SAN ANTONIO -- Spurs coach Gregg Popovich admitted Monday to feeling "a little bit lonely" having to lead the team into its first exhibition outing in 20 years without Tim Duncan on the roster.
Before the Spurs' 91-86 loss to the Phoenix Suns, Popovich reiterated the organization's plans to keep Duncan in the fold in some capacity.
"If he wants to scout a little bit or run a drill one day or take a week road trip with us, we're open to whatever he wants," Popovich told the San Antonio Express-News. "We're hoping it will infect him a little bit and he'll want to do more."
Duncan made his first appearance last week at one of the team's training camp workouts and spent time working with new additions Dewayne Dedmon and Dejounte Murray.
One of the cornerstones of San Antonio's five championships and credited in large part for helping to create the organization's current culture, Duncan announced his retirement in July after 19 seasons with the team.
Spurs general manager R.C. Buford has said the club plans to let Duncan's role evolve as he adjusts to life after basketball. Duncan lives fairly close to San Antonio's practice facilities, and his speed shop, BlackJack Speed Shop, is fewer than five minutes from team headquarters.
"Where we're fortunate is he has such a presence here in our community," Buford said. "We hope this will be his home, and we'll continue to gain from his involvement as an organization, a team and a staff, and in all the areas he can impact."