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Tim Duncan Rumors
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Tim Duncan
Position: -
Born: 04/25/76
Height: 6-11 / 2.11
Weight:259 lbs. / 117.9 kg.
Earnings: $245,964,351 ($307,745,968*)
Born: 04/25/76
Height: 6-11 / 2.11
Weight:259 lbs. / 117.9 kg.
Earnings: $245,964,351 ($307,745,968*)
The shift didn’t happen because of the Golden State Warriors and people should recognize that. We can even go back further to when Danny Ainge was coaching the Suns and they had four guards out there with Cliff Robinson. There are a lot of teams that have done that, but then they ran into a juggernaut like Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant or Tim Duncan and David Robinson or something like that. Just because they ended up losing to a juggernaut doesn’t mean they didn’t shift the game! The small-ball era started way before the Warriors
Gary Washburn: 2020 Naismith Hall of Fame Class could include: Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett & Gregg Popovich. Pop would have already been elected but refused consideration. He apparently told HOF he would accept consideration once Duncan was eligible. Well… #Spurs #Celtics #Lakers
Simmons: People close to LeBron always say that was good, the way Larry Brown treated the young guys on that team. He treated them like young guys. They had never been treated like they weren’t the s—, and that was the first time they had some coach like, “Yeah, you’re not gonna play; I’ve got these other guys.” Brown: I thought, man, under the circumstances, they did pretty darn good. Spain was great that year, and we had to beat them [to reach the semifinals], Tim Duncan fouled out of every game, hardly got to play. Collins: [Duncan] got so frustrated he said, “I’ll never play in the Olympics again.”
08 Aug
Tim Reynolds: Pop on Tim Duncan: “Tim Duncan doesn’t know a lick about coaching. I don’t even know why I hired him.” Steve Kerr on Pop hiring Tim Duncan: “Pop can’t fire Tim Duncan. Think about that. The rest of the guys are all expendable. Tim’s going to sit on the bench and sip tea.”
Marc Stein: Pop on new Spurs assistant coach Tim Duncan: “Tim Duncan doesn’t know a lick about coaching. I don’t even know why I hired him.”
Tim Duncan is an assistant to Popovich this season, and Luka has already met the legend of the NBA league and American basketball. “I was at the pre-draft workout, before the draft, and we went to dinner. I didn’t even know that he was going to be there. I thought there would only be people from San Antonio. When I saw him and saw Gregg, that is something that does not happen every day. And we didn’t talk at all about basketball, it was all about how I was doing in school, how many languages I speak, things to fit into their San Antonio family,” said Šamanić.
Roy Hibbert: Growing up and being hella tall at a young age 6’8 in 8th grade. My favorite players will always be @SHAQ and Tim Duncan. Two of my favorite players. Was a pleasure meeting them as a kid and hella tough playing against them in the @nba. Just my random thought of the day.
Taking this new job will force Duncan to sacrifice some of the privacy he clearly cherishes. Yet I also heard more than once in Monday’s conversations that this, amazingly, was Duncan’s idea for the most part. He knew Popovich was struggling to fill the last open spot on his bench staff and made himself available because he sensed that Popovich needed him. “He loves the game,” Daniels said, explaining why he, for one, wasn’t completely floored that Duncan could be lured back to the grind. “He’s so much different than what people think.”
The assistant coaching concept, I’m told, was also broached with Ginobili, who has only been retired for one season and was apparently not quite ready to dive back in. But then Duncan volunteered — and happily took second billing to Will Hardy in the Spurs’ official news release bearing this predictably saucy headline: “Spurs Announce Assistant Coach Updates.” “It is only fitting, that after I served loyally for 19 years as Tim Duncan’s assistant, that he returns the favor,” Popovich said in a statement.
Yet the idea of Duncan emerging from three years of relative seclusion to take such a front-facing position at Popovich’s side — in a suit, no less, for 82 games plus the playoffs — prompted a string of accusatory texts from longtime Duncan-watchers who thought I was tweeting April Fools’ Day material on July 22. “TD hates wearing suits with a passion,” his former teammate Antonio Daniels, now an analyst on New Orleans Pelicans broadcasts, confirmed in an interview.
