Gregg Popovich on Duncan as an assistant coach: “His meer presence is important”

Tim Duncan never left the game of basketball. It took a little bit less than three years to return as a coach for the same team where he created his legacy. That time alone wasn’t enough for the NBA universe to transition into a Duncan-less era, but here we are. Mr. Fundamental is back on the sidelines helping groom the young talent on the Spurs.

“His meer presence is valuable,” says Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich who coached Duncan during his entire 19-year career.

“When a young kid has Tim Duncan put his arm around them and guide them in a certain way, give them a piece of advice, that’s way more important than what I can do. So, his mere presence is important.”

Popovich was also asked about Luka Doncic and his sensational start to the season, calling him a hell of a player.

“He does everything,” added Popovich. “He’s confident. He’s got a great style to him on top of everything else. He’s wonderful to watch.”

As for the Dirk Nowitzki poster he encountered at the American Airlines Center, Popovich says “What felt weird was coming in here and seeing a picture of Dirk in the hallway when I came in. I thought I was done with this guy. I have to look at him again before the game starts, you know.”

“As we all know, he was a handful and he was a class act,” adds Popovich. “That’s why we honored him in our arena when he came in. So it’s always different to come into a court and the star that was basically the backbone of the franchise is gone. Sort of gives you pause and makes you understand how fortunate you are to still be there, I guess. Cause pretty soon, I won’t be.”

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