SAN ANTONIO – Tim Duncan may be retired, but that has not kept him away from the basketball court.
Duncan showed up at Spurs practice Monday and got in a spirited, energetic workout with Spurs center Pau Gasol.
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Duncan and Gasol went 1-on-1 with Duncan playing exclusively on defense and Gasol playing exclusively on offense.
“It was a different kind of 1-on-1. His stops count as a point and my scores count as a point,” Gasol said. “I got to work on some post moves and get a lot of work in, which I like.”
Gasol said the session was unplanned, but a unique opportunity not only for him to work on his game, but also for Duncan in his post-retirement life.
“It’s important for the transition, you can’t go from being here every day for 20 seasons to not being here at all,” Gasol said. “It’s important for his mindset and his life, to come in and get a feel, and to be involved."
Gasol goes 1-on-1 v Duncan at practice,says Tim still brings out best in team: https://t.co/HDU0G9huwd (Vid @markmendez ) #Spurs #KSATnews pic.twitter.com/yXnhzbPz41
— RJ Marquez (@KSATRJ) December 13, 2016
Gasol added Duncan’s mere presence evokes respect and excellence from the team. Duncan’s No. 21 jersey will be retired this Sunday at the AT&T Center.
“Everyone maybe tries a little bit harder just because he’s around,” Gasol said. It’s always a positive impact, only with his presence.”
The surprise practice session also brought back fond memories for Gasol, a 17-year veteran who had numerous basketball battles with Duncan over the past decade and a half.
Many of those games were in the playoffs with championships at stake. Gasol said it was always fun to compete against one of the best players of all time.
“It was a big motivator for me. One of the games that you always look at and say, ‘I got to be ready and I have to bring my game,’” Gasol said.
While Gasol had nothing but praise for Duncan, his competitiveness remains evident as he and the current Spurs roster look to continue their solid first half of the season.
The Spurs are 19-5 and currently in second place in the Western Conference.
When asked what was the final score of their 1-on-1 matchup, Gasol jokingly answered, “We tied.”