NEWS » we fought, but we ran out of time and it wasnt enou

When Tim Duncan decided to reflect on his outstanding 19-year NBA career, the understated star did it in the most Timmy way possible: seated at a table with a friend from the islands.Two days after the San Antonio Spurs announced his retirement , Duncan told longtime friend Rashidi Clenance that he simply started not enjoying myself as much. It wasnt fun as much. When its not fun anymore, Im done.When the decision was made public, Duncan was hailed as perhaps the greatest power forward the league has ever seen, a five-time champion and unparalleled teammate whose selflessness and determination served as the backbone for the most enduring success story in American sports over the last two decades.Duncan tried to avoid much of the praise, watching former teammate Bruce Bowens tribute on ESPN and coach Gregg Popovichs emotional news conference on Tuesday.I about lost it on that one, Duncan said during the interview streamed online by ViVid Streaming.I didnt expect the response that I got, Duncan said. No, I didnt. Thats the way Im built. I knew that I didnt want to sit there and watch what was being said. Its appreciated, but I just didnt want to watch it.Duncan looked relaxed while doing the interview, seated at the table with a green T-shirt with a picture of Manu Ginobili and himself blocking out. He said there were no immediate plans for the next phase of his life, which is just the way he wants it.Thats the beauty of it. There is no script, Duncan said. For the first time in 20-something years, I dont have a script. I dont have somewhere I have to be and something I have to do. So, I get to go out and enjoy my kids even more. Outside of that, I get to do a little living.Duncan has two children -- son Draven and daughter Sydney -- and for several years has had a side business in San Antonio customizing automobiles.I dont know that they were happy or sad, Duncan said of his children. I think theyre OK with the fact that Im going to be around more and they dont have to compete with the schedule or anything else. So, I think theyre happy about it but theyre sad that they wont be able to go to the games and see me play. Its mixed.Duncan downplayed the significance of his career several times during the interview, consistent with his humble demeanor ever since he was the No. 1 overall pick out of Wake Forest in 1997. He said he never pays attention to comparisons between himself and other all-time greats.I dont really care where the rankings go, he said. Im in the conversation. Im OK with that. Thats above and beyond anything I ever thought Id ever be. That in itself is an honor.Duncan also penned a letter to Spurs fans that was posted on the teams website and said he was taken aback by all of the fawning over the last three days.Luckily Im not dying, he cracked. Im just moving to another chapter.He grew emotional as the interview came to a close.Its been fun, Duncan said, pausing to compose himself. The next chapter will be fun, too. I really enjoyed the ride. I really enjoyed the cheers and the laughs and the highlights and the lowlights, everything that comes with that package. ... No better way to put it than, `Thank you.---AP freelance writer Raul Dominguez in San Antonio contributed to this story. Custom Adidas Shoes Australia . LOUIS -- St. Adidas Shoes Australia . The Vikings announced Thursday that Priefer will be one of seven holdovers from the previous staff, along with offensive line coach Jeff Davidson, wide receivers coach George Stewart and others. Norv Turner will mark his 30th year of coaching in the NFL as the offensive co-ordinator, as widely reported for weeks, and George Edwards will be the defensive co-ordinator. http://www.cheapadidasaustraliashoes.com/ . -- The plastic that was taped across the lockers in Oaklands clubhouse came down and the champagne that was on ice went back into the cooler. Adidas Shoes Australia Sale . A lawyer for MLB, Matthew Menchel, confirmed Wednesday the league dropped its case against Biogenesis of America, its owner Anthony Bosch and several other individuals. The lawsuit had accused Biogenesis and Bosch of conspiring with players to violate their contracts by providing them with banned performance-enhancing substances. Buy Adidas Shoes Australia . The home side created most of the chances but struggled to break down Braunschweigs resilient defence, resulting in the Bundesligas 1,000th scoreless draw. GREEN BAY, Wis. -- The