Spurs from a solid franchise that could never quite get over the hump into one of the leagues superpowers.The constant staple of their franchise, Clevelands LeBron James said earlier this year.The unassuming Duncan won two MVP awards and was one of just four players to be named NBA Finals MVP at least three times. Nicknamed The Big Fundamental for his clinical approach that favored bank shots over dunks, he was a 15-time All-Star, a member of the All-NBA first team 10 times and is one of only three players -- joining Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Robert Parrish -- to win at least 1,000 games in his career. He is fifth on the NBAs career list in blocks, sixth in rebounds and 14th in scoring.Even tho I knew it was coming, Im still moved by the news, Ginobili tweeted. What a HUGE honor to have played with him for 14 seasons! (hash)ThankYouTD.NBA Commissioner Adam Silver called Duncan one of the most dominant players in NBA history and lauded him for an understated selflessness (that) made him the ultimate teammate.For two decades Tim represented the Spurs, the city of San Antonio and the league with passion and class, Silver said. All of us in the NBA family thank him for his profound impact on the game.Duncan was never one for big endorsement deals or look-at-me press conferences, which is why he was often overshadowed in the public eye by more outsized personalities like James and Kobe Bryant, who also retired this year after 20 seasons, all with the Los Angeles Lakers. But he leaves this game as one of the leagues true giants, perhaps the best power forward to ever play and one who left as indelible a mark on his franchise as any player to come before him.For us as players, we just enjoy and appreciate each other, Bryant said earlier this season. Its not a matter of whos better or whos greater. You just accept the careers that youve had. I appreciate his career, and vice versa.The announcement comes two months after the Spurs were upset by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference semifinals, a six-game exit that immediately had people wondering yet again if it was Duncans last hurrah.Turns out, it was. And like everything else Duncan did in his career -- aside from win -- he retired quietly, with a statement from the team. There will be no victory lap for Duncan, no farewell tour like the one Bryant had this season. Popovich will discuss Duncans decision on Tuesday.The last time Duncan spoke to reporters was on May 12, when the Spurs had just been eliminated by the Thunder in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals. After being ineffective for most of the series, Duncan scored 19 points and teamed with fellow 40-year-old Andre Miller to trim a 26-point lead to nine in the fourth quarter before Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant closed out the series.There were hints in that game of Duncans plans, even though he later exercised a contract option to clear the way for his return. He had always said that he would walk away when he felt he could no longer have a significant impact on the game, and for most of the series the younger Thunder big men had their way with him and the Spurs on the glass.With the Spurs getting blown out and the fourth quarter set to begin, Popovich and his veteran star had a brief conversation on the bench. Duncan then played all 12 minutes of the fourth quarter without coming out for a rest, perhaps soaking up every second he could in the last game he would ever play. And when the game was over, Duncan waved to the visiting crowd and pointed a finger toward the roof as he headed to the locker room, a rare signal from one of the leagues most stoic superstars.Timmys never been a very outspoken or emoting sort of individual on the court, Popovich said earlier this year. Everybody does it differently.And Duncan was truly one of a kind.In 1997, after an injury to star David Robinson, the Spurs plunged in the standings and ended up with a chance at the No. 1 overall pick. They won the lottery, and it was a no-brainer to choose Duncan, the polished, two-way big man who had spent four years at Wake Forest.The Spurs won 36 more games in Duncans rookie year than they had the previous season and were NBA champions in his sophomore campaign. They also won titles in 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2014, the last one a dominant run to redemption over James and the Miami Heat after losing to them in seven games the previous season.For at least the last five seasons of his career, Duncan would face retirement questions. But he never really changed. You could see a few gray hairs near his temples as the years wore on, but his face, his body, his game all bore a striking resemblance to the 21-year-old who averaged 21.1 points and 11.9 rebounds in his first year in the league.Heres how long he was with the Spurs: He had 140 different teammates there.He was a 38-year-old All-Star in 2014-15 and even as his minutes were reduced to save the wear and tear on his body for the playoffs, he remained a force on the defensive end and on the glass. He used an exhaustive workout regimen of boxing, swimming and diet to help him keep pace with the younger, faster, stronger players that kept coming at him year after year.The Spurs won a franchise-record 67 regular-season