Gregg Popovich says he'll continue coaching after Tim Duncan retires
San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich told ESPN's Sage Steele that he will continue coaching even after long-time Spurs Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili retire.
Popovich said that he made a commitment to the newly signed LaMarcus Aldridge upon his arrival in San Antonio from the Portland Trail Blazers.
"Signing LaMarcus [Aldridge], I had to make a commitment," Popovich said. "I couldn't say, 'LaMarcus, we would love to sign you, see you later.' So I committed to those guys and I committed to LaMarcus. So, I've got to fulfill my promise."
Popovich has four years remaining on a five-year deal that he signed in the summer of 2014. Aldridge's contract expires at the end of the 2018-2019 season.
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Popovich has coached with the Spurs since 1988. He was named head coach before the 1996 season and has since compiled a 1,492–1,022 win-loss record and won five NBA championships.
Duncan, 39, has been in San Antonio for all five of championships since being selected with the first overall pick in the 1997 draft. Ginobili, 38, has won four titles since joining the team in 2002. Point guard Tony Parker, 33, has also won four titles with the Spurs and rounds out their long-time core group.
"I will feel very weird walking out onto a court and not seeing Timmy or Manu or Tony out there," Popovich told ESPN. "[They are] kinda like my safety blanket or my comfort level. I'll miss them a lot."
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