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Duncan says, ‘I’m a Spur for life’

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Why we love Tim Duncan

How do we love thee, Tim Duncan? Let us count the ways.

Because his teammates love him. (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Because he loves his teammates. Aww. (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)

Because he has lead the Spurs in four (hopefully soon to be five) NBA championship runs. (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Because he takes care of business. (AP)

Because he shuns the limelight. (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Because he’s a hugger. (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Because he makes funny faces. (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Because he’s kind of a dork. (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Because he’s not afraid of Kobe. (AP)

Because he never commits fouls. Ever. (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Because everyone else can “talk to the hand.” (AP)

Because he has mad moves. (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Because he puts the big in “Big Three.” (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Because of the Twin Towers. (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Because Popovich loves him. (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)

Because we love these commercials. (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Because “these pythons are sick!” (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Because he seems like a guy you can just hang out with. (Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News)

Because he’s so stylish. Obviously. (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Because sometimes he does this. (AP)

Because he’s got brains to go with the brawn. (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Because he’s a joker. (Imagine what he must have said or done to get Sean Elliott to make that face.) (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)

Because he’s serious about basketball. (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Because he’s always there with a shoulder for rookies to cry on. (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Because he’s “understated.” (AP)

Because he’s a nice guy. (AP)

Did we mention he’s kind of a dork? (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Tim Duncan will retire a Spur, according to a report Monday night.

The future Hall of Famer, who is in the final year of his contract, told Yahoo! Sports he has little interest in testing the free-agent market.

“No … I’m not going anywhere,” said Duncan, 36. “You can print that wherever you want. I’m here, and I’m a Spur for life.”

Drafted No. 1 overall by the Spurs in 1997, Duncan said it’s realistic to expect him to play another year or two. Determined to win a fifth NBA title, Duncan is averaging 15.4 points and 9.0 rebounds over 28 minutes in the playoffs.

In the opening game of the Western Conference finals Sunday, Duncan contributed 16 points and 11 rebounds to help the Spurs rally in the fourth quarter to defeat Oklahoma City 101-98.

The professionalism of Duncan and fellow stars Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili is a big reason the club is poised to make its fifth trip to the NBA Finals, coach Gregg Popovich suggested Monday.

“I’m very fortunate in that I didn’t have to deal with a star ego,” Popovich said. “I dealt with grown-ups. They had character and prioritization already set in their lives. When Timmy came along, David (Robinson) understood his talent and made it very easy for him to understand Tim was the go-to guy. As Timmy got older, he understood the value of Tony and Manu and was able to share that spotlight with them. It’s because of their character we were able to do it.”

Streak doesn’t interest Spurs: The Spurs’ reaction to the news they can make NBA history tonight with a win in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals can best be summed up in one word: Whatever.

(Express-News graphic)

With their 101-98 victory over the Thunder on Sunday, the Spurs claimed their 19th straight win, matching the 2001 Lakers for the longest winning streak in NBA history that includes regular season and playoff triumphs.

That Lakers team went on to capture a title, which is all the Spurs care about.

“If it doesn’t turn out the way we want it to turn out, with us winning the championship, nobody is going to talk about the streak or even care about the streak,” guard Gary Neal said Monday. “Maybe after we complete our goals people will talk about the streak.”

Said forward Stephen Jackson: “If we lose tomorrow, then all that goes down the drain. … What we’ve done up to this point doesn’t matter. We have to be ready to win Game 2.”

The Spurs’ streak includes 10 games to cap the regular season. It’s also the longest in team history and is tied with the 1999-2000 Lakers for the fourth-longest in NBA history. With a win tonight, the Spurs will become just the fourth team to win 20 or more in a row.

But winning the franchise’s fifth title, not etching their names in the record book, is what matters most to the Spurs.

“None,” guard Manu Ginobili said when asked if he and his teammates had any awareness of the historical aspects of their scintillating run.

“When we are asked, we remember we are on a great streak, but we really don’t care,” he added. “We are close — seven games away — from accomplishing something way bigger than a streak.

“So, if it is happening, it’s fine. But we always think about the next game and how tough it’s going to be. The things we’ve got to do are beat (the Thunder) and improve.”

Only two teams have a longer streak than the Spurs’ nine to start the postseason. The Lakers won their first 11 games during the 1989 and 2001 playoffs. Both those teams reached the Finals, but only the 2001 crew won the title.

Green-light Gary: Neal said he’s “living his dream” in the playoffs. A more accurate statement is he’s living his dream with a hot hand.

Over his last two playoff games, Neal is hitting 62.5 percent from the field, including 57.1 percent from 3-point territory, while averaging 13 points. He scored seven of his 12 points in Game 1 in the fourth quarter on 3-of-4 shooting from the field. His biggest bucket was a 3-pointer to cap an 18-3 run.

