Humble, hard-working Tim Duncan followed unorthodox path to Hall of Fame

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 if a rookie, who’s not in great shape, vomits after a workout with the retired player, Tim Duncan.

Duncan rushed over immediately to clean up the mess.

Spurs CEO R.C. Buford recently reminisced about a memorable incident at a local Mexican restaurant’s deserted patio. He said, “After the cleanup, Timmy turned to Lonnie and said, ‘Lonnie, it’s time to get back on the court. We have a lot to do.'” According to Buford, Timmy spent that day in the gym training with Lonnie, who was out of shape due to his meniscus tear which kept him off the court for the initial eight weeks of the season. Timmy hadn’t even started his coaching career at that point. But Buford concluded, “If Tim Duncan is cleaning up after you, it’s a powerful message.”

Adding just one more to two decades’ worth in a 19-season NBA career, Duncan made invaluable contributions to the culture of the San Antonio Spurs. This culminated in his induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Saturday.

“Everyone is aware of this remarkably amazing tale,” stated Spurs coach Gregg Popovich. “Though well-known, it’s indeed true. We’re all extremely pleased about it. We continue to honor him during our meals with a toast, ‘Thank you, Timmy.’ Undeniably, it’s something special.”

In all honesty, one cannot encapsulate Duncan’s career merely in words or an extensive analysis. Facts such as his staggering statistics, five championships, two MVPs, and 15 appearances in the All-Star game are well known. Similarly, when Duncan retired in 2016, he was second in terms of playoff wins, first in playoff double-doubles, and third in postseason rebounds.

According to Elias Sports Bureau, the 15-year gap between Duncan’s first (1999) and last (2014) championships is the second longest in league history. Only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s 17-year span surpasses this among players who participated in both NBA Finals series.

It is understood that only Duncan and John Salley have managed to win NBA titles in three separate decades. Additionally, Duncan is the inaugural Hall of Fame inductee to have spent his entire career of a minimum of 15 seasons under the same coach.

Who could overlook the fact that Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili played together to achieve 126 playoff wins, the highest number in NBA history by any trio? This same trio also holds the record for the most regular-season victories in NBA history with 575. They were the first group of three or more teammates to secure four championships together since Magic Johnson, Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Cooper, and Kurt Rambis, as stated by the Elias Sports Bureau.

“Duncan stated, “My competitiveness, passion for the game, distaste for losing, and the support of an organization dedicated to providing the best possible conditions for a city, a team, and a player like me to consistently achieve victory, all contribute to the situation.”

Although, the explanation of how Duncan achieved everything is more complex.

Remember that despite Duncan’s impeccable basic skills, he never demonstrated awe-inspiring athleticism. His former teammate from Wake Forest and close friend, Marc Blucas, humorously says that both he and Duncan would admit that Duncan couldn’t jump over a phone book.

Delving into the persona of Tim Duncan offers insights into how a skinny kid from the U.S. Virgin Islands transformed into a basketball storm. Initially, he aspired to be an Olympic swimmer until Hurricane Hugo destroyed all the local pools in 1989. His simple yet critical character traits, instilled by his parents Delysia Ione and William Duncan, not only propelled the untested Popovich but also uplifted an entire NBA franchise. These traits were nurtured on the 82-square-mile island of St. Croix in the Caribbean.

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.

Buford explained that with Timmy, the environment became less regimented and rigid. He believed that the connection between Pop and Tim turned it into a much more caring environment.

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, who was the least hyped among Wake Forest’s three recruits from the class of 1993, anticipated redshirting during his freshman year.

Marc Blucas, a longtime friend of Tim Duncan, is seen sharing a laugh with him and Grant Hill in 2014.

After playing only one session of pick-up ball with Duncan, Blucas and fellow senior captain Randolph Childress immediately revised their plans.

“Blucas stated, ‘It was clear. He was already playing as if he was a part of the team. He was so calm yet so fierce simultaneously. I remember looking at Randolph Childress and saying, ‘We need to tell Coach Odom not to redshirt this young man.’ So, we went down and simply communicated that to him.'”

