The San Antonio Spurs selected Wake Forest standout Tim Duncan as their first overall pick in the 1997 NBA Draft because of the power forward's abilities on both ends of the floor. He could score at will through simple means. On defense, Duncan had impeccable timing and knew how to use his length.
When they finally met Duncan, they were struck by his low-key demeanor, which was uncommon in NBA players. Most young ballers wear their heart in their sleeves and are excited for what's to come. Duncan behaved like a stoic, seemingly as if he had become one of basketball's biggest young stars.
"Disposition-wise, I didn't know we were getting that mature an individual, who was that mature, who was that... non-MTV-like," Gregg Popovich , the legendary head tactician, said in 1997, via the Los Angeles Times. "He's just a joy to be around. In the beginning, I think people thought I was exaggerating about what kind of person he is, but you don't even see him go and talk to a referee. He just takes it as it comes. Whether he blocks your shot or you block his, you never notice the difference."
It seemed that Duncan knew exactly what he was getting into. The NBA is a billion-dollar enterprise, and once players sign a contract, they're lives are going to change forever.
They'll be able to afford everything and anything they want. All the money and fame will probably change the way they behave, too. The 20-year-old Duncan was confident he'd remain the same even with all the power in the world.
"I don't see myself changing," Duncan said. "Change is not good for me. I think I'll always have this attitude and it's hard for people to get used to me. This is who I am. I don't think I'll ever be a grown-up."
True enough, Duncan went through the NBA's ebbs and flows pretty much unchanged. He was a lot richer, had a couple of rings and considerable fame. Despite this, Timmy remained a low-key individual who neither brags nor boasts about his stature.
When Duncan posterized someone, he never screamed out loud or taunted his opponent. When he hit a game-winner, he ran to his teammates and jumped for joy like a kid. Duncan was a real sportsman: humble in victory and gracious in defeat.
"I don't feel comfortable putting myself out there," he told ESPN in 2013. "I'm just a basketball player. I play the game. I go home. Trying to be something that you're not gets you out of your comfort zone. I'm not that guy. I did a little bit of that. I've done my share of it, but I'm just not that guy. I don't think of myself in that respect."
The fans' hypothesis turned out to be true. When Duncan retired, we'll likely never hear from him again. Nowadays, we only see Timmy when he watches a Spurs game live or when one of his old buddies gets their jersey retired.
Duncan is enjoying his life after basketball outside the limelight. He's definitely built differently. Whereas most retired NBA players can't get enough of the fame, The Big Fundamental is content living a private and secluded life.
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This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Nov 7, 2025, where it first appeared in the Old School section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
