Tim Duncan's former college coach stands in solidarity with Spurs fans everywhere.
Dave Odom, who coached Duncan for four years at Wake Forest, would like to see the All-Star forward return for his 19th season with the Silver and Black.
Although Duncan has remained tight-lipped about his future since the Spurs were bounced from the first round of the playoffs by the Los Angeles Clippers in early May, Odom says he thinks his former star player will continue his career for at least another season.
"I hope things work out where he feels that he can play another season," Odom said in a phone interview from his home in Winston-Salem, N.C. "I think he will. I don't know. Nobody's told me. He hasn't told me. I didn't ask him. I know this: He will play as long as he feels like he can compete and play at a very high level, and his team has a chance to compete for the championship. I think that's the deciding thing for him."
While Odom initially expressed uncertainty about whether Duncan will continue playing, he later sounded more optimistic in his belief that Duncan will postpone retirement for at least another season. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said late in the season that he expected Duncan to be back for the 2015-16 campaign.
"I would agree with Gregg Popovich on that," Odom said. "I think he'll play another year. I do. I think he's on a one-year-at-a-time plan. I don't think you plan for more than that. As long as he goes through his summer regimen and he feels good about what he's doing, feels like his body is on track for another season, I don't know why he wouldn't play.
"I do know and I'm sure he knows this: There is a beginning and an end to everything. I think he'll look at it one year at a time. I think it's feasible he could go more than one. But right now, he's only thinking, am I ready for the season of 2015-16?"
Odom, now retired, has maintained a warm relationship with Duncan throughout his NBA career. Odom said he texted Duncan on the day after the Spurs' Game 7 loss to the Clippers, and later talked with him by phone.
"I texted him and told him how much I loved him and how proud I was of him, and we'd have time to talk later on," Odom said. "I told him to take some time off and just get away from it, and when you're ready, we'll talk. We have talked one time since then."
Duncan, who turned 39 on April 25, had an outstanding season, earning honors on the All-NBA and All-Defensive teams for the 15th time in his 18-year career. He made the third team of the All-NBA squad, and was named to the second unit of the All-Defensive team.
Duncan averaged 13.9 points, 9.1 rebounds, 3 assists and 1.96 blocks in 28.9 minutes this season. He became the first player in league history to average at least 13 points and 9 rebounds for an entire season at age 38 or older. His 1.96 blocks is the highest average for any NBA player 38 years or older since the NBA started keeping track of blocked shots in 1973.
While Duncan never has been an explosive leaper, his timing and instincts have made him one of the best shot blockers in NBA history.
"Great shot blockers have several things in common," Odom said. "They obviously are good athletes. They can get off the floor quick. They can block shots with either hand, which I think is really an underrated skill. Tim can do that. Anybody that watches him as a play unfolds – and I'm talking about him on defense – you'll see that he's got both hands up, almost in goal-post fashion.
"His left hand, his left thumb, is pretty much pointing at his left ear, and the same thing for his right hand. Both hands are up and they're both ready. Not everybody does that. Tim is pretty adept at blocking with his left or right hand, and because he's doing that, he's always keeping the ball in play. Probably the best ever to do that was Bill Russell. He was able to block shots and keep it in play. I think Tim may be the best since him at doing that."
Taken by the Spurs with the No. 1 overall pick in the 1997 NBA draft, Duncan has been the constant on all five of the franchise's championship teams during his 18-year career. He is the oldest player to make an All-NBA team since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was selected to the first unit in 1985-86.
One of Duncan's strongest qualities as a player throughout his career has been his even-keeled temperament. Even in pressure situations, his emotions seldom betray him. Odom said Duncan's demeanor on the court is no different now than it was when he played at Wake Forest.
"He never got too high when we were winning and he was playing great, and he never got too low if things weren't going the way we wanted them to go," Odom said. "He always felt that playing the best you could play at a very high level over a long period of time would get us where we wanted to go. He was very, very good at sustaining that."
While Duncan has remained passionate about basketball as he nears 40, it hasn't been easy to maintain the edge that has set him apart as an elite player. Odom talked about the mental, physical and emotional toll the long seasons have taken on Duncan.
"The first thing that amazes me – and I'm not really shocked because I know him – but those who don't know him, you have to be amazed by his resilience, both physically and mentally," Odom said. "For 18 seasons, he's played 82 games, plus the playoffs and exhibition. There's got to be a mental fatigue there someplace. And yet, he doesn't show that. If there is one, he doesn't show that at all.
"When you go to the physical side of it, the wear and tear on one's body over that many games, that many seasons, had got to be absolute torture. But because of his dedication to the game, to the team and his desire to continue to play as long as he can play, I think he takes care of himself in the offseason. You've got to give Gregg Popovich and his coaching staff a ton of credit for resting him in very important times."
To watch Duncan play pro basketball is to see someone enjoying his life's passion and the camaraderie of his teammates.
"He's in love with the game," Odom said. "He's not one-dimensional. That gives him the competitive out that he needs. He really concentrates on it. He appreciates what the game has done for him, what it's allowed him to do. Primarily, I think he's thankful for the relationships and the opportunity to compete at the very highest level for championships.
"He really is a relationship kind of guy. When I talk to him, I know how much he really appreciates the players on his team. I know he just loves Gregg Popovich and all of the coaches that are there and work with him every single day. He's just the total package in every way. It's been a perfect fit and a great love affair."
Spurs fans everywhere would agree.
