SAN ANTONIO, Texas (AP) – Hanggang sa pagreretiro, pinili ni NBA star Tim Duncan na manatiling payak ang kaganapan.

Walang press conference. Hindi magkakaroon ng Tour. At walang television coverage.

Isang simpleng pahayag lamang ang ginawang anunsiyo para sa pormal na pagreretiro ng tinaguriang “Greatest Power Forward” matapos ang 19 na season sa San Antonio Spurs sa NBA.

Hindi naitago ni coach Gregg Popovich ang kalungkutan nang harapin ang miyembro ng media sa practice facility ng Spurs.

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“He’s irreplaceable,” pahayag ni Popovich.

Nabuo ang samahan nina Popovich at Duncan nang kunin ng Spurs bilang No.1 overall pick ang noo’y 21-anyos na forward mula sa Wake Forrest.

“I figured I better come out here and do this and somehow say goodbye to him,” sambit ni Popovich, matapos basahin ang opisyal na pahayag ng pagreretiro ni Duncan. “Which is an impossibility, for a lot of reasons.”

Sa paglisan ni Duncan, inaasahang mababago ang sitwasyon ng liga, higit ang istilo at kampanya ng Spurs.

“I think it will be a seamless transition for the team,” patotoo ni dating NBA coach at ngayo’y television analyst na si Jeff Van Gundy. “I think who it’s going to be hard on is Gregg Popovich.”

Sa kasalukuyan, hindi pa ito prinoproblema ni Popovich.

“I can honestly tell you my dinner would be with Timmy,” pahayag ni Popovich, bilang tugon sa katanungan kung sino ang pipilian niyang maka-dinner na celebrity.

“And it would be because he’s the most real, consistent, true person that I’ve ever met in my life.”

Patuloy naman ang pagbuhos ng tribute kay Duncan sa social media.

“Greatest Power Forward Ever ! It was an honor to play with you !! “pahayag ng kanyang teammate na si Tony Parker sa Twitter @tonyparker may kalakip #spursfamily.

“What a legacy you leave. Your quiet strength will always be with the Spurs fans. #GoSpursGo,” sambit ni David Robinson sa @DavidtheAdmiral