Tim Duncan is your cool uncle without the irresponsibility that usually typifies the designation. Even nearing 40 (he’ll reach the four-decade mark in April next year), he’s the guy everyone wants on their team. If you make him laugh, you feel good about yourself for the next couple days. He’s also a five-time NBA champion, two-time MVP, three-time Finals MVP, and one of the greatest leaders in NBA history. He’s Coach Duncan, as well as a future first-ballot Hall-of-Famer.
We could write ten thousand more words championing The Big Fundamental’s selfless leadership style, but instead we’ll just give you two recent examples of what we’re talking about. Conveniently, both come from Thursday’s Grizzlies – Spurs game that San Antonio won easily, 102-82, despite it taking place in Memphis.
Kawhi Leonard was a big reason why, too, scoring a game-high 27 points by going 7-of-9 from deep. At one point, he hit seven straight, ending with a dagger in Vince Carter’s mug that had Tim Duncan smiling like a rookie in wonder.
For a player whose been around as long as Duncan has to still get that much joy out of another player’s success?
That’s just so great. It’s another in a long line of testimonials about how TD’s mere presence infects his teammates with the joy and verve they need to perform to the best of their abilities. Yeah, it’s cliche, but cliche’s become that way for a reason.
The next example came after his new all-star teammate, LaMarcus Aldridge, started the game by missing his first seven shots. He had only one point, one rebound and one block in his first 18 minutes on the court. Except, Duncan wouldn’t let him fade away, something all players have contemplated when the ball just won’t fall through the cup.
“He was in my ear the whole first half,” Aldridge said after the game. “He said, ‘just stay with it, don’t start getting passive. Be patient with your shot; keep looking for it.’ He was in my ear.”
In the third quarter, Duncan lobbed a perfect entry pass to Aldridge as he slid through the lane and he got an easy layup out of it.
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Another basket followed, and the big man eventually pump-faked past Z-Bo and scored on a double-pump layup.
Aldridge even smiled, which — as he said later — meant Duncan “got kind of hype.”
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Just look at the smile on LMA’s face.
That’s some genuine delight right there and it came after an abysmal first half and a first month to the season that’s seen the Spurs come out as the second-best team in the NBA, but also one where Aldridge has really assimilated into the Spurs’ motion-heavy offensive attack.
But that’s what leaders do. They make others feel welcome; they bolster them with confidence even when they’re mired in the muck of brick after brick, as Aldridge was in that tough first half.
God bless you Tim Duncan. You’re the leader we should all think about when we talk inevitably about leaders. You might be the most dominating defensive force in the NBA’s first month, but all we want to share with our readers is how you were the consummate teammate on Thursday night. The Grizzlies-Spurs game is just one more reason we’ll miss you intensely whenever you do decide to walk away.
