Tim Duncan Returns In San Antonio As Member Of Spur's Coaching Staff

Spurs legend Tim Duncan is back at San Antonio, this time as an assistant coach under legendary franchise coach Gregg Popovich. Better know by fans as "Timmy," he retired in 2016 after playing 19 seasons with the organization.

On Monday, the Spurs announced that the former NBA champion officially returns to the team as a member of the coaching staff. In similar fashion to his retirement, the team made a simple announcement and did not put Duncan's name on the news release.

The 43-year-old All-Star leads the team in all-time points, rebounds, and blocked shots. He was a vital member of the Spur's championship teams that won five titles in 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014.

His former coach jokingly said that it only fits that he served as Timmy's assistant and that "he returns the favor." Duncan didn't even get the top story in the announcement as it was reserved for Will Hardy. The new member of the Spur's coaching staff worked his way up in the video room, up until his current promotion.

Popovich praised Hardy and said that he is a "talented, young basketball mind which has earned a great deal of respect from everyone." He added that everyone in the Spurs is thankful for his "knowledge spirit and personality.''

The organization describes Duncan in the press release as a "1997 Wake Forest graduate," that played 19 seasons with San Antonio "before retiring in the summer of 2016.'' "The Big Fundamental" has 15 All-Star nods and was a three-time NBA Finals MVP. He was also named season MVP for consecutive years in 2002, and 2003.

The retired power forward occasionally works out with San Antonio's bigs. He’s one of Greg Popovich's favorite players and was a vital contributor for the Spur's winning run along with retirees Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili. He was taken by the team as the number one overall pick in 1997.

The 6-foot, 11-inch Virgin Islands native, ended his career as the 14th all-time leader in scoring and sixth in total rebounds. In 2018, former teammate Tony Parker said that "Timmy" was the key to the franchise's long period of success.

The hiring aims to lead Duncan and Hardy in an expanded role as former assistants Ettore Messina and Ime Udoka has left for other teams. Becky Hamman and Chip Engelland are still part of the Spur's coaching staff.