Reflect on the distinguished 19-year NBA career of Tim Duncan, filled with MVPs, Finals honors, championships and more.
SAN ANTONIO — The contents inside Lonnie Walker IV’s gut churned, retched up and splattered into a puddle on the floor.
There’s no disgrace in a rookie who isn’t in shape getting sick after training with the retired Tim Duncan.
Duncan rushed over immediately to clean up the mess.
“Recently, Spurs CEO R.C. Buford shared a memory while sitting on an empty patio of a local Mexican restaurant. He recalled an incident where Tim Duncan, who wasn’t even a coach yet, helped Lonnie Walker get back in shape after the latter had torn his meniscus, missing the first eight weeks of the season. ‘Once the mess was cleaned up, Timmy said to Lonnie, ‘Get back out on the court. We’ve got work to do.’ Timmy had spent the day in the gym, helping Lonnie who was out of shape due to his time off. The fact that Tim Duncan was there cleaning up your mess, that’s quite a statement,” Buford recounted.
Adding just one more to his two-decade long NBA career, a career that greatly contributed to the creation of the San Antonio Spurs’ culture, Duncan’s accomplishments have led to his induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame this Saturday. His 19-season career provided invaluable contributions.
“The story is quite remarkable,” said Gregg Popovich, the coach of the Spurs. “Everyone is aware of the story, and it’s factual. We’re all extremely pleased about it. We still raise a toast to him during dinner, saying, ‘Thank you, Timmy.’ So, it’s clearly special.”
Truthfully, it’s not feasible to summarize Duncan’s career through mere words or an extensive analysis. His astounding statistics, five championships, two MVPs, and 15 All-Star appearances are already well-known. Additionally, when Duncan retired in 2016, he was ranked second in playoff wins, first in playoff double-doubles, and third in postseason rebounds.
According to Elias Sports Bureau, the 15-year range from Duncan’s first championship in 1999 to his last in 2014 is the second longest in NBA history for players who participated in both finals series. This record is only surpassed by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s 17 years.
It is understood that only Duncan and John Salley in NBA history have won titles in three different decades. Additionally, Duncan is the first Hall of Fame inductee who has played his entire career of at least 15 seasons under the same coach.
Explore the milestones of Tim Duncan’s career, from his initial points in Milwaukee to his 25,000th point at the Staples Center.
Who could overlook the memorable teaming of Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili, who achieved a record-setting 126 playoff wins, the highest in NBA history for any trio? This same trio also holds the record for the most regular-season victories in the NBA (575). Notably, they were the first group of three or more teammates to win four championships together since Magic Johnson, Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Cooper, and Kurt Rambis, as per Elias Sports Bureau.
Duncan stated, “My competitiveness, passion for the game, disdain for losing, combined with an organization committed to providing the best conditions for its city, team, and players like me to win consistently, all contribute to the situation.”
Though, the explanation of how Duncan achieved everything becomes more complex.
Remember, even though Duncan’s fundamentals were almost perfect, he wasn’t known for his exciting athleticism. His ex-teammate from Wake Forest and good friend Marc Blucas humorously remarks that “he and I would both admit that he couldn’t jump over a phone book.”
Examining the character and upbringing of Tim Duncan can provide insight into how this slim boy from the U.S. Virgin Islands, who initially dreamed of being an Olympic swimmer before Hurricane Hugo devastated all the local pools in 1989, created a storm in the league. His simple, yet imperative character traits, instilled by his parents, Delysia Ione and William Duncan, in the 82-square-mile island of St. Croix in the Caribbean, not only boosted the untested Popovich but also lifted an entire NBA franchise.
Make no mistake. Before Duncan arrived in San Antonio as the top pick of the 1997 draft, the San Antonio Spurs were already functioning as somewhat of a militaristic, regimented franchise under Popovich and what Buford called “a really principled group of standard bearers” such as David Robinson, Mario Elie, Avery Johnson, Sean Elliott and Terry Porter.
“Timmy brought a softer touch to them,” Buford elaborated. “It was no longer as strict and inflexible. I believe the bond between Pop and Tim also fostered a nurturing atmosphere.”
SENSE OF HUMOR: Before joining the cast of the TV series “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and later starring opposite Katie Holmes in “First Daughter” in an acting career spanning more than 30 movie credits, Marc Blucas was a senior guard at Wake Forest “playing above my gene pool” when a 17-year-old Duncan walked into the gym on the first day of school.
Duncan, the most understated of Wake Forest’s 1993 class trio, anticipated he would redshirt during his freshman year.
Marc Blucas (center), a longtime friend of Tim Duncan, shares a laugh with him and Grant Hill in 2014.
