Spurs add Duncan to coaching staff in low-key manner
SAN ANTONIO — Tim Duncan is back with the San Antonio Spurs, this time as an assistant coach under Gregg Popovich.
Duncan, the Spurs’ all-time leader in points, rebounds and blocked shots — and the only player to be on all five of San Antonio’s NBA championship teams — officially returned to the franchise Monday. The Spurs, per their usual style, made the announcement in a very understated way, not even putting Duncan’s name in the headline of the news release.
“It is only fitting, that after I served loyally for 19 years as Tim Duncan’s assistant, that he returns the favor,” Popovich said in the release.
Duncan didn’t even get top billing in the announcement. That went to Will Hardy, who will be taking on an expanded role as one of the Spurs’ assistant coaches. Hardy has been with the Spurs since 2010, working his way up from the video room.
Duncan retired from playing three years ago but has worked at times with San Antonio’s post players. He is a two-time MVP and a 15-time All-Star.
Duncan’s hiring and Hardy’s expanded role will help the Spurs replace former assistants Ettore Messina and Ime Udoka, who left earlier this offseason for new jobs. Becky Hammon and Chip Engelland are returning as Spurs assistants. In other NBA news:
• Washington Wizards general manager Tommy Sheppard is losing his interim tag as part of an organizational restructuring. Sheppard, a 25-year veteran of the NBA, had been serving as the Wizards’ interim GM after president Ernie Grunfeld was fired late in the regular season, overseeing the team’s draft and free agency.
• The Los Angeles Lakers have been awarded the rights to forward Kostas Antetokounmpo ona waiver claim. The 21-yearold brother of Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo was waived Friday by Dallas. Kostas Antetokounmpo played in two games for the Mavericks and 40 games for the Mavs’ G League affiliate in Frisco last season, where he averaged 10.6 points and 6.2 rebounds.