At Wake Forest, Duncan started in 32 out of 33 games as a freshman. Blucas was greatly impacted by the single season he spent playing alongside the power forward.

“He expressed his desire to understand the origin of his principles, ethics, and all the aspects he incorporated into the game. He shared his experience of spending time with him and how it prompted him to say, ‘I am eager to explore what shaped you as a person. I wish to visit St. Croix for a week or more to understand how it all began.'”

Thus, Blucas booked a trip to the island after graduation.

Blucas now finds the Lonnie Walker IV vomit story incredibly funny, as it brings back memories of a similar incident during a visit to St. Croix. That incident highlighted Duncan’s quick wit and sense of humor, traits that are advantageous in dealing with the long and demanding NBA season.

“Doing that is just so typical of Tim,” Blucas stated. “He’ll perform one of the most humbling acts in the world, and then he’ll either surprise you with a humorous joke or tell you to toughen up, return to the game and start playing. It’s as if he’s saying, ‘Alright, you vomited. I took care of it. Let’s move on.'”

While enjoying a sunny summer day snorkeling with Duncan in St. Croix, Blucas accidentally stepped on a sea urchin, unknowingly creating a story reminiscent of Lonnie Walker’s.

“Blucas said, “It’s stinging like hell.”

Thus, upon their return to the beach, Duncan composedly advises, “Hey, you need to urinate on it.”

Blucas said, “I laughed at Island Boy. He couldn’t trick me, a landlocked white kid, into thinking that urinating on my foot would relieve the pain.” He continued, “Tim insisted, ‘I’m not joking. It’s extremely painful. I’ve tried it. The acidity and PH level of the urine actually alleviate the pain. You should urinate on it.’ I responded, ‘Well, I don’t need to pee.’ He gave me a wide grin and replied, ‘Well, I do.'”

Telling the story, Blucas bursts into laughter.

He said, “I essentially told myself, ‘Get lost. You’re not going to make a fool out of me. However, I now realize this is nonsense.'” He continued, “Of course, it wasn’t nonsense. I did end up urinating on my foot, and it felt much better. But this experience is so similar to Lonnie’s story. It’s about not taking yourself too seriously, having a sense of humor, and maintaining a balance. We’re going to work extremely hard, and that’s what’s expected of everyone. So, let’s enjoy the process and genuinely be friends.”

The nature of Tim, Pop, and their entire group, is significantly defined by a strategic approach. The superstar and their leadership qualities form the basis of the draft. The Spurs specifically select individuals who are inspired when they see the so-called superstar getting reprimanded by Pop, or even seeing him stoop to cleaning up someone’s vomit. This forces them to think, ‘I need to pull my weight because he’s doing far more than he’s supposed to.’

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, just one of many over the years, has set a standard for the rest of the franchise to follow.

Before even drafting him, the Spurs saw other examples.

Remember, despite Buford’s assumption that Duncan would have been the first overall pick even as a sophomore or possibly a freshman, Duncan chose to remain at Wake Forest for all four years. This is because he had made a promise to his mother to graduate. Moreover, Duncan had a desire to be present for his teammates and fully experience college life.

“His focus was, in my opinion, on the experience, the journey, the camaraderie in the locker room,” said Blucas. “Tim wasn’t interested if it wasn’t about that. He played the game not just to win, but also to build friendships and spend time with his teammates. He was someone who preferred relishing the present moment rather than constantly planning for the future,” he added.

During the pre-Draft process, Popovich gained firsthand knowledge.

“Buford said, ‘Pop was so crazy, he thought we should draft Scot Pollard.’ However, once it was confirmed that the plan was to pick Duncan as the No. 1 overall, Popovich immediately scheduled a trip to the Virgin Islands to spend time with Duncan.”

“Buford revealed that he had gotten to know about Tim’s family and the significant role his mother, who he lost at the age of 14, played in his life. He believed that Pop, who typically does not share much about his own background, had shared some personal stories with Tim. They had truly gotten to know each other. Upon his return, Pop didn’t disclose much but expressed that Tim was a genuinely good person and someone they were looking forward to embarking on this journey with,” he said.

Immediately, Popovich recognized all the unique attributes that made Duncan special.

