Tim Duncan becomes assistant coach with Spurs
Tim Duncan is returning to a more active role with the San Antonio Spurs.
The team announced Monday that Duncan, the franchise’s best-ever player, will join Gregg Popovich’s staff as an assistant coach next season.
Spurs legend Tim Duncan has joined Gregg Popovich's coaching staff as an assistant coach.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 22, 2019
In a statement announcing the hiring, Popovich contributed a typically hilarious quote about Duncan’s return.
The San Antonio Spurs today announced that Will Hardy and Tim Duncan will be added to Gregg Popovich’s bench as assistant coaches. “It is only fitting, that after I served loyally for 19 years as Tim Duncan’s assistant, that he returns the favor,” said Popovich.
— Don Harris (@DonHarris4) July 22, 2019
Duncan retired in 2016 and has remained with the Spurs in a behind-the-scenes role, but this will put him back on the bench at Popovich’s side. At the time of his retirement, Popovich offered Duncan free reign to coach in whatever capacity he wanted, and now he’s getting a more prominent spot in the organization.