Duncan almost joined the Magic in his career. If it weren t for Popovich, the Spurs would really lose Duncan

On May 23, at the 1997 NBA Draft, the San Antonio Spurs selected Tim Duncan from Wake Forest University with the No. 1 pick. This legendary power forward, who was later hailed as "big basic skills", started a glorious career that was inseparable from the Spurs. However, it is little known that early in Duncan's career, he almost left the Spurs to join the Orlando Magic. If it weren't for the efforts of then-Spurs head coach Greg Popovich, the history of the NBA might have been rewritten. In the summer of 2000, Duncan became a restricted free agent. The Magic had plenty of cap space at the time and they offered Duncan a very tempting offer. The Magic's lineup is also quite attractive. They just signed the then-high Grant Hill, and the young Tracy McGrady, to form the enviable prototype of the Big Three. According to media reports at the time, Duncan did seriously consider the possibility of joining the Magic, and he even went to Orlando in person to inspect the team's facilities and local living environment.

Popovich knew very well the importance of Duncan to the Spurs. As the head coach who took over the Spurs in 1997, Popovich and Duncan established a deep master-apprentice friendship. At a critical moment when Duncan was hesitating, Popovich flew to Duncan’s home in the Virgin Islands to have a heart-to-heart talk with him. Popovich did not use the team's interests to convince Duncan, but instead analyzed the various advantages of staying with the Spurs from the perspective of Duncan's career planning and personal development. He particularly emphasized the Spurs' stable management, mature tactical system, and San Antonio's relatively low-key media environment, which are more in line with Duncan's restrained personality.

This conversation became a turning point. Duncan finally decided to stay with the Spurs and signed a three-year, $32.6 million contract. Later facts proved that this decision was the most correct choice for both parties. Duncan, who stayed with the Spurs, continued to improve his skills under the guidance of Popovich and gradually grew into one of the most dominant power forwards in the league. The "Twin Towers" combination formed by him and David Robinson was extremely powerful and brought the Spurs the first championship trophy in team history in 1999.

In 2003, Duncan led the Spurs to win the championship again and won the MVP in the finals. This championship is of great significance to both Duncan and Popovich, because this is the last season before Robinson retires, and the "Admiral" ends perfectly as a champion. Since then, Duncan helped the Spurs win three championships in 2005, 2007 and 2014, establishing the Spurs dynasty. His "GDP" combination with Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili became one of the most successful trio in NBA history.

Imagine if Duncan chose to join the Magic back then, what would the NBA's pattern change? The Magic already owned Hill and McGrady, and Duncan, the strength on paper is indeed amazing. But Hill was later troubled by injuries, and McGrady failed to fully realize her talent. It is unpredictable whether such a combination can succeed. After the Spurs lost Duncan, Popovich's coaching career may also go in a completely different direction.

Duncan and Popovich's cooperation is one of the most successful mentor-apprentice combinations in NBA history. Under Popovich's system, Duncan's talent was maximized. Not only does he have personal honors—2 regular season MVPs, 3 finals MVPs, 15 All-Stars, 15 Best Team, and 15 Best Defensive Team, but more importantly, he led the Spurs to remain competitive all year round, setting an amazing record of 50+ wins in 18 consecutive seasons.

Popovich always has a lot of respect for Duncan: "Tim is the purest basketball player I have ever met. He doesn't care about data, personal honors, but only cares about whether the team can win. " This selfless team spirit is an important part of Spurs culture. Duncan is also grateful to Popovich: "Popovich (Popovich nickname) is not only my coach, but also my second father. What he taught me is not only basketball, but also how to be a human being. "

When Duncan retired in 2016, the entire NBA was shocked. Popovich showed his true feelings at the press conference: "I can't imagine what the Spurs would look like without Tim. He is the soul of this team and a symbol of San Antonio. "Duncan's No. 21 jersey was quickly retired by the Spurs and hung over the AT&T center, witnessing this legendary master-apprenticeship.

Looking back at the summer of 2000, Duncan passed by the Magic and became one of the most critical "ifs" in NBA history. Popovich's vision and personal charm not only retained Duncan, but also won five championships and twenty years of glory for the Spurs. This past also reminds us that in professional sports, sometimes those transfers that did not occur are as important as those transactions that actually occur, and may even change the historical trajectory of the entire league.