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Tim Duncan spent nearly two decades as the quiet storm in the middle of the San Antonio Spurs franchise, putting the team on his broad shoulders and carrying it to heights unseen in modern American sports.With Duncan as the focal point, the Spurs won five championships, made the playoffs in all 19 of his seasons and cemented themselves as one of the most successful sports franchises in history. And now, the tireless and reluctant superstar is finally calling it a career.The 40-year-old Duncan announced his retirement on Monday, marking the end of an era for the Spurs and the NBA.The greatest power forward ever, the Los Angeles Clippers Jamal Crawford said Monday, as the tributes to Duncans career began coming.Few would dare argue.Duncan was the No. 1 overall pick in 1997 and teamed with coach Gregg Popovich, point guard Tony Parker and shooting guard Manu Ginobili to turn the Spurs from a solid franchise that could never quite get over the hump into one of the leagues superpowers.The constant staple of their franchise, Clevelands LeBron James said earlier this year.The unassuming Duncan won two MVP awards and was one of just four players to be named NBA Finals MVP at least three times. Nicknamed The Big Fundamental for his clinical approach that favored bank shots over dunks, he was a 15-time All-Star, a member of the All-NBA first team 10 times and is one of only three players -- joining Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Robert Parrish -- to win at least 1,000 games in his career. He is fifth on the NBAs career list in blocks, sixth in rebounds and 14th in scoring.Even tho I knew it was coming, Im still moved by the news, Ginobili tweeted. What a HUGE honor to have played with him for 14 seasons! (hash)ThankYouTD.NBA Commissioner Adam Silver called Duncan one of the most dominant players in NBA history and lauded him for an understated selflessness (that) made him the ultimate teammate.For two decades Tim represented the Spurs, the city of San Antonio and the league with passion and class, Silver said. All of us in the NBA family thank him for his profound impact on the game.Duncan was never one for big endorsement deals or look-at-me press conferences, which is why he was often overshadowed in the public eye by more outsized personalities like James and Kobe Bryant, who also retired this year after 20 seasons, all with the Los Angeles Lakers. But he leaves this game as one of the leagues true giants, perhaps the best power forward to ever play and one who left as indelible a mark on his franchise as any player to come before him.For us as players, we just enjoy and appreciate each other, Bryant said earlier this season. Its not a matter of whos better or whos greater. You just accept the careers that youve had. I appreciate his career, and vice versa.The announcement comes two months after the Spurs were upset by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference semifinals, a six-game exit that immediately had people wondering yet again if it was Duncans last hurrah.Turns out, it was. And like everything else Duncan did in his career -- aside from win -- he retired quietly, with a statement from the team. There will be no victory lap for Duncan, no farewell tour like the one Bryant had this season. Popovich will discuss Duncans decision on Tuesday.The last time Duncan spoke to reporters was on May 12, when the Spurs had just been eliminated by the Thunder in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals. After being ineffective for most of the series, Duncan scored 19 points and teamed with fellow 40-year-old Andre Miller to trim a 26-point lead to nine in the fourth quarter before Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant closed out the series.There were hints in that game of Duncans plans, even though he later exercised a contract option to clear the way for his return. He had always said that he would walk away when he felt he could no longer have a significant impact on the game, and for most of the series the younger Thunder big men had their way with him and the Spurs on the glass.With the Spurs getting blown out and the fourth quarter set to begin, Popovich and his veteran star had a brief conversation on the bench. Duncan then played all 12 minutes of the fourth quarter without coming out for a rest, perhaps soaking up every second he could in the last game he would ever play. And when the game was over, Duncan waved to the visiting crowd and pointed a finger toward the roof as he headed to the locker room, a rare signal from one of the leagues most stoic superstars.Timmys never been a very outspoken or emoting sort of individual on the court, Popovich said earlier this year. Everybody does it differently.And Duncan was truly one of a kind.In 1997, after an injury to star David Robinson, the Spurs plunged in the standings and ended up with a chance at the No. 1 overall pick. They won the lottery, and it was a no-brainer to choose Duncan, the polished, two-way big man who had spent four years at Wake Forest.The Spurs won 36 more games in Duncans rookie year than they had the previous season and were NBA champions in his sophomore campaign. They also won titles in 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2014, the last one a dominant run to redemption over James and the Miami Heat after losing to them in seven games the previous season.For at least the last five seasons of his career, Duncan would face retirement questions. But he never really changed. You could see a few gray