Tim Duncan gave the San Antonio Spurs an added reason for celebration as he signed a new two-year contract with the NBA champions.
Nine-time All-Star signs new deal with NBA champions San Antonio.
Tim Duncan gave the San Antonio Spurs an added reason for celebration as he signed a new two-year contract as the NBA champions received their championship rings before their opening game of the new season.
The Spurs kicked-off the new campaign with a 106-97 victory over the Portland Trailblazers, but the biggest celebrations came before the game as they raised the 2007 championship banner.
Duncan, who has spent his entire ten-year playing career in San Antonio, penned a new two-year contract before the game which will keep him with the club until 2012.
The Spurs did not release the details of the new contract but it is reportedly worth $40 million, with the NBA's collective bargaining agreement entitled Duncan to an extension worth up to $51 million.
Duncan has been a nine-time All-Star, and won four NBA titles with San Antonio, with the current win adding to victories in 199, 2003 and 2005.
"To have signed this extension and, hopefully, end my career here, that's the biggest part of it," Duncan said after the opening victory over Portland.
Duncan, who has averaged 21.8 points and 11.9 rebounds per game during his career, scored 24 points and bagged 13 rebounds in the opening day victory.
Tony Parker, the MVP during the NBA finals, scored 19 points while Argentina's Manu Ginobili collected 16 points, eight assists and five steals.
Celebrations in San Antonio started before the game as the successful Spurs, who won a fourth title in nine seasons, received their championship rings from NBA commissioner David Stern.
"The ring ceremony is always a little bit emotional, but it probably keeps you from being at your best as far as focus is concerned," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said.
"But I thought as the game got tight, they did a pretty good job of getting back in the flow of things."
