The relationship between Hall of Fame bound big man Tim Duncan and emerging Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert continues to blossom.
Their summer workout regimen, which dates back to the lockout season of 2011, picked up steam this off season as the two spent parts of their summer in a San Antonio gymnasium working on post moves together.
"During the lockout, everyone was looking for someone to work out with," Duncan told ESPN. "I saw quickly that he's got a good work ethic."
ESPN reports their on-the-court camaraderie has now blossomed into a relationship where the two regularly have dinner together, followed by long and probing conversations. The talks center around NBA strategy and personal lives; Duncan reportedly has even started sending Hibbert his personal scouting reports on opposing big men across the league and Hibbert has reciprocated.
According to ESPN, at the height of the lockout Hibbert asked current teammate and former Spur George Hill to reach out to Duncan on his behalf. Hibbert had grew up idolizing Duncan and was convinced he could help him in fine-tuning his own game. For this summer's workouts, the two hired a boxing trainer to help them with strength and develop footwork.
"He had a great year last year and I'm very proud of him," Duncan told ESPN of Hibbert. "He wants to improve every year, he wants to come here and he wants to put the work in. I've always been excited to have him."
Chances are this summer workouts were also a bit therapeutic for Duncan. The 37-year-old, four-time NBA champ endured the messy end of his 12-year marriage from former college sweetheart Amy Duncan this summer.
So sordid were the proceedings that Amy Duncan ultimately alleged she had long suspected her NBA husband might be gay or at least bi-sexual and Duncan admitted that he once hired a private investigator to tail his wife because he was convinced she might be cheating on him.
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