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.

It’s not embarrassing for a rookie, who’s out of shape, to vomit after training with the retired Tim Duncan.

Duncan rushed over to clean up the mess immediately.

Spurs CEO R.C. Buford recently shared a story from a local Mexican restaurant’s empty patio. He recalled that after they had cleaned up, Timmy said to Lonnie, “Get back out there on the court, we’ve got work to do.” At that time, Timmy was in the gym with Lonnie who was out of shape after tearing his meniscus and missing the first eight weeks of the season. Timmy wasn’t even a coach yet. However, Buford noted that when Tim Duncan is the one cleaning up your mess, it certainly sends a powerful message.

Adding just one more to his two-decade long NBA career, Duncan made invaluable contributions to shaping the culture of the San Antonio Spurs. His achievements culminated in his induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Saturday, marking 19 seasons of incredible talent.

“Indeed, it’s an amazing tale,” commented Spurs coach Gregg Popovich. “While everyone is familiar with the story, it’s a fact. It’s something we all genuinely appreciate. At dinners, we still raise our glasses to him: ‘Thank you, Timmy.’ Clearly, it’s special.”

Indeed, it’s unfeasible to encapsulate Duncan’s career in words or any extensive analysis. We are already aware of his staggering statistics, including the five championships, two MVPs, and 15 All-Star appearances. Furthermore, when Duncan retired in 2016, he was ranked second in playoff wins, top in playoff double-doubles, and third in postseason rebounds.

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

We understand that only Duncan and John Salley have won NBA titles in three different decades, and Duncan holds the distinction of being the first Hall of Fame inductee to spend his entire career of at least 15 seasons under the same coach.

Who can overlook the fact that Duncan, alongside Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, achieved 126 playoff victories, a record for any trio in NBA history? This trio also holds the record for most regular-season victories (575) in NBA history. They also made history as the first group of three or more teammates to win four championships together since Magic Johnson, Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Cooper, and Kurt Rambis, according to Elias Sports Bureau.

“Duncan said, “It all boils down to my personal competitiveness, a passion for the game, an aversion to losing, and an organization dedicated to providing the best resources to facilitate consistent victories for a city, a team, and a player like myself.”

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

Remember, even though Duncan’s fundamentals were almost perfect, he never exhibited stunning athleticism. His former teammate at Wake Forest and good friend, Marc Blucas, humorously remarks that both he and Duncan would admit that Duncan couldn’t jump over a phone book.

A closer look at Tim Duncan, the individual, offers some insight into how a skinny youngster from the U.S. Virgin Islands, who initially aspired to be an Olympic swimmer until Hurricane Hugo devastated all the local pools in 1989, managed to take the NBA by storm. His simple yet vital character traits, ingrained by his parents, Delysia Ione and William Duncan, on the 82-square-mile island of St. Croix in the Caribbean, not only elevated the untested Popovich but also 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 made them more gentle,” explained Buford. “It wasn’t as strict or inflexible anymore. I believe the bond between Pop and Tim transformed it into a very nurturing 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, being the least praised among Wake Forest’s three recruits from the 1993 class, 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 just one session of pick-up ball with Duncan, Blucas and his fellow senior captain Randolph Childress swiftly came up with a new plan.

“Blucas shared, “It was evident. He was already playing as if he was a natural fit. His combination of calm demeanor and competitiveness was remarkable. I distinctly recall turning to Randolph Childress and saying, ‘We need to inform Coach Odom not to redshirt this young player.’ We did exactly that, we went to him and made our case.”

Blucas was deeply impressed by the one season he spent fighting alongside the power forward, Duncan, who started 32 out of 33 games as a freshman at Wake Forest.

“He expressed his interest in understanding the origins of the man, including the lessons and morals he applied to the game,” he said. “Soon after spending time with him, he immediately expressed his desire to visit St. Croix for a week or so, to see firsthand how it all began.”

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

Blucas now finds the Lonnie Walker IV vomit story hilarious, as it brings to mind a similar incident from their visit to St. Croix. This incident showcased Duncan’s sharp wit and humor, qualities that are instrumental in dealing with the long and strenuous NBA season.

“Doing exactly that is so typical of Tim,” Blucas commented. “He’ll do something extremely humbling, and then he’ll either surprise you with a humorous joke or tell you to toughen up, get back in the game and start playing. It’s as if he’s saying, ‘Alright, you vomited. I cleaned it up. Let’s keep moving forward.'”

While snorkeling on a sunny summer day in St. Croix with Duncan, Blucas unknowingly stepped on a sea urchin, inadvertently creating his own story reminiscent of Lonnie Walker.

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

So, upon their return to the beach, Duncan calmly instructs, “Hey, you need to urinate on it.”

Blucas remarked, “Island Boy, you think it’s funny to trick the unsuspecting kid from the mainland into believing I have to urinate on my foot to ease the pain.” He continued, “Tim is insisting, ‘I’m not joking. It’s incredibly painful. I’ve done it. The acidity and PH levels in the urine can actually reduce the pain. Urinate on it.’ I retort, ‘But I don’t need to urinate.’ He gives me a huge smile and replies, ‘Well, I do.'”

