(Duncan declined an interview for this story through a Spurs spokesperson.) Marc Blucas, who was a senior at Wake Forest when Duncan enrolled in 1993 and remains a close friend, said that Duncan arrived on campus with the bank shot already in his arsenal and even deployed it during summer pickup runs. When exactly Duncan developed the shot is a bit hazy. It reflected so beautifully Tim’s demeanor and personality and respect for the game.” “A fundamentally sound shot, one that not many people are interested in, one that’s not glamorous. “The shot reflected him,” said Lon Babby, Duncan’s former agent. “It was like Kareem skyhook.’’ But it was more than just Duncan’s trademark shot-it represented everything that made him great. “You knew he was going to take it, but there was nothing you could do about it,” Horford said. Hall of Fame head coach Larry Brown said, “He just made the right play, every single time.” Al Horford said, “The way he was able to control the game defensively, I’ve just never seen anything like it.” Pau Gasol said, “The only thing that mattered to him was winning.”īut, eventually, they all point to the bank shot. Those who played with and against him, and coaches who worked with him and faced him, all highlight different strengths. There’s no simple way to summarize Duncan’s brilliance. Mamba In: The Summer Kobe Arrived Kevin Garnett Made Anything Possible “It was his first signature move that I think everybody realized that, you know, there’s probably something pretty special about this guy.” “That was one of the first fundamental things I think everybody noticed about him,” Popovich said last week during a press conference over Zoom. He quickly earned the nickname “the Big Fundamental.” The bank shot wasn’t the only reason, but it would become the signature move of a singular NBA career. He preferred the left block, but could find the backboard from any spot on the court. The next, he’d turn to face the hoop, jab his right foot to create space, and then fire a laser off the box that somehow would drop through the net. One possession, he’d catch the ball on the left block, spin baseline, and, with his body almost sideways, loft the ball with one hand over his right shoulder and off the glass. It reflected so beautifully Tim’s demeanor and personality and respect for the game.” -Lon Babby, Duncan’s former agentĭuncan had a precise combination of footwork and finesse, one that takes most players years to perfect.
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