Neal said his comfort with playoff basketball has a lot to do with Gregg Popovich.

“Coach Pop has given me the green light to come into the game and be aggressive,” Neal said. “When you have that kind of green light, you don’t really have a choice but to play with confidence.”

torsborn@express-news.net

Duncan, Spurs block out Suns

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Spurs 105, Suns 91: April 14, 2012

Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs (21) scores the game’s opening points against Phoenix during NBA action at the ATT Center on Saturday, April 14, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs scores and is fouled by Marcin Gortag (4) of the Phoenix Suns during NBA action at the ATT Center on Saturday, April 14, 2012. Duncan converted the ensuing free throw. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

Kawhi Leonard (2) of the San Antonio Spurs is fouled by Channing Frye (8) of the Phoenix Suns during NBA action at the ATT Center on Saturday, April 14, 2012. Leonard made the shot and converted the ensuing free throw. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

Tim Duncan (21) of the San Antonio Spurs congratulates teammate Kawhi Leonard (2) after Leonard scored while being fouled during first-half NBA action against the Phoenix Suns at the ATT Center on Saturday, April 14, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs (9) runs after a loose ball as Marcin Gortat of the Phoenix Suns watches during NBA action at the ATT Center on Saturday, April 14, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

Grant Hill (33) of the Phoenix Suns is unable to sink a layup as Kawhi Leonard (2) of the San Antonio Spurs defends during NBA action at the ATT Center on Saturday, April 14, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

Tiago Splitter (22) of the San Antonio Spurs battles Markieff Morris (11) of the Phoenix Suns for a loose ball during NBA action at the ATT Center on Saturday, April 14, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

Tony Parker of the Spurs drives to the basket during NBA action against the Phoenix Suns at the ATT Center on Saturday, April 14, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

Tim Duncan of the Spurs Shannon Brown of the Phoenix Suns during first-half NBA action at the ATT Center on Saturday, April 14, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

Matt Bonner of the Spurs dunks after a steal against the Phoenix Suns during NBA action at the ATT Center on Saturday, April 14, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

Tim Duncan scores on this shot against Phoenix during first-half NBA action at the ATT Center on Saturday, April 14, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs hangs from the rim before he and his teammates are introduced before their game against the Phoenix Suns at the ATT Center on Saturday, April 14, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

The Spurs Silver Dancers perform during a timeout at the ATT Center on Saturday, April 14, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

Stephen Jackson of the San Antonio Spurs (3) runs out of bounds toward head trainer Will Sevening during NBA action at the ATT Center on Saturday, April 14, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

Patty Mills of the San Antonio Spurs hits a long-range three-point shot to end the third quarter as the Spurs defeat the Phoenix Suns, 105-91, during NBA action at the ATT Center on Saturday, April 14, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

Boris Diaw of the Spurs (33) defends as Markieff Morris of the Phoenix Suns shoots during NBA action at the ATT Center on Saturday, April 14, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

Stephen Jackson (3) of the San Antonio Spurs dunks against the Phoenix Suns during NBA action at the ATT Center on Saturday, April 14, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

Ronnie Price of the Phoenix Suns runs into fans and a photographer during NBA action at the ATT Center on Saturday, April 14, 2012. No one was hurt in the incident. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

Tiago Splitter of the San Antonio Spurs (22) blocks an attempted dunk by Michael Redd of the Phoenix Suns during NBA action at the ATT Center on Saturday, April 14, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

By Jeff McDonald

The Red Sea opened up for the Red Rocket in the second quarter Saturday against Phoenix, and Matt Bonner suddenly found himself contemplating options he should never be permitted to contemplate.

“I couldn’t decide between the windmill or the 360,” Bonner said after the Spurs’ easy-does-it 105-91 victory over the erstwhile surging Suns. “I ended up going with the one-handed power slam.”

As a dunker, it turns out, Bonner remains a pretty good 3-point shooter.

Despite Bonner’s postgame protests to the contrary — “I bruised my elbow on the rim!” — certain KIA-hopping All-Stars needn’t lose sleep. Bonner’s jam won’t be soon showing up on best-selling NBA posters, or a national car commercial, any time soon.

“There’s Blake Griffin,” Tim Duncan deapanned. “And then there’s Matt Bonner.”

The Spurs’ chase for the top seed in the Western Conference rolled on Saturday, with a resounding victory over a Suns team scrapping for its playoff life that was rarely as close as the final score showed.

With it, the Spurs (42-16) sewed up the Southwest Division and locked down home-court advantage for the first round of the playoffs.

Behind another throwback night from Duncan, who had 13 of his 19 points in a 6-for-8 first quarter, the Spurs burst to a 21-4 lead and kept the accelerator pressed to the floorboard.

