TIm Duncan

(http://www.bookmakersinc.com/basketball/timduncannewteam-basketball-scores-leaderforthesanantoniospurs/)

“It’s not the size of the dog in the fight; it’s the size of the fight in the dog” (Mark Twain). This is a perfect quote to reflect upon the accomplishments of Tim Duncan. Tim Duncan is 35 years old and was born in St. Croix, Virgin Islands. Tim Duncan is currently a basketball player for the San Antonio Spurs (“Tim Duncan”). He has been a dominant force on the court winning, NBA MVP in 2002 and 2003, and has also won 4 NBA championships (“Tim Duncan”). However, his journey to the top was full of roadblocks and potholes. His success on the court was a product of his hard work and perseverance. Not only is Tim Duncan known for his skills at basketball but also for the large amount of charity work that he has done. He has wielded his social status as a weapon of good to help others even after being held down himself by hardships. While facing large impediments, Tim Duncan has become a great basketball player and still finds time to give back to the community which makes him a hero.

(http://picasaweb.google.com/timvp.org/WakeForest#)

Perseverance has allowed Tim Duncan to conquer many obstacles to get to where he is today. For example, when Duncan was training to be a swimmer, his pool was destroyed; “However, Hurricane Hugo blew through the Virgin Islands in 1989 and ruined the pool where Duncan trained. It was around this time that he took up basketball” (“Tim Duncan”). Duncan was expected to become an Olympic swimmer like his sisters but suddenly, out of the blue, the pool where he trained at was destroyed by a hurricane. He could no longer train or practice but instead of just feeling sorry for himself and quitting he decided to start playing basketball. He did not let this setback pull him down. Also, Tim Duncan experienced tragic losses at a young age; “Then, in a shattering blow, Duncan's mother died of breast cancer the day before he turned 14, and he lost all interest in swimming. Tricia told Tim Crothers in Sports Illustrated, "The hurricane broke Tim's routine by taking away our pool. Then when Mom passed, he lost his motivation." But he continued to play basketball,…” (“Tim Duncan”). At the very young age of 14, Tim was deeply impacted by the death of his mother which would have been devastating and very emotionalizing for any adult not to mention a young teen. However, Duncan took this in stride and continued playing basketball. Even in college where he was a very good basketball player, he continued to face adversities; “Although Duncan's calm demeanor prompted some critics to accuse him of not being tough enough, he trained diligently, never missing a practice even when his coach begged him to rest up for games. Duncan, in fact, proved to be an intense competitor” (“Tim Duncan”). Duncan’s strange yet effective style of play was faced with much criticism right off the bat. Even though he didn’t show his emotions and physicality on the court he kept producing and doing well. Tim trained day in and day out in order to improve his game even while he was criticized. Tim was a team player and didn’t need the flashy highlights but rather enjoyed the fruits of a great victory. As you can see, though faced with large road blocks, it was Tim’s determination and motivation to never give up while carried him through many difficult times.

(http://ballerwives.com/2009/06/24/nba-tim-duncans-wife-amy-duncan/td_found1/)

Tim has used his success in order to help promote and do charity work in order to enrich the community around him. Tim has done this through the foundation that he has created; “Since the first annual event in January 2000, the Tim Duncan Bowling For Dollar$ Charity Bowl-A-Thon has raised over $650,000 for Breast and Prostate Cancer detection, prevention, and treatment”(“About Tim”). Ever since his mom died of breast cancer Tim has sought for a way to help those who have been in his shoes and has had this terrible disease destroy the lives closest to them. He also tried to prevent those who had never experience the harmful effects of this cancer from ever having to. Tim tries to put others in front of him and use his resources in order to help them rather than just taking care of himself. Tim’s selflessness and undaunted urge to assist others is validated once again when he earns an award; “In 2001, the NBA recognized Tim for his commitment to his community by awarding the Home Team Community Service Award” (“About Tim”). Tim Duncan’s hard work is appreciated and reflected on by the NBA. This award commends and confirms the great work that Tim has done. His ability to help others is honored by this award. All in all, Tim has taken advantage of his better situation to promote others before himself and help those around him instead of just selfishly enjoying the fruits of his labor by himself.

(http://bleacherreport.com/articles/237875-nbas-5-best-power-forwards)

His determination to bulldoze through obstacles and his generosity to help others makes Tim Duncan a hero. No matter how large the challenge he could overcome it and once he was on top he strived to help those in need by using his status. He has also inspired people all around the world with his actions on and off the court. He has been a perfect role model on the court; “Throughout his years at Wake Forest, Duncan earned a reputation as being expressionless, fair, and driven on the court. He did not engage in loud outbursts on the court, nor did he play dirty in order to build his impressive statistics. Even when other players tried to provoke him, Duncan refused to engage in verbal fights or to get wrapped up in off-court drama” (“Tim Duncan”). Tim Duncan was very calm and fair on the court. He would never play dirty and did not have to have the flashy numbers and stats to be a great player. Rather than caring about his personal stats, he only cared about his team getting a victory. This willingness and selflessness to help the overall team and to play fairly sets a great example of character whether you are playing basketball or not. Tim’s inspiration is proven again in his actions off the basketball court; “San Antonio selected Duncan as the first pick in the 1997 NBA draft. That year, he received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Wake Forest” (“Duncan, Tim”). Tim was a great basketball player and could have gone straight into the NBA and made tons of money but instead decided to finish school like his mother would have wanted him to. This exemplary decision should be honored because it sends a message to many children about the importance of an education. Tim’s wise decisions have inspired many. We as a human race have always looked for people to remind us that there is always good within all of us. These are the people that we look to as lights at the end of the tunnel, the ultimate examples that we strive to be. It was “the size of the fight” in Tim Duncan which has allowed him to get to where he is today. Tim Duncan’s perseverance from the bottom to a dominant basketball player, as well as his caring to help others, has inspired many and makes him a true hero.