Telling the story, Blucas bursts into laughter.

He said, “I told myself, ‘Forget you. You’re not going to get to me. I know this is nonsense.’ However, it wasn’t. I ended up relieving myself on my foot and it felt much better. It’s very similar to Lonnie’s story. It’s about not taking yourself too seriously, having a sense of humor. It’s this great balance of, ‘We’re going to work extremely hard, and that’s what’s expected of everyone. So, let’s enjoy ourselves while doing it. Let’s genuinely be friends.'”

“Tim, Pop, and their entire group embody this principle, which seems to be carefully planned. You build your team by drafting players around your star player and their leadership abilities. The Spurs select players who are inspired when they see their so-called superstar being shouted at by Pop, or when they see him cleaning up someone else’s vomit. They think to themselves, ‘I need to pull my weight because he’s doing more than he should be doing.'”

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, which is just one of many over the years, sets a standard for the rest of the franchise to emulate.

Before even drafting him, the Spurs saw other examples.

Keep in mind, Duncan chose to remain at Wake Forest for the entirety of his four-year course, contrary to Buford’s assumption that he could have been the top overall selection in his sophomore year, or possibly even in his freshman year. Duncan completed his education at Wake Forest as he had made a promise to his mother to graduate. Additionally, Duncan had a desire to support his teammates and fully experience college life.

“His entire focus was, in my opinion, on the experience, the journey, the camaraderie with his teammates,” said Blucas. “If it wasn’t about that, Tim was not interested. His motivation for playing the game was to win, yes, but also to cherish his friendships and the shared moments with his team. He was someone who appreciated the present moment rather than constantly planning for the future,” he added.

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

“Buford stated, ‘Pop was so eccentric, he believed we should draft Scot Pollard.’ However, when it was decided that Duncan would be the number one overall pick, Popovich immediately arranged a trip to the Virgin Islands to meet Duncan.”

Buford revealed, “He discovered about Tim’s family, understanding the significance of Tim’s mother, whom he lost at the age of 14. I believe Pop shared about his own identity and background, something he rarely opens up about now. I feel they sincerely got to know each other. Upon Pop’s return, he didn’t reveal anything except that ‘This person is truly good, and it would be a joy for us to embark on this journey with him.'”

Immediately, Popovich recognized all the special attributes in Duncan.

“Popovich noted the individual’s high intelligence, great sense of humor, and serious dedication to the game immediately. He was primarily concerned with winning and was enjoyable to be with. Those were the qualities that stood out to Popovich during their time spent together,” he said.

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, shared that he quickly learned a valuable lesson from the power forward even before Duncan had ever 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 recounted their conversation, “I addressed Tim, stating, ‘I am your representative. Therefore, I can’t concern myself with David’s perspective on this matter.'” Babby, who also served as the representative for Hall of Fame inductee Tamika Catchings, continued, “Tim replied, ‘While you may not need to consider his viewpoint, I do as I am going to be his teammate. He has been the star of this team and I need to respect his feelings.'”

I recall telling him, ‘Look here, I’m 40 and you’re 22, yet you’re 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 consistently with the franchise concerning transactions. Both Buford and Popovich made sure to include the team’s star player in any talks about potential changes that had to be made. Buford even confessed that “becoming good friends with Tim was the kiss of death because I believe we traded everyone Timmy was close to. It began with Cory Alexander, followed by Monty (Phoenix Suns coach), Malik (Rose), and Antonio Daniels.”

Duncan never attempted to persuade the management to retain his friends. Indeed, the situation got to the point where there was a mutual agreement between Popovich and Duncan that the team would not even seek the power forward’s opinion when discussions about potentially transferring close friends arose.

“Tim consistently made decisions that were in the best interest of the team,” Buford stated. “He prioritized the team over his personal interests. His stoic approach to life sets him apart from the rest. His perspective on life and his surroundings is unique. It was fascinating to observe his analysis and evaluation of his teammates, newcomers, and opponents. His lens was distinctly different from the typical NBA player’s,” he added.

Tim Duncan had a sharp understanding of how his words and actions could influence his teammates, regardless if they were superstars or role players.

Then, there’s Duncan on a regular day at the team’s training facility, leading through actions, not words.

Duncan continues to be a constant presence in the Spurs’ practice gym on the Northwest side of San Antonio to this day. Despite being retired, he keeps in touch with the Spurs staff through text messages, expressing his longing for them and his eagerness to rejoin them in the gym.

NBA players make use of a shooting machine known as The Gun during their daily practice sessions on courts throughout the league. This device gathers and returns the ball to the shooter, eliminating the need for a rebounder to retrieve the balls. Typically, an assistant or equipment manager prepares the machine for the players.

Not in San Antonio.