Tony Parker and Kawhi Leonard each added 14 points for the Spurs, who led by as many as 28 points before turning the night over to the bench.

“Sometimes it’s your worst nightmare to jump to a big lead at the beginning of an NBA game,” said Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, whose team earned the 18th division crown in franchise history and ninth of his tenure. “I thought they focused well and did a good job.”

Duncan set the tone, starting 5 of 5, scoring on Suns center Marcin Gortat inside and out. His early flurry cost Phoenix coach Alvin Gentry two timeouts.

After the first, Suns begin double-teaming Duncan. He responded by finding Leonard for a 3-pointer to cap a 14-0 run for the Spurs.

By end of first quarter, Duncan had scored a baker’s dozen, matching Phoenix tally for tally, and the Spurs led by 35-13. Then, on the Spurs’ first possession of the second quarter, Bonner collected a loose ball on the right arc, lowered his head and — ahem — exploded for an uncontested dunk.

It was his only field goal of the game.

“It’s a new attitude,” said Bonner, better known as a 6-foot-10 3-point marksman. “I’m trying to usher in a new excitement here on the Spurs. Dunks, alley oops, you name it.”

The Spurs still seem to be faring quite well with the old attitude.

Before the game, Popovich compared the ageless production of the 35-year-old Duncan and Steve Nash, the Suns’ 38-year-old point guard, in vinter’s terms.

“They’re like fine wine,” Popovich said.

Nash, however, went down after six minutes in the first quarter with a strained right hip and did not return. Duncan, meanwhile, went vintage.

When the Suns climbed within 16 in the second quarter, Popovich went back to Duncan, who also ended with 11 rebounds.

Duncan immediately hit a turnaround jumper on Gortat, then — so as not to allow Bonner all the fun — followed with a left-handed dunk straight out of the time machine. Rally quelled.

“Timmy’s been Mr. Steady all year long,” Popovich said. “Bringing it every night.”

Before the game, Gentry praised resilience of his Suns, who had weathered a period of six of seven games on the road to rise within a game of the West’s final playoff spot.

“It’s not like we can exhale now,” said Gentry, whose team fell to 31-29. “Our backs are still against the wall.”

If Nash misses much time with his latest ailment, Saturday might have marked the dying breath of the Suns’ postseason aspirations.

The Spurs, meanwhile, remain tied in the loss column with Oklahoma City for the top seed in the West. They own the head-to-head tiebreaker should both teams win out. And Saturday, they held serve with a victory so thorough it included a Bonner dunk.

Afterward, in a jubilant home locker room, someone passed around an old photo of an Afro-wearing Julius Erving dunking on some hapless, disco-era Seattle SuperSonic.

“Hey,” Boris Diaw shouted to nobody in particular. “Just like Matty tonight.”

A new excitement? Perhaps. But also, a familiar result.

jmcdonald@express-news.net

Twitter: @JMcDonald_SAEN

Duncan no All-Star? Don’t tell the Hornets

By Mike Monroe

When the Spurs played the Hornets in New Orleans on Jan. 23, a well-rested Tim Duncan turned back the clock and authored his best game of the season, a 28-point burst of energy punctuated by a game-winning hook shot.

Facing the Hornets again Thursday, this time after a hard win over Houston the night before, Duncan proved he can still dominate a game while weary. In 22 minutes and 28 seconds, he produced an extraordinarily efficient 19 points and nine rebounds, helping the Spurs secure a 93-81 victory.

When Duncan wasn’t torturing the shorthanded Hornets in the post, backup big man Tiago Splitter was doing the same, making 7 of 9 shots and scoring 16.

The Spurs, now 15-9, ran their home-court record to 12-1.

Before the game there was speculation aplenty that Duncan might not suit up for the Spurs’ fourth in five nights. Coach Gregg Popovich had vowed he wouldn’t let Duncan play all four games in such a compressed stretch.

Even when Popovich an? nounced Duncan would be in his starting lineup there was concern about how much the 13-time All-Star would have left in his legs.

Duncan wasted no time proving he felt good. He scored seven points in a first quarter when his teammates made only 6 of 16 shots and had 11 by halftime.

Teammate Matt Bonner knew Duncan was on his way to a standout game.

“He was wicked spry out there,” Bonner said, flattening his vowels as only a New Englander can.

Duncan could sense fatigue, not in himself but in the legs of his perimeter-shooting teammates.

“I just felt I had to be aggressive, try to attack them a little bit,” he said. “We didn’t have shots falling from the outside or shoot the 3-ball real well, so opportunities were there and I just took them when I could.”

