Any Demon Deacon worth his or her salt knows that if the San Antonio Spurs are winning, you will find an alumnus in the thick of the action. That’s the case this week with the Spurs leading the Western Conference series in the NBA playoffs with Tim Duncan (’97) doing what he was born to do: win. The Spurs had their 20th consecutive victory this week, an NBA record, with Duncan helping them continue a sizzling winning streak.

Tim Duncan holds his retired jersey at his last home game in 1997

The don’t-miss story about him this spring is Chris Ballard’s “21 Shades of Gray” in Sports Illustrated. Ballard calls Duncan the most successful player of his generation, “maybe even its best.” But he’s not flashy, publicity-minded or a fame craver. During his 15 years with the Spurs and in the company of 116 teammates, he has been so skilled and such a leader that Ballard writes “he could coach the team” if necessary.

“Throughout, Duncan has been the center around which all else orbited,” he adds.  In the piece Duncan takes his hits for anonymity in the NBA, with Ballard calling him “one of the squarest players in the League.” But the article pays its respects to the star seeking his fifth championship ring and allows him a clarion endorsement of his own. “I like who am, I like how I do things,” Duncan tells Ballard.

At Wake Forest, we second that emotion.