In consulting multiple former Duncan peers Monday night, I heard echoes of the same shock rattling around my own brain. It would be one thing if No. 21 were accepting an expanded player-development role that didn’t come with the demands of full-time travel. A bench slot, by contrast, represents a significant step up in terms of time commitment, profile and, yes, wardrobe obligations.
Yet I also heard more than once in Monday’s conversations that this, amazingly, was Duncan’s idea for the most part. He knew Popovich was struggling to fill the last open spot on his bench staff and made himself available because he sensed that Popovich needed him. “He loves the game,” Daniels said, explaining why he, for one, wasn’t completely floored that Duncan could be lured back to the grind. “He’s so much different than what people think.”
Elliott said Duncan was “kind of underselling himself” by questioning whether he could coach today’s players. “He’s Tim Duncan,” Elliott said. “Anybody who comes in and is not willing to learn from him obviously has a deep character flaw. I think a lot of players will be thrilled to come in and work for Timmy.”
Steve Kerr: One of the great quotes of all time.
Tom Orsborn: Sean Elliott on Tim returning as a coach: “It’s awesome, absolutely incredible. It makes us officially the oldest coaching staff in the league.”
Tom Orsborn: More from Sean Elliott: “A lot of players are going to be thrilled to come in and work with Timmy…He’s been doing a lot of (assistant coach work) anyway.”
Chris Mannix: Spurs release on Duncan: pic.twitter.com/utAGDGau8B
Congratulations to San Antonio Spurs’ Patty Mills and his new bride Alyssa Mills as the couple recently tied the knot. A photo recently surfaced from the reception and on hand for the special day were Mills’ former Spurs teammates Tim Duncan and Boris Diaw with his current teammate, Derrick White, on hand to celebrate.
Duncan, Parker’s teammate for 15 years, was one of those unlucky athletes. In 2015, Duncan sued his longtime financial adviser, saying he’d lost more than $20 million due to irresponsible investments. Duncan eventually settled for a reported $7.5 million. “It’s easy to get fooled,” said Parker. “Timmy is one of the smartest guys I know, but it can happen to anybody.”
06 Jun
That meant that LeBron James did not get a first team All-NBA selection for the first time in 11 years, since he was named to the second team in 2007. James did, however, extend his streak of consecutive All-NBA selections to 15 — tying him with Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most in NBA history — by earning a third-team nod in his first year with the Los Angeles Lakers. The second team consisted of Damian Lillard and Kyrie Irving at guard, Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard at forward and Joel Embiid at center. Beyond James, the third team consisted of Russell Westbrook and Kemba Walker at guard, Blake Griffin at forward and Rudy Gobert at center.
Basketball-Reference: Nikola Jokic is averaging 24.5 points and 12.5 rebounds per game. Since 2000, the only other players to have a 24 & 12 playoff run of 10 games or longer are Shaq, Duncan, KG, Amar’e, and Blake Griffin bkref.com/tiny/gOd1Q pic.twitter.com/AkhhJYqenA
On the Kansas legacy of Baby JoJo Roberts: I thought his body type was gonna stay more like Tim Duncan. Obviously his body got a lot bigger and stronger. But it’s not a surprise to me. He’s not afraid. He’s not afraid to take the shot. He ain’t afraid to make the play; he’s not afraid to fail. He’s not afraid. If it don’t work out, he’ll take accountability. He’s done interviews where he says, “I played like shit. I played awful.” Or, “Our team was awful.” He’s not afraid to challenge Westbrook. He’s like, “No, you’re not going to punk me. I’m not going to be punked.” Now, sometimes he goes overboard, which I know, but he’s like that.
23 Apr
Basketball-Reference: Yesterday was LaMarcus Aldridge’s 2nd time scoring 48+ for the #Spurs, more than Duncan, Parker, or Manu bkref.com/tiny/LhEce
San Antonio’s fitness guru Jason Echols recently shared a photo of Duncan and franchise legend David Robinson following one of their workout sessions. Needless to say, Duncan is in phenomenal shape and seemingly could come out of retirement and lace his up sneakers for the Spurs.
