Gregg Popovich was asked pregame by Mark Montieth of Pacers.com if a rumor he had heard was true, that he had to be talked into drafting Tim Duncan ahead of Scot Pollard.

Pollard is currently doing television and radio work for the Pacers and was standing five feet away from the conversation.

“You know, you say that sarcastically but it’s a true story,” said Popovich. “It’s a true story. I loved the way Scot played. Timmy was really smooth and all that and so I wondered, ‘Is that going to translate? Is he going to be tough? Is he going to do what he did … he’s long and lengthy and he’s thin. Scot Pollard was out there kicking you-know-what and taking names.

“It was actually a conversation. Now, I have to also say that that notion didn’t last real long.”

Pollard was drafted 19th overall by the Detroit Pistons in the 1997 NBA Draft.