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A Fundamental Difference




A Fundamental Difference


By Jordan Goldstein

It's late November and the Lakers are set to take on the Indiana Pacers in their home whites. After an attrocious start, Lakers fans were struggling to find something to cherish in what looked to be another lost season. However, something outside the X's and O's of basketball was about to change the course of the season and make 2016 a memorable one. Kobe Bryant, after 20 years of playing for the Lakers announced that 2016 will be his last season. Immediately following the announcement, buzz began to echo trough Los Angeles. Fans gathered Sunday night and were welcomed by a note from the mamba expressing his love for the game and his decision to play out the season for the last time.

Following the announcement, Kobe began an extensive tour, going stadium to stadium receiving gifts, ovations and thanks. As the season went on, tickets skyrocketed. In March, Kobe's last games could be counted on a single hand and we all had time to say goodbye to a player who has given the fans so much joy over the years. The inevitable last game came as we all expected and we got to take in every second of Kobe's 60 point performance regardless of the games importance. Yet, something about the announcement provided a sense of closure. It gave me time to anticipate the end of an era for lakers basketball.

It's now May and the semifinals are coming to an end. After an amazing 67 win season, the Spurs are facing elimination to the the Thunder tonight. Entering into the series as a 3-1 favorite, the Spurs now are on the brink of being upset. However, there is an underlying story that is so unexpected no one is even discussing it. The first pick of the 97 draft, Tim Duncan has scored 7 points in the last 3 games and the unbelievable battle against time looks to be ending. With his sights set on his 6th championship in 2016, Tim Duncan could be playing his final game in silver and black.

Tim Duncan was more than just a basketball player to me. Tim showed me how to go about life the right way. His calm and even keeled demeanor taught me that actions speak louder than words. His resilience and fortitude to come back and beat the Miami Heat in 2014 proves that one should never give up despite the lack of youth and skill on their side. His ability to share with others and concede when necessary teaches the value of teamwork in any workplace setting. His attributes on the court served as a microcosm to me for life off of the court. I was 8 years old when I first saw Duncan play and after 16 years im not ready to say goodbye.

People often ask the question; is it better to grieve for losing someone knowing their time is limited or completely unexpected. And the answer is generally mixed because, quite frankly, there is no good time to grieve. An era of basketball is nearing its end. Duncan's career can't last forever even though at one point it did seem possible. After spending months enjoying Kobe's last games, Duncan's final game may have approached sooner than expected. Without hinting or even mentioning retirement, something about Game 6 tonight says it's his last.

The two 5 time champion superstars of our generation are so dynamically different that even Hollywood couldn't write a script like this. Kobe plays in big market Los Angeles at the guard position. Kobe had issues with teammates, coaches, and problems off the court. Tim plays forward for a small market team and has lead the Spurs to 19 straight playoff appearances without a single distraction. Kobe's fanfare farewell tour was as Kobe Bryant as it gets; big, loud, eccentric and as always the center of attention. Duncan's farewell tour is non existent which couldn't be more like Tim. For almost two decades we have loved these two athletes for who they are and appreciated greatness in two different forms. Many characterize Duncan as quiet, boring, and not aesthetically pleasing to watch. But for an entire career, Spurs and Duncan fans watched and appreciated the 7ft big man for how he plays and what he stands for. So on a day that could be Duncan's final NBA game played.... why should we change?

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