What Tim himself wants to be called...

[Menudo Terremoto Williams]

Definitive proof....so you don't have to waste those brain cells with Silent Assassin, the Big Quiet, Slam Duncan or any other such rubbish.

San Antonio Express-News (Texas)

November 30, 1997, Sunday , FINAL

SECTION: SPORTS; Pg. 4, Part A


HEADLINE: Duncan's unusual hobby and more unusual request

BYLINE: Jerry Briggs

BODY: Tim Duncan has a couple of obsessions not usually equated with today's hip-hop NBA: Renaissance fairs, samurai swords, and most importantly, Dungeons and Dragons. Known as "D&D" among afficinados, the fantasy role playing game engages players' imaginations as they trek through the imaginary world of GreyHawk. Along the way, players encounter friendly and hostile dragons, elves and a variety of otherworldly beings.

"It's a great escape from the rigors of the NBA," Duncan said while rolling his lucky 20 sided die while casting a spell of invisibility.

"I got hooked on D&D at Wake (Forest). Me and some buddies would play for hours at a time until I had to go to practice. My character is a 13th level lawful evil sorceror named Merlin (after the magician from Arthurian legend). Today, he has 98 hit points and an armor class of 2. My Charisma is 21. That's perfect."

The game's jargon aside, Duncan has made a more permanent commitment to his love of D&D.

"I have a tattoo of Merlin. He's like my alter-ego."

D&D's traditional player community is often labelled as "nerdy," but that doesn't faze Duncan.

"If playing D&D and dressing up in my purple sorcerors hat, velvet cape and magic wand is nerdy, call me a nerd. Though I'd prefer you called me Merlin," he grinned.

His obsession with Merlin and the black arts led to Duncan's quiet feud with the NBA this off-season. Wanting the back of his jersey to read, "Merlin," instead of his last name, Duncan sought the help of the NBA Players Association. Citing the NBA uniform code, Duncan's unusual request was rejected by the league.

Though the NBA and Duncan officially have no comment on the situation, sources close to Duncan say that this is not a closed matter.

[H_for_Rasho]

That is just hilarious! He wants to be called Merlin, we call him Merlin. He's a magician on the court and apparantly off the court, too. That little blurb is just too cute and I see Timmy...er...Merlin in a whole new light.

[mckennaspur1]

Merlin? Works for me. But I kinda like the idea of him as The Dragon, too.

[TexasNative]

I prefer to call him....Champion.

BTW- the Merlin handle was discussed when he came here in '97.

[Flipmode Master]

Come on Tim..... ......Merlin!!??? .....whats wrong with The Big Fundamental?????!!!!!!

Well you still the man Timmay!!!

[austin_spurs_fan]

this is bs (i hope), got a link

[vicky]

OMG

That's just too cute

I really want Tim to come out in his ostume at some point. I wonder if he has D&D names for other players

[Michel Laporte]

lvl 13 and he has been playing since Wake : not very effective in fact

[Crusian]

That was eight years ago.

[Uwe Blab]

I believed this up until it said he tried to change his jersey. I'm calling this BS.

[SlamDunc21]

I can't verify the article itself, but the content is pretty much true. This was Tim as he left Wake. He was basically a geek who happened to be a basketball wunderkind. Now, of course, he's the man. He also had a fascination with knives when he was in college.

[vicky]

I've read quite a few articles about Tim, and all of them baisically say tht he collects knifes and is int D&D. I havea feeling that he's more into vedio games now. He also said he loved comic books as a kid. So I can't se why this wouldn't be true. I mean , he prety much has a tatoo of knives and of Merlin (and I believe something else.)

The only thing that surprised me about Tim for some reason is that he used to have a pierced toungue.

[TimmyDthaWay2B]

Prob why is fav movie is the crow. Tin Tin and all the knive use thats in the movie.

[PHANTOM21]

NERDS RULE!!

[2slowman]

I have no personal knowledge as to whether or not this is true, but I hope so. Envisioning Timmy rolling twenty siders in all earnest brings me joy. I hope he still plays.

I also loved that Lyle Lovett married Julia Roberts. It gives hope to us more ordinary folks.

=)

[bnwhuxley]

"My Charisma is 21. Thats perfect."
Merlin it is then.

[TDRazzleDazzle]

Tim I play D&D too but I don't go around telling people!! haha My friends already rag on you enough please don't give them any more ammo. Just stick to quietly dominating the NBA

[Spurs biggest fan]

Originally Posted by PHANTOM21

NERDS RULE!!

[ProjectGSX]

Originally Posted by TDRazzleDazzle

Tim I play D&D too but I don't go around telling people!!

Loser.

[objective]

I do remember at his first training camp some local news stories about him wanting his nickname to be 'Merlin' but his new teammates not going for it.

Ya'll are just wrong...

[Godkid1]

i know i have read most of this info in other places -- except the part about his jersey. and yes, he did have a peirced tongue - there is a picture of it in 99 champion book. dont forget this article was written in '97!

[omax]

His obsession with Merlin and the black arts led to Duncan's quiet feud with the NBA this off-season. Wanting the back of his jersey to read, "Merlin," instead of his last name, Duncan sought the help of the NBA Players Association. Citing the NBA uniform code, Duncan's unusual request was rejected by the league.

Though he may actually play D&D...this article HAS to be a joke.

