Reflect on the remarkable 19-year NBA career of Tim Duncan, brimming 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 embarrassment if a rookie, who’s not in top shape, vomits after a workout with the retired Tim Duncan.
Duncan immediately rushed over to clean up the mess.
Spurs CEO R.C. Buford recently recounted a memory from a quiet patio at a nearby Mexican restaurant. He remembered a time when Timmy had cleaned up and then said to Lonnie, “Lonnie, return to the court. We have work to do.” Timmy was at the gym that day, assisting Lonnie who was unfit due to a long absence from the game as he had torn his meniscus and missed the initial eight weeks of the season. Tim was not even a coach at that time. However, Buford emphasized, when a player like Tim Duncan is cleaning up after you, it sends a powerful message.
Adding one more to two decades, a 19-season NBA career that contributed immensely to the creation of the San Antonio Spurs culture, culminating in Duncan’s induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Saturday.
“The story is quite remarkable,” said Spurs coach Gregg Popovich. “Everyone is aware of it, but it’s factual. It’s something we all greatly appreciate. We still honor him at our dinners by saying, ‘Thank you, Timmy.’ So, it’s clearly special.”
In essence, it’s impossible to encapsulate Duncan’s career into words or an extensive analysis. We’re already aware of his staggering statistics, five championships, two MVPs, and 15 All-Star appearances. Let’s not forget that when he retired in 2016, Duncan was ranked second in 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) title is the second longest in the league history. The longest span is held by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar at 17 years, among players who have participated in both NBA Finals series.
It is understood that Duncan and John Salley are the only NBA players to have won titles in three separate decades. Additionally, Duncan holds the distinction of being the first Hall of Fame inductee to have played his entire career of 15 seasons or more under the same coach.
Explore the milestones in Tim Duncan’s career, from scoring his first points in Milwaukee to reaching his 25,000th point at the Staples Center.
Who could forget that Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili hold the record for most playoff victories (126) by any trio in NBA history? This same trio also holds the record for most regular-season victories (575). They are the first trio or more to secure four championships together since the era of Magic Johnson, Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Cooper, and Kurt Rambis, as stated by the Elias Sports Bureau.
Duncan stated, “All of this stems from my personal competitiveness, my passion for the game, my aversion to losing, and being part of an organization that is dedicated to providing the best resources for the city, the team, and players like me, to have the chance to win year after year.”
Though, the explanation of how Duncan achieved everything, delves into more complex grounds.
Remember, though Duncan was fundamentally almost perfect, he wasn’t known for his exceptional athleticism. His ex-teammate from Wake Forest and good friend, Marc Blucas, humorously remarks that both of them would admit that Duncan couldn’t leap over a phone book.
Examining the personal life of Tim Duncan may offer some insight into how he, a skinny kid from the U.S. Virgin Islands who initially wanted to be an Olympic swimmer before Hurricane Hugo ruined all local pools in 1989, managed to take the NBA by storm. His success not only raised the status of a then-unknown Popovich but also uplifted an entire NBA franchise. This was achieved through basic, but essential character traits, instilled in him by his parents, Delysia Ione and William Duncan, on the small 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 Timmy’s presence made things less regimented and rigid. He believed that the bond between Pop and Tim led to a 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, the least hyped among Wake Forest’s three recruits from the 1993 class, anticipated that he would redshirt during his freshman year.
Marc Blucas (center), who is 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 his fellow senior captain Randolph Childress swiftly came up with a new plan.
“You could instantly see it,” said Blucas. “He played as if he was already a part of the team. His calm composure along with his competitive spirit was striking. I distinctly recall turning to Randolph Childress and saying, ‘We need to inform Coach Odom not to redshirt this kid.’ We immediately went and conveyed the same to him.”
As a freshman at Wake Forest, Duncan started in 32 out of 33 games. Blucas was deeply impressed by that one season he spent battling alongside the power forward.
“He expressed a desire to understand the origin of his philosophies, the lessons, the values, and everything he incorporated into the game,” he stated. “After spending some time with him, I promptly told him that I was eager to explore the roots of his character. I wanted to spend a week or so in St. Croix to get a glimpse of how it all began.”