After playing just one pick-up ball session with Duncan, Blucas and his co-senior captain Randolph Childress swiftly came up with a new plan.
“Blucas revealed, “You could immediately see it. He was playing as if he was already part of the team. His calm demeanor and competitive spirit were striking. I remember turning to Randolph Childress and saying, ‘We need to convince Coach Odom not to redshirt this kid.’ We promptly went there and told him exactly that.”
As a freshman at Wake Forest, Duncan started in 32 out of 33 games. Blucas was profoundly impacted by the single season he spent playing alongside the power forward.
“He said, ‘I was interested in understanding his origins, his principles, his teachings, and everything that he incorporated into the game. After spending time with him, I immediately conveyed my desire to truly understand what shaped him. I expressed my wish to visit St. Croix for a week or so to witness where it all began.”
Thus, Blucas booked a trip to the island after graduation.
Blucas now chuckles heartily at the story of Lonnie Walker IV throwing up, as it brings to mind a comparable anecdote from their trip to St. Croix. This story underscores Duncan’s sharp wit and humor, assets that help lighten the strain of a lengthy NBA season.
“Blucas remarked, “That is so typical of Tim. He’ll do one of the most humbling tasks in the world, then either he’ll catch you off guard with a humorous joke or tell you to toughen up, get back on the court and continue playing. He’s like, ‘Alright, you vomited. I took care of it. Let’s move on.'”
While enjoying a snorkeling session with Duncan on a bright summer day in St. Croix, Blucas accidentally stepped on a sea urchin, unknowingly creating a narrative similar to Lonnie Walker’s story.
“Feels like hell’s own sting,” said Blucas.
So, upon their return to the beach, Duncan explains in a calm manner, “Hey, you need to urinate on it.”
Blucas said, “I laughed and replied to Island Boy, ‘Nice try, but you’re not going to trick this landlocked white kid into believing I need to urinate on my foot to relieve the pain.’ Tim, however, insisted, ‘I’m not joking. It’s extremely painful. I’ve done it before. The acid and PH levels in the urine can actually alleviate the pain. Just pee on it.’ I responded, ‘But I don’t need to pee.’ He looked at me, grinning widely, and said, ‘Well, I do.'”
Telling the story, Blucas bursts into laughter.
Tim Duncan remembers his upbringing in St. Croix, before his college and NBA career.
He expressed, “I told myself, ‘Forget it, you’re not getting to me. I know this is nonsense.'” He continued, “Turns out, it wasn’t. I did end up relieving myself on my foot and it improved the situation. It’s a lot like Lonnie’s story. It’s about not being too serious. It’s about maintaining a sense of humor. There’s this wonderful equilibrium of, ‘We’re going to work extremely hard, and that’s what everyone is anticipated to do. So, let’s enjoy the process. Let’s truly be friends.'”
That’s a significant aspect of who Tim, Pop, and their entire group are, and I believe a large part of it was intentional. You structure your draft around your superstar and their leadership abilities. The Spurs select players who would be inspired to see the so-called superstar being scolded by Pop, or witnessing him clean up someone else’s vomit, and contemplate, ‘I need to pull my weight because he’s doing much more than he should.’
LEADERSHIP THROUGH SELFLESSNESS: In Duncan’s 19 seasons as a player and one as an assistant on the Spurs staff, Buford said nobody in the organization can remember a single instance he was late.
Duncan’s display of professionalism, one of many over the years, has set a standard for the rest of the franchise to follow.
Even before drafting him, the Spurs saw other examples.
Keep in mind, Duncan remained at Wake Forest for his entire four-year education, contrary to Buford’s expectation that he would have been selected as the first overall pick even in his sophomore or potentially freshman year. Duncan completed his education at Wake Forest as he had made a pledge to his mother to graduate. Additionally, Duncan had a desire to be supportive of his teammates and fully immerse himself in the college experience.
Hear Tim Duncan’s post-Draft phone conversation with Coach Gregg Popovich in 1997.
“Blucas believed that for him, it was all about the experience, the journey, and the camaraderie with his teammates. If it wasn’t about that, Tim had no interest. While he played to win, he also played for the bonds he formed and the time he spent with his teammates. He was the kind of person who wanted to relish the present moment, rather than constantly dreaming about the future,” Blucas explained.
During the pre-Draft process, Popovich learned a great deal firsthand.
“Pop thought we should draft Scot Pollard, which was crazy,” said Buford. However, when the decision was made to choose Duncan as the No. 1 overall pick, Popovich quickly arranged a trip to the Virgin Islands to spend time with Duncan.
