As Tim Duncan’s erstwhile mentor, and a devoted friend and fan, Dave Odom had no idea if the stunning conclusion of the San Antonio Spurs’ season Thursday night also meant the termination of Duncan’s quietly magnificent 19-year career.

“I never hear him comment on that,” said Odom, who first saw Duncan play on an outdoor court overlooking the Caribbean in St. Croix, then recruited him and coached him for four years at Wake Forest. “He’s saying, ‘Don’t ask me that. It’s none of your business. I’ll let you know.’”

In a telephone interview from his home in North Carolina, Odom paused and drew the most obvious N.B.A. contrast: “Kobe Bryant’s farewell was fine, but that would never be Tim’s way.”

The 60-points-on-50-shots, self-glorification way, he meant. Duncan went down with the Spurs, a 67-win regular-season team that, under adrenaline-heightened playoff circumstances in Oklahoma City, wasn’t athletic enough, particularly in the legs.