Jorge Sierra: Atlanta’s John Collins is leading all sophomores in PER and damn close to averaging 20 and 10. Last players to average 20-10 in second pro year: Olajuwon, Barkley, Malone, David Robinson, Larry Johnson, Shaq, Mourning, Antoine Walker, Tim Duncan, Elton Brand, Blake Griffin, AD, KAT, Embiid. John Collins: 👀😎
Early in his career, as a rim-running, rim-gripping, NBA whippersnapper, Blake Griffin always wondered what Tim Duncan would say next. As a member of the Clippers, Griffin and the Spurs’ soon-to-be Hall of Famer would see one another regularly — at least three times a season, to be exact — and Griffin could count on Duncan to lean over and say something, always, at the same exact meeting place: the free-throw line. “I remember one of my first times playing against him … (he) looked at me and made a joke,” recalls Griffin, now with the Pistons. “Every time we would line up next to each other, he was always like … I remember, probably, three or four seasons in, it might have been preseason or early in the season, and he looks over and goes, ‘Oh … You’re still here?’ That type of stuff. I always remember talking to him. “There’s a lot of guys you talk to at the free-throw line, and definitely relationships form.”
Adam Mares: When asked if he wants to be in DEN for his whole career, Jokic told @VicLombardi on @AltitudeTV: “Oh yeah. I was talking to Tim Connelly. I can be the Tim Duncan of Denver Nuggets. Denver Nuggets Tim Duncan. Kind of a funny thing to think about but it could be one a reality.”
If Haslem decides to call it quits, he wants to remain around the organization in some capacity. He has spoken with former players like Michael Finley, who is now the vice president of basketball operations with the Mavericks. Haslem has no interest in holding a full-time position like that, but he would love a role that’s a good mix of front office and player. “I want to get a Tim Duncan role,” Haslem said. “I want to be able to come to practice and practice sometimes and work out with the guys. I want to be a jack of all trades, a Swiss Army knife. I’m always going to stay in shape.”
Julius Peppers: As I got older, I started watching Tim Duncan. I just remember how it didn’t matter what happened in the game — whether he just dunked on somebody or he missed a jump shot, whether they were up by 10 or down by 10 — he was always the same guy. Always cool. Always humble. That really resonated with me.
San Antonio Spurs great Tim Duncan definitely has some punching and kicking power! In case you did not know, Duncan has been involved in kickboxing to stay in tip-top shape in retirement with San Antonio instructor Jason Echols. Throughout the years, Echols has shared some of Duncan’s training sessions and in the latest video, the Spurs great looks like he can not only pick up a basketball and play but also shows he may be in peak physical condition throwing punches and kicks with power.
Former NBA star Tim Duncan was spotted handing out food in San Antonio, the city where he played for nearly 20 years on the Spurs. On Wednesday, a fan uploaded a photo of the 42-year-old Duncan, sporting sunglasses and dressed casually in an apparent effort to avoid attention.
RJ Marquez: Tony Parker says walking into ATT Center has been ‘very emotional, very nostalgic’..says he never expected to not end career with Spurs, but he’s happy to be home..also met with Tim Duncan last night. Said what Big 3/Pop accomplished was ‘very special’ #KSATsports #KSATnews #NBA pic.twitter.com/oN1jYWgRyx
Parker says the decision became easier once Ginobili “told me he was like 99 percent sure” he was going to retire. “So I was like, if Manu’s not coming back, and Timmy is not there anymore, it’s not going to be the same,” Parker says. Still, he needed to meet with Popovich one last time. “That was tough,” Parker says. “Like, it was kind of shaky, his voice. But I was like, ‘You know, Pop, I love you. And I will always love the Spurs. But I just can’t do it because I don’t think I’m done, and I don’t think this is the right opportunity. I don’t want to finish being on the bench and not playing.'”
Clevis Murray: Karl-Anthony Towns is the first player since Tim Duncan in ‘01-‘02 with multiple games in a season with at least 25 points, 15 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 blocks. @bball_ref
H-E-B, in partnership with Spurs Sports & Entertainment, will launch the H-E-B 12 Days of Christmas Spurs Auction on Dec. 10. It is an online auction that will feature more than a dozen collectibles from the commercials. Items up for grabs include signed robes worn by Tim Duncan, Sean Elliott, George Gervin, Bruce Bowen and David Robinson; Manu Ginobili’s apron from the Taqueria Manu spot; Rudy Gay’s mediation outfit; the magician coat and hat worn by Patty Mills; and several other props.
