Tim Duncan, the recently retired power forward for the San Antonio Spurs could have taken a trip to cap his storied career in Rio at the Olympics, but chose not to — even at the invitation of President Obama.
Duncan’s former teammate, Bruce Bowen, who is in Brazil at NBA House themed space told Sports Illustrated that the 40-year-old player turned down the chance to travel with the POTUS when he was offered.
The 19-year NBA veteran has stayed clear of gossip and drama throuhgout his career, and he showed Bowen that his under-the-radar persona and shy demeanor are still intact..
“…And it’s funny that he was offered an opportunity to fly here with the President of the United States, and he discussed it with me and I’m like, ‘You’re going, right?’ ” Bowen explained. “He was like, ‘You know I’m not about that stuff.’ Even that moment where you’d say, ‘I sure would like to be a part of that,’ it doesn’t happen with Tim because he’s not concerned with that stuff.”
Duncan’s former teammates Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, Boris Diaw and Patty Mills are all competing in Rio for teams including France, Argentina, and Australia.
But after five NBA Championship rings, Duncan seems content to settle into retirement.
“Tim, his legacy is always going to be more of the foundation guy in San Antonio and a guy that wasn’t ever concerned with the limelight, but more importantly concerned with others, making sure that they could really reach the most out of their potential,” Bowen said.
