But, Duncan didn't wear No. 7—he famously sported No. 21, which has been retired by the Spurs franchise. Kornet explained the reasoning behind his choice, saying that he wants to be "one-third" of the player Duncan was during his NBA career. One-third of 21 is seven—very clever, Kornet.

Journeyman center Luke Kornet departed from the Boston Celtics in free agency and signed with the San Antonio Spurs on a four-year, $41 million deal. The move from New England to Texas comes with a number change for the backup big man, who traded in his No. 40 jersey with the Celtics for a single-digit replacement, selecting No. 7 with the Spurs.

Luke Kornet has been known to have a sense of humor. And that carried over from Boston to San Antonio. Kornet was asked why he chose to wear No. 7 with the Spurs, to which he said he “hoped to be a third of the player Tim Duncan was,” via Spurs reporter Matthew Tynan. Duncan, who spent his entire 19-year career with the Spurs, wore No. 21.