Robert Horry looked back on his time with Tim Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs, and what their dynamic off the court was like.
Tim Duncan, even during the peak of his powers, was never the most outspoken player. The San Antonio Spurs star, much like his play on the court, was quite understated.
Legendary Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich loved Duncan’s quiet leadership, as he didn’t need to yell or rally his players to get the job done.
David Robinson even picked Duncan over Michael Jordan as the best player to build a team around, despite him not being a vocal leader.
But what was he like when the lights were off and the court was empty? His former teammate, Robert Horry, revealed his interactions in a recent interview.
Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty ImagesRobert Horry on Tim Duncan’s silent leadership off the court
Robert Horry spoke on Byron Scott’s podcast about his time with the San Antonio Spurs. When discussing his relationship with Tim Duncan, he gave some unique insights.
Horry revealed that Duncan and him got along well and played games together, but for the most part, he kept to himself, as his drive made him singularly focused on winning.
“Tim was a whole different monster right there. Dude wouldn’t talk. I think it took him two years to let me in. He’s on an island by himself.
“I think the bond between us really happened when we just started talking about video games. That’s when we had the little PS… I forget what they call those little things.
“We all would play poker on the plane. He knew I loved playing Texas Holdem, so we played poker. We sat there playing, talking, and laughing. He kind of let me in.
“When you think about it, it’s hard when all your career, you’re going up against this guy that has to guard you, is beating you, and getting a championship, and you’re beating him and getting a championship.
“All of a sudden, now he’s your teammate. You’re like, ‘I don’t like you. So now you’re on my team. Do I have to let you in?’ I think it was hard for him to let me in.
“Then, when he finally let me in, he’s like, ‘Oh, okay. I know who this dude is. I see that he knows how to come to work and play hard. I understand who he is as a person. He’s not the a—— I thought he was. He’s an a—— on the court, but off the court, he’s a really nice guy.’
“It was just one of those things that you have to understand. You have to let this person in. You have to think that every athlete has an ego. I don’t care who you are; you have some type of ego.”
Tim Duncan passing his mantle to Victor Wembanyama
Now that Tim Duncan’s career is behind him, he has been more focused on being somewhat of an ambassador for the San Antonio Spurs.
Taking on the mantle of the leader of the San Antonio Spurs is Victor Wembanyama, who is the undisputed face of the franchise now.
Wembanyama has already found individual success in his first two NBA seasons, and could even do more next season.
The Spurs had their best preseason start since Duncan’s first MVP win, which could indicate that the French big man is on track for the same honor next season.