I never saw it coming — I never really saw Tim as a coach. When he’s working with other players, he’s the ultimate teacher.”Before games, Duncan is back on display for fans who arrive early enough, warming up the reserve center Jakob Poeltl and the former All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge. “When a young kid has Tim Duncan put his arm around him and guide them in a certain way, give them a piece of advice, that’s way more important than what I can do,” Popovich said. The initial word was that Duncan, Hammon and the Spurs’ other top assistant, Will Hardy, were filling in by committee, but Popovich clarified postgame that Duncan had been in charge. In the first timeout after Pop’s ouster, it was indeed Duncan who addressed the Spurs.

Source: New York Times November 27, 2019 21:14 UTC