“Buford explained how he came to understand the significance of Tim’s family in his life, particularly the profound impact of losing his mother at the age of 14. He noted that Pop shared details about his own background, a rare occurrence as Pop seldom opens up about his past. Buford believes they forged a deep connection during this time. Upon returning, Pop only revealed that Tim was an exceptional individual whom they would genuinely enjoy accompanying on his journey,” he stated.
Immediately, Popovich recognized all the unique attributes in Duncan.
“His high intelligence, great sense of humor, and seriousness about the game were quite evident,” said Popovich. “His main concern was winning and nothing else. Being around him was enjoyable. These were likely the first traits I noticed when I spent time with him.”
What Popovich could not have anticipated is the profound depth of it all.
Reflect on the development of the close relationship between Tim Duncan and coach Gregg Popovich throughout Duncan’s career.
Lon Babby, Duncan’s former agent who later became a front office executive with the Phoenix Suns, said he learned a valuable lesson from the power forward even before Duncan played his first game in the NBA.
Prior to the start of Duncan’s rookie season, he and Babby rode in the back of a car on the way to a Schick commercial shoot that would feature the No. 1 draft pick playing one-on-one in a backyard with Spurs’ veteran star David Robinson. The premise of the commercial centered on the veteran teaching the rookie a lesson. But on the way to the shoot, an issue arose with the script about one of Robinson’s lines.
Babby, who also represented Hall of Fame inductee Tamika Catchings, recounted the conversation, “We discussed it and I told Tim, ‘My duty is to represent you, I can’t really concern myself with David’s perspective on this matter.’ To which he responded, ‘While you may not have to consider it, as his future teammate, I have to. He’s been the team’s star player, so I need to respect his feelings.'”
“I recall facing him and stating, ‘Look, I’m 40, you’re 22, yet you’re the one teaching me about teamwork and leadership.’ He was constantly ready to suppress his own ego for the improvement of his teammates.”
Over the years, Duncan behaved in a consistently similar manner with the franchise in terms of transactions. Buford and Popovich made it a priority to involve their star player in any talks about potential necessary moves. Buford even confessed that “becoming good friends with Tim was the kiss of death since we ended up trading everyone that Timmy was close to. The trend began with Cory Alexander, followed by Monty Williams who is now coach at the Phoenix Suns, then Malik Rose and Antonio Daniels.”
Duncan never attempted to persuade the higher-ups to retain his friends. In fact, the situation escalated to such an extent that both Popovich and Duncan decided that the team would not consult the power forward for his viewpoint when deliberations about potentially relocating close friends arose.
Buford stated, “In his decisions, he consistently prioritized the team’s best interest. It was never about him. Tim’s stoicism in life is quite unique. His outlook on life and his world is different from many others. It was always fascinating to observe him evaluate his teammates, new players, and opponents through a lens that is not typical of most NBA players.”
Tim Duncan acutely understood the impact his words and actions could have on his teammates, regardless of whether they were superstars or role players.
Then, there’s Duncan on a typical day at the team’s training facility, leading through actions rather than speeches.
Duncan continues to be a frequent presence in the Spurs’ practice gym on the Northwest side of San Antonio to this day. Despite being retired, he often messages the Spurs staff expressing his longing to see them and eagerness to rejoin them in the gym.
On NBA practice courts daily, players make use of a shooting machine known as The Gun. This device gathers and returns the ball to the shooter, eliminating the need for a rebounder to fetch balls. Typically, an assistant or equipment manager is responsible for setting up the machine for the players.
Not in San Antonio.
“Timmy was the only one who would set up The Gun and take it down on his own,” Buford stated. “No other player ever did that. They would have the manager do it. This was a tone that Timmy set. It was not with his voice, but with his personality that he set this standard.”
The team’s facility still echoes with it loudly.
As the Spurs began preparing for Duncan’s induction ceremony, a group of staff members walked past the office of General Manager Brian Wright. To their surprise, they found both of Duncan’s MVP trophies and one of his three Finals MVP awards gathering dust in a box.
“Where on earth have they been?” Buford laughed as he spoke. “They’re not exactly lying around in the center of the house for cleaning. But if a man of such achievements keeps his trophies tucked away in a closet gathering dust, that’s probably the best place for all of ours to be.”
CARING: Popovich lost his top two assistants in the summer of 2019 when Ime Udoka (currently a Brooklyn Nets assistant) joined the staff of the Philadelphia 76ers, while lead assistant Ettore Messina returned to Italy with Olimpia Milano.
At that time, Duncan was finally transitioning into retirement, regularly attending his children’s activities and, as he’s mentioned to friends, “being a real dad.”
Yet Duncan quickly gave up that life to join Popovich’s staff as an assistant.
