Tim Duncan lightens the mood for San Antonio

SAN ANTONIO—There was a mad scramble at the Spurs practice during the Western Conference finals, a flurry of activity to position cameras and get recording devices ready to document essentially what was the sighting of a white whale.

Tim Duncan, the NBA's most reclusive star, had apparently accepted a request to speak publicly for the first time since quietly retiring in the offseason.

The excitement built with each step Duncan took. Then, after meticulously unwrapping a right knee brace, the former Spurs All-Star walked past the cameras without stopping.

“Is there a bathroom back there?” Duncan said, delivering the punchline with the same stoic look he wore throughout his 19-year career.

San Antonio staff members, including Monty Williams, Ime Udoka and Becky Hammon, howled in delight—a rare laugh for the Spurs in a conference finals that had Golden State cruising toward an easy win and a trip to the NBA Finals.

Duncan's good humor and calm demeanor—as much a part of Duncan's Hall of Fame career as his leadership— gave the Spurs a minor boost after falling in an 0-3 hole against the Warriors without injured stars Tony Parker and Kawhi Leonard much of the way.

Enter Duncan to provide a few laughs, and more importantly, a few defensive tips.

“It's always good to have Tim in the facility,” Spurs guard Danny Green said. “Even his presence gives us a little more mental relaxation, a little more refocus with him just helping other guys see what he sees on the tube. He can pick and point out what the bigs need to do.”

Since retiring, Duncan has served as an unofficial assistant coach for the Spurs, imparting the knowledge that helped him become one the greatest power forwards ever. He worked with numerous players over the weekend, particularly LaMarcus Aldridge and Patty Mills, who have both struggled against Golden State.