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Why the basketball world never embraced Tim Duncan

Tim Duncan has hung up his sneakers, ending one of the most awkward careers in NBA history.

The first overall pick of the 1997 NBA Draft, Duncan was the perfect player for a San Antonio system that wasn’t big on egos — just winning. He came into the league as David Robinson’s understudy, taking a backseat to the Spurs' All-Star big man despite his other-worldly talent.

MORE: Throwback photos of Tim Duncan

Duncan would take from Robinson the mantle of the team’s best player during his sophomore season, when he helped lead the Spurs to their first NBA championship.