Popovich Reiterates Plan To Follow Duncan Into Retirement
Gregg Popovich reiterated his oft-stated plan to follow Tim Duncan into retirement.
Duncan, 37, has given no indication that he plans to retire soon.
“He’s a mentally unique individual in that he’s able to sustain the year-round workout regimen, both physically and (diet) wise,” Popovich said of Duncan’s resurgence. “He has an unbelievable feeling of responsibility for his place in the program and wants to sustain that performance that he brings night after night.”
“When he doesn’t think he can, he’ll stop. It might be in the middle of a game. I can see him walking off the court saying, ‘Nah, I’m not pulling my weight anymore. I’m gone.’ And he’ll walk. And I’ll be right behind him, like this. No pride, no nothing.”
Popovich drafted Duncan out of Wake Forest in 1997 after the Spurs jumped ahead of the Boston Celtics in the lottery.