Popovich noted, “His high intelligence was quite evident, as was his keen sense of humor and his serious attitude towards the game. His primary concern was winning, nothing else mattered. His company was enjoyable. Those were most likely the qualities that first caught my attention when I spent time with him.”

What Popovich could not have anticipated is the profound depth of it all.

Lon Babby, Duncan’s former agent who later served as a front office executive with the Phoenix Suns, claimed he learned a valuable lesson from the power forward before Duncan even played a 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 managed Hall of Fame inductee Tamika Catchings, shared a conversation he had with Tim, “Our discussion revolved around this matter. I told him, ‘Tim, it is my responsibility to represent you, so I shouldn’t be overly concerned with David’s perspective on this issue.'” Babby continued, “Tim replied, ‘While it may not be a concern for you, it is for me. I will be his teammate. He has been the star player of this team. I should consider his feelings’.”

“I recall telling him, ‘Look, I’m 40, you’re 22, and yet you’re teaching me about teamwork and leadership.’ He was consistently ready to put his ego aside for the sake of his teammates’ improvement.”

Over the years, Duncan’s behavior with the franchise was consistent when it came to transactions. Buford and Popovich always ensured to include the team’s star player in any talks about potential changes that were necessary. Buford even confessed that befriending Tim was akin to a kiss of death as they seemed to trade every player that Timmy was close to. This began with Cory Alexander, followed by Monty Williams, the Phoenix Suns coach, and then Malik Rose and Antonio Daniels.

Duncan never attempted to persuade the management to retain his friends. Indeed, the situation escalated to a point where Duncan and Popovich decided that if there were talks about potentially relocating close friends, the team wouldn’t even consult the power forward for his viewpoint.

“Tim always made decisions based on what was best for the team,” said Buford. “His actions were never self-centered, always prioritizing the team. His stoic approach to life sets him apart. He has a unique perspective on life and his world. It was often fascinating to watch him analyze and evaluate his teammates, new players, and even his opponents in a way that isn’t common among typical NBA players.”

Tim Duncan was acutely conscious of how his words and actions could impact his teammates, regardless of whether they were superstars or role players.

Then, there’s Duncan’s day-to-day presence at the team’s training facility, leading through actions, not words.

Duncan still frequents the Spurs’ practice gym on the Northwest side of San Antonio to this day. Despite being retired, he consistently sends texts to the Spurs staff expressing his longing to see them and his eagerness to join them back in the gym.

NBA players use a shooting machine known as The Gun on practice courts daily. This device gathers and returns the ball to the shooter, eliminating the need for a rebounder to collect balls. Typically, an assistant or equipment manager is responsible for setting up the machine for players.

Not in San Antonio.

“Timmy was self-sufficient, always setting up and taking down The Gun himself,” shared Buford. “He was unique in this regard; no other player would do that. They would typically rely on the manager for such tasks. It’s a testament to the kind of tone that Timmy set – not through his words, but through his character,” he added.

The team’s facility still strongly echoes with it.

As preparations for Duncan’s induction ceremony got underway, a group of Spurs 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 in a box, coated with dust.

Buford laughed, saying, “Who the hell knows where they’ve been? They’re not exactly being polished in the center of the house. But if such an accomplished guy keeps his trophies in a closet collecting dust, that’s probably where all of ours should be as well.”

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.

Duncan was finally starting to enjoy his retirement at that time. He was regularly attending his children’s events and, as he told his friends, he was “being a real dad.”

Yet Duncan quickly gave up that life to join Popovich’s staff as an assistant.

Duncan’s father, William, passed away in 2002. Prior to his death, he requested Popovich to help keep his son humble, in spite of his rising fame, and to ensure he remained true to himself. Duncan always saw Popovich as a paternal figure and it has become a tradition for them to share a beer and have a profound conversation on the anniversary of William’s death.

During the 2019-20 season, Tim Duncan was an assistant coach for the Spurs.

Consequently, when Popovich’s main assistants left the team, Duncan decided to stay with his coach, as per multiple staff members. Upon being questioned about Duncan joining the team, Buford was overwhelmed with emotion and chose not to discuss the matter in detail.

