DeRozan has previously related stories about the Spurs, but he never brought up being treated like the greatest player in Spurs history.

Never one to hide his feelings, as he’s discussed his mental health as an unofficial ambassador for the NBA in such matters, DeMar DeRozan recently revealed his feelings regarding the San Antonio Spurs and Gregg Popovich. During a press tour for his book “Above the Noise,” DeRozan detailed his admiration for the prestigious franchise.

“They treated me like I was Tim Duncan. And that’s just the amount of respect, love, and admiration I’m gonna forever have toward Pop and the whole organization,”said DeRozan. Although DeRozan has shared stories of the Spurs before, he never mentioned being treated like the best player in Spurs’ history, and one of the best players of all time. DeRozan played three seasons with the Spurs, making the playoffs once in that span.

Despite the lack of consistent success during his tenure, he embraced San Antonio and the peculiar ways of Popovich, which earned him loyalty from the city that loves to express its passion for the only professional sports team in the home of the Alamo. Popovich, for all his sideline antics, is renowned as a genuinely good person, with care fore his players outside of what they do on the basketball court.

When DeRozan’s father passed, he told the Spurs front office he needed to be left alone to get his thoughts together, before he flew back to Los Angeles, Popovich knocked on the door. DeRozan said they cried together for two hours. Related: DeMar DeRozan Recalls ‘Battle’ Against Raptors Such moments stay embedded in your head. For as much as winning matters, what people do in your lowest moments stick out more than the good times. DeRozan’s behavior during his tenure with the Spurs franchise bloomed a beautiful relationship between a coach, a player, and the city for which he played.