How Tim Duncan is vital to Spurs' NBA Playoffs success and Gregg Popovich's rehabilitation originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Tim Duncan is usually the first player that comes into mind when discussing the San Antonio Spurs dynasty. He was not just the perfect archetype of a player to build around but his leadership stands way above the other people of his time. The latter is still true. Now, he is giving back through the Spurs NBA Playoffs run through the development of Victor Wembanyama. On top of that, he is also vital in Coach Gregg Popovich's rehabilitation.
Duncan remains great Spurs role model amid Spurs NBA Playoffs and Coach Popovich's rehab
As of the moment, Tim Duncan is an assistant coach for the Spurs. He has been quite a great mentor for Victor Wembanyama as they are only a win away from getting back to the Western Conference Finals for the first time in nearly a decade. The legendary big man helps Coach Mitch Johnson in schemes and also communicates what players need to do to thrive on the court.
On another hand, Duncan is also very involved in helping Coach Gregg Popovich get better from his stroke. He helps the Spurs' President of Basketball Operations by being there during rehabilitation sessions. RC Buford, the current Spurs Chief Executive Officer, outlined how big of a help Duncan is for the organization, via Jared Weiss of The Athletic.
"It’s the reason why, with Pop’s stroke rehabilitation, Tim’s in the gym with him every day, and that’s not because Pop is telling him to be there. It’s because Tim feels the emotional connection to want to be there in the ways that Pop was there for him. Anytime people are in town, they’ll be in there," the Spurs CEO said.
Duncan is not the only Spurs legend who constantly visits to help Coach Popovich's sessions and the Spurs' NBA Playoffs run. Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker, and David Robinson among others have also been spotted in the Spurs facility at times. But, the former Spurs two-time MVP stands out the most because he never left the organization ever since Wembanyama was drafted.
Wembanyama and Coach Popovich are insanely lucky to have Duncan on their side. He is truly the epitome of what it means to be a lifelong Spurs legend.
