Published on June 18, 2014.
ST.
CROIX — Still basking in the joy of watching his friend conquer the
basketball world yet again, Rashidi Clenance did the things that felt
right on Monday afternoon.
That
meant a lunch trip to Harvey’s Restaurant in downtown
Christiansted, paying a visit to Sarah and Gustave Harvey’s
longtime eatery.
And a trip the local market in Catherine’s Rest, where he grew up and met Tim Duncan, who would go from St. Croix to become one of the best basketball players ever.
“It felt natural to come here,” Clenance said. “It’s like going to church and receiving your blessing.
“It’s awesome, and it’s something to be proud of. And I certainly am.”
It was one day after Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs won their fifth NBA championship, defeating the Miami Heat in a five-game series, winning the fifth title in the Duncan era.
And a trip the local market in Catherine’s Rest, where he grew up and met Tim Duncan, who would go from St. Croix to become one of the best basketball players ever.
“It felt natural to come here,” Clenance said. “It’s like going to church and receiving your blessing.
“It’s awesome, and it’s something to be proud of. And I certainly am.”
It was one day after Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs won their fifth NBA championship, defeating the Miami Heat in a five-game series, winning the fifth title in the Duncan era.
Sarah Harvey know Duncan better than most, recalling his early love for his childhood Doberman, Boss, and his respectful, mild-mannered nature at an early age.
Duncan grew up next door to the Harveys, and Sarah Harvey stepped into a larger role in his life when Duncan's mother, Ione, passed away during his teenage years.
“We were neighbors before, and like they say, it’s takes a whole village to raise a child,” Harvey said. “And my two boys are close to his age.
“And he’s never changed.”
The 38-year-old Duncan has had a remarkable career, but the last two years have been unprecedented. Most of his career had mirrored the arc of a handful of other legendary big men in the game. But in the NBA, post players simply don’t have a career renaissance in their late 30s.
Duncan has done just that, playing at an All-Star level at 38, and was a go-to option for a team that thoroughly dominated the two-time defending champions and their star LeBron James, the face of the NBA.
Clenance is Duncan's best friend on St. Croix. He gets to Spurs games as much as he can, with Duncan always taking care of him.
This
year, he attended Games 1 and 2 of the NBA Finals with top-dollar
tickets, watching the Spurs head back to Miami with the series tied.
Clenance’s last two finals trips were for Games 6 and 7 last year
in Miami, where the Spurs blew both games with a chance at a
title.
Clenance has noticed a change in Duncan in the past year, stemming from the disappointment of last year’s final, largely panned as a choke by a franchise seemingly immune to such lapses.
It pushed Duncan, fellow stars Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, and coach Gregg Popovich to a laser-like focus through this season.
On the cusp of the Finals, Duncan told the post-game reporter after topping Oklahoma City that they would finish the job.
“We’ve got four more to win, and we’ll do it this time,” Duncan said then.
It could have been interpreted as an unusual streak of bravado from a man whose career was built on anything but.
Clenance, however, saw it differently.
“He kind of stepped out of himself there,” he said. “That wasn’t being cocky, but it was the confidence he deserved.
“And he was right.”
Clenance, a local radio personality who is developing an Internet-based urban network for the Caribbean, grew close to Duncan when the center was becoming an All-American at Wake Forest.
Clenance was playing nearby at High Point University.
“But I was at Wake Forest all the time,” Clenance said Monday while wearing an authentic Duncan Wake Forest jersey. “People thought I went there.”
Before Duncan signed on to play for the Spurs, coach Popovich came to St. Croix to meet his future star.
He, too, visited Harvey’s, and was treated to local cuisine.
“We gave him stew goat and some local lobster,” Sarah Harvey said. “We gave him all local, and he loved it.”
But the end is near for Duncan's career, which he has acknowledged.
Fatherhood is the biggest part of his life, and there’s a thought he could spend more time with his kids without the NBA grind.
“As good of a basketball player he is, he’s that good of a father,” Clenance said. “To see him with his two kids, it’s remarkable.”
The thought of going out on top could also be enticing.
Clenance, who insists Duncan has not told him his intentions, expects to see No. 21 on the court next season.
“A lot of folks would go out on top,” Clenance said. “But Tim is the type of competitor who would want to defend what he just won.
“People look at his demeanor and the lack of emotions on his facial expressions, but he’s got the heart of the greatest competitors in the league.
“I’m inclined to believe that he is returning.”
Added Sarah Harvey: “I hope he does what makes him happy. To St. Croix, he means everything. Everything. And I hope they appreciate it. It means a lot, but some people don’t appreciate it until it’s gone.
“There are no words to put it in place what he means. But we are very blessed that he achieved his goals.
“When he returned home after one year at Wake Forest, I joked that when you make it big, I need a million dollars.
“But I feel like a millionaire... just for his achievements.”
Clenance has noticed a change in Duncan in the past year, stemming from the disappointment of last year’s final, largely panned as a choke by a franchise seemingly immune to such lapses.
It pushed Duncan, fellow stars Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, and coach Gregg Popovich to a laser-like focus through this season.
On the cusp of the Finals, Duncan told the post-game reporter after topping Oklahoma City that they would finish the job.
“We’ve got four more to win, and we’ll do it this time,” Duncan said then.
It could have been interpreted as an unusual streak of bravado from a man whose career was built on anything but.
Clenance, however, saw it differently.
“He kind of stepped out of himself there,” he said. “That wasn’t being cocky, but it was the confidence he deserved.
“And he was right.”
Clenance, a local radio personality who is developing an Internet-based urban network for the Caribbean, grew close to Duncan when the center was becoming an All-American at Wake Forest.
Clenance was playing nearby at High Point University.
“But I was at Wake Forest all the time,” Clenance said Monday while wearing an authentic Duncan Wake Forest jersey. “People thought I went there.”
Before Duncan signed on to play for the Spurs, coach Popovich came to St. Croix to meet his future star.
He, too, visited Harvey’s, and was treated to local cuisine.
“We gave him stew goat and some local lobster,” Sarah Harvey said. “We gave him all local, and he loved it.”
But the end is near for Duncan's career, which he has acknowledged.
Fatherhood is the biggest part of his life, and there’s a thought he could spend more time with his kids without the NBA grind.
“As good of a basketball player he is, he’s that good of a father,” Clenance said. “To see him with his two kids, it’s remarkable.”
The thought of going out on top could also be enticing.
Clenance, who insists Duncan has not told him his intentions, expects to see No. 21 on the court next season.
“A lot of folks would go out on top,” Clenance said. “But Tim is the type of competitor who would want to defend what he just won.
“People look at his demeanor and the lack of emotions on his facial expressions, but he’s got the heart of the greatest competitors in the league.
“I’m inclined to believe that he is returning.”
Added Sarah Harvey: “I hope he does what makes him happy. To St. Croix, he means everything. Everything. And I hope they appreciate it. It means a lot, but some people don’t appreciate it until it’s gone.
“There are no words to put it in place what he means. But we are very blessed that he achieved his goals.
“When he returned home after one year at Wake Forest, I joked that when you make it big, I need a million dollars.
“But I feel like a millionaire... just for his achievements.”
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