Tim Duncan’s future a hot topic after San Antonio Spurs’ coaching debut

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — From the start, it seemed a safe bet that Tim Duncan’s assistant coaching gig wouldn’t last long.

“Something tells me it’s not going to be his passion for life, but he’s going to be great this year,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said at media day in October after Duncan shocked the NBA by coming out of retirement to fill a vacancy on his staff.

Five months later, the smart money remains on the franchise’s greatest player eventually returning to a life of leisure that would include plenty of family time as well as hanging out at his car customization business and the occasional Spurs practice.

“I’m just here for the fun of it,” Duncan said Tuesday night after guiding the Spurs to a 104-103 come-from-behind win over the Hornets in his debut as acting head coach following Popovich’s departure from Charlotte that morning to attend to what the club called personal business.

On ExpressNews.com: Spurs’ Gregg Popovich misses game, fueling speculation

Popovich has rejoined the team in New York City, where he’s expected to be back on the bench in what Duncan labeled the “big-boy chair” when the Spurs face the Nets on Friday in Brooklyn.

But even after Duncan said he will be “happy to hand” the coaching reins back to the NBA’s all-time winningest coach, some wonder if he might stick with coaching beyond this season and even someday replace Popovich, who turned 71 on Jan. 28 and is in his 24th season with the Spurs.

“The knowledge of the game is there, it’s just (whether) he wants to take on that responsibility full-time as a head coach,” DeMar DeRozan said. “If he sits there and says he wants to do that, he’s got the utmost ability to do it.”

But “taking on that responsibility” translates to a lifesytyle Duncan may not want to embrace long term.

“I remember one time talking to (former Spur) Vinny Del Negro, who told me after he coached the Clippers, ‘Don’t coach, bro,’” Spurs TV analyst and former player Sean Elliott said.

“He was just matter of fact about it. A lot of guys don’t realize how much energy and time and effort the coaches put in. It would be a rude awakening to a lot of people, a lot of players. The coaches are there until all hours of the night. And then in the morning, there is a film session with Pop before the players come in for film. There is a lot more work behind the scenes than people realize.”

The New York Times reported last July after the Spurs announced Duncan would be an assistant that he volunteered for the job because he knew Popovich was struggling to fill the last open spot on his bench staff.

The newspaper also reported the job was first offered to Manu Ginobili, who apparently wasn’t ready to work again so soon after retiring in August 2018 following 16 seasons with the Spurs.

On ExpressNews.com: In Duncan’s coaching debut, Spurs rally to down Hornets, 104-103

By all accounts, Duncan, aided by fellow assistants Becky Hammon, Will Hardy, Chip Engelland and Mitch Johnson, handled the job Tuesday night.

Duncan’s challenge of a charge call on Derrick White with 9:09 left in the fourth period was not overturned, but it was one of the few things that didn’t go right for him in a contest that saw the Spurs climb out of a 17-point hole in the first period and overcome the absences of LaMarcus Aldridge (shoulder), Jakob Poeltl (knee) and Marco Belinelli (illness).

“He managed the game well,” Elliott said. “I like how he didn’t panic early on when the guys got down. They just kind of stuck with what they were doing. Really calm and cool.”

Although Duncan stuck to form and appeared emotionless most of the game, Dejounte Murray said he injected some Popovich-like fire when warranted.

“He was on our ass when we made mistakes,” Murray said. “He motivated us, he pushed us. The whole coaching staff (did).”

Elliott said Duncan had the right touch with the players from start to finish.

“I didn’t see him explode at anybody or get on guys too hard,” Elliott said. “He’s not a big yeller or someone who gets after people in a bad way. He’s a guy who is encouraging, a guy who has a great bench demeanor.”

And, as always, humble. Rather than take credit for the win, Duncan stressed it was a “coach by committee” effort.

Bryn Forbes agreed.

“Everybody put in their own two cents,” Forbes said. “The coaching staff did a great job working together.”

Joked Patty Mills: “(Duncan) didn’t do (expletive). … It was us out on the floor.”

The experience was a bit surreal for DeRozan and Hornets coach James Borrego, a former Spurs assistant.

“It was fun just getting in the huddles, especially for a guy like me who had the privilege to play against Tim,” DeRozan said. “Now to be sitting in the huddle listening to him coach, it was great.”

Borrego said it was “odd looking down there” at Duncan leading the Spurs.

“Usually he has the 21 on his jersey leading the group, but tonight he had a blazer on,” Borrego said. “He’s just a special person, and I wouldn’t be here today without him. They’re in good shape.”

With the Spurs shorthanded in the backcourt after Belinelli was left in San Antonio, Duncan turned to rookie Keldon Johnson, who scored seven points, all in the second period, on 3-of-4 shooting from the field.

In a season-high 15 minutes, the former Kentucky standout also contributed one assist, one steal and one block.

“KJ was great,” Duncan said. “Came in, gave us great energy. Made some shots for us. Defensively, he was really solid, too. Thought he had some really good possessions out there. He’s young, but he is going to be a good one for us.”

Another move that worked out for Duncan was sticking with the trio of DeRozan, Murray and Forbes for the final 9:09 of the game.

During that clutch stretch, DeRozan had six points and three assists, Murray had five points and two assists, and Forbes had five points on a 5-of-6 effort at the foul line after twice being fouled while shooting 3-pointers.

Murray finished with a game-high 21 points, five rebounds, six assists and two steals. DeRozan had 12 points and a game-high 10 assists (one shy of matching his season high). Forbes closed with 15 points.

Over his past nine games, Murray is averaging 14.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.9 steals.

“His confidence and aggression are going up,” Duncan said. “They are going in the right direction, and he’s big for us. He’s going to have to be big for us. He needs experience, he needs time on the floor, and he needs situational experience. He’s going to be a good one.”

The same could be said of Duncan as a coach.

“He’s one of a kind. He loves the game so much,” Lonnie Walker said. “I’m just happy he’s still with the Spurs organization.”