Pop proud of Duncan stepping back into spotlight to help homeland

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SAN ANTONIO – Coach Gregg Popovich heaped praise on Spurs great Tim Duncan for stepping out of his comfort zone to publically spearhead relief efforts in the U.S. Virgin Islands after they were devastated by Hurricane Irma.

To date, Duncan has raised $3 million and distributed 20,000-plus pounds of food.

"I was very, very proud of him," Popovich said Monday at the team's Media Day. "Because for somebody who really does dislike being the front man or in front of the camera, he took the lead solely for the good of other people and was willing to quote unquote eat it and do what he needed to do to help a large group of people. He did a fine job. And he is still at it."

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Duncan, who retired after the 2015-16 season as the greatest power forward in NBA history, attended Media Day but did not speak with reporters. On Sept. 10, Duncan held a news conference at the San Antonio Food Bank to ask San Antonians for assistance. He also penned a 1,400-word essay for the Players Tribune website, pledging to match up to $1 million to aid recovery efforts in the Virgin Islands. It took less than 36 hours to reach that goal.