Article on Assistant Coach Tim Duncan

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Can’t wait for Timmy to start working with Luka and Keldon man he is going to run there asses raged. For Luka he has to be the luckiest PF drafted to be able to be coached and tutored by the greatest PF of all time!!!!!!!!!

[Truth4sale$]

Unlike most here, I am not thrilled about the coaching changes. There needed to be a seasoned voice outside of the organization, or adding a previous assistant like Chad Forcier(joined Bucks)
Adding Duncan is nice but why should he get first row? Very few great players make good coach. I agree he adds a former play element to the staff that was loss with the departure of Udoka.
What makes Hardy worthy qualified also? While Chip sits in the back row for the last decade. Hammon I understand, but Chip England still sits in the back row? Way to reward a loyal employee.

[Seventyniner]

The idea that Pop might have turned to Tim out of desperation rather than actual desire is interesting. Probably not true, but interesting nonetheless.

[Big P]

Unlike most here, I am not thrilled about the coaching changes. There needed to be a seasoned voice outside of the organization, or adding a previous assistant like Chad Forcier(joined Bucks)
Adding Duncan is nice but why should he get first row? Very few great players make good coach. I agree he adds a former play element to the staff that was loss with the departure of Udoka.
What makes Hardy worthy qualified also? While Chip sits in the back row for the last decade. Hammon I understand, but Chip England still sits in the back row? Way to reward a loyal employee.

[8FOR!3]

In fact, almost all of the best and/or the longest tenured HC in the leage were not players. Having played gives short term credibility in the eyes of dumb owners and dumb players. It lasts a month or two then they either perform or not. Same will be valid for most of the ladies given a HC role just because it looks good in the PR dept. Eventually a few will prove good, probably.
Hammon is a PR stunt and will be even bigger when next year just before the elections she will be on every cover page as the NBA answer to trump machism bla bla bla....

I have no problem with Hardy on the front bench, if the two before him are experienced coaches who actually coached teams, successfully when there were games to win at professional level. Frankly, what can he bring in terms of in-game management, now?
Again, all great if Hammon had ever coached professional basketball players winning games at high rate.
Duncan albeit being the Spurs GOAT, has zero experience of that type.
He will be the first to tell you he needs some time to manage the game from a coach perspective.

So basically we have Pop, and then three guys who never had to call a play out of the pocket with the game on the line. Pretty thin.

Politically I get what you’re saying I just don’t think Becky Hammon is under qualified. And there are plenty of more experienced coaches available yes but that doesn’t really mean they are better. I even thought Messina was underwhelming as an assistant given his vast experience and legitimate credibility

[DMC]

I knew in 2016 Tim would be an assistant coach.

[DMC]

Unlike most here, I am not thrilled about the coaching changes. There needed to be a seasoned voice outside of the organization, or adding a previous assistant like Chad Forcier(joined Bucks)
Adding Duncan is nice but why should he get first row? Very few great players make good coach. I agree he adds a former play element to the staff that was loss with the departure of Udoka.
What makes Hardy worthy qualified also? While Chip sits in the back row for the last decade. Hammon I understand, but Chip England still sits in the back row? Way to reward a loyal employee.

Tim spent more time on that bench with Pop and the Spurs system than the rest of those coaches combined. He belongs on the 1st row. Only an idiot would put him anywhere else.

[Dejounte]

Can’t wait for Timmy to start working with Luka and Keldon man he is going to run there asses raged. For Luka he has to be the luckiest PF drafted to be able to be coached and tutored by the greatest PF of all time!!!!!!!!!

I think Luka would benefit more if Manu became a coach.

[Dejounte]

Unlike most here, I am not thrilled about the coaching changes. There needed to be a seasoned voice outside of the organization, or adding a previous assistant like Chad Forcier(joined Bucks)
Adding Duncan is nice but why should he get first row? Very few great players make good coach. I agree he adds a former play element to the staff that was loss with the departure of Udoka.
What makes Hardy worthy qualified also? While Chip sits in the back row for the last decade. Hammon I understand, but Chip England still sits in the back row? Way to reward a loyal employee.