Thus, Blucas booked the trip to the island after graduation.
Blucas now finds the vomit story about Lonnie Walker IV hilarious because it brings to mind a similar incident during their visit to St. Croix. This incident showcased Duncan’s quick wit and sense of humor – qualities that are extremely beneficial in dealing with the rigors of a lengthy NBA season.
Blucas said, “That’s classic Tim for you. He’ll do one of the most humbling acts, followed by either an unexpected joke or telling you to toughen up, get back on the court and start playing. In essence, it’s like, ‘Alright, you vomited. I cleaned it up. Let’s move on.'”
While snorkeling on a sunny summer day in St. Croix with Duncan, Blucas accidentally stepped on a sea urchin, unknowingly creating his own story similar to that of Lonnie Walker.
“Blucas said, “It’s stinging like hell.”
Thus, upon their return to the beach, Duncan explains in a calm manner, “Hey, you need to urinate on it.”
Blucas chuckled, “Nice try, Island Boy. You’re not going to trick this inland white kid into believing I need to pee on my foot to alleviate the pain.” Tim, however, was serious. “I’m not joking. It’s excruciating. I’ve done it. The acidity and PH level of urine can actually lessen the pain. Urinate on it.” Blucas replied, “But I don’t need to urinate.” Tim then gave him a huge smirk and said, “Well, I do.”
Telling the story, Blucas bursts into laughter.
Tim Duncan reminisces about his upbringing in St. Croix before his college and NBA career.
He expressed, “I’m thinking, ‘Just get lost. You’re not going to upset me. Now, I know this is nonsense,'” However, it turned out to be true. I ended up relieving myself on my own foot and it felt much better. It’s a lot like Lonnie’s story. It’s about not taking yourself too seriously and maintaining a sense of humor. It’s about maintaining a balance of working hard, which is expected of everyone, but also enjoying the process and building genuine friendships.”
“Tim, Pop, and their team are characterized by this trait, and it seems to be largely intentional. They choose players who complement their star player and their leadership skills. The Spurs pick athletes who are inspired when they see the so-called superstar being scolded by Pop, or cleaning up someone else’s mess on the floor, making them think, ‘I have 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 numerous displays of professionalism over the years have set a standard for the rest of the franchise to follow. That’s just one example.
Before even drafting him, the Spurs saw other examples.
Keep in mind, Duncan remained at Wake Forest throughout his four-year course, although Buford speculated he could have been chosen as the first overall pick even as a sophomore or possibly a freshman. Duncan completed his education at Wake Forest owing to a promise he made to his mother about graduating. Additionally, Duncan had the desire to support his teammates and fully experience college life.
Tune in to hear Tim Duncan’s post-Draft phone conversation with coach Gregg Popovich from 1997.
“His entire focus was on the experience, the journey, and the camaraderie with his teammates,” Blucas explained. “Tim wouldn’t be interested if it didn’t involve these aspects. He played the game not just to win, but to build friendships and cherish the time spent with his teammates. He preferred living in the present moment, rather than constantly looking ahead or dreaming of the future.”
During the pre-Draft process, Popovich learned as much firsthand.
“Pop was so out of his mind, he believed we should draft Scot Pollard,” said Buford. However, when it was decided that Duncan would be the number one overall pick, Popovich scheduled a trip to the Virgin Islands to get to know Duncan better.
Buford shared, “He got to know about Tim’s family, especially the significant role of Tim’s mother, whom he lost at the age of 14. I believe Pop delved into his own background and shared personal stories, something he rarely does these days. They really got to know each other. Upon returning, Pop only shared, ‘This is a genuinely good person, and we’re going to enjoy embarking on this journey with him.'”
Immediately, Popovich noticed all the qualities in Duncan that made him exceptional.
Popovich stated, “He was clearly very intelligent, had a fantastic sense of humor, and was deeply committed to the game,” he said. “His only concern was winning. He was enjoyable to be around. Those were likely the first qualities I observed when I spent time with him.”