“Timmy was the only one who would set up and take down The Gun by himself,” Buford said. “No other player did that. Instead, they would have the manager do both tasks. He didn’t use his voice to set the tone, it was his actions that spoke volumes about his personality.”

The team’s facility still strongly resonates with it.

As preparations for Duncan’s induction ceremony began, a group of Spurs staff walked past the office of General Manager Brian Wright. Much to their surprise, they found both of Duncan’s MVP trophies and one of his three Finals MVP awards tucked away in a box, covered in layers of dust.

Buford laughed as he said, “Who can tell where on earth they’ve been? It’s not as if they’re somewhere in the center of the house getting polished. However, if a man as successful as he has his trophies stored away gathering dust in a closet, perhaps that’s where all of ours should be too.”

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.

During that period, Duncan was finally easing into retirement, consistently attending his children’s events, and, as he’s told 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 death, he had requested Popovich to keep his son humble and unchanged by the fame of his career. Duncan has always seen Popovich as a paternal figure. They often get together for a beer and profound conversation on the anniversary of William’s death, a practice that isn’t unusual for them.

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

Therefore, when Popovich’s leading assistants left the team, Duncan chose to stay with his coach, as reported by several staff members. Upon being questioned about Duncan’s decision to join the staff, Buford became visibly emotional and refrained from discussing the issue in depth.

Blucas understood.

Blucas clarified, “Tim found it really tough, especially since he was already home, attending volleyball games, his children’s events, and doing car pickups. He was no longer constantly traveling. I believe it was his loyalty to Pop and the organization that propelled him. It wasn’t guilt, but more like, ‘I won’t let them down without putting up a fight.’ I think this comes down to Tim Duncan’s character: loyalty, honor, and gratitude for those who have supported him.”

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

“Babby said, ‘When I think of Tim Duncan, the image that immediately comes to mind is him affectionately patting a teammate on the head as he strolls off the court after a timeout. You’ve likely seen him in this act countless times. This, to me, encapsulates everything about him.'”

It’s authentic, too.

Blucas witnessed it all personally as Duncan’s college teammate. He lived through it in extended discussions and while sharing bus rides back to campus with Duncan, particularly after they both endured a defeat in Duncan’s ACC debut as a freshman against Sharone Wright and the Clemson Tigers.

Blucas began by stating, “You can’t achieve that level of success without a killer instinct.” He explained that this individual didn’t assert dominance by shouting or boasting. He noted that every superstar has their own unique leadership style. He described Tim as the type of person who would comfort you before confronting you. This is simply his nature. He would approach you with kindness and love before challenging you with aggression, competition, anger, and intensity.

Maybe Duncan’s upbringing in the Virgin Islands has a role in this, which we might observe in a future documentary about Tim Duncan. Duncan’s elder brother, Scott, is collaborating with Duncan’s childhood friend, Rashidi Clenance, to document his early life.

Scott Duncan reveals that the documentary will emphasize the island’s impact on Tim Duncan’s rise to prominence. In a surprising move, the typically interview-shy Tim Duncan has already participated in 30-40 hours of interviews.

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

The late Kobe Bryant will be presented by Michael Jordan, a segment of the ceremony that is expected to take center stage.

Blucas humorously suggests that Duncan might just get up there and reenact Bubba Smith’s speech from “Police Academy.” He’ll simply say ‘thanks’ and then leave. But that’s exactly what you’d expect from Tim.

Buford, Blucas, and Babby will be present at the event. The Spurs are scheduled to compete against Monty Williams’ Phoenix Suns in San Antonio on the day of the ceremony, kicking off a back-to-back set. Buford expressed his belief that Popovich should not miss the event and neither should Duncan’s former teammate, Williams.

Expect a group from the Duncan family, a group from Wake Forest, and a definite presence from the Spurs.

Blucas stated that Duncan views his induction ceremony akin to a family reunion. He perceives all these moments, from jersey retirements to MVP ceremonies, including the Wooden Award in college, as opportunities to gather people from various phases of his life. Duncan cherishes the idea of having dinner with everyone, just to sit down and catch up. This is what matters most to Tim, and it’s incredibly genuine.

It’s clear that he feels honored, holds the Hall of Fame in high regard, and is both proud and thankful for the recognition. However, being true to his nature and his accomplishments, he doesn’t seek the spotlight, the speeches, or a room full of trophies. It’s beyond me how such success, wealth, fame, and influence do not alter a person. But incredibly, he remains the same young man I first encountered when he was a mere 17-year-old, weighing only 200 pounds.

If he hadn’t been 6-11, you wouldn’t realize who he turned out to be.

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

“Babby noted that Tim never sought the spotlight for himself. He stated, “With the tragic loss of Kobe and with Michael presenting him, the ceremony’s focus won’t be on Tim. And he’s perfectly fine with that. Even if Kobe were still alive, he would undoubtedly steal the show. That suits Tim just fine as it accurately reflects the nature of his career and his persona.”

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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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