Speculation over why NBA players make decisions is always fun. Just this summer, we've heard a number of things regarding what went into Kevin Durant's decision to leave for the Golden State Warriors. You're never sure what exactly is true and what isn't, or in the end, why a player really makes the choices that they do, in free agency and elsewhere.
Take this anecdote example, regarding Tim Duncan and Gregg Popovich. In 2000, the recently retired San Antonio Spurs legend did not bolt for the Orlando Magic despite being heavily recruited by the franchise.
Spurs GM R.C. Buford on what happened after Tim decided to stay with the Spurs, via Quixem Ramirez of Express News and SB Nation's Pounding the Rock:
“Tim stopped by Pop's home after leaving (David Robinson's) house. The two of them rolled over on the floor and wrestled and cried and laughed, and I think that was when things were real, and who we are. It was the sincerity of his relationship with Pop that saved us.”
Wait, what?
Relationships with coaches and their franchises are always important for players but this is some next-level stuff. At the same time, it's so perfect for a player like Duncan.
Loyalty will always be synonymous with Duncan's legacy. That's something you earn by staying with the same franchise for 19 seasons. It's a special thing to build that kind of relationship, and stories like this prove that.
Duncan and Popovich wear a serious mug in front of the cameras, but behind closed doors, maybe they're just two guys who love basketball and love having fun making a career out of it. Their bond was unique, a model for the league for nearly 20 years, and it will surely be missed.
[button width=”full” button size=”bigger” color=”custom” align=”center” textcolor=”#ffffff” texthcolor=”#ffffff” bgcolor=”#8b0000″ link=”https://clutchpoints.com/tim-duncan-knew-help-athletes-improve-trash-talk/”]NEXT: Tim Duncan only knew how to help athletes improve with his trash talk[/button]
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