Tim

Duncan

Duncan spent last year on the sidelines with Pop, but the internal belief in San Antonio was always that this would be a one-year thing for the Spurs’ legend. Duncan won’t fully step away, as he’ll still come in to work with the guys from time to time, but he will not be doing so in an official assistant coaching role.

Three of the greatest players in NBA history enter the Hall together. Heartbreakingly, Kobe will enter posthumously. HOF chairman Jerry Colangelo described the 2020 Hall of Fame class as “arguably the most epic class ever.” They are joined by Rudy Tomjanovich, Eddie Sutton, Tamika Catchings, Kim Mulkey, Barbara Stevens and Patrick Baumann,

Not really. But for the first time in his career, the Spurs star will be listed as 6'11" rather than 7-feet. Duncan may in fact be closer to 6-10, but at least the team is being a little more honest.

Pop was able to limit Duncan, who has been recovering from ankle, knee and hip injuries, to 16 minutes Sunday. Ginobili, the coach said, feels good and also should be rested enough for Wednesday’s game.

Duncan will test his leg at practice Monday, and could resume play Tuesday at Memphis.

They will see how the knee responds today an decide on his status then. The team says he is unlikely to play for than 15-20 minutes in his first game bench, so it’s safe to bench him for one more game.

“He’s not 100 percent and all his confidence on that knee isn’t there, but he’s getting through it really well,” coach Gregg Popovich said. The Spurs do not plan to include Duncan on their injury report for tonight’s game.

The Spurs do not play again until Saturday, leaving them hopeful the five days off will give Duncan enough time to heal.

Duncan, who opted out of his contract with the Spurs at the end of last month, is getting a max deal to stay with the team.

Duncan was in pain, nursing what appeared to be a left knee injury. He and the Spurs’ trainer were constantly rubbing the knee cap, and the Spurs denied the Mavs’ doctor’s request to take a postgame look at Duncan (which is simply protocol for the home team to offer). Until the Spurs say otherwise, however, we have to assume the report of “day-to-day with a bruised quad” is all there is.