Walker credited his teammates, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, general manager R.C. Buford and Spurs great Tim Duncan with “continuing to encourage me.” He also said he has tried to be patient with the recovery process. “You got to crawl before you can walk and walk before you can run,” he said. “So, it’s all about stages and taking steps little by little until it’s my opportunity. And when it comes, hopefully, I can play the best I can play. “
Tommy Beer: Mitchell Robinson is on pace to become just the ninth rookie since 1990 to average at least 2 blocks per game. Here are the other eight players in this exclusive club: David Robinson, Dikembe Mutombo, Alonzo Morning, Shaq, Chris Webber, Michael Stewart, Pau Gasol and Tim Duncan.
Nick Friedell: Kerr on the leadership Steph Curry shows: “I’ve said it many times, Steph’s the short Tim Duncan.”
27 Oct 18
24 Oct 18
Who’s impervious to trash talk? Draymond Green: The guy I’d never waste my breath on? Tim Duncan. As a rookie, I tried talking junk to Tim, and he was like a tree staring back at me. [Laughs] No expression. I said, “All right. It’s over.” Never talked junk to him again. After that, anytime he fell, I’d be the first person to help him up, like I was his teammate. [Laughs] I also tried talking junk to Kobe [Bryant], maybe my second year. On a potential game winner, Mark Jackson put me in to guard him, and I got the stop. I said, “Yeah, I’m locking that s— up!” He looked at me like I was crazy and said, “That miss ain’t got nothing to do with you. Sit down.” I said, “Oh, s—! All right, I’m out.”
Manu Ginobili: So cool to hang out with these guys! I guess I’m really on the “other side” now! #hebcommercials #legends
Watching Tim Duncan battle the Spurs’ young big men day after day at training camp prompted Patty Mills to ask the legend a question. “You coming back?” Mills joked. “Don’t ask,” Duncan replied. “No chance.” “He just laughed it off,” Mills said.
Whether he’s backing down Jaron Blossomgame in the low post or joking with his former teammates, Duncan is a supportive presence at training camp. “He gets a kick out of still being able to help people,” Mills said. “Also, it’s a workout as well. This is a whole lot more fun than being on the roller or running around town.”
Since Tim Duncan’s retirement in 2016, Parker and Ginobili often served as the comedic glue holding the spots together. Gone also are Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green, who also had roles in previous incarnations of the popular spots. This year’s cast is set to welcome newcomer DeMar DeRozan, who will join holdovers Aldridge, Patty Mills, Rudy Gay and Pau Gasol.
Tim Duncan’s daily presence at practice has been a boon for newcomer center Jakob Poeltl. “He is just constantly there, giving me advice, tips and tricks, telling me stuff that I should look out for,” Poeltl said. “It is really helpful, because a lot of times, it’s the little things that make a difference.”
Poeltl, who played his first two seasons with Toronto, said it’s “pretty crazy” going up against the NBA’s greatest power forward. “I remember the first time I played against him it was three-on-three, and I scored on him,” Poeltl said. “I think I had a pump fake and he fell for it or something like that. It was a pretty surreal feeling, I’m not going to lie.”
Michael C. Wright: LaMarcus Aldridge working on the 3-ball with Tim Duncan rebounding. pic.twitter.com/Wkw8ZpWHoU
As promised, newly retired guard Manu Ginobili showed up on the first day of training camp. He and fellow retiree Tim Duncan donned workout clothes and went through drills with their former teammates. “I told him this morning he hasn’t missed a camp yet,” forward Rudy Gay said.
Michael Wright: Pop on Mani Ginobili’s retirement continued: “We’d be talking on buses and airplanes. So you know that’s going to be gone. Once I realized he wasn’t going to play anymore, we’ve been talking with him about hanging around and being at practices every now and then like Timmy. We actually took him on our coaches retreat this past week. He spent time with us, trying to develop strategies for the season. So we want to keep him around as much as we can, just like Timmy. And Matt Bonner. But we don’t listen to Matt. We just tell him to do his jokes.”
