spectre
03-23-2010, 03:27 PM
Duncan's near-departure from Spurs worth reviewing - NBA.com (http://www.nba.com/2010/news/features/shaun_powell/03/23/duncan.stayput/index.html)
The most anxious moment in the professional life of Spurs coach Gregg Popovich didn't happen in a fourth-quarter timeout, or when Derek Fisher launched that prayer at the buzzer in Game 5 of the 2004 playoffs. Nothing like that.
Instead, the phone rang one day in the summer of 2000. On the line was his All-Star forward, a young Tim Duncan, just back from getting coddled and champagned by the Orlando Magic as a free agent. He had reached a decision on his future. He had to talk.
It was the Moment of Truth, or the Turning Point of the Franchise, or whatever reach-for-the-antacid title you want to attach to it. Duncan got straight to the point, which felt like a dagger in Pop's gut.
"Well coach, you know, there's no beach in San Antonio," Duncan began, trying to break the news gently.
You know when a woman gets a breakup call from George Clooney? This felt like one. Until Popovich realized he was being punked.
"There's no beach in Orlando, either," Popovich growled. "There's a cultural desert there. What do you want to go there for?"
Duncan laughed and gave the coach the good news: He was re-signing with San Antonio. The other day, Popovich smiled at the memory of getting pump-faked by his center, and said: "He got me. He got me good."
Ten years later, there are coaches and general managers in Cleveland, Miami, Toronto, Atlanta and other places who would love for their star to pull a stunt like that this summer. With LeBron James and a handful of A-list free agents ready to get their rings kissed on the open market, it's worth taking a reflective look at the franchise player who almost got away.
"I came close to leaving," said Duncan.
How close?
"Real close."
~more at the link~
The most anxious moment in the professional life of Spurs coach Gregg Popovich didn't happen in a fourth-quarter timeout, or when Derek Fisher launched that prayer at the buzzer in Game 5 of the 2004 playoffs. Nothing like that.
Instead, the phone rang one day in the summer of 2000. On the line was his All-Star forward, a young Tim Duncan, just back from getting coddled and champagned by the Orlando Magic as a free agent. He had reached a decision on his future. He had to talk.
It was the Moment of Truth, or the Turning Point of the Franchise, or whatever reach-for-the-antacid title you want to attach to it. Duncan got straight to the point, which felt like a dagger in Pop's gut.
"Well coach, you know, there's no beach in San Antonio," Duncan began, trying to break the news gently.
You know when a woman gets a breakup call from George Clooney? This felt like one. Until Popovich realized he was being punked.
"There's no beach in Orlando, either," Popovich growled. "There's a cultural desert there. What do you want to go there for?"
Duncan laughed and gave the coach the good news: He was re-signing with San Antonio. The other day, Popovich smiled at the memory of getting pump-faked by his center, and said: "He got me. He got me good."
Ten years later, there are coaches and general managers in Cleveland, Miami, Toronto, Atlanta and other places who would love for their star to pull a stunt like that this summer. With LeBron James and a handful of A-list free agents ready to get their rings kissed on the open market, it's worth taking a reflective look at the franchise player who almost got away.
"I came close to leaving," said Duncan.
How close?
"Real close."
~more at the link~