What Popovich couldn’t have anticipated is the profound depth of it all.
Reflect on how the strong bond between Tim Duncan and Coach Gregg Popovich was formed throughout Duncan’s career.
Lon Babby, Duncan’s former agent who later worked as a front office executive with the Phoenix Suns, stated that he quickly learned a valuable lesson from the power forward even before Duncan 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 represented Hall of Fame inductee Tamika Catchings, relayed the conversation he had with Tim. “We were discussing it when I told him, ‘Tim, my role is to represent your interests. Hence, David’s perspective on this issue isn’t my main concern’,” said Babby. He then mimicked Tim’s response, “‘I, on the other hand, have to care about it because he’s going to be my teammate. He’s been the star player, and I need to respect his sentiments’.”
I recall telling him, ‘Look, I’m 40 and you’re 22. Yet, you’re showing me valuable lessons about teamwork and leadership.’ He consistently put his own ego aside for the sake of improving his team.
Over the years, Duncan behaved in the same way regarding franchise transactions. Buford and Popovich consistently made sure to include the star player of the club in discussions about potential necessary moves. Buford even confessed, “Becoming good friends with Tim was the kiss of death because I believe we traded everyone he was close to. It began with Cory Alexander, followed by Monty Williams, who is now the Phoenix Suns coach, then Malik Rose, and Antonio Daniels.”
Duncan never attempted to persuade the higher-ups to retain his friends. Indeed, the situation evolved to the point where both Popovich and Duncan concurred that the power forward wouldn’t even be consulted in talks about potentially relocating close friends.
“Buford stated, “With each decision, his primary consideration was always what was best for the team at the moment. He consistently prioritized the team’s interests over his own. His stoic approach to life is truly unique, he perceives life and his world from a different perspective than most. Observing him analytically assess teammates, newcomers, and opponents was always insightful, as he viewed them through an entirely different lens compared to most conventional NBA players.”
Tim Duncan was acutely conscious of how his words and actions could influence his teammates, irrespective of whether they were superstars or role players.
Then, there’s Duncan in his day-to-day setting at the team’s training facility, leading through actions, not speeches.
Duncan, even now, is a frequent presence in the Spurs’ practice gym in the Northwest part of San Antonio. Despite being retired, he often messages the Spurs staff expressing his longing to see them and his eagerness to join them back in the gym.
On practice courts throughout the NBA, players use a shooting machine known as The Gun daily. This device gathers and returns the ball to the shooter, eliminating the need for a rebounder to retrieve balls. Typically, an assistant or equipment manager is responsible for setting up the machine for players.
Not in San Antonio.
“Timmy would personally set up and take down The Gun,” said Buford. “No other player ever did that. They would have the manager do it. It was a standard that he established. It wasn’t through his words, but through his character that Timmy set the standard.”
The team’s facility still echoes with it loudly.
While preparing for Duncan’s induction ceremony, a group of Spurs staff walked by the office of general manager Brian Wright. Unexpectedly, they found two of Duncan’s MVP trophies and one of his three Finals MVP awards sitting in a dust-caked box.
Buford laughed and rhetorically asked, “Who has any idea where on earth they’ve been?” He added, “They’re not displayed in the center of the house being shined. But if someone that successful keeps his trophies tucked away in a dusty closet, then that’s likely where 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.
At that point, Duncan was finally getting accustomed to retirement, regularly attending his children’s events and, as he told friends, “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 keep his son humble, hoping that he would remain the same person even after achieving immense fame. Duncan has always looked up to Popovich as a paternal figure. Hence, it is not unusual for them to get together for a beer and profound discussion on the anniversary of William’s passing.
During the 2019-20 season, Tim Duncan was an assistant coach for the Spurs.
Therefore, when Popovich’s leading assistants left, Duncan decided to remain with his coach, as reported by several staff members. When questioned about Duncan’s decision to stay on the staff, Buford was moved to tears and chose not to discuss the matter in depth.
Blucas understood.