Nine months after his final game, Garnett made a surprise visit to a federal courthouse in San Antonio, where Charles Banks had been sued by Tim Duncan, Garnett’s basketball archrival. Banks pleaded guilty and received a four-year federal prison sentence for defrauding more than $7.5 million from Duncan.
Sitting on Banks’ side of the courthouse, Garnett listened to the testimony from Duncan, a fellow 15-time All-Star with the San Antonio Spurs. Banks “earned my trust as my financial adviser and friend,” Duncan said in a statement during the sentencing. “So I felt comfortable moving forward without replacing the checks and balances.”
Guillermo Contreras, who covered the case for the San Antonio Express-News, later saw Garnett and Duncan shaking hands during a courtroom break, with Duncan appearing to warn Garnett to watch out for Banks.
What better way for Jakob Poeltl to start learning about the San Antonio Spurs system and culture than from Tim Duncan and Becky Hammon. In an interview with Austrian site Heute, Poetlt reveals he has been working with Duncan during 5-on-5 games and Hammon mostly since arriving in San Antonio. “He (Duncan) plays in the 5-on-5’s, of course he is not the fastest anymore, but he still has it. I benefit from him, he gives a lot of input, including new, really helpful stuff.”
Thursday a photographer on Instagram with the username CreativeNLB5 released a few photos from the Spurs’ summer workouts before training camp begins later next month. In the photos, a few current Spurs players like Rudy Gay, Dejounte Murray, Bryn Forbes, and DeMar DeRozan appear, while Spurs legends Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili also appear along with Head Coach Gregg Popovich. Interestingly, two players not on the Spurs roster (yet) that appear to be working out with the team are unrestricted free agents Josh McRoberts and Josh Huestis. … If McRoberts and Huestis are indeed training camp invites, the Spurs’ roster would be up to 17 players, with three additional roster spots available for training camp.
Brent Barry who did play alongside Manu for many seasons and won a title with him, spoke about how good Manu was, even with playing alongside Tim Duncan and David Robinson, with SiriusXM NBA Radio. “That’s one of the biggest misnomers about how good Manu Ginobili was, is that as much as Tim [Duncan] was the foundation of the franchise’s success, and David [Robinson] before him, Manu was the guy that players, and coaches, when it was time, would lean the most.”
Tim Duncan is the greatest San Antonio Spurs player ever. David “The Admiral” Robinson is a close second. George “Iceman” Gervin and Tony Parker are legends in their own right. But when it comes to the people’s champ in San Antonio, Manu Ginobili holds that crown in the widely Spanish-speaking city. “It is unfair to say Manu was more popular than David Robinson or Tim Duncan,” former longtime NBA and Spurs writer Mike Monroe said. “But there is no question that the Hispanic community in San Antonio, the largest in the United States, considered Manu one of their own.”
The next day, Stern called me to the offices in New York and unloaded on me. He called me every name you can think of — and I deserved all of them. I just stood there and took it. Before I went up there, our union rep told me, ‘Joey, no matter what [Stern] says, just stand there and be quiet.’ So, Stern’s killing me, I’m saying, ‘He’s right, he’s right,’ but then finally I said, ‘Wait a minute, wait a minute. What did you want me to do? Wait until Nellie called me a f—ing a–h— and then throw him?’ and Stern said, ‘Yes! Then at least I could have defended you, you moron!’ Stern told me, ‘Don’t ever do that again,’ and I said, ‘OK,’ but then, of course, I did. The Duncan incident was in 2007. Duncan was sitting on the bench laughing. And I threw him. That laugh bothered me. I thought it was incredibly disrespectful. But I knew the minute it happened I was gonna be in trouble.
On April 18, 2007, commissioner David Stern took the unprecedented step of suspending Joey Crawford for the remainder of the season — and the playoffs — for tossing San Antonio Spurs big man Tim Duncan because Duncan laughed sarcastically on the bench after a call Crawford made against the Spurs. One minute and 16 seconds earlier, Crawford had tagged Duncan with a technical for arguing an offensive foul.
“Pau is like a really experienced big guy, a European guy I can learn a lot from,” Poeltl said. “Tim (Duncan) is around still helping out in practice and stuff. He is obviously one of the greatest, if not the greatest power forward of all time. So, yeah, there is more than enough bigs I can learn from.”
