The last time the Spurs advanced to the second round of the NBA playoffs, Kyle Anderson was there. The 6-foot-8 forward was 22 and in his second professional season in 2017, when the Spurs defeated Houston in six games to qualify for a Western Conference finals meeting against Golden State. He was courtside in that series when the Warriors' Zaza Pachulia slid under the ankles of Kawhi Leonard, the first domino that began the demise of the Spurs' first championship era. Now Anderson is 32 and a veteran voice on a Minnesota team looking to deny a revamped and reinvigorated Spurs squad their long-awaited return trip to the conference finals. The Express-News went one-on-one with Anderson before the Timberwolves' series before it opened this week in San Antonio. Here is Anderson on a return to familiar stomping grounds, the rookie welcome he received in San Antonio in 2014 and why he still doesn't feel like an NBA veteran, even in his 12th season: Not in the playoffs. Every regular-season game coming back, fans show a lot of love and you breathe familiar air. But not now. Just learning habits from great guys, Hall of Fame players who were great people off the court. They really helped me out handling situations. Danny Green, Boris (Diaw), Paul Gasol, Tony, all those guys. It was a great bunch of guys. The Spurs selected you with the final pick of the first round in the 2014 draft, literally days after winning the NBA championship. What was it like to be a rookie in San Antonio in 2014? It was a great experience. I was a little nervous at first, but the guys on the team took me under their wing and showed me the ropes. I learned a lot from them and had a lot of fun. I was a little surprised by how quickly I was able to adapt to the team's system and play style. I think it's because of the way the Spurs play, with a lot of emphasis on defense and ball movement. It's a very team-oriented system, and I think that's what helped me fit in so quickly. I was also impressed by the level of competition in the NBA. I had played against some of the best players in the world in college, but the level of competition in the NBA is even higher. I think that's what made it so challenging for me, but also so rewarding. I was able to learn from my mistakes and improve my game, and I think that's what helped me become the player I am today. I'm grateful for the experience I had in San Antonio and the opportunities I had to learn and grow as a player. I'm excited to see what the future holds for me and the Timberwolves.