games this past season. Despite Duncans individual statistics dipping to career lows, coaches and teammates said the impact his leadership, intelligence and defensive presence had continued to be elite.And now he steps away. Jordan 4 Cheap Real . -- The St. Johns IceCaps weathered a wild first period with the help of goaltender Jussi Olkinuora, before finding offensive inroads in the second. Cheap Jordan 4 Wholesale . A statement from the worlds top-ranked player says all checks "were satisfactory and showed positive evolution" regarding the injury, which contributed to his loss to Stanislas Wawrinka in the final in Melbourne. http://www.wholesaleairjordan4.com/ . Pettersen, winner of last years Evian Championships, had nine birdies and three bogeys, holding off a series of challengers led by Marion Ricordeau of France. The second-ranked Norwegian made her season debut after missing the LPGA Tours opening event last month in the Bahamas because of a shoulder injury. Air Jordan 4 Wholesale . -- Ohio States Urban Meyer has never had any issue acclimating to the biggest stages in college football. Jordan 4 For Sale Cheap . Ferrer, trying to win his fourth title on Mexican soil, will next play South Africas Kevin Anderson, who eliminated American Sam Querrey,7-6 (2), 6-4. Also Wednesday, Gilles Simon (6) of France beat Donald Young of the United States 6-4, 6-3, Ukraines Alexandr Dolgopolov downed Frenchman Jeremy Chardy 6-3, 6-4 and Croatias Ivo Karlovic defeated Dudi Sela of Israel 7-6 (4), 6-2. PORTLAND, Ore. -- A pregame chat with teammate Dwyane Wade inspired Jimmy Butler against the Blazers.Butler went on to have 27 points and 12 rebounds, and the Chicago Bulls opened a six-game road trip with a 113-88 victory over Portland on Tuesday night.Wade had 19 points for Chicago, which extended its modest winning streak to three games. Former Blazers center Robin Lopez added 13 points and 11 rebounds.I was talking to D-Wade before the game and he tells me to go out with a killer instinct, make them adjust to you -- go out with a full head of steam and show them why you are one of the best players in the league, Butler said. Thats what I try to do. Having D-Wade tell me that makes me think there is some truth to it.The Blazers, who had won five of six, were cold from the start, falling behind by as many as 26 points. Damian Lillard, who made just two shots from the field in the first half, finished with 19 points.Chicago, coming off a 106-95 victory over Washington on Saturday, was without Rajon Rondo because of a left ankle sprain. Jerian Grant made his first start of the season and had 18 points.The Blazers played their third straight game without starting forward Al-Farouq Aminu, who has a sore left calf and is expected to be re-evaluated next week. Meyers Leonard has been inserted into the lineup in his absence, but he struggled and played 15 minutes with no points.The Bulls built a 20-7 lead to open the game as Portland struggled, hitting just two of 13 shots. The Blazers were outscored 35-14 in the first quarter.Butler led the way with 11 points. Lillard, who was ranked third in the league with an average of 30.7 points a game, went 0 for 7 from the floor and didnt make his first basket until midway through the second quarter.Once we got in that hole we couldnt dig out, Lillard said.Butler finished the half with 19 points and the Bulls led 56-37. Wade had a two-handed dunk to extend Chicagos lead to 66-42.We believe in ourselves, we are buying into the system, everyone is working on their game, Butler said.dddddddddddd We are actually paying attention to the scouting reports and doing what were supposed to do to win.Blazers coach Terry Stotts was asked if it was just one of those nights for Portland.I dont know, I think its difficult to evaluate. You ask about effort? When you shoot 20 percent (in the first quarter) I dont think thats effort, Stotts said. So thats why its a little difficult to evaluate when youre struggling on the offensive end.TIP-INSBulls: The Bulls lead the league with an average of 13.6 offensive rebounds per game. They had 19 against Portland. ... Doug McDermott was also out because of a concussion. ... Lopez and LaMarcus Aldridge, Nicolas Batum and Wesley Matthews all left the Blazers prior to last season, leaving Lillard as the lone starter to return.Trail Blazers: The Trail Blazers hosted the teams first Pride Night to celebrate diversity and inclusion. Proceeds from special sweatshirts and a raffle will go to the Q Center, a local LGBTQ community center. ... At the half, the Blazers also honored athletes who participated in this summers Rio Olympics with Oregon ties, including hurdler Devon Allen and marathoner Galen Rupp.JERIANS START: Grant made his first start a memorable one. In addition to his 18 points he also had five steals.Jerian stepped in big tonight, guarding one of the best point guards in the league, Wade said. He just found out right before the game that he was starting and he played big for us tonight.BULLS IN PORTLAND: Chicago has won two consecutive games in the Rose City for the first time since 1995-98, when it won three straight.UP NEXT:Bulls: Chicago visits the Utah Jazz on Thursday night.Trail Blazers: Portland embarks on a five-game road trip, starting with the Houston Rockets on Thursday night. ' ' '