Blucas explained, “Tim found it heartbreaking to do, especially when he was already home, attending his kids’ events, volleyball games, and handling car pickups instead of being on the road. I believe it was his loyalty to Pop and the organization that motivated him. It certainly wasn’t guilt. It was more of a feeling that he couldn’t let them struggle without stepping in to help. I think it ties back to Tim Duncan as a person – his loyalty, honor, and gratitude towards those who have done so much for him.”
Duncan exhibited this level of caring while leading as a player on the most competitive stage of the sport.
“Babby said, “When I picture Tim Duncan in my mind, I see him affectionately patting a teammate on the head as he walks off the court after a timeout. You may have witnessed this scene countless times. For me, this moment encapsulates everything about him.”
It’s authentic, too.
Blucas was a direct witness to it as Duncan’s fellow college teammate. His experience was shaped through extensive conversations and sharing bus rides back to campus with Duncan, especially after they both were heavily defeated in Duncan’s first ACC match as a freshman, against Sharone Wright and the Clemson Tigers.
“Being successful demands a certain level of ruthlessness, but you don’t have to be aggressive about it,” said Blucas. “Not all superstars exhibit their leadership the same way. Tim, for instance, prefers a more empathetic approach. His initial reaction is to offer reassurance rather than confrontation. It’s simply in his nature to approach others with compassion before resorting to challenge, aggression, competitiveness, anger, or intensity.”
Maybe Duncan’s upbringing in the Virgin Islands plays a part in this, something we could all see in the future through a documentary about Tim Duncan. Scott Duncan, his older brother, is collaborating with Rashidi Clenance, Tim Duncan’s childhood friend, to document his early life.
Teammates and players look back on the remarkable accomplishments of Tim Duncan.
Scott Duncan stated that the documentary will shine a light on the island’s impact on Tim Duncan’s rise to prominence. In a surprising turn of events, Tim Duncan, known for his aversion to interviews, has already completed 30-40 hours of interviews.
Many people close to Duncan see the circumstances of his enshrinement as nearly perfect in many respects.
The late Kobe Bryant will be presented by Michael Jordan, and this segment of the ceremony is expected to take center stage.
Blucas humorously suggests that Duncan might take the stage and emulate Bubba Smith’s speech from “Police Academy,” simply saying “thanks” and then departing. But, according to Blucas, that’s just typical of Tim.
Buford, Blucas, and Babby are confirmed to attend. The day of the ceremony will see the Spurs take on Monty Williams’ Phoenix Suns in the first match of a back-to-back set in San Antonio. Buford expressed his conviction that Pop should not miss this event. He also stated that Williams, Duncan’s former teammate, should be present as well.
Expect a group from the Duncan family, a delegation from Wake Forest, and a strong presence from the Spurs.
Blucas noted that Duncan perceives his induction ceremony as a kind of family reunion. He sees all these significant events – the retiring of his jerseys, winning MVP awards, even going back to his college days and the Wooden Award – as opportunities to gather people from different phases of his life. Duncan cherishes the chance to dine with everyone, using it as a moment to reconnect. According to Blucas, this simple desire to connect with loved ones is quintessential to Tim, and it’s beautifully genuine.
Clearly, he feels deeply honored and holds the Hall of Fame institution in high regard. He’s proud and thankful for the recognition. Yet, he remains true to himself and his achievements. It’s not about seeking attention, delivering speeches, or amassing trophies for him. It’s baffling how such success, wealth, fame, and influence haven’t changed him. But, incredibly, he’s the same guy I met when he was a mere 17-year-old kid, barely weighing 200 pounds.
If he wasn’t 6-11, you wouldn’t have been able to guess who he turned out to be.
In a touching ceremony, the San Antonio Spurs retired Tim Duncan’s No. 21 jersey.
However, Duncan is standing here for the last time at Mohegan Sun Resort and Casino, naturally in the background.
“Babby said, ‘He was never one to hog the spotlight. With the unfortunate demise of Kobe and with Michael presenting him, Tim won’t be the center of attention during the ceremony, and that doesn’t bother him at all. Even if Kobe was still with us, he’d still be the one getting most of the attention, and that’s just ideal for Tim. It perfectly encapsulates 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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