National Basketball Association

Check out the first photos of Tim Duncan's return to Spurs practice

Published Nov. 15, 2016 3:02 p.m. ET

Andrew Lynch

It took all of three days after the start of the 2016-17 preseason for Tim Duncan to make his triumphant return to the San Antonio Spurs.

Tim Duncan is at @Spurs training camp today, guess Coach Pop won't be fining him! ??

(Okay, he's not actually practicing but STILL) pic.twitter.com/pSQkK5VXCD
— FOX Sports: Hoops (@HoopsonFOX) September 28, 2016

Coach Gregg Popovich said earlier this week that Duncan was welcome to be "coach of whatever he feels like," and on Wednesday, the Big Fundamental joined Spurs practice for the first time as a former player:

He's far away in the photo, but that's Tim Duncan shooting with Manu pic.twitter.com/GsrvHeiUES
— Melissa Rohlin (@melissarohlin) September 28, 2016

You knew he wouldn't be able to stay away. pic.twitter.com/XwbmIra4FW
— Jeff McDonald (@JMcDonald_SAEN) September 28, 2016

? pic.twitter.com/q2P3aXIz8V
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) September 28, 2016

You can almost hear Duncan poking fun at Manu Ginobili's bald spot and encouraging his former teammates to bring their cars to one of his many fine automotive garages if they need a tune-up.

Seriously, though, this should be good news to Kawhi Leonard, who told reporters that the thing he misses most now that Duncan is gone is the future Hall of Famer's sense of humor. With Duncan around, things should be that much more enjoyable for the Spurs.