Spurs coach Gregg Popovich: 'I can never retire,' blames Manu, Kawhi, Aldridge

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 18: Head coach Gregg Popovich of the 2017-20 USA National Team stands on the court during a practice session at the Mendenhall Center on July 18, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) less LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 18: Head coach Gregg Popovich of the 2017-20 USA National Team stands on the court during a practice session at the Mendenhall Center on July 18, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by ... more Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images Image 1 of / 75 Caption Close Spurs coach Gregg Popovich: 'I can never retire,' blames Manu, Kawhi, Aldridge 1 / 75 Back to Gallery

While the retirement of Tim Duncan seemingly signaled the end of an era for the San Antonio Spurs, Head Coach Gregg Popovich pondered the last chapters of his historic career.

"I've been used to that for 20 years and now it's gone," Popovich told ESPN. "I have to find that in some other way, some other power, some other player. I have to do something. But life goes on for all of us."

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Popovich signed a multi-year extension with the Spurs in July 2014, though the details were not released on the deal, and he is at least committed to Team USA basketball through 2020.

"I had to keep making promises. Manu was going to sign a few years back and he was like, 'Are you going to be here?' Tony, then Kawhi. Then when we were recruiting LaMarcus, he was like, 'Are you going to be here?' it just goes on and on. So I guess I can never stop, I can never retire," Popovich told ESPN.

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Should Popovich continue to coach the Spurs through his time with Team USA, he would further cement himself in history as the longest-tenured NBA coach — currently at 20 seasons with the Spurs as head coach and 26 with the franchise in general.

The five-time world championship winning coach will replace Duke's Mike Krzyzewski as the head of Team USA following the summer Olympics.

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In the meantime, Popovich is working with the USA Select Team — referenced to as the JV team by NBA.com — presumably where Team USA will draw talent from in future Olympic games.

Editor's note: This report has been updated to clarify Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich's time with Team USA is expected to continue through 2020, however, Popovich has not explicitly said he will remain at the helm of the Spurs until 2020.

MMedina@mySA.com

Twitter: @MariahMedinaaa