As he had in Wednesday’s comeback win over Houston, Duncan did most of his scoring against the Hornets in the low post. Only two of his eight shots were launched outside 10 feet, and his aggression around the basket put him on the foul line for seven free throws, all of which he converted.

“He feels really good,” Popovich said. “He feels like he’s got a good balance and that’s always a good sign when he wants the ball down on the block.”

Even with Duncan dominating inside, the game was close going to the fourth quarter because the Spurs were horrid from beyond the 3-point arc. They missed 13 of their first 14 long-range attempts; Bonner clanked his first four.

A 71-68 lead at the start of the fourth grew quickly to nine points because the Spurs locked down their defense and allowed just one Hornets basket in the first 4:20 of the period.

By the time point guard Tony Parker whipped a wraparound pass from the top of the key to a wide-open Bonner, alone outside the 3-point line on the left side, the momentum of the game decreed Bonner’s first hit from long range.

Popovich understood the importance of his team’s defensive excellence in crunch time.

“The defense generated offense for us as the game went on into the fourth quarter,” he said. “I thought Tony was really good in the second half forcing the issue, and I thought Tiago had a great run there, defensively and offensively, and the two of them really got us going, and that was it.”

Thursday’s victory means the Spurs will take a three-game winning streak into Saturday’s game against the Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder in their final home game before playing nine straight on the road.

mikemonroe@express-news.net

– Photos by Billy Calzada

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Spurs 93, Hornets 81: Feb. 2, 2012

Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs shoots over Carl Landry of the New Orleans Hornets during NBA action at the ATT Center on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsNew Orleans Hornets at San Antonio Spurs (San Antonio Express-News)

Richard Jefferson of the San Antonio Spurs dunks during first-half NBA action against the New Orleans Hornets at the ATT Center on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsNew Orleans Hornets at San Antonio Spurs (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs guard Tony Parker penetrates as the New Orleans Hornets defend during NBA action at the ATT Center on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsNew Orleans Hornets at San Antonio Spurs (San Antonio Express-News)

Danny Green of the San Antonio Spurs shoots over Carl Landry of the New Orleans Hornets at the ATT Center on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsNew Orleans Hornets at San Antonio Spurs (San Antonio Express-News)

DeJuan Blair of the Spurs, right, shoots over Emeka Okafer of the New Orleans Hornets during NBA action at the ATT Center on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsNew Orleans Hornets at San Antonio Spurs (San Antonio Express-News)

Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs (9) shoots a layup as Emeka Okafor, left, of the New Orleans Hornets, and Trevor Ariza, right, defend on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsNew Orleans Hornets at San Antonio Spurs (San Antonio Express-News)

Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs dunks after stealing an inbound pass from Carl Landry of the New Orleans Hornets in the second half at the ATT Center on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsNew Orleans Hornets at San Antonio Spurs (San Antonio Express-News)

Tiago Splitter of the San Antonio Spurs (22) battles Carldell Johnson of the New Orleans Hornets at the ATT Center on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsNew Orleans Hornets at San Antonio Spurs (San Antonio Express-News)

Tiago Splitter of the Spurs shoots over Gustavo Ayon (15) and Al-Farouq Aminu of the Hornets during NBA action at the ATT Center on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsNew Orleans Hornets at San Antonio Spurs (San Antonio Express-News)

Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs greets teammate Tony Parker with a pat on the head during a timeout of their game against the New Orleans Hornets at the ATT Center on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsNew Orleans Hornets at San Antonio Spurs (San Antonio Express-News)

Tim Duncan signals to his Spurs teammates during their game against New Orleans on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsNew Orleans Hornets at San Antonio Spurs (San Antonio Express-News)

The San Antonio Spurs Silver Dancers perform during a timeout at the ATT Center on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsNew Orleans Hornets at San Antonio Spurs (San Antonio Express-News)

San Antonio Spurs fans are jubliant as the Spurs pull away to a 93-81 victory over the New Orleans Hornets at the ATT Center on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsNew Orleans Hornets at San Antonio Spurs (San Antonio Express-News)

Matt Bonner (15) of the Spurs defends Marco Belinelli of New Orleans looks to pass off during NBA action on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsNew Orleans Hornets at San Antonio Spurs (San Antonio Express-News)

Tim Duncan (21) and Spurs teammates leave the court after their 93-81 victory over New Orleans on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsNew Orleans Hornets at San Antonio Spurs (San Antonio Express-News)

DeJuan Blair, right, and Tim Duncan of the Spurs go through a pre-game ritual before their game against New Orleans at the ATT Center on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsNew Orleans Hornets at San Antonio Spurs (San Antonio Express-News)

Tim Duncan of the Spurs hangs, as is his custom, from the rim when the lights are turned down for players introductions at the ATT Center on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsNew Orleans Hornets at San Antonio Spurs (San Antonio Express-News)