Blucas understood.

Blucas explained, “Tim found it disheartening to make that decision when he was already enjoying the comforts of home, travelling to his kids’ events, volleyball games, and doing car pickups without needing to be on the road all the time. I believe it was his loyalty to Pop and the organization that influenced his choice. It wasn’t driven by guilt, but more of a sense of ‘I won’t let them struggle without joining the fight.’ I think it reflects the character of Tim Duncan as a person: loyalty, honor, and gratitude towards those who have supported him.”

Duncan led as a player on the sport’s most competitive stage with this level of caring.

Babby described his mental image of Tim Duncan as him affectionately patting a teammate’s head while exiting the court after a timeout. He added that this is a scene probably witnessed a million times by others and for him, it perfectly encapsulates the essence of Duncan.

It’s authentic, too.

Blucas witnessed it firsthand when he was Duncan’s college teammate. He experienced it through lengthy discussions and sharing a bus seat with Duncan on the return journey to the campus after losing miserably in the power forward’s ACC debut as a freshman, when they played against Sharone Wright and the Clemson Tigers.

Blucas firmly stated, “To reach that level of success, one has to possess a killer instinct. Yet, he never indulged in self-glorification or loud confrontations. Every superstar has a unique leadership style. Tim, however, is the kind to extend a comforting arm before confronting you. That’s simply his nature. He prefers to approach with love before displaying challenge, aggression, competitiveness, anger, or intensity.”

Maybe Duncan’s upbringing in the Virgin Islands, which we might soon see in a Tim Duncan documentary, has something to do with it. Scott, Duncan’s older brother, is collaborating with Rashidi Clenance, a childhood friend of the Hall of Famer, to document his early life.

Scott Duncan states that the documentary is set to emphasize the island’s impact on Tim Duncan’s rise to fame. Unexpectedly, Tim Duncan, who usually avoids interviews, has already participated in 30-40 hours of them.

Many people close to Duncan view the circumstances of his enshrinement as nearly perfect in many respects.

The spotlight of the ceremony is expected to be dominated by the segment where Michael Jordan presents the late Kobe Bryant.

Blucas jests that Duncan could simply “walk up there and deliver the Bubba Smith monologue from ‘Police Academy.'” He would just say, ‘thanks’ and then leave. But that would be so characteristic of Tim.

Buford, Blucas and Babby are set to attend. The Spurs are scheduled to face off Monty Williams’ Phoenix Suns on the day of the ceremony, marking the first game of a back-to-back set in San Antonio. Buford expressed his belief that Pop should definitely be present. He also added that Williams, who used to be Duncan’s teammate, should not miss it either.

Expect a representation from the Duncan family, a group from Wake Forest, and a strong presence of Spurs.

Blucas stated that Duncan sees his induction ceremony as a sort of family reunion. He views all these moments like jersey retirements, MVP ceremonies, and going back to his Wooden Award in college as chances to gather people from various stages of his life. He desires to have dinner with everyone to reconnect and catch up. According to Blucas, this is what is most important to Tim and it’s incredibly genuine.

Clearly, he is deeply honored and holds the Hall of Fame institution in high regard, and is both proud and thankful for this recognition. However, in keeping with his character and past actions, he doesn’t focus on the spotlight, the speeches, or the room full of trophies. It’s hard to understand how such success, wealth, fame, and influence don’t alter a person. Yet, astonishingly, he remains the same individual I first met when he was just a 17-year-old boy, weighing merely 200 pounds after being drenched.

“If he wasn’t 6-11, you wouldn’t be able to tell who he turned out to be.”

Of course, in the background, Duncan stands one last time at the Mohegan Sun Resort and Casino.

“Babby remarked, “He never monopolized the spotlight.” He continued, “With the sad loss of Kobe and Michael being the one to present him, Tim won’t be the center of attention during the ceremony. But he couldn’t be more unconcerned. Even if Kobe were still with us, he’d likely garner most of the attention and that suits Tim perfectly. It truly encapsulates his career and his character.”

* * *

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.

The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA, its clubs or Turner Broadcasting.