Bulls' Vucevic draws inspiration from Tim Duncan; Chris Paul to help small L.A. businesses impacted by wildfires

SAN ANTONIO — San Antonio Spurs legend Tim Duncan’s reach is still felt in the NBA despite being retired since 2016.

Bulls’ Nikola Vucevic recently spoke with ScoopB.com to discuss which NBA bigs he has studied to improve his game. 

And not surprisingly, he mentioned Duncan (and ex-Spur Pau Gasol) as someone he wanted to play like in the league.

“I was a big Dirk (Nowitzki) fan growing up, and I wanted to play like him. Later on, it was Marc Gasol and Pau Gasol — a lot of bigs that I felt like that I could try to take things away from and play like them; Tim Duncan was one too.”

Duncan’s play on the floor led to multiple titles (five) in his career, and his footwork, post moves, bank shot, and high basketball IQ on both ends of the floor made him an elite player.

Vucevic isn’t the only current NBA big man who wanted to emulate Duncan’s play on the court.

Denver’s Nikola Jokic has said he wants to be the “Tim Duncan” of the Nuggets.

CHRIS PAUL TO HELP OUT LOS ANGELES SMALL BUSINESS IMPACTED BY WILDFIRES

According to a post on X via Marc Spears, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony and Spurs guard Chris Paul have announced that through their Social Change Fund United organization will provide grant funding and financial education resources to six under-resourced Los Angeles small businesses hurt by the recent wildfires that ravaged California.

Paul and the Social Change Fund United’s generosity will have a tremendous impact. According to the UCLA Anderson School of Management, the total property and capital losses from the L.A. wildfires could range between $76 billion and $131 billion, with insured losses estimated at $45 billion.

X: KENS 5, JeffGSpursKENS5