Pops chokes up
Calls retiring Duncan ‘irreplaceable’
Gregg Popovich bade an emotional farewell to Tim Duncan’s playing career Tuesday, the longtime San Antonio coach saying the now-retired Spurs star was the best teammate anyone could have known.
Sounding as if he were choking up at times and wearing a T-shirt with Duncan’s face printed on the front, Popovich spoke at the Spurs’ practice facility in San Antonio. Duncan announced his retirement after 19 seasons on Monday in a statement released through the Spurs.
Popovich said Duncan was “irreplaceable” and “it’s really difficult to imag- ine” the Spurs playing without the five-time NBA champion.
Duncan and Popovich won more games together than any player-coach combination in NBA history. Popovich says he hopes Duncan will remain involved with the Spurs in some capacity.
U.S. WOMEN BOOTERS NAMED
Megan Rapinoe, who is coming off December knee surgery, has been named to the national team roster for the Rio Games along with Carli Lloyd, who has scored in the gold-medal winning final for the United States in the last two Olympics.
Lloyd, who also scored three goals in 16 minutes to lead the United States to victory over Japan in the final at last summer’s Women’s World Cup, joins fellow threetime Olympians midfielder Tobin Heath and goalkeeper Hope Solo on the roster announced Tuesday. Solo was also an alternate in 2004.
The United States has won the last three Olympic gold medals. The team opens the tournament in Brazil against New Zealand on Aug. 3 at Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte.
Rapinoe injured her knee during practice when the team was in Hawaii for a World Cup victory tour match, which was later called off because of the poor condition of the turf at Aloha Stadium.
It had been uncertain whether she’d be available to play in the Olympics. Coach Jill Ellis had just 18 roster spots, down from the 23 she had for the World Cup.
Rapinoe, forward Alex Morgan and defenders Kelley O’Hara and Becky Sauerbrunn will make their second Olympic appearance.
Players who make their debut in Brazil include goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, defenders Whitney Engen, Julie Johnston, Meghan Klingenberg and Ali Krieger, midfielders Morgan Brian, Lindsey Horan and Allie Long, and forwards Crystal Dunn, Christen Press and Mallory Pugh.
PACQUIAO UNRETIRES
Manny Pacquiao isn’t ready to give up his night job just yet. Pacquiao, who said before his last fight in April that he would retire, now plans to return to the ring in November against an opponent who has yet to be selected. Promoter Bob Arum said Pacquiao got permission to take a break from his new duties as a senator in the Philippines to take another fight. It would be held Nov. 5, likely in Las Vegas.