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A20 SPORTS
Tuesday 23 July 2019

Tim Duncan returning to Spurs as an assistant coach

By TIM REYNOLDS Popovich’s favorites, even
AP Basketball Writer going back to 1997 in the
Tim Duncan is back with days leading up to San An-
the San Antonio Spurs, this tonio taking Duncan with
time as an assistant coach the No. 1 overall pick in that
under Gregg Popovich. year’s draft.
Duncan, the Spurs’ all-time Popovich went to the Virgin
leader in points, rebounds Islands before that draft to
and blocked shots — and get to know Duncan, and
the only player to be on all was immediately sold.
five of San Antonio’s NBA “We lived on the beach for
championship teams — of- a few days and we swam
ficially returned to the fran- and we talked,” Popovich
chise Monday. The Spurs, said at Duncan’s retirement
per their usual style, made ceremony. “From that mo-
the announcement in a ment I knew he was a spe-
very understated way, not cial individual because
even putting Duncan’s he basically talked about
name in the headline of everything but basketball.
the news release. And we’ve been the re-
Duncan didn’t even get cipients of that intelligence
top billing in the announce- and that outlook on life
ment. That went to Will In this Dec. 2, 2015, file photo, San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich, left, talks with since he’s walked in here.”
Hardy, who will be taking forward Tim Duncan (21) during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Milwaukee Duncan’s hiring and Har-
on an expanded role as Bucks in San Antonio. dy’s expanded role will
one of the Spurs’ assistant Associated Press help the Spurs replace for-
coaches. Hardy has been respect from everyone in can, a 1997 Wake Forest awards, his two NBA MVP mer assistants Ettore Mes-
with the Spurs since 2010, the organization thanks to graduate, played 19 sea- awards or anything else. sina and Ime Udoka, who
working his way up from his knowledge, spirit and sons with the Spurs before Duncan retired from play- left earlier this offseason
the video room at first. personality,” Popovich said. retiring in the summer of ing three years ago, but for new jobs. Becky Ham-
“Will Hardy is a talented, The entirety of the Spurs’ 2016.” No mention of his has worked at times with mon and Chip Engelland
young basketball mind who description of Duncan in rings, his 15 All-Star nods, San Antonio’s post players. are also returning as Spurs
has earned a great deal of the release was this: “Dun- his three NBA Finals MVP He has long been one of assistants.q