By Rudy Gayby

Thirty-five years ago, today, Tim Duncan was born to Ione and William Duncan in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Initially a swimmer, as the story is often repeated, Duncan took up basketball when Hurricane Hugo destroyed his island’s sole Olympic-sized swimming pool.

The rest is San Antonio Spurs and NBA history.

Here is a list of random trivia relating to Duncan’s date of birth: April 25, 1976

  • The top-seeded Boston Celtics lose game three to the Buffalo Braves in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, but eventually go on to win the 1976 NBA Championship, besting the Phoenix Suns 4 – 2 and earning their 13th NBA Championship.
  • Rick Monday, center fielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers, thwarts the efforts of a father-son duo who were attempting to torch the American flag in the Dodger Stadium outfield.
  • Edward R. Murrow celebrates his 57th birthday, but dies two days later after a lifetime of smoking Camel cigarettes.
  • Released three weeks prior, All The Kings Men tops the weekend box office and goes on to become the third highest grossing film in 1976, behind Rocky and A Star is Born.
  • Twelve days later, the first-generation Honda Accord is launched in the form of a three-door hatchback.
  • According to The Beatles Bible website, John Lennon and Paul McCartney meet face-to-face for the last time on this date.

Reminder: The Spurs – Grizzlies tip-off game four at 7:00 pm on TNT and Fox Sports Southwest.

This article appears in Apr 20-26, 2011.