There is NO WAY IN HELL this part is true.

Duncan's Obsession with the black arts...WTF

[vicky]

So it's Tim who's sticking those pins in the sonic's vodoo doll after all

I think that Bruce had been cleared

[DDS4]

It would have been better if he was into Star Wars....

Fits the black Darth Vader theme. Or maybe Yoda.....

[silvernblack]

Originally Posted by Godkid1

i know i have read most of this info in other places -- except the part about his jersey. and yes, he did have a peirced tongue - there is a picture of it in 99 champion book. dont forget this article was written in '97!

Wow I did not know that he used to have a pierced tongue.

Anyone have a scan of that picture?

[LauraBC]

OMG, rack this whole thread

Reminds me of a little movie Lucky did:





And btw, silvernblack- I don't know of a picture, but if you ever catch Real Sports 10th Anniversary on HBO, there's a short clip of Timmy flashing his tongue ring It was ... quite the sight.

[andrea js]

Originally Posted by LauraBC

Reminds me of a little movie Lucky did:

OMG I remember that, hilarious!!!

[silvernblack]

Originally Posted by LauraBC

OMG, rack this whole thread

Reminds me of a little movie Lucky did:





And btw, silvernblack- I don't know of a picture, but if you ever catch Real Sports 10th Anniversary on HBO, there's a short clip of Timmy flashing his tongue ring It was ... quite the sight.

I don't have HBO.
But didn't Godkid1 say there was a pic in the 99 championship book?

[Lord Deimos]

Tim Duncan is GOD AMONG ALL NERDS

BTW Merlin, your puny parlor tricks are useless against my level 22 Grey robe Knight of Takhesis... *breaks out the 100-sided die*

[rjv]

personally, i think gandalf could kick merlins ass.

[Jason R]

I play D&D.

He does play, and he does have the tatoo, and he did want to be called Merlin.

[H_for_Rasho]

[quote=LauraBC]OMG, rack this whole thread

Reminds me of a little movie Lucky did:





That is one of the FUNNIEST things I've seen in a long time. I'm still trying to catch my breath. Any more like that??

[LauraBC]

Hehe, I dunno, ask Lucky She made it around the time everyone was getting on Tim's BACK for eating at Quizno's

[brickowskay]

that little movie is da bomb.

one thing I still need just a little clarification on...does Tim like cold cuts??

[scol]

dressing up in my purple sorcerors hat, velvet cape and magic wand is nerdy, call me a nerd.

Say it aint so Timmy, PLEASE!!

[Lord Deimos]

That is a funny movie

Makes it look like they're more than just teamates

(not that there's anything wrong with that)

[Spurs_ROCK__17]

Just had to comment on this one cuz it is freakin hilarious. I also remember that movie by Lucky. Thanks for bringin it back.

And wow, I knew about Tim's fascination of wizardry, but he actually WANTED to be called Merlin AND he has a tongue piercing? That is just crazy... Tim, you a wild thang.

[tdnkg]

did tony toss timmy's salad in that movie???
any way timmy has always reminded me of droopy

[LauraBC]

Originally Posted by tdnkg

did tony toss timmy's salad in that movie???

Yes Timmy wanted to eat at IHOP, one of his other faves

[Iron Horse]

[whorybiatch]

Originally Posted by Lord Deimos

That is a funny movie

Makes it look like they're more than just teamates

(not that there's anything wrong with that)

That's the whole point of TnT and Le Triangle.

[H_for_Rasho]

You know, it wouldn't be NEARLY as funny if Tony and Timmy didn't give us so much material to work with. They are too cute.

[omax]

This Nerdy D&D talk reminds me of this animation that was funny as hell if you ever knew anyone who played the game or tried playing it yourself.

8 bit D&D

Just click on "Watch this movie".

[SoupIsGood]

I have never even see what a D&D is... I'm assuming you play it on a board.

It's all about country music and chewing on straw here.

[The Hulk]

I have video of Tim and a few of his buddies playing D&D. Don't ask me how I got the tape.

http://www.raditts.com/phyles/ogre-battle.large.mpeg

[Menudo Terremoto Williams]

Originally Posted by The Hulk

I have video of Tim and a few of his buddies playing D&D. Don't ask me how I got the tape.

http://www.raditts.com/phyles/ogre-battle.large.mpeg

Poor Tim. He always has to play the ogre.

Originally Posted by brickowskay

one thing I still need just a little clarification on...does Tim like cold cuts??

Ummm....no. And the dude don't eat at Quizno's neither. Nice sig, brick.

[JSummers]

Originally Posted by The Hulk

I have video of Tim and a few of his buddies playing D&D. Don't ask me how I got the tape.

http://www.raditts.com/phyles/ogre-battle.large.mpeg

That movie with Tim adn Tony is hilarious.

But I'd be so embarrassed for him if that D&D movie was really him.

[Jones]

So then do we all agree that Tim's nickname should be: DUNGEON MASTER?

Yes, Menudo, I know he wants to be called Merlin but I don't see a debate on this.

And on a separate note, if Tim wasn't 7 feet tall, he would be one of the best sword fighters ever at the Rennaisance Festival. He would definitely have the best fundamentals of anyone there.

[SuiDreams]

Tim used to click his tongue ring against his teeth all the time. You could see it a lot during the games. I'm kinda glad he took it out.