I think there's more than what's on the surface.... I believe Chip probably doesnt want an assistant coach role. If he did, he would have left a long time ago. Im pretty sure hes getting paid though.

[Dex]

Unlike most here, I am not thrilled about the coaching changes. There needed to be a seasoned voice outside of the organization, or adding a previous assistant like Chad Forcier(joined Bucks)
Adding Duncan is nice but why should he get first row? Very few great players make good coach. I agree he adds a former play element to the staff that was loss with the departure of Udoka.
What makes Hardy worthy qualified also? While Chip sits in the back row for the last decade. Hammon I understand, but Chip England still sits in the back row? Way to reward a loyal employee.

Chip is a player development and shooting coach. He doesn't do the Xs and Os.

[Dave_ET]

Tim spent more time on that bench with Pop and the Spurs system than the rest of those coaches combined. He belongs on the 1st row. Only an idiot would put him anywhere else.

[Truth4sale$]

I am not questioning Duncan's knowledge of the system. Sure, he knows how to play, and teach guys moves, basketball IQ, how to be a professiona, etcl..but can breakdown video, call a play?? Scout another team? That is yet to be seen. But I am sure he would venture into this if he didnt want to.
I am questioning the assistants overall as well. You have an old man and 3 very young assistants that are not battle tested. Hammon just got to the front row last year, Hardy moved up now, and Duncan has been per diem for 2 years. It's not like the Spurs are a team of superstars and Popovich can be stubborn. Who is checking him when he does something crazy?

[bklynspursfan]

This was Tim's idea it appears. Dude is a legend, and came up clutch as always.

[beirmeistr]

I think Luka would benefit more if Manu became a coach.

Bingo

[Dex]

This was Tim's idea it appears. Dude is a legend, and came up clutch as always.

Not sure what's more surprising...that this was Tim's idea, or that Pop was having trouble filling his assistant spot?

How many people in the Spurs coaching tree have gone on to have successful careers in coaching or other opportunities? You would think candidates would be chomping at the bit just to have a chance to put "Spurs assistant coach" on their resume.

[bklynspursfan]

I think Luka would benefit more if Manu became a coach.

The fact that they reached out to Manu before TD volunteered is interesting.

I wonder if he committed to it, but maybe they tried to get him in there this year vs next (or whenever) after finding it difficult to land someone.

A coaching staff with TD/Manu on it would be something.

[bklynspursfan]

Not sure what's more surprising...that this was Tim's idea, or that Pop was having trouble filling his assistant spot?

How many people in the Spurs coaching tree have gone on to have successful careers in coaching or other opportunities? You would think candidates would be chomping at the bit just to have a chance to put "Spurs assistant coach" on their resume.

Yea, both are surprising. I guess it's possible they weren't crazy about some of the options out there? Still seems a little surprising

[DMC]

The fact that they reached out to Manu before TD volunteered is interesting.

I wonder if he committed to it, but maybe they tried to get him in there this year vs next (or whenever) after finding it difficult to land someone.

A coaching staff with TD/Manu on it would be something.

Paying to see a game just to see the coaches call the timeouts.

[timvp]

This was Tim's idea it appears. Dude is a legend, and came up clutch as always.

That's not accurate, tbh. Pop wasn't "struggling to find an assistant" and Duncan didn't approach Pop. Pop approached Duncan before even discussing the position with anyone else. Duncan as an assistant coach has been a not too quiet secret for most of the summer. Only reason it took this long to announce: Duncan took a bit of time deciding he wanted to do it ... and obviously Duncan didn't want to make too big of a deal out of it.

[Dex]

That's not accurate, tbh. Pop wasn't "struggling to find an assistant" and Duncan didn't approach Pop. Pop approached Duncan before even discussing the position with anyone else. Duncan as an assistant coach has been a not too quiet secret for most of the summer. Only reason it took this long to announce: Duncan took a bit of time deciding he wanted to do it ... and obviously Duncan didn't want to make too big of a deal out of it.

Thanks for the scoop. Not surprising Duncan wanted to mull it over...I'm still surprised he took the position, tbh.

That said...Pop and Duncan literally made the Spurs what they are today. I know that I rest easier with both of them being back at the helm, despite the growing pains it will take for Duncan to get used to coaching.

[BackHome]

It’s going to be hard for players to wine about practice “Lyles, Luka” when you have one of the greatest players staring you down with his famous dead pane look. Lol. I see Timmy telling Poodle to be more vocal on offense and work on bank shots and with Luka he is going to help with defense assignments and work with him on getting core strength vs heavy muscle. And Lyles teaching him how to be a NBA player with hard work in practice and also helping him with offense and defense assignments

[Ozballer]

It is pretty clear to me that the Spurs long lasting success was the result of the dynamics between both Duncan and Pop. Duncan was the general on the field and Pop was the Commander in Chief. However, the players responded to Duncan, not the coach (progressively Ginobili and Parker broke away from this model). Duncan I felt was the most coach like player I've seen in any sport. Clearly he was always looking at getting the best out of his teammates and was an outstanding motivator. He was in the finer details of his team mates (always focused on winning) and no doubt he was always the the foil between players sensitivities and Pop's brashness. He was the one that could always meddle on conflict too between the FO and the playing group. A true decoder of lost in translation moments. For all these reasons, for his natural winning instinct, he can prove instrumental to help the team, particularly in finding a mental edge for winning games consistently, which , in my view, is the Spurs weakest link right now. i'm sure it will be big challenge and I cannot think of many players transitioning better as coaches than TD.

[MultiTroll]

I am not questioning Duncan's knowledge of the system. Sure, he knows how to play, and teach guys moves, basketball IQ, how to be a professiona, etcl..but can breakdown video, call a play?? Scout another team? That is yet to be seen. But I am sure he would venture into this if he didnt want to.
I am questioning the assistants overall as well. You have an old man and 3 very young assistants that are not battle tested. Hammon just got to the front row last year, Hardy moved up now, and Duncan has been per diem for 2 years. It's not like the Spurs are a team of superstars and Popovich can be stubborn. Who is checking him when he does something crazy?

Yes wonder if Duncan signed off, simply tolerated or even was in favor of Bonner as a 1st round starter for 5 playoff games. Pops affair with Michael Finley which continued for years. Patty Coulture and the bull that has been.

[FkLA]

That's not accurate, tbh. Pop wasn't "struggling to find an assistant" and Duncan didn't approach Pop. Pop approached Duncan before even discussing the position with anyone else. Duncan as an assistant coach has been a not too quiet secret for most of the summer. Only reason it took this long to announce: Duncan took a bit of time deciding he wanted to do it ... and obviously Duncan didn't want to make too big of a deal out of it.

Is there any truth to the rumor that they also offered an assistant position to Manu? Would've been kind of awkward though, since one of them would've had to sit in the back row unless Hardy didn't get promoted to the front row.

[bklynspursfan]

That's not accurate, tbh. Pop wasn't "struggling to find an assistant" and Duncan didn't approach Pop. Pop approached Duncan before even discussing the position with anyone else. Duncan as an assistant coach has been a not too quiet secret for most of the summer. Only reason it took this long to announce: Duncan took a bit of time deciding he wanted to do it ... and obviously Duncan didn't want to make too big of a deal out of it.

Ah thanks. Shows how clued in some of these guys are. Makes sense, especially about TD wanting to keep things quiet. Vanessa seemed to have been keeping this quiet for some time based off her tweet.

Have you heard anything about the Manu part? Could definitely see him on the bench at some point.