William, the father of Duncan, passed away in 2002. Prior to his demise, he requested Popovich to keep his son humble, ensuring that his character remained unchanged despite his rise to stardom. Duncan has always viewed Popovich as a paternal figure. On the death anniversary of William, it is quite usual for the two of them to get together for a beer and profound discussion.
During the 2019-20 season, Tim Duncan was an assistant coach for the Spurs.
Thus, Duncan chose not to abandon his coach Popovich when his top assistants left the team, based on information from several staff members. Buford was moved to tears when questioned about Duncan joining the staff and chose not to discuss the matter in detail.
Blucas understood.
Blucas explained, “Tim found it heartbreaking to leave his home where he could easily attend his kids’ events, volleyball games, and do car pickups instead of being away. It wasn’t out of guilt. His decision was driven by his loyalty to Pop and the organization. It was as if Tim was saying, ‘I won’t let them struggle without joining the fight.’ I believe this shows a level of responsibility that reflects Tim Duncan’s character. He is loyal, honorable, and appreciates those who have done things for him.”
Duncan led as a player on the sport’s most competitive stage with this level of caring.
“Babby described his quintessential image of Tim Duncan as him warmly patting a teammate’s head as they walk off the court after a timeout. He suggested that this was a familiar sight that many would have witnessed repeatedly, and to him, it encapsulates everything about Duncan’s character.”
It’s authentic, too.
Blucas witnessed it all firsthand as Duncan’s teammate in college. His experiences came through lengthy discussions and sharing the bus ride back to campus with Duncan, particularly after they both suffered a defeat in Duncan’s ACC debut as a freshman against Sharone Wright and the Clemson Tigers.
“Success at such a level invariably requires a killer instinct,” Blucas observed. “However, he didn’t resort to aggressive displays of dominance. Leadership styles vary among superstars. Tim, however, will always be the one to offer support and understanding before resorting to confrontation. That’s simply his nature. He will approach you with compassion before he confronts you with challenge, aggression, competitiveness, anger, and intensity.”
Maybe Duncan’s upbringing in the Virgin Islands, which we might be able to see in the future through a documentary about Tim Duncan, plays a part in this. Duncan’s elder brother, Scott, has teamed up with Duncan’s childhood friend, Rashidi Clenance, to document his early life.
Teammates and players ponder on Tim Duncan’s remarkable accomplishments.
Scott Duncan has stated that the documentary will emphasize how the island shaped Tim Duncan’s rise to stardom. Remarkably, Tim Duncan, who is typically reluctant to give interviews, has already participated in 30-40 hours of them.
Many people close to Duncan view the circumstances of his enshrinement as almost perfect in many respects.
The spotlight is expected to be dominated by the segment of the ceremony where Michael Jordan will present the late Kobe Bryant.
Blucas humorously suggests that Duncan might just go up there, give the Bubba Smith speech from “Police Academy,” say ‘thanks’ and leave. But that would be so typical of Tim.
Buford, Blucas, and Babby are confirmed to attend. The Spurs are set to face Monty Williams’ Phoenix Suns in San Antonio on the ceremony’s day, marking the start of a back-to-back set of games. Buford expressed, “I believe Pop should definitely not miss that.” He also added that Duncan’s former teammate, Williams, should be present too.
Expect the presence of Duncan family members, a group from Wake Forest, and undoubtedly, representatives from the Spurs.
Blucas stated that Duncan sees his induction ceremony as a type of family reunion. He views all these significant moments, from jersey retirements and MVP ceremonies to his Wooden Award in college, as chances to gather people from various aspects of his life. Duncan’s desire is to have dinner with everyone, to sit and reconnect. According to Blucas, this is what truly matters to Tim and it’s incredibly genuine.
Clearly, he feels honored and holds the Hall of Fame institution in high regard, feeling pride and gratitude for the recognition. However, he remains true to his identity and principles. For him, it’s not about the attention, the speeches, or the collection of awards. It’s hard for me to understand how such immense success, wealth, fame, and influence don’t alter a person. But incredibly, he’s the same young man I first met at 17, when he was just 200 pounds and wet behind the ears.
“If he wasn’t 6-11, you wouldn’t recognize him as the person he later became.”
In a touching ceremony, the San Antonio Spurs retired Tim Duncan’s No. 21 jersey.
Of course, in the background, Duncan stands for one last time at the Mohegan Sun Resort and Casino.
“Babby said, ‘He never hogged the spotlight.’ The focus of the ceremony, given Kobe’s tragic death and Michael’s presentation of him, won’t be on Tim. But Tim doesn’t mind at all. Even if Kobe were still with us, he would command most of the attention. And that’s perfectly fine with Tim. It truly reflects the nature of his career and his personality.”
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Michael C. Wright is a senior writer for NBA.com. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on Twitter.
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