Charles Dharapak/AP

Etan Thomas’ Incredible Tim Duncan Story

Etan Thomas was the 12th pick of the 2000 NBA Draft. The Syracuse alumni played for the Washington Wizards, Oklahoma City and for the Atlanta Hawks between 2001 and 2011. He’s mostly known for successfully undergoing open heart surgery and returning to play in the NBA one year later. (In his first game back, he had 10 points and eight rebounds for the Wizards).

Thomas, who now is a political activist, poet and writer told his personal Tim Duncan story, after ‘The Big Fundamental’ announced his retirement.

“Here is my Tim Duncan story:

So we’re playing the Spurs and I get the ball on the post. I inside pivot and sweep to the middle for my jump hook and he blocks it. So as we are running down the court he says to me “that was a good move but you have to get more into my body so you can either draw the foul or I can’t block it”. So I didn’t know if he was talking noise or what so just kind of looked at him confused and said ok. Then, a few plays later I did it again got more into his body and he couldn’t block it. I missed the shot and he looked at me and said much better and kept playing lol. I remember calling my boy Zee Chilton and telling him this story lol Tim Duncan is honestly one of the nicest guys in the NBA and the best power forward ever in NBA history. Respect”