Raptors big man idolizes Tim Duncan

Not surprising: Toronto center — or centre, as it were — Aaron Gray grew up idolizing Spurs great Tim Duncan.

Somewhat surprising: Duncan knew exactly who Gray was when the latter introduced himself to the former during his rookie season with Chicago during the 2007-08 season.

(Keep in mind that Gray, a second-round pick out of Pitt, had appeared in all of about 20 NBA games to this point, while Duncan was coming off his fourth championship.)

Gray explains:

I tried saying hello to him and he said, ‘What’s up, Aaron?’ I was kind of taken aback, just because he knew my name. It was a super cool experience.

On second thought, should we really be surprised that Duncan would know who Gray was? You can read at National Post.com.

dmccarney@express-news.net

Twitter: @danmccarneySAEN