the acquisition cost just doesnt work for us right now.

SAN ANTONIO -- Life without Tim Duncan has officially begun for the San Antonio Spurs, even if they arent quite ready to accept it.For the first time since Bill Clinton was in the White House and Men In Black was a box office hit, the Spurs will open training camp without Duncan.During the teams annual media day Monday, San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich joked that Duncan is being fined daily -- $2,500 a day, every day that he does not show up.I wasnt here with him that long so its not as dramatic for me as it will be for everybody else, but it definitely feels like he should walk in any moment but he hasnt yet, Spurs forward LaMarcus Aldridge said.Duncan retired in July after 19 seasons as arguably the greatest power forward of all time. A two-time MVP, Duncan led San Antonio to five NBA titles and helped set a selfless, team-first standard that is the envy of many sports franchises.The transition from the Spurs reliance on the Big Three of Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili began in earnest last season with the addition of Aldridge and the continued growth of Kawhi Leonard. San Antonio continued the makeover in the offseason with the signing of Pau Gasol, but that doesnt soften the blow of losing Duncan.I think its going to hit me more tomorrow when we get on the court, Parker said. Were definitely going to miss him. You cant replace a guy like that. Hes been the face of the franchise for the last two decades. Its going to be weird. Its going to be weird without him, especially now that we have a lot of young guys, a lot of new faces and so its going to be a lot of teaching to do at the beginning of the season.Duncan will attend some practices to assist with coaching, but it will be up to Parker, Ginobili and the other veterans to acclimate the largest number of new faces in Popovichs 20 seasons as Spurs coach.San Antonio added 11 new players to its training camp roster, including rookies Dejounte Murray and Davis Bertans and free agents like Gasol and David Lee.Its a lot of fun just to think about new bodies and new blood in the gym, Popovich said. Not just the players, the staff. I dont know half of the names of the new staff we hired in the film room, interns and management and all that kind of thing. A lot of people walking around, both players and staff. It will be exciting who comes up with what ideas, who plays well and who fits together.Gasol is the most critical addition. Entering his 17th season, the 7-foot center has won two NBA championships and made his sixth All-Star appearance last season while with the Chicago Bulls.Stepping into Duncans place in the starting lineup will be one of the biggest challenges of his career.Tim has been so exceptional and unique, Gasol said. He is considered by most of us the best power forward that has ever played the game. So, Im not coming here to fill his shoes and the spot that he left, but Im here to make the best that I can to fit in as best as I can and to work with the guys that are here to win a title and work as hard as I can to do that. Its an opportunity, its a privilege but at the same time, its a huge challenge.Gasols presence will help ease the burden on Leonard and Aldridge.The All-Star forwards led San Antonio to a franchise-record 67 victories last season before falling to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference semifinals.I think everybody has to take on that burden, Aldridge said. Its not a one-players job, no one can be Tim Duncan. Its going to be everyones job. Chimezie Metu Jersey . Reassurance came from Paul Tesori, his caddie and close friend whose newborn son is in intensive care in a Florida hospital. "Paul sent me a text this morning, just told me he loved me and wanted to go out and fight as hard as I would any other day," Simpson said Sunday after doing just that. Chimezie Metu Spurs Jersey .C. -- Glenn Howard needed an extra end to move into the Masters Grand Slam of Curling final. https://www.spurslockerroom.com/Demar-Derozan-City-Edition-Jersey/ . Blackwood, 28, has played the last three seasons in the San Diego Padres system, including the past two summers with Class AA San Antonio of the Texas League. Keldon Johnson Spurs Jersey . Brazilian national coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has confirmed that the veteran goalkeeper is set to join Toronto on loan, saying it will help him be ready for the World Cup. San Antonio Spurs Jerseys . "I dont know that were close," said general manager Alex Anthopoulos. "I just think, right now, the acquisition cost just doesnt work for us right now. I dont know if I can quantify how far off or things like that that they might be but I would say we continue to have dialogue. NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Michael Birdsong had three total touchdowns, Yeedee Thaenrat rushed for 164 yards and a score, and Tennessee Tech beat Tennessee State 44-16 on Saturday night.Tennessee Tech took the opening kickoff and went on a 10-play, 75-yard drive for a 7-0 lead on Thaenrats short run. The Golden Eagles scored 20 unanswered points in the second quarter and led 27-3 at halftime.Dontez Byrd caught nine passes for 112 yards and one touchdown for Tennessee Tech (4-6, 4-3 Ohio Valley Conference). Birdsong was 14-of-22 passing for 168 yards and two touchdowns, andd he had six carries for 77 yards.dddddddddddd Nick Madonia made 3 of 4 field goals, with a long of 57.Lane Clark made three field goals -- of 55, 47 and 25 yards -- for Tennessee State (6-4, 3-3).The Tigers scored their lone touchdown with 8:08 remaining in the fourth quarter when Ronald Butler connected with Steven Newbold for 22 yards to pull to 37-16. The Golden Eagles answered on their next drive with Birdsongs 14-yard touchdown run. ' ' '