The news, more or less expected, falls and comes to shake up the torpor of summer. One Monday morning, at 9 a.m. Spurs statementpublished on July 11, 2016, is as long and rich as the man's career. But the main information is contained in one sentence: Tim Duncan has just announced his retirement.
And that's it. While reactions and tributes are pouring in, we will have to wait a few more days to see the San Antonio legend speak. I was starting to not enjoy it anymore, it wasn't as enjoyable as it used to be. And when it's not enjoyable anymore, I stop. ” he explains then.
The center, whose team had been eliminated in the second round of the playoffs by the Thunder that year, had chosen a discretion that was oh so characteristic. Nearly a decade later, what will become of another monument of this sport, against whom “TD” crossed swords several times in the NBA finals, LeBron James ?
Aged 39, the “King” will perhaps say more during the upcoming “media day” about his retirement intentions. He is preparing to achieve one of his last career goals: to play under the same jersey as his son, Bronny.
A memorable “Kobe tour”
Beyond the question of “when”, the temporality of his departure, there is that of “how”, the conditions of this departure from the track. The star player of the Lakers could follow another “model” than that used by the Spurs player at the time: that followed by Kobe Bryant the same year.
The former Lakers legend had announced his upcoming departure… a few weeks ago – on November 29, 2015 with a love letter to basketball on The Players' Tribune website – after a catastrophic start on a personal and collective level.
With this announcement, the Lakers' season had turned into a vast, sometimes grotesque farewell tour centered on the future retiree. His former teammate in Los Angeles, Shaquille O'Neal, had been ” super jealous “. ” Going to every city so people can see me play my last game. I tried to forget it but I can't, it kills me “, delivered the former pivot.
Dirk Nowitzki no longer reserved
Another way to do it, Dirk Nowitzki in 2019. The Mavs legend had re-signed for one season in Dallas, without saying more about his intentions at the end of it (if his physical condition held up, the German said during the season that he wanted to extend the adventure alongside Luka Doncic). He finally waited until his last home game to make his retirement official, before playing his very last game in San Antonio.
Accustomed to grand communications, LeBron James therefore has a range of options before him. At ESPN, Dave McMenamin is one of those who see him making an announcement before his departure. We'll all know, it'll be something to watch on TV. It'll be LeBron's tour of all 28 NBA cities, culminating in a spectacular farewell. ” he imagines.
Asked about the subject last February, LeBron James leaned towards a ” 50/50 “, between discretion and tour. ” There are times when I feel like I owe it to my fans who have been with me for over two decades, I have to give them that moment where in every city, they throw me flowers or whatever. It seems cool to me. At the same time, I've never been good at receiving praise. It's weird for me ” he admitted.