timing is back for quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the rest of Green Bays offense.The Packers pass defense might need a little work, though.Rodgers threw for 205 yards and four touchdowns, including two in the first half to Jordy Nelson, and the Packers snapped out of their offensive funk before holding off the Detroit Lions for a 34-27 win Sunday.Rodgers was 15 of 24, leading the Packers to touchdowns on their first three series. Nelson had 101 yards on six catches, returning to the form that made him one of the NFLs best receivers before missing the 2015 season with a knee injury.Just got on the same page. Hitting Jordy for some big plays helps, Rodgers said. Jordy and I connected. Whenever were doing that, it kind of opens other things up for the offense.They moved the ball on the Lions short-handed defense with ease in the first half. The Packers (2-1) led 31-10 at halftime before the Lions slowly chipped away.Marvin Jones 35-yard touchdown catch with 3:34 left got Detroit (1-2) within seven. But Rodgers had a critical 11-yard run on third-and-8 from the Packers 27 with 3:22 left to effectively seal the win.Jones had a career-high 205 yards on six receptions. Matthew Stafford passed for 385 yards and three scores for the Lions, who held advantages in total yardage (418-324) and time of possession, holding the ball for 35 minutes.But the Packers burned the secondary with big plays to build a big lead, and Eddie Lacy ran for 103 yards on 17 carries.Obviously it was a difficult situation. We put ourselves in that situation. On offense, we didnt score enough points in the in the first half, Stafford said. Im proud of the guys for fighting back.PACK IS BACKSo much for the fuss over the Packers struggling offense.Coach Mike McCarthy and Rodgers heard questions about the out-of-sync passing game following the 17-14 loss last week to Minnesota.Now the Packers head into an early bye week with renewed confidence after a successful opener at Lambeau Field.Offensively the focus was to be a good, healthy mix of run and pass, so we accomplished that today, McCarthy said.SECOND-HALF SPURTThe Lions gained chunks of yardage in the second half after being forced to play catch-up following Green Bays big early lead. The Packers defense was also missing four starterss, including linebacker Clay Matthews.ddddddddddddStafford found holes over the middle of the field. He connected with Jones for a 23-yard completion on the first play from scrimmage in the second half to the Detroit 46.GET DEFENSIVEThe Packers allowed Detroit to convert on eight of 14 third-down tries, a problem that McCarthy planned to focus on during the bye week.But Green Bays staunch run defense had another big day, albeit against a Lions offense playing without injured tailback Ameer Abdullah. Detroit managed just 50 yards on 23 carries, with a team-high 38 yards on 10 carries by Dwayne Washington.The Packers also played without nose tackle Letroy Guion, safety Morgan Burnett and defensive lineman-linebacker Datone Jones, who were all out with injuries.JUST JONESJones gave the Lions a boost going into halftime with a 73-yard touchdown pass from Stafford to get Detroit within 31-10. He stiff-armed cornerback Josh Hawkins before sprinting untouched 45 yards into the end zone.I feel like what we did in the second half was to be commended, but obviously we didnt get it done, Jones said. The first half, we didnt play up to our standards and we came back and we fought, but we ran out of time and it wasnt enough.WORKING THE MIDDLEThe Packers offense accomplished two of McCarthys bigger goals for this week: Receivers worked the middle of the field, and Lacy got more carries in the running game.Nelson was lined up in the slot on his 8-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter, when Rodgers pump-faked, then stepped up in the pocket to find Nelson.Lacy looked rejuvenated as he bounced off defenders for a 23-yard run in the second quarter.INJURY REPORTLions: S Tavon Wilson left in the first quarter with a neck injury. It was another blow for a defense already without lineman Ezekiel Ansah and linebacker DeAndre Levy.Packers: TE Jared Cook went to the locker room with a right ankle injury after getting tangled up with a defender at 11:35 of the second quarter. ... FB Aaron Ripkowski did not return after going to the locker room near the end of the second quarter with a back injury.---Online: AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '