Duncan's Orlando decision

[SpursFanFirst]

Whew!
Did anyone see this in today's Dime?
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailyd...ilydime-070610

I wonder what ultimately made his decision. Whatever is was, I'm glad he stayed!

Cover your eyes, Orlando.

We've got more this close heartbreak for you.

Tim Duncan unexpectedly announced on the eve of Game 2 that his decision in 2000 to spurn free-agent riches from the Magic to stay with the Spurs "was probably a lot closer decision than people even think or even know."

Gulp.

"It's worked out the right way, to say the least, and I can't even go through all the factors that went into making the final decisions to come back," Duncan said.

So for those of you in the Magic Kingdom who are brave enough to keep score ...

Orlando's nine-figure contract offer to Shaquille O'Neal wasn't enough to convince Shaq to stay in 1996 ... and Duncan was apparently more serious about joining Grant Hill four summers later than the basketball world ever realized ... and Billy Donovan just set a land-speed record for backing out of the lucrative coaching agreement that had folks in Central Florida believing that their string of free-agent miseries -- Shaq, Duncan, Hill and Tracy McGrady are the most prominent four -- had finally been broken.

-- Marc Stein, in San Antonio

[duncan228]

I'm glad he stayed too.

Why is the press so concerned about the past? In all the media availability sessions so far some reporter has asked Duncan about Orlando and about the Kidd/Parker issue. They asked Parker about the Kidd issue also.

Is there nothing better to ask? Have they run out of questions regarding this year's Finals already?

I thought I was sick of LeBron hype. But at least that's current!

[Obstructed_View]

I'd still be a Spurs fan, and I'd be booing Duncan. I've been booing Barry Bonds since he left the Pirates.

[SpursFanFirst]

I'm glad he stayed too.

Why is the press so concerned about the past? In all the media availability sessions so far some reporter has asked Duncan about Orlando and about the Kidd/Parker issue. They asked Parker about the Kidd issue also.

Is there nothing better to ask? Have they run out of questions regarding this year's Finals already?

I thought I was sick of LeBron hype. But at least that's current!

I don't know why they asked about this now either...but now that it's been brought up, I am curious. I wonder if Robinson swayed him to stay.

[AlamoSpursFan]

They're just looking for Spurs related feature material to use when the series shifts back to Cleveland.

[ClingingMars]

I'd still be a Spurs fan, and I'd be booing Duncan. I've been booing Barry Bonds since he left the Pirates.

I've been booing Barry Bonds since his head expanded.

-Mars

[ducks]

Whew!
Did anyone see this in today's Dime?
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailyd...ilydime-070610

I wonder what ultimately made his decision. Whatever is was, I'm glad he stayed!

Cover your eyes, Orlando.

We've got more this close heartbreak for you.

Tim Duncan unexpectedly announced on the eve of Game 2 that his decision in 2000 to spurn free-agent riches from the Magic to stay with the Spurs "was probably a lot closer decision than people even think or even know."

Gulp.

"It's worked out the right way, to say the least, and I can't even go through all the factors that went into making the final decisions to come back," Duncan said.

So for those of you in the Magic Kingdom who are brave enough to keep score ...

Orlando's nine-figure contract offer to Shaquille O'Neal wasn't enough to convince Shaq to stay in 1996 ... and Duncan was apparently more serious about joining Grant Hill four summers later than the basketball world ever realized ... and Billy Donovan just set a land-speed record for backing out of the lucrative coaching agreement that had folks in Central Florida believing that their string of free-agent miseries -- Shaq, Duncan, Hill and Tracy McGrady are the most prominent four -- had finally been broken.

-- Marc Stein, in San Antonio

david came to the rescue

david can get superstars to sign with the team duncan can not

[duncan228]

I don't know why they asked about this now either...but now that it's been brought up, I am curious. I wonder if Robinson swayed him to stay.

Duncan wasn't specific in the interview, he said it was "the people, the organization" that led him to stay.

I've read different things over the years, one of which was that Robinson played a big role in helping him decide.

I think it was a combination of all of it. Duncan fits the Spurs, or maybe the Spurs fit him. Pop has been his only pro coach, it's been said many times they get along beautifully. I think Duncan had begun to build his life in SA by the time Orlando came calling, it would make sense that "riches" wouldn't sway him if he was happy there.

All in all it worked out well for Duncan, the Spurs, and the fans.

I just don't understand why they're asking now. I don't remember them asking in the '05 run.

[Obstructed_View]

I've been booing Barry Bonds since his head expanded.

-Mars

Literally or figuratively? Just so I know the timeline.

[Marcus Bryant]

The media is searching for controversy to e up this series so they have to go back 7 years when TD was a free agent.

[AlamoSpursFan]

"Free-agent riches"?

Holt Cat's not getting his services for minimum wage.

Wasn't the most Orlando could offer something like 10% over what he was getting?

It's not like they broke open Fort Knox and he said no thanks...

[duncan228]

The media is searching for controversy to e up this series so they have to go back 7 years when he was a free agent.

He really needs some street cred.
Getting a ref tossed wasn't enough.

I love they way he handles the press though. A simple "Let's just leave it at that" shuts them all up.

[Summers]

I think it was the cold cuts.

[pjjrfan]

According to Buck Harvey, it was the Magic's refusal to let Tim's girlfriend, now wife, Amy ride with him on the team plane that had a lot to do with his final decision. Something Pop never had a problem with either Tim or any of the players. I remember Buck wrote an article about it, don't know how much truth there is in it. But it's something that points to the laid back style that Pop has about team rules off the court. There is no laid back in his rules about playing the game on the court.

[fuckespn]

Didn't David just sit him down and convince him to stay basically?

[duncan228]

But it's something that points to the laid back style that Pop has about team rules off the court. There is no laid back in his rules about playing the game on the court.

I don't think it's "laid back" as much as "family first."
I've always understood the entire Spurs organization has a "family" feel to it. For a player that's on the road half his season it has to be nice to have your family with you (if you want them with you!)

[ClingingMars]

Literally or figuratively? Just so I know the timeline.

Since I noticed it...around 02, 03

-Mars

[duncan228]

Didn't David just sit him down and convince him to stay basically?

It would appear that Robinson was part but not all of it.

[SpursFanFirst]

According to Buck Harvey, it was the Magic's refusal to let Tim's girlfriend, now wife, Amy ride with him on the team plane that had a lot to do with his final decision. Something Pop never had a problem with either Tim or any of the players. I remember Buck wrote an article about it, don't know how much truth there is in it. But it's something that points to the laid back style that Pop has about team rules off the court. There is no laid back in his rules about playing the game on the court.

I've never actually heard that, but, if that's true, it says a lot about his relationship with her. That's cool.

[BlackFlagg]

According to Buck Harvey, it was the Magic's refusal to let Tim's girlfriend, now wife, Amy ride with him on the team plane that had a lot to do with his final decision. Something Pop never had a problem with either Tim or any of the players. I remember Buck wrote an article about it, don't know how much truth there is in it. But it's something that points to the laid back style that Pop has about team rules off the court. There is no laid back in his rules about playing the game on the court.

Could be. It's like any other job: Morale = Productivity

[Despot]

He's just trying to butter up Dwight Howard.

'08 plan just officially kicked off.

[Summers]

According to Buck Harvey, it was the Magic's refusal to let Tim's girlfriend, now wife, Amy ride with him on the team plane that had a lot to do with his final decision. Something Pop never had a problem with either Tim or any of the players. I remember Buck wrote an article about it, don't know how much truth there is in it. But it's something that points to the laid back style that Pop has about team rules off the court. There is no laid back in his rules about playing the game on the court.

Was that actually written? I thought that was just a rumor by disgruntled Magic fans to make it seem like it was Amy's fault he didn't move.

[dbreiden83080]

He was certainly thinking about it can't blame him for that. Tim is never leaving SA now though he and POP are like father and Son and this team will be contenders for at least another 3 years.

[Marcus Bryant]

Will Howard be unrestricted in '08?

[timvp]

Event #24,568 where David Robinson saved the franchise.