Tim Duncan
(Photo : Reuters)

Tim Duncan got his first victory as the acting head coach of the San Antonio Spurs against the Charlotte Hornets according to a report in Fox News.

San Antonio Spurs won over the Charlotte Hornets with a score of 104-103 without their head coach Gregg Popovich who missed the game because of some important personal matters.

In the absence of Gregg Popovich, the former San Antonio superstar Tim Duncan replaced him as the acting Head Coach of the team.

Duncan is not new to the basketball dynamics of the San Antonio Spurs and the game strategy of Coach Gregg Popovich. Duncan has been a franchise player in San Antonio since he started his career in the NBA. 

Moreover, he also achieved a lot in his career. He is popularly known in NBA as "The Big Fundamental" and has helped the team to bring five championship rings. Duncan also leads the team to an astounding 19 playoffs. He also won one MVP award in NBA All-Star games where he appeared 19 times.

This time, the former San Antonio player who won more than 1,000 games in NBA achieved another milestone not as a player anymore but as an acting head Coach. 

Tim Duncan was hired by the organization as part of the coaching team of San Antonio. During the interview, Duncan said: "It's night and day to be in the big boy chair," However, he honestly said that he did not do it alone and he had other coaches who did their calls and he was the one standing and screaming to boost the players and its fans.

When Duncan was asked if he has any plans to become the head coach of the team, he said: "Nope, Pop is going to be back and I will be happy to hand it right over to him." 

Meanwhile, Charlotte Hornets head coach James Borrego, who worked before as an assistant coach of San Antonio Spurs when Duncan was still playing, said that it is very odd for him to see the 15-time All-Star and Five-Time Champion coaching the team.

Borrego added that he used to see Duncan playing and wearing his jersey no.21 leading the team but not with blazers. Moreover, Borrego also mentioned during the interview that he has immense respect for Tim Duncan.

During the game, Tim Duncan showed a mild-mannered attitude on the bench and not showing too much intense emotion as the game progressed. This is also how Tim Duncan became known as an NBA player. A cool-headed player who avoids arguments with other players and referees.

It was only in the remaining 9:09 left in the fourth quarter where Tim Duncan challenged a call but it was not overturned. 

Leading the team's victory was Dejounte Murray who scored 21 points. This is the fourth victory of the team in their past 11 games. Gregg Popovich is expected to return to the team on Friday night in their basketball match against Brooklyn Nets. Tim Duncan is also expected to help more the team following its first victory as an acting head coach.