After Ginobili finished speaking, it was the turn of the last man and the most important person to Duncan, Popovich.

"It was a very 'difficult' decision to choose him back then, so difficult that all the cats and dogs in your family could make this decision."

Popovich's first words showed his old man humor.

This sentence also evoked the memories of many people at the scene, when Popovich and "Cardinal" Auerbach competed for Duncan.

In the end, Lady Luck favored San Antonio, and it also made the Spurs more than 20 years of history.

"He loves carrot cake, I can't remember how many times I've brought him cake, it's been almost 20 years, it's so 'annoying'."

Popovich also shared a little secret between him and Duncan in his subsequent speech.

This secret also fully reflects the relationship between the two, like a master and apprentice, and like a father and son.

"I don't want to talk about scoring or rebounding, I just want to say that he makes people better, and I thank him for giving me the opportunity to coach this team because I can lead this team in my own way because he is there.

He is the most sincere and stable person I have ever met, he has been the same for more than ten years, and I would like to say to Tim's parents, who have passed away, that Tim is the same as when he came here, he has not changed. ”

Popovich's last words were also sensational.

Duncan's eyes were unconsciously red, maybe he was not good at expressing feelings with words, but the relationship between the two did not need to be described in words.

When Popovich finished his last sentence, the audience also burst into applause and cheers.

Popovich and Duncan, the two most important totems of San Antonio, that is also their best memory, a long, long memory.

After Popovich finished speaking, Duncan took the initiative to come over and hug him, and the two of them hugged for more than a minute.

When the cheers fell and the two separated, Duncan took the microphone and prepared his speech as the protagonist.

"Last night was the hardest night of my life because I had to give a speech that lasted more than 30 seconds, and it was super difficult."

Duncan opened his mouth to reveal a part of his sincerity, but it made the fans laugh.

It's a bit hard for Duncan.

"But I got it done at the end, and on one of the most important occasions of my career, I have to thank a lot of people who did it."

Duncan's next words made the audience laugh even more.

Duncan: This is like many college graduates, just looking for a template to make a speech!

"Thank you San Antonio fans......"

But one way or another, Duncan began his thanks.

At this point, he, like Tang Tian, put the fans first.

The fans are followed by teammates, teammates are followed by management, and finally coaches.

Speaking of his teammates, he deliberately looked at Popovich and said a word.

"Coach, I think I should tell you that since Don came to the team, the carrot cake you gave me has been snatched and eaten by that guy, who is the ultimate lover of cakes."

Popovich was stunned for a moment, he obviously didn't expect such a thing, but then he burst out laughing.

After laughing, he couldn't help but shake his head.

At one time, he also thought that Tang Tian would become the next Duncan, and he could coach Tang Tian until the day he retired.

If that were the case, his carrot cake might not have been broken by his retirement, along with the red wine he couldn't finish in the fridge right now.

Duncan concluded by thanking the two most important coaches of his life.

"Thank you to Coach Odom for giving me the opportunity, thank you to him for being here, thank you to Popovich, we win together, we create the team culture together, you are not just my coach, you are more like my father."

Duncan's final speech was as sensational as Popovich's.

One is an old man with skin in stability, and the other is an old guy who is not good at words, and the two resonate unconsciously.

And in the final epilogue, Duncan also makes a rare use of his humor, albeit a little cold.

"I didn't wear jeans today, I wore a suit, but I didn't wear a tie, and besides, I spoke for more than 30 seconds."

One is echoing Parker's ridicule of his dressing style, and the other is self-mockery.

It's a cold humor, but it has attracted long-lasting cheers from the audience.

After all, it was Duncan's first joke in public.

Duncan's speech ended, and the scene went to the final jersey unveiling.

As with the unveiling of the championship flag, the black curtain covering the surface of Duncan's jersey slowly pulls open, revealing the one-of-a-kind jersey inside.

Duncan, No. 21, 1997~16.

Like the retired Spurs jerseys next to him, Duncan's name will hang over the ATT arena forever.

After the jersey retirement ceremony, Duncan stayed to watch the second half of the game.

Inspired by the retirement of their jerseys, the Spurs played a perfect half in the second half, and they eventually managed to take the lead.

In the final moments of the game, Ginobili dreamed of returning to the top, and a series of difficult three-pointers helped the Spurs finally beat the Pelicans to win the game.

The Pelicans' 19-game winning streak was ended, but losing a game is nothing for them, and no team can do it without losing a game.

And it's understandable to lose on a night like this.

After the game, Tang Tian was dragged by Duncan to party in the bar, and Parker, Ginobili, Dior and Leonard all went.

The last time in Rio, Duncan flamboyantly missed the party, this time he organized it himself.

But for them, it will be a very meaningful gathering.

Just when Tang Tian and Duncan were partying, FOX Sports continuously reported some black history related to Tang Tian.

The news also quickly made headlines on social media.

"When Tang Tian was playing at the University of Connecticut, he once went to the New York Street Court to participate in Street Court heads-up to win money, which is not allowed according to NCAA regulations."

"When he signed a contract with the Spurs, it was Tang Tian who insisted on signing a two-year contract, which eventually led to the subsequent exodus, in other words, if the two sides signed a 3-year or 4-year contract, Tang Tian is still a Spurs player."

"Tang Tian has been involved in the management decisions of the Pelicans all these years, and he is a player who interferes with management more seriously than LeBron James."

"Tang Tian once gave advice on Whiteside's contract signing, suggesting that the team sign a longer low-salary contract, which was a big reason why Whiteside left the Pelicans last summer."

……

This series of news broke out, which immediately caused an uproar.

Especially the news of heads-up wins in the NCAA era and the length of the Spurs' contract.

These are things that the outside world never knew before.