Page "Tim Duncan" Paragraph 18

The 2002 – 03 season saw Duncan enjoy another standout season in which he averaged 23. 3 points, a career-high 12. 9 rebounds, 3. 9 assists and 2. 9 blocks per game, and yet another dual All-NBA and All-Defense First Team call-up, resulting in his second NBA Most Valuable Player Award.

At age 37, Robinson announced that year as his last season, and his playing time was cut by coach Popovich to save his energy for the playoffs.

The Spurs qualified easily for the playoffs, concluding the regular season as the Conference number one seed with a 60 – 22 record.

Although San Antonio now had new offensive threats in Tony Parker and Manu Ginóbili, during the playoffs, it was Duncan's performance in the semi-finals against the Los Angeles Lakers which was singled out for praise by Popovich, who stated: " I thought in Game 5 and Game 6, he was astounding in his focus.

He pulled everyone along these last two games.

" In the series, Duncan was matched up against forward Robert Horry, dominated him the entire series and closed out the series in style ; Duncan finished Game 6 with 37 points and 16 rebounds, allowing Spurs coach Popovich to call timeout with 2: 26 left to instruct his team not to celebrate excessively.

The Spurs made it to the finals, and defeated the New Jersey Nets 88 – 77 in Game Six to win their second ever NBA championship.

Helped by an inspired Robinson, Duncan almost recorded a quadruple double in the final game, and was named the NBA Finals MVP.

Duncan said of the victory: " We were all confident that something would happen, that we would turn the game to our favor, and it did ", but felt sad that Robinson retired after winning his second championship ring.

Following this successful Spurs campaign, Robinson and Duncan were named Sports Illustrateds 2003 " Sportsmen of the Year ".