Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs fails to make impact on 35th birthday – NBA update
Tim Duncan, the San Antonio Spurs star power forward, just turned 35 on April 25th, 2011. However his birthday celebration was not a fun filled affair that it should have been. The four times NBA Champion could not give his team the lift they
expected to receive from the 260 pounder on his big day as his team fell to the Memphis Grizzlies again in their playoff series.
Duncan who was coming off as one of the most consistent players during the National Basket Ball Association’s (NBA) playoffs failed to make a mark on his 35th birthday. His team went down, faltering to their third loss against the eighth seeded
Memphis Grizzlies, who are now leading them, 3-1.
The 6 foot 11 inches tall power forward was struggling during his 29 minutes stay on the court. His birthday gift came in the form of a six point, seven rebound game that came along with two assists. The player failed to get any shots from downtown and there
were no trips to the foul line either. A meager 3-of-7 shooting from the field were the only chances that came his way during the disappointing 104-86 loss to the Grizzlies.
Duncan, who started his career with the Spurs back in 1997 clinched his first shot late in the first quarter but failed to make any contribution after that. His second shot came only when there were just 4:34 remaining in the third quarter. In between the
player was at a loss to score and gave away two turnovers that presented the opposition a nice opportunity to lift their score and gain momentum.
All things aside, the player has a wonderful history that may not be ignored just because he could not help his team during this defeat. The Spurs have been treading on thin ice during the playoffs. After losing the first spot in the league to the Eastern
Conference’s Chicago Bulls, the Spurs have been playing miserably in the playoffs too. Duncan who had an average of 25.2 during season 2001-02 could only average 13.4 points per game during season 2010-11. That average is his career low.
Duncan’s birthday has not been very lucky for San Antonio. The Spurs are now 6-3 when they have entered contests on Duncan’s birthday. The first loss came in Game 2 during 1998’s round 1 while playing against the Phoenix Suns. The second one was against
the Dallas Mavericks during round 1’s game 4 in 2009. The third loss has now been added to the birthday chart, and it’s this third loss that disappoints the whole team. Apart from these bad birthdays the player has also had some good birthdays during which
he shined. The player gave his team a gift in the form of 25 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists on his 33rd birthday in 2009. Although they lost the game to the Mavericks, his performance was commendable. On his 27th birthday back
in 2003, the player scooped out 11 points, 23 boards and six threes that lit up his team and held them victorious against the Phoenix Suns.
With three more games remaining in the first-round of the best-of-seven series, the Spurs need to rekindle their fighting spirits and approach the game offensively. Duncan’s help will be needed as the 13 times NBA All-Star has the potential to hold back
the opposition.
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