RJ Marquez: Some Tony Parker #Spurs all-time franchise rankings (17 years): 1st Assists, 2nd Games played, 2nd Minutes played, 3rd FGs made, 4th Points scored, 5th Steals, Most playoff wins by trio (Duncan, Manu), Most playoff wins by duo (Manu)
28 Jun 18
On offense, the Kings see a big man who can score out to the 3-point line and will be a good offensive rebounder. Bagley averaged 21.0 points and 11.1 rebounds for Duke, one of only four players to average 20 points and 10 rebounds in the NCAA last season. Bagley became just the third player (Horace Grant, Tim Duncan) to lead the ACC in scoring, rebounding and field-goal percentage.
Only 12 players have multiple Finals MVP honors, with Magic Johnson, Willis Reed, Larry Bird, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Tim Duncan being the others. “Kobe, M.J., LeBron, Kareem, those dudes drive me, they push me every day to get to that level, to that standard and I want to be able to sit back and talk to them about basketball one day,” Durant told Yahoo Sports. “I’m happy I’ll be able dial up some of them and get some equity in that deal when it comes to being able to talk amongst the greats and experience what they experienced. I feel like it’s easy to be the best player when you don’t have good players around you. I feel like it’s harder to stand out when you have great players around you,” Durant told Yahoo Sports. “I pride myself on standing out wherever I am. I pride myself on working hard wherever I go. And I feel like these guys embraced me and I feel like I’m a Warrior.”
Still, James emphasized, the common thread between recent juggernauts in the Big Three Boston Celtics; or his Heat teams with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh; or the San Antonio Spurs teams led by Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker and Kawhi Leonard; or the current Warriors is not the All-Stars, but what’s going on upstairs between the ears. “In order to win you’ve got to have talent, but you’ve got to be very cerebral too,” James said. “Listen, we’re all NBA players. Everybody knows how to put the ball in the hoop. But who can think throughout the course of the game?
He’s leaned on Kerr for insight on Jordan, on assistant Mike Brown for details of Tim Duncan’s work ethic, on assistant Willie Green to learn what it was like to play with Allen Iverson. “I really enjoyed that conversation. Just having somebody that was that close to the legend Michael Jordan tell me and feel confident that I guess we were in similar positions at the moment made me feel good about myself — that he can relate that moment to Michael Jordan,” Durant said with a smile about that interaction with Kerr. “I really, really appreciated that moment. I needed it as well. It was good to kind of get a reminder from guys that are successful in the league, whether it’s now or back in the past especially, that can give you some advice here and there when you need it.”
Via “No Malice”- Metta World Peace: I believe that Kobe is the best player of his generation. Tim Duncan is close because he’s got five rings, too. I’d also give Kobe the edge over LeBron, and maybe even Jordan, but it’s so hard when you try to compare players from different eras. Jordan does have one more ring than Kobe. I grew up a Michael Jordan fan, but he was at the end of his career by the time I got to the league. Kobe was only a year older than me, so I got to watch him evolve. Then, when I got to the Lakers, I was able to see him every day.
Basketball-Reference: 3+ All-Defensive Team appearances before age-25 season: Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, Dwight Howard, Serge Ibaka, Andrei Kirilenko, Kawhi Leonard, Rajon Rondo, Anthony Davis
The NBA announced on Wednesday that Dejounte Murray was named to the 2017-18 NBA All-Defensive Second Team. Murray was the only player in the NBA under 6-6 to record at least 400 rebounds, 90 steals and 30 blocks this season. A second-year guard, Murray earned his first career selection, which makes him the third guard and ninth player in Spurs history to be named to an All-Defensive Team, joining George Johnson, Alvin Robertson, David Robinson, Dennis Rodman, Tim Duncan, Bruce Bowen, Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green. He averaged 5.7 rebounds, 1.20 steals and 0.38 blocks to go along with 8.1 points and 2.9 assists in 21.5 minutes.
While discussing the camaraderie that has defined his team’s successful season, Gentry made the comparison to the San Antonio Spurs low maintenance superstar. “I think any time you have a superstar player like A.D. — I think he’s got like Tim Duncan DNA,” Gentry said prior to the Pelicans Game 4 loss to the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference semifinals. “He’s just a low maintenance guy, loves being around the guys, likes being part of the team and just wants to be one of the guys that’s part of the team, and I think any time you have that you’re probably going to have a closeness on your team.”
