The Wemby Era Will Hit Different in San Antonio

Gregg Popovich has often credited his success—a Hall of Fame berth, five championships, and the most wins ever by an NBA coach—to winning the 1997 draft lottery and selecting Tim Duncan. In other words, to dumb luck. To this day, Spurs people toast Duncan at team dinners—“thank you, Timmy”—joking, though not really, that the big fella is responsible for their success, their livelihoods, and the bottle of fine wine on their table.