hairs near his temples as the years wore on, but his face, his body, his game all bore a striking resemblance to the 21-year-old who averaged 21.1 points and 11.9 rebounds in his first year in the league.Heres how long he was with the Spurs: He had 140 different teammates there.He was a 38-year-old All-Star in 2014-15 and even as his minutes were reduced to save the wear and tear on his body for the playoffs, he remained a force on the defensive end and on the glass. He used an exhaustive workout regimen of boxing, swimming and diet to help him keep pace with the younger, faster, stronger players that kept coming at him year after year.The Spurs won a franchise-record 67 regular-season games this past season. Despite Duncans individual statistics dipping to career lows, coaches and teammates said the impact his leadership, intelligence and defensive presence had continued to be elite.And now he steps away. Custom Basketball Jerseys Throwback . -- Playing time has been limited for Maxim Tissot this season, so the Montreal Impact defender made the most of his first scoring opportunity on Saturday. Stitched Basketball Jerseys Throwback . The Australian is competing in his final season in Formula One and still looking for his first win this year. He will look to end Vettels run of six straight race wins on Sunday. 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All Kanaan has to is win at Pocono and Fontana to become the open-wheel series Triple Crown winner. He won the first leg when he broke through for his first Indianapolis 500 victory in May. Oh, he took home $2,353,500 for winning Indy. Still, a million bucks for winning three races isnt too shabby, either. "A million dollars is always welcome, I have to say," a laughing Kanaan said. "Im really not thinking about the million dollars. Im thinking, lets go one at a time. If I win here, Im getting closer, but its not guaranteed yet." No, Kanaan didnt put his pinkie against his lips like Dr. Evil when talking about the potential $1 million payday. But hes the only driver eligible for the Triple Crown title and the prize money that goes with the feat. So he may as well go ahead and win Sundays 400-mile race at Pocono. "Well try and take the opportunity," he said. While $1 million doesnt seem like much in a sports world where top athletes command $20 million in salary, IndyCar offers meagre purses and Kanaan has won only $55,000 this season. Thats a few free throws for LeBron James. A driver who wins two of the three can win a $250,000 bonus from promotion sponsor Fuzzys Vodka. IndyCar ran a Triple Crown at Indianapolis, Pocono and Ontario from 1971-1980 and from 1981-1989 at Indy, Pocono and Michigan. Only Al Unser won all three races in a single season, in 1978. "Winning them all was a great gift," Unser said. "We thought we accomplished the world when we won all three." Unser won four 500-mile races in a row with an Ontario victory in 1977 and wins in 1978 at Indy, Pocono and Ontario. Unser drove for Parnelli Jones in 1977 and Jim Hall in 1978. Hes rooting for Kanaan to match his feat, just like he pulled for him to at long last win at Indy. "I think Tonys a good racer," Unser said. "Im an old-timer and I thought he was going to be another Lloyd Ruby and just keep racing and racing at Indy and never get to drink the milk or get his photo with the Borg-Warner trophy in Victory Lane. He knew the Speedway didnt owe him anytthing like the announcers said it did.dddddddddddd He won based on his talent, his racing skills and the teams hard work." Kanaan, along with just about every series driver, is racing for the first time at Pocono. The track returned to the IndyCar Series schedule after a 24-year absence and most drivers participated in just a few test sessions. Theyll qualify Saturday. Kanaan, fifth in the points standings, may not win but hell be there at the start. Thats one guarantee that few other series drivers can boast. Kanaan is set for his 207th consecutive open-wheel start Sunday, four shy of our of Jimmy Vassers record. Kanaan now drives for Vasser. "Jimmy really doesnt want me to beat him," Kanaan said, laughing. "Hes my boss. He can take me out of the car any time he wants. Im trying to be nice to him." Vasser said the streak might be over if not for his well-timed "Look out!" when a distracted Kanaan almost drove over a piece of equipment after the recent Milwaukee race. "I could have kept my record," a laughing Vasser said. Kanaan, the popular Brazilian, has 16 career wins since his 1998 debut. "Im still going, thats what matters," he said. "You dont hang on for this long just because youre lucky. I think its proof I still can do the job. I try not to think too much." Vasser won his own $1 million paydays over his career and knows Kanaan is capable pulling of the triple sweep. "We need to get off the horse and win a few," Vasser said. "The Triple Crown is nice, but weve got to get back into the championship fight." Kanaan and Vasser have been friends since the late 90s. Vasser said "Weve had our disagreements," but the two have a solid working relationship that he hoped would continue beyond this year. Kanaans deal is up at the end of the season, and ideally hed return with Vasser to defend at Indy. Kanaan ended 12 years of frustration when he finally won in May, thousands of fans screaming, "TK! TK! TK!" on that long, final lap. The glow from that milestone win still hasnt faded. "I hope it goes on forever," Vasser said. "Theres the baby Borg, the rings, his face on the ticket. Theres still a lot to come. Champions, forever." ' ' '