Davis acknowledged that Duncan was one of the players he looked up to coming into the league. “I definitely looked up to [Duncan],” Davis said after Tuesday’s shootaround. “He’s always calm and collective. He never gets rattled. He gets to the spots he wants to get to on the post. That’s how I try to play. I watched a lot of film on him, the way he did stuff, even when we played against them, he would always tell me stuff — ‘calm down a little bit,’ all this stuff. So I didn’t know Coach said that but I always looked up to Tim Duncan and I always wanted to be just like him.”
Connor Letourneau: Alvin Gentry on Anthony Davis: “I think he’s got Tim-Duncan DNA. He’s just a low-maintenance guy. … He just wants to be a part of the team.”
03 May 18
Davis, after all, was a young fan when Reggie Miller was in the twilight of an 18-year career with Indiana that transformed the Pacers into playoff regulars — and while Tim Duncan was embarking on a long career in San Antonio highlighted by five NBA titles. “There’s always, you know, ‘You can’t win in a small market or you can’t get noticed in a small market,’ but then you look at those guys and they’ve won and been well recognized in their respective teams,” Davis said, referring to Miller and Duncan. “I love the city of New Orleans. I love playing for the city. The city’s showed me a lot of love, so I couldn’t ask for a better place to be.”
The second job Egan helped Prunty led to a 20-year career in the NBA. It includes stints as an assistant coach/video coordinator on three Spurs championship teams; an assistant on Dallas’ 2006 Western Conference championship team; a role in coaching Dirk Nowitzki and Tim Duncan in their MVP seasons; coaching Duncan, Kyrie Irving and Malcolm Brogdon in their rookie of the year seasons; and being on the bench during coach of the year seasons for Popovich and Avery Johnson. “I’ve been very fortunate to work with a group of people like that,” said the 49-year-old Prunty, who has also had a hand in Bucks All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo’s development.
Basketball-Reference: Donovan Mitchell is the first rookie to have 27+ points and 10+ rebounds in a playoff game since Tim Duncan bkref.com/tiny/tVLWM pic.twitter.com/hxPyrUmzNr
David Locke: In the last 30 years only 3 rookies have ever scored 20 or more points in WINS than Donovan Mitchell David Robinson 42 Tim Duncan 38 Shaq O’Neal 33 Donovan Mitchell 30 pic.twitter.com/MnGvEA1HVs
05 Apr 18
25 Mar 18
David Robinson: Tim was maybe the best thing that happened to me in my whole career. Obviously, having owners like Red McCombs and Peter Holt was fantastic and coaches like Larry Brown and Pop were phenomenal. But I can say that Tim is probably the best thing that ever happened to me. He helped me as an individual to grow up and be a better a player. He helped us achieve the long-term goals that we set, winning championships. And he helped us become the model franchise over a 25-year period. He was kind of that last piece of the puzzle. It’s honestly a no-brainer when you think about the synergy between the two of us and what it allowed us to accomplish.
Do you feel you and Tim get enough respect when people talk about the greatest duos of all time? I think because you’re both humble and team-focused, people overlook you guys a bit. You two are mentioned as one of the best big-men duos, the best “Twin Towers,” but I feel like you should be mentioned more as one of the best one-two punches ever – regardless of position. Do you agree? David Robinson: No, not at all! If anything, we probably get too much credit (laughs). We had a blast and it was so much fun playing with Tim. But how do I compare myself or Tim to someone like Bill Russell? I mean, come on! That guy was ridiculous. Or how about Wilt Chamberlain? That guy changed the way we play the game! There have been some incredible guys who came before us and I appreciate what they brought to the table. I do think Tim and I added something to the game and that was fun. But you’ve known Tim and I for a long enough time to know that we don’t seek that out. That’s not who we are. What we did was what we did, and it was so much fun. I think we added some fun to the game of basketball, to the NBA and its rich history, but we were just blips on the radar screen (laughs). You know? It just keeps